I am traveling from Paris to Normandy and will most likely stay in Honfleur. I only have a limited amount of time in Normandy and want to maximize my time there, would you recomend taking a day tour or renting a car? Also, how much would I expect to pay for a two-day car rental and how would I go about finding a car to rent? Many thanks!
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Allison - There are a number of D-Day tours. Rick lists several in his book and you could also search this website for other suggestions.
To find out about renting a car, go to www.autoeurope.com and enter the dates you'll want a car for and where you want to pick it up. They'll give a rate right away.
I found it a little difficult to see the D-Day sights on my own. There's a lot of navigating and sign guessing to be done. I think that if your time is limited, signing up for a tour would be the way to go.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32228 posts
Allison, Especially as you have "limited time" in Normandy, my suggestion would be to base yourself in Bayeux and use BattleBus tours. They're a bit expensive but provide an incredible tour of the major D-Day sites. The "American highlights" tour would be a good one to consider, as it includes not only the beaches but also Point-du-Hoc, St. Mere Eglise and the American cemetery.
If you take the tour, ask the Guide if the group can visit the Church where the two Medics from the 101st (Band of Brothers) served. It was very moving!
While you can certainly rent a car and drive to various sites I doubt that you'd achieve the same experience as taking a tour, as they provide so MUCH information and personal stories of the events of that day. I've done both, so I feel that I can provide a good assessment of both methods.
There are so MANY sights it's not possible to see all of them in one day, but if you want the best "condensed" visit of the D-Day sites, a tour is the way to go!
Cheers!
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
You will not be disappointed with a BattleBus Tour...we really enjoyed the 9 hour tour.
Posted by
Manhattan Beach, CA, USA
108 posts
I second Ken's recommendation. We just spent 2 nights in Bayeux and took the Battlebus 1-day tour. It's from 8:30-5:00 and is very moving and informative, includes visits to 3 beaches, St. Mere Eglise, a museum and the cemetery. Bayeux is a small town you can walk around, including to the pick-up point of your tour, and you don't have to worry about renting the car and finding your way around.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
80 posts
I would also agree with Ken. We have taken three Battlebus tours in the past two summers, and on both trips it was the highlight of our trip. Book early, as they tend to fill up, but you cannot do better than Battlebus.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Spend as much time as you can in Normandy - it's well worth it.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, pa, usa
53 posts
Allison,
All the suggestions are correct. Don't miss Honfleur
http://www.giaglis.com/ a really quaint B&B. The mentioned church is in the town of Angoville-Au-Plain a newly dedicated Stained Glass Window (April 2006)101st pane was installed by Mr. Patterson -http://sparkyasundevil.tripod.com/id11.html visit his site for great photo's.
Enjoy your trip!!!!
Craig
Posted by
bedford
5 posts
I think they will require a 3 day car rental as a minimum. In Oct, I'm renting a car in Rennes, seeing Mont St Michel, driving to Bayeux, staying 2 nights & returning the car in Caen. Driving in that area is no problem & you can go where you want, when you want. This will be the second time I've done this & it allows you to see other sites beyone the beaches, such as St Marie Eglise. Have fun!