Normandy recommendation?

Book a Battlebus tour. We went in the fall of 2007 and it was excellent.

Suzanne,

I'd suggest staying in Bayeux and booking at least one tour with BattleBus (they require tour members to stay in Bayeux). While in Bayeux, you can also see the historic Bayeux Tapestry. It's a wonderful small town, and I quite enjoyed my stay there.

Happy travels!

I don't think Honfleur is close to Omaha Beach. Honfleur is north-east of Rouen.

Honfleur is pretty but too far from D-Day sights. Bayeux is a relaxing little town. Book a tour with Roel Klinkhamer of Victory Tours. We loved his 'one man van' style tour business. The full day tour was the highpoint of our trip. Shared tears and a few laughs with Roel and learned so much about the price of freedom. Allow at least 2-3 days in Bayeux so you can return to D-Day beaches and all the little museums along the coast after your tour to take it all in.

Suzanne, just a heads up on D-Day Tours. If you decide to use Battlebus Tours, (Very Highly Recommended) you must be staying in Bayeux or very close or they will not book you. Their tours start @8am and are on time. They will not wait for someone who is late and that is why they require you to stay in the immediate area. They have several tours to choose from and I have never seen a bad review on this site about them.

I have to agree with the above comments. Bayeux is the best place to stay. We liked Hotel D'Argouges in Bayeux and found it in Rick's Guidebook.

Bayeaux is the only place to see. and your mother may really like the tapestry which is a must. I didn't care for Honfluer. Many do but it is too touristy for me.

We love Hotel D'Argouge! We've stayed there 3 times because we like it so much. Wonderful owner and staff, beautiful hotel and gardens, and very reasonably priced.
Staying in Bayeux is definitely the best place and the town is really nice and very charming. We loved going in all the shops but also walking in the residential area of the old town. I wish I was there now!

Bayeux is beautiful. It did not get bombed in the war and is filled with all these wonderful buildings and houses from the 1600's as well as a gorgeous cathedral. Do check out the Battlebus tours, they are outstanding.
We stayed here in this B&B and loved it. Very reasonable prices and so wonderfully decorated as well as having a charming hostess and one of the best breakfasts I have ever had.

http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/english/html/acces.html

We just got back from Europe and went on the one day Battlebus, American Tour. It was one of the few enjoyable days for the teens that went, they were pretty bored with most of the trip. The tour guide was excellent. We stayed in Arromanches.

Good advice from others. Below is a link to a great collection of photos from D-Day and later that may be of interest to you.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/06/05/the-65th-anniversary-of-d-day-on-the-normandy-beaches/

Hi Suzanne,

I just returned from 2 weeks in France (our first trip), just my 18 year-old daughter and myself, and we spent 2 of those nights in Normandy. We chose to stay in Bayeux because (1) it's very convenient to D-Day sights, (2) I wanted to see the tapestry and the cathedral there (I love history), and (3) it's just a very charming town. We stayed at a B&B, Logis les Remparts and absolutely loved it. It was 70 euros a night and included breakfast, which is a delicious feast of croissants, yogurt, cheese, and their own apple jellies. Our room (the Bajocasse) was just beautiful and includes a queen sized bed (we slept in the same bed) and a daybed if you don't want to sleep together. The owners, Francois and Christele LeCornu, are absolutely delightful and Christele speaks perfect English. She tends to run the B&B while he runs the adjoining shop where they sell their own Calvados brandy, apertifs, cider and delicious jellies. It's also conveniently located just around the corner from the cathedral and walking distance to some great restaurants (loved l'Assiette Normand).

We wanted more flexibility (and we were on a budget) so didn't take one of the tours. Instead we drove out to the beaches (driving was very easy in France) using Rick's recommended touring plan starting in Arromanches then the American Cemetery, lunch in Vierville-sur-Mer on Omaha Beach, and then ending at Pointe du Hoc. Between seeing the 360 movie in Arromanches and the exhibits and literature at all of our stops, we didn't feel like we missed much in terms of doing it ourselves vs. having the tour commentary.

Colleen