Paris to Normandy one day trip in November

Juliette the biggest problem you have is the distance/time from Paris to Normandy. Second the beach areas is very large - 60-75 miles from east to west - and deep. The museum at Caen is well inland and you probably need to rent a car just to get around especially if you take the train from Paris. This is the main reason others are suggesting the overnight.

Thanks for all the help. I think this might be too much for the time we have. We're really just looking for a half day fun father/son outing--they could do an all day one if it's an easy day trip--but this may be a bit too much. I'll try to think of something else they could do together that wouldn't be so far away. Thanks again!

If "the museum" is the one at Caen, it is worthwhile but nowhere near the beaches. A day trip from Paris to the D-day sights is problematic at best, and in your case complicated by the diminishing daylight in November. Could you manage an overnight? There are other things to see and do (and eat) in the region too, besides the invasion.

Thanksno, they can only do a one day tripwe do have one "free" day on our schedule, but they can't do an overnight. They're trying to do a "boys" adventure for one day or afternoon. We're already going to Les Invildes but he is so interested in WWII that I thought it would be a good thing for them to do together. The Historic Paris Walking Tours has a WWII walk, but it doesn't look like they do it at that time of year. Odd question, but are there actual things to see on the beaches tour, or is it more visualizing what happened there. I'm trying to gauge how much of an impact seeing the tour would have on my son versus just going to the museum. The museum piece is doable (though it's kind of far to go from Paris)it's the tour that adds the 4-5 extra hours and cost. Any ideas? Thanks!

Sorry--I did mean the Caen museum. The thought was that they'd take the early train to Caen, go to the museum, and then maybe do one of the tours offered by the Museum. It leaves at 1pm and is a 4-5 hour tour--they'd then head back to the train. It would be a long day, but it would be the only way to do it. Any other ideas for a father/son adventure? We're doing a girls shopping./tea room afternoon/day, and they will be going off on their own. Thank you for all of your help!

Well, I'm just curious: Why can't they do one overnight? Is it that they can't, or they don't choose to -- there's a difference, n'est-ce pas?

"are there actual things to see on the beaches tour, or is it more visualizing what happened there?" It's 98% about visualizing what happened there. There are a few bunkers and bomb/artillery craters at Pointe du Hoc, but a tour may not go by those.

No overnightwe're in Paris for the week as family vacation. This idea came from trying to do a special father/son adventure while the girls do a special outing. I started with the idea of the Paris Walks WWII tour, but as I said, that doesn't seem to be running the week we are there. If this isn't doable, they'll just do something elsejust wanted to get a good sense of what was involved since we have never been there. THanks again.

In addition to the other problems mentioned by Adam in the 1st post, sunset there is right at 5pm in November and they won't be able to see anything much after that. And you asked if the museum is near the Beaches, it's not near the Beaches.

Which museum? You can see the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches from the museum there. You can see the Pegasus Bridge from the Pegasus Bridge museum. You can see the bunkers from the bunker museum near there. Caen is not near the beaches.

Juliette As others have said its a long way, and not really that many remnants to see. However, consider that it may turn out to be the highlight of his vacation for your son. A "long" day with his father doing "manly" things. I am sure that a 4 or 5 hour tour organized by the Museum must cover a good example of what is still to see. (i am not sure whether he would be as interested in Verdun and the first World war- or even if that is easier from Paris). And you can spend the whole day indulging in the Imprssionist paintings back in Paris

Juliette, it's a great idea and I think the tour will be worth it. I went with my 15 yr old (at the time) and saw the bunkers, the beaches, and the American Cemetery which made a big impression on him.
One other poignant moment was standing at Omaha Beach and watching people play on the beach as tho it was any beach in the world-- and being grateful people have the freedom to play on the beach. I vote for the tour since he is interested in WWII and some DDay is better than none. Edit: Ooof- I just googled a "landing beaches of Normandy" tour and was surprised at the prices. Don't know how old your son is but the tour is 14 hours and $ 262 for the adult. That is steep, even for the convenience of being driven to the beaches, Arromanches, Pointe du Hoc and the Caen museum, lunch included.

Hi Juliette, As I have three boys and a husband who are avid WW2 history buffs living in Belgium, I have two recommendations (the first is a minor site and the second an all day affair) 1) The Arc de Triomphe. There are, I believe, some photos in the museum re: ww2. Your husband could do a bit of research on Hitler's visit to the Arc and standing at the top of the Arc help your son visualize how, on August 10, 1940, the boots of German conquerors echoed hollowly along the Champs Elysees as the Nazis marched in arrogant symbolism through the Arc de Triomphe." 2) Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb (Musee de l'Armee).
www.invalides.org When we took another round of guests to Paris my husband was not interested in the tour and sites for the 5th time so he headed over to this museum. He was there all day and never finished! He said the WW2 exhibits are very good and include both European and Pacific exhibits. He is planning on returning with our boys. (You might want to educate your son a bit on Napoleon, if he is not familiar with that time period, as it will be all the more interesting to him if you should tour that part of the museum as well.) Hope this helps! Have a lovely trip. And if you ever have an opportunity to return I highly suggest Normandy-we took 6 kids with us and each one, whether they knew a great deal about WW2 or not, greatly enjoyed it...it is a holiday all to itself. And if you are Band of Brothers fans you must see Bastogne if you have an opportunity. The boys have dropped into foxholes, compared the sizes of a Sherman to a Tiger, etc.

Kind of sad that you and your girls aren't interested in any of this. I would much rather go to the D-Day beaches than go to tea and shopping any day. My daughter too. Do your girls even know what any of this means?

Thank you for all of your kind replies. As far as whether or not "my girls" and I are "interested in any of this", my son gets his love of history from me. I was a history major in college, concentrated in modern American studies, was taking out books on WWII long before any of the boys in my class, and am one of the few women I know who has seen and read just about every WWII book and movie out there. We have already planned a day at Les Invilides and plan on going to the Arc de Triomphe. "My girls" consist of my six year old daughter and 70 year old mother. We are going to Paris to celebrate my mother's birthday. I do not think that everything needs to be a lesson, and I think that a few years from now, having spent a very girly day, 3 generations of women, will have a great deal of meaning for all of us. Thank you for those who offered advice--my husband and I are going to try to figure it out this weekend!

Ah, a 3 generation outing in Paris. That, of course, is a whole different thing. Please accept my apologies if my post was offensive in any way.

Hi, Juliette, Here is a website of World War 2 museums, "attractions", memorials, graves. They are listed by country and then just click on the region (you have to run your cursor over the region and the name will show up.) I don't know that this will help your Paris trip, but perhaps on future trips. You are going to have a wonderful time no matter what. I envy (in the nicest way possible) the opportunity you are making to travel with your mom as well as helping create fabulous memories with your daughter (and son, of course!) http://www.ww2museums.com/country.asp?countryid=7&provinceid=33 Julie

What about a day trip to Reims? There's a museum at the site of the unconditional surrender of the Germans to the Allies there, as well as a moving momument to victims of the Gestapo. Beyond WWII, Reims suffered great damage during WWI. People in America don't realize how devasting WWI was to France. It also has a beautiful, really unbelievable cathedral and an abbey. In addition, there are some Roman ruins. Reims is about an hour on the train from Paris, and would be a great day trip.