Rail or car from Paris to D-Day Beaches

Yes we are driving in from the Netherlands. Does it make sense to just drive to the beaches since we already have the car? We have a 10, 12 15 and 18 year old with us.

Ok, now I understand! Yes, suggest you drive to the D-Day beaches first, then to Paris. Are you going to be using the rental car after Paris? Reason I ask is because having a rental car is a negative in Paris, parking is expensive and hard to find. If you don't need it after Paris, you can turn it in upon your arrival in Paris.

Unfortunatley we rented the car to drive from the Netherlands so we are stuck with it. We are driving in to France from the Netherlands on Christmas day.

Yes we will drive it back ot the Netherlands.

Okay, now I've got the full picture. For your Christmas Day drive, definitely make sure you fill the tank before you get off the Autoroute (freeway) to head over to the D-Day beaches--because in rural France on Christmas Day open gas stations will be hard to find.

Thanks for your help-

If you visit on your trip to Paris on the 25th, make sure that the sites/museums you want to visit will be open on Christmas Day. They will probably be closed. We are driving from Paris to the D-Day Beaches on the 30th for a day trip. Rail does not really save time, and certainly does not save money. We're planning on visiting the Mulberries at Arromanches, the German batteries at Longuis-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the German Cemetery at La Cambe. We pick up our rental car at Gare du Lyon at 0630 and will leave from there. It will be a long day, but doable. There are day tours from Paris, but these are about $250 per person. Websites to check: www.6juin1944.com and www.normandy.com