Short Normandy iitinerary

Caen is ugly, Bayeux isn't. The Bayeux museum is better than the one at Caen. I suspect the same train from Paris serves both.

Since you don't have much time, I'd also suggest training to Bayeux and spending your time there. You can easily take two whole days seeing the landing beaches and still not see everything. Also, if you're in Bayeux, I wouldn't miss seeing the Bayeux Tapestry from the 12th century.

Keith; train from Paris to Caen, pre-arrange from the States or walk-up rent-a-car at the Europcar/Avis/Hertz counter (the latter an expensive method) & after choosing a suitable vehicle (directly across from the Caen Station or Gare), drive to Bayeux. Car rentals in Bayeux are difficult/impossible but as you're from Milwaukee, I imagine you're interested in Utah and Omaha beaches; Bayeux's closer to them than Caen. I'm a Canadian so I'd stay in Caen. Across from the train station in Caen there's a slew of car-rental agencies while in Bayeux, not so easy. The Hotel Churchill seems to be "the" place to stay in Bayeux -wouldn't be my choice as there's a lovely B&B that's cheaper and much more an experience but the C's perhaps a bit more of a "familiar" feel. Have fun!

We spent 3 days in Bayeux and didn't find the need for a car at all. Took the train from Paris, stayed in 2 different B&B's, one we liked a lot, the other not so much, did a 2 day tour with Battlebus (sadly closed now, but there are other, outstanding tours there) spent evenings strolling around Bayeux, which is very old and very pretty, going to see the Tapestry and several hours in the museum there. Husband and I both found this museum to be very, very good. We also visited the British cemetery here. We didn't stay at the Churchill Hotel, but at Hotel de Sainte Croix, which we found to be absolutely lovely. The other B&B was Hotel Logis d' Ramperts (or something like that) It was ok, but we found the beds to be very uncomfortable and they had the worst coffee I have ever drank. Plus, I had asked for a specific room and we got a different one when we arrived. http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/index.php?page=single_article&name=accueil

While Caen isn't worth spending a lot of time in on it's own, I did enjoy visiting their museum. If you don't rent a car, there might be a mass transit option that would get you from Bayeux to Caen for part of the day so you don't miss out on the museum entirely.

It's a good plan. You should keep an eye on the weather forecast and do your museum visits when it is wettest.

We thought the museum in Bayeux was much better than the one in Caen, as Ed said. We've taken a train from Paris to Caen and rented a car twice, and we've also taken a train to Bayeux and rented a car. In Bayeux, we had to take a taxi to the car rental place, in Caen we didn't - so for that reason Caen was easier. But I read a post a couple months ago that said there is a car rental place in Bayeux near the train station - if that's true, that's what I would do. It is the same train from Paris that stops in Caen and Bayeux. If you do a guided tour, you won't need to rent a car, as Jo suggested. Just depends on how you want to see the sites. We've stayed at Hotel D'Argouges in Bayeux every visit and love it. It's wonderful.

Keith - My family and I took a short train ride from Paris to Bayeux and used a cab to get around when needed (ie, luggage and people to the hotel from the train station). We took a day tour to the D-Day sites; everything else in Bayeux is walkable. Be sure to see the Tapestry. Have fun!

Thanks all for the help. The B&Bs in Bayeux are looking pretty good along with maybe just staying on the train from Paris all the way to Bayeux. Cheers!

Keith, I agree with everyone about using Bayeux as a base v. Caen. My husband and I went last April. Omaha and Utah beaches and the American cemetery are obviously must-sees, but don't overlook Pont du Hoc, where the rangers had to scale the cliff to take out the German battery there. You can still see the German bunkers and the craters from the Allied bombardment. I also agree that if you can manage it, see the Bayeux Tapestry. You think, meh, a tapestry, but it really is amazing. Also check out the farmers market there on Saturday morning if you'll be there then. I think there is a smaller one on Wednesdays, too. Have fun!