Touring The D-Day Beaches

Jim,

I've also taken that tour, and really enjoyed it! As you mentioned, it doesn't allow much time to dwell at the various locations but is perfectly adequate to get some idea of the events of that day. I assume Pvt. Steele is still hanging on the Bell Tower in St. Mere Eglise?

The Guide on my tour was Dale Booth, also ex-British Army.

Cheers!

Jim, I took that tour last Wednesday also and had Stuart as our guide. Were there two that day? I know there were several Battlebus tours leaving at the same time. Anyway, we loved it as well. We also did the Band of Brothers tour with Dale on Tuesday. Loved that as well.

Ken, Private Steele is still there (on the opposite side from where he really landed as you probably know), although according to Stuart, he is not there all the time. (Perhaps he goes to the Riviera for the winter?)

We stayed at the Hotel de St. Croix since it was recommended by several on this site. Thanks to those who mentioned it. It was an excellent choice. As reported, The breakfasts were to die for.

We also loved the all day Battle Bus American tour. I never hesitate in recommending Battle Bus to people on this site. Also impressed Bayeux.

I agree, Bayeux is a wonderful small French town and one that I really enjoyed (especially the restaurants).

I assume everyone also saw the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which describes a much earlier battle (albeit in England)?

The Bayeux tapestry is amazingly beautiful, impressive, descriptive. It was a Wow for me. Yes, loved Bayeux. We did a tour with DDay Battle Tours and the guide Elwood was outstanding.

Oh yeah, I loved the tapistry too.

Golly, I just love reading these posts.....they take me back time and again to Bayeux and our 3 days with Battlebus, touring with Paul and Allan. Can't wait to return.

Ditto Sharon.

My history-buff friend and I are planning a trip to some of the European battle sites in June. We were thinking of driving to the area, probably from Brussels or Bruges. While the Battlebus tour sounds good, we would like to spend more time at some of the sites. Is there a way to do a "self-guided" tour of the area? The hotel you mentioned sounds like a winner. We will probably be staying in the area for several days. is this something we need to book from here in the States?

My husband and I did the 2 day American Experience tour and I don't think I ever felt rushed at any of the sites.

We both felt very happy that we had gone ahead and spent the money for the 2 day rather than just the one day tour. Can't wait to go back and do the other tours they offer.

Sean was our guide for both days. He spent years working at the Imperial War Museum in London, and he sure knew his facts. What we enjoyed the most were the personal stories that he related. I think this is the part that you don't get from a guidebook or just driving around.

We liked the Hotel de St. Croix. Our double room with breakfast buffet was about 75 euro.
http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/english/html/acces.html

Bob-I am a history buff too especially with WWII and D-Day. We did the 1 day American Highlights Tour with Battlebus (Allan) and it was great! There was a lot of personal information (it wasn't here's the units that fought in this spot, it was more, here are some of the individual stories of soldiers from this battle) that you just don't get in other places.

One thing you could do if you have the time, is do a one day tour and then another day on your own to other spots, or to revisit places you felt were a bit rushed. I'm sure the guide would also have some suggestions of out of the way places you could visit also.

I felt the experience was wonderful, and well worth the money we paid. Just my two cents! Enjoy your trip!

Bob, I agree with Jed. We've done our own tour many times and a Battlebus tour once and I think the best is to take a 1 or 2 day tour w/Battlebus, then go back on your own to see places you'd like more time to experience. We did feel rushed in many places on the tour, but you get more info (especially the personal stories as Jed said) that you wouldn't get on your own. That's why doing both is the best.

I highly recommend Hotel D'Argouges in Bayeux. It's in Rick's France guide. We've stayed there 4 times and absolutely love it, so do many others here.

I'll concur with Susan on Hotel d'Argouges. We stayed there and loved it! Beautiful place with a wonderful staff.

Jed

Bob,

I agree with the others! If you're going to be there three days, I'd recommend spending one or two days on a BattleBus tour and the remainder visiting sites that are of specific interest to you. Taking one of the tours will provide a much more rewarding and interesting learning experience, as opposed to just going to the beach and looking around. The battle sites are quite "spread out" so unless you know where to look, you'll miss some significant locations (such as the small Church at Angoville-au-Plain where the Band of Brothers fought). I discovered that site while on a BattleBus tour.

Cheers!

The church at Angoville is a perfect example of a fascinating, deeply moving true story I never would have known about had we not taken a Battlebus tour.

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. If anyone has any other recommendatios for battle sites, etc please send them along. My trip is in the planning stage and all info is appreciated. Bob