Bayeux to American Cemetary and Omaha Beach

I just checked the Bus Verts timetables for Line 70. There is no morning bus service from Bayeux to the American Cemetery (cimetière américain). The first bus leaves from the train station in Bayeux at 12:45 and arrives at the American Cemetery at 13:19. Your return departure time choices are 14:17 and 17:20. The 14:17 bus arrives at the train station at 14:57. The 17:20 bus doesn't go all the way to the train station. The last stop is saint-patrice (17:51).

You could take a cab to the cemetery and then bus back.

I must admit I'm feeling a little panicked after looking at this bus route. Get to Bayeux, get on the bus for Omaha Beach, watch the time, watch the time, catch the bus to Colleville sur Mer, watch the time, watch the time, catch the bus back to Bayeux, catch the train back to Paris...(grabbing head)...Agggggghhhhh...That bus timetable is a bit complicated - be sure you're reading for the day you're planning this, ex. M-F, Sat only, Wed only, etc.... Is there a reason the two of you don't just rent a car at Caen (very easy access from train station - across the street)? The last time I researched this, the price for a one-day rental would equal what it looks like (?) the two of you will spend on bus tickets. And you can start as early as you want, and leave as late as you want. OR have you investigated one of the many excellent tours that explore this region? You'd get a lot more out of your trip to this area...these tours can be pricey, but within reason don't cheap out on your sight-seeing...just pretend your flight cost a little more than it did ;-)

Allison, I suspect it's going to be difficult to get to both sites via Bus on a day trip from Paris. That would require very careful planning between arrival time of the train, travel time on the Buses and return to the station in time to board the train back to Paris. Is there any possibility you could spend at least one night in Bayeux? That would allow you to take one of the excellent day tours in that area. The other possibility (as suggested earlier) would be to rent a Car. As I recall, there is at least one rental agency in Bayeux. You might want to arrange that via a Travel Agent, as the staff at the agency may not speak much / any English. Happy travels!

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. We have decided to just rent a car. Thanks again.

Allison; unless you've already arranged for a Bayeux arrival, would strongly suggest you rent a vehicle in Caen. There's 2 or 3 (or more) rental agencies directly opposite the Caen train station and it's an easy drive to Bayeux from there. It's really easy driving anywhere in France unless you're contemplating driving in Paris or other such big city; which I'd not suggest. I'm heading over in March/April for a multi-day stay in Normandy and, very briefly, considered using bus services for what I wanted to do in Normandy concerning WW2 stuff. I've lived and driven over there for a few years not that many years ago and have decided to rent a car in Caen and see where my compass/GPS takes me. I do speak French reasonably well but the French/Normandy bus schedules (I've figured them out) and/or convenience just didn't work for me. For a Normandy day trip from Paris (something else I'd not recommend - stay overnight somewhere!!!), a rental car's the only way unless you take an organized tour from Paris of the D-Day beaches. Such tours exist but once again would not encourage you to do so as most of your day will be spent in a bus/train/van rather than visiting "sites" you want to see. If the bus doesn't work for me over 5 days, it won't work for you during one day out of Paris.

The countryside is beautiful and Bayeux is amazing. I suggest you rent a car and take a few days to enjoy the area. You can get by with minimal French. Being that close to Normandy, I would suggest a trip there as well. It would touch your soul.

The countryside is beautiful and Bayeux is amazing. I suggest you rent a car and take a few days to enjoy the area. You can get by with minimal French. Being that close to Normandy, I would suggest a trip there as well. It would touch your soul.