What would be a good place to stay a night to explore the beaches and have a nice place to stay?
My wife and I have reservations at the Reine Mathilde in Bayeux. It looks like a very decent, small 2-star hotel. 38 rooms, 55 Euros per night for a double. We're taking the BattleBus one-day "American Highlights" tour. The bus (max 8 psgrs) picks up about 1 block from the hotel at 830AM, and takes you to Pointe du Hoc, Ste. Mere-Eglise, the Airborne Museum, the hedgerow country, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. I've heard nothing but good reports on BattleBus.
I'm sure that other regulars on this board will chime in with good advice.
I can definitely second the Reine Mathilde! We stayed there last April. It is a simply lovely hotel, and very well located. We also did the Battlebus tour and could see the pick-up point from our bedroom window. Enjoy your trip!
:)
I would recommend the Churchill Hotel in Bayeux. Very nice place, in the center of town, very friendly staff.
Gail - I stayed at the Hôtel d'Argouges in Bayeux a few weeks ago on a RS tour. It was a very nice, clean, large rooms, good location. Here’s the website: http://www.ohotellerie.com/dargouges/. Bayeux is a nice city with lots of restaurants, shops, and streets to wander. Check out the Tapestry and Cathedral.
We stayed at this B&B - Hotel de Sainte Croix, and absolutely loved it. Price was 75€ per night, but included a beautiful breakfast buffet made by our hostess. This was the ultimate French experience for us, staying in this lovely home, filled with antiques, but with the modern convenience of a huge bathroom and a king size bed. It was about a 10 min. walk from the Battlebus pick-up point.
http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/english/html/acces.html