We are planning a trip to Normandy for a D-Day tour in Mid-May, 2011. We will fly into Paris from Barcelona, arriving 9 a.m. on 5/15. What is the best way to get to Bayeaux from the airport, so that we can schedule an afternoon 1/2 day tour to Omaha Beach? Any suggestions for accommodations in Bayeaux? Thanks.
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
I would think that your options come down to: renting a car at the airport and driving or taking the RER into Paris and taking the train from Gare St Lazare to Bayeux (or to Caen and renting a car there). There are mainline trains that leave from CDG, but they tend to go toward Rennes, Tour, Lyon, or Reims rather than Normandy.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Mary, I'm sorry to have to tell you that you cannot get to Bayeux in time for an afternoon tour. There is a train that leaves Gare Saint-Lazare at 10:10 and arrives in Bayeux at 12:15, but you won't be able to get from the airport to the station in time to catch that train. The next train doesn't leave until 12:10. According to viamichelin.com, it's a three-hour drive from CDG to Bayeux. You cannot retrieve your luggage, pick up a rental car, and make the drive before the tour begins. I suggest that, as time allows, you visit the Caen museum, the Bayeux museum, and see the Bayeux tapestry. Then take a D-Day tour the next day.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Mary, I'd also recommend the Churchill Hotel as a good choice in Bayeux, as it's within easy walking distance to the Tapestry and other sites. Travel by train will most likely be faster than by car. It appears that you'll be travelling on a Sunday, so all of the car rental offices may not be open? Which train to use will likely depend on how quickly you can retrieve your luggage, buy a ticket and get to the RER station (there's sometimes a huge queue at the ticket office - there are automated ticket machines, but they accept only Euro coins or "chip & PIN" credit cards). Which Terminal does your flight arrive at? You may find it helpful to have a look at the This Website for tips on transportation links from CDG. If you choose the train option, there's a train departing CDG at 10:16, arriving Bayeux at 14:14 (travel time 3H:58M, changes at Gare du Nord, Metro to St. Lazare, change at Caen). Keep in mind that you'll need to allow time to buy tickets (a reservation will probably be required on the trip to Normandy). Which half-day tour are you considering? Happy travels!