I looked through old topics, and it seems like some links for recommended tours are not still operational. We have an apartment already in Paris, so we can't go to the Normandy area and stay a night.
Can anyone recommend (weighing cost and convenience): 1. What is the best way to do a day tour of Normandy--take a tour from Paris or take a train somewhere (e.g. Bayeux) and get a tour from there? 2. Does anyone know of a good tour operator for this excursion?
We have an apartment already in Paris, so we can't go to the Normandy area and stay a night.
I understand that thought ... and yet. You might want to consider whether spending double on lodging for one wild and crazy night would add enough to the enjoyment of your stay in France to make it worth the cost. Normandy hotels - most of them - aren't too expensive.
Back to your question: What do you want to see or do in Normandy? Why are you thinking of Bayeux?
On our first trip to Paris, we took a day trip to Normandy with Cityrama. We left from their office near the Louvre at 7 a.m., if memory serves me. It was a very long day, about 14 hours, but we enjoyed every minute of it. I think, knowing what we know now, we would have been happier staying a night or two there, taking more time to explore, but if you can only manage a day trip, this tour company does a good job.
Originally posted by WineWoman: All I want to see are the main highlights. I definitely don't want to pack and unpack to stay elsewhere from Paris (we have a 1 year old with us).
I can relate to your wishes and your situation. I have three children, and we have traveled to France almost every year since they were infants. In 2003 we spent 5 days near Bayeux when they were 10, 8 and 5, and we could have stayed much longer. Having done that, there is nothing in my experience that can recommend a day trip to Normandy with a child. I wouldn't even recommend it for an adult. You will spend more than a few hours just getting to/from Paris. For me, the Bayeux tapestry AND Omaha Beach (or any other landing beach), for instance, would be much more than a day trip. I understand your desire to visit, but I add my voice to others that recommend a night in a hotel or saving this vast and interesting region for another trip.
Joan
Posts: 469 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 25 April 2006
You could take the 7:12 a.m. train to Caen from the Gare St. Lazare in Paris and, with a change, be in Bayeux at 9:23 a.m. (Train timetables change in early July, so verify for your dates.) I would go immediately to the tourist office and see about an afternoon invasion beach - military cemetery tour. If there's nothing sufficiently focused - i.e. short enough, Les Taxis du Bessin will take you all to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery for 60 euros in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
With that arranged, you could see the Bayeux Tapestry before lunch. Last fall, we had a very enjoyable meal at Le Petit Bistro, No. 2 rue du Bienvenu in the downtown and I submitted a review. (Chris, Kathy, I find no link to Normandy restaurant reviews on the site. Did I say something naughty?)
Virtual tourism has some useful information on other sights in the town:
Le Petit Bistro is now Le Pet't Resto. Always excellent food, very "gastronomique" (ie wacky but great), seats under 20 patrons total. And a meal there will last AT LEAST 2 hours -- but I've only been there for dinner. Maybe not the best idea for someone doing the return trip from Paris hoping to see some of the D-Day sites.
If I may throw in my two cents on this point. You're going to end up spending a couple hundred Euros, spend at least 4 hours on trains plus more time in a car. And chances are high that the weather will suck -- meaning, rain. Don't do it! Enjoy Paris while you're there! If you want to do the D-Day thing, make a longer trip out of it, say two nights, giving you a full day to explore. Maybe on your next trip to France. Otherwise, but the video documentary, the films "The Longest Day," and the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" and read "Bodyguard of Lies" by AC Brown.
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
Trust me when I tell you that I have no desire to do this as a day trip at all. My husband is adamant that he sees Normandy this trip. I just checked the prices for the day trips from Paris, and it is EUR159pp. In addition to everyone's advice on this board (which I have already given him), perhaps this will convince him that we should do it another time...thanks to all for your input.
Last fall, we had a very enjoyable meal at Le Petit Bistro, No. 2 rue du Bienvenu in the downtown and I submitted a review. (Chris, Kathy, I find no link to Normandy restaurant reviews on the site. Did I say something naughty?)
Dave, I found your restaurant review in the list for France here, so it was posted. I'm not sure why it doesn't show up for Normandy, but I'll follow up.
WineWoman, here is another idea for you. Maybe your husband could do the long day trip to Normandy, since he is the one who has the strong interest. This would be more economical and more practical also with a young child. You could stay in Paris and have a leisurely day with your child. (Our family has split up like this a few times when there are some different interests.)
Dave, I found your restaurant review in the list for France here, so it was posted. I'm not sure why it doesn't show up for Normandy, but I'll follow up.
When a review gets added for the first time to a region, the link on the country's "home page" needs to be activated - unfortunately, it's not an automated process. It looks like Normandy was never activated. I sent an e-mail to Charisse this morning so I'm confident (as long as she's in the office today) that it will be done by end of day. Thanks for the heads up.
Winewoman, when we went, I think our first stop was the Museum for a tour and an overview of the events of D-Day, followed by lunch there, with wine included. We then went to the beaches, followed by the American Cemetery. Afterwards, we stopped by a small nearby village for ice cream and a little walking around. There was one other stop on the way back to Paris, for restroom/refreshments... We were there in November, so it was dark for the drive back, so we napped.
As an aside, I wasn't thrilled about spending a long day this way, but for my husband it was a no-brainer. After we went, I was so happy to have made the trip with him. It was an emotional day for both of us, one that I recall with fondness.
I don't know about doing it with a young child. It seems like it would be too much for one so young to endure. I liked Kathy's suggestion of "splitting up" for the day, perhaps, although you will certainly want to plan another visit so you can experience it, too.
Sorry for the delay in answering your question, we're packing for Alaska!
