ninalou

Hi,

We plan on being in Paris from October 5th to the 11th with one of those days traveling to Normandy via a rental car.

Where can I find the best rates and which location would be the best to pick-up from (keeping in mind the best rate).

Also, any World War II or other sightseeing tips for Normandy? Hotels and restaurants there? Favorite towns?

Thanks so much!

Robespierre

I'd take the train to Caen and rent the car there. It's faster, and the less driving on French roads, the better I like it (and the less $6 gas).

All along the coast, from Caen to Cherbourg, there are numerous D-Day museums, monuments, and cemeteries. Some of the original fortifications remain, along with relics of the invasion force. The Tourist Information Bureau in Caen or Bayeux will book a guide for you, or supply you with materials for a self-conducted tour (recommended, since you have a car).

Bayeux, of course, is the home of the famous tapestry chronicling the Battle of Hastings, and a charming cathedral.

The best seafood on the planet can be had at Port-en-Bessin, adjacent to Omaha Beach.

You can't do it in one day, but Mont Saint-Michel is close enough for a second day's excursion.

Gretchen

With only 6 (or perhaps 5 "real&quot days in Paris you will be hard pressed to do justice to "Normandy". If you truly are dedicated to spending a day seeing the Normandy beaches then I might suggest a ParisVision tour--long day by bus. Favorite towns, hotels, restaurants do not even come into play, in my opinion. An alternative to a bus tour would be train to Bayeux and arrange a tour from there. I would suggest spending all your days in Paris--it is not even enough. Qualifier--if you've spent a lot of time in Paris previously, then take a day trip to Giverney, Chartres, Auvers sur Oise.

ira

Hi nina,

The usual suspects are:

http://www.autoeurope.com/
http://www.novarentacar.com/
http://www.gemut.com/Page.asp?ID=304
http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/

Robespierre

Anyone contemplating wandering around the invasion area would do well to acquire the Michelin map <b>Battle of Normandy</b> No. 102. Amazon has them for $9.71 today.

ljwobker

I'm sure you know this already... but the American Cemetary at Omaha Beach is not to be missed. Pointe du Hoc is also very interesting, you can see a number of original fortifications and the shell-holes remaining give you an inkling of what it was like the morning of D-day. Look down the cliffs from the Pointe and imagine climbing those while soaking wet and under machine-gun fire.