My husband and I will be on a cruise ship with a full day in Le Havre the first week of June. We would like to tour the D-Day Beaches, cemetery. It is our first time in Europe and we would like to rent a car and do it ourselves rather than the pricey tours offered from the ship. Can anyone advise how difficult navigating would be or any alternative tours? Thanks for your help. This board has been invaluable in planning this trip.

We rented a car at LeHavre about the same time, 2 years ago. We rented thru the internet with a company, I believe was from Ireland. It was a challenge getting from the Cruise ship to the rental car company, which was part of a car dealership. We spoke little/no French and they spoke no English, but we got by.<BR><BR>I agree that cruise ships tours are very pricy. We went north, beginning with Fecamp where the Monks make the B&amp;B. The tour was very good. Then headed south to Etretat. A lovely village. Had lunch and walked the beach and up to a small viewing point.<BR><BR>We then headed South for a tour of Honfleur -- highly recommended. Then returned the car and caught a cab to the ship.<BR><BR>A D-Day tour is doable, but you really need to know what/where you are going/doing to make it meaningful. I did a 2-3 day tour while I was stationed in Europe 12 years ago, and it wasn't enough.<BR><BR>

Thanks for your response Budman. Just wondering if anyone knows time wise how far it is from Le Havre to Utah and Omaha Beaches. I know we aren't able to see all of the history sites of D-Day but would at least like to see these two. Doable? Thanks.

Our family did Normandy last year and because of rental car problems had to pick up our second rental car in LeHavre.I personally think that your scheduling would be impossible if you want to see anything at all especially if is near the anniversary of D Day observances(the first week of June?).You would probabably chose to drive to Honfleur(where I would have a bite to eat around the basin area of town) and go on over pass Trouville-Deauville areas on to Caen?The museum (WW II)in Caen takes a minimum of 3-4 hours and the major beaches with cemeteries are all west of Caen on alot of smaller lane roads.You really have to allow for traffic,road constructions and of course ,the crowds.The drive from Le Havre to Caen would easily be several hours and the cemeteries are about another 45 minutes to an hour from Caen.The major beaches are actually closer to Bayeaux which is west of Caen.If you really want to see all of these special places-I would chose to do Honfleur and one other and leave the rest for another trip.<BR>I think that I would rent the car but chose 3-4 places within a certain radius of Le Havre that you want to see without running from place to place, The beaches even in off season are somewhat crowded on certain days and you should allow some time to get out of the car and fully appreciate all that happened there.

It sounds like we're trying to cram in too much. I wasn't sure of distances and time. Thanks for the insight. I think we'll take your advice, rent a car and spend some time in the small towns around Le Havre. Thanks again.