I'm off to Bayeux in three weeks &amp; I can't wait. Part of the reason for the trip is to visit the D-Day beaches. However, it seems that the tour company I'm in contact with only does tours to either the US Sector OR the British/Canadian Sector (their reason is the distance - they feel it is better to concentrate on one rather than trying to fit too much in).<BR><BR>They've offered me either tour - but I don't know which one to take. I turned down the option of a tour by a different tour operator because it was &quot;too American&quot; - as an Irish woman with English relatives, I don't want a tour that focuses on one nationality to the detriment of information about the others.<BR><BR>So (after all that long spiel), here's the question...<BR><BR>Any suggestions on which tour to take. In the sense that, I was hoping to visit the other sector myself (not using a guided tour). So, which sector is easiest to get to/visit without use of own transport.<BR><BR>I'm not even sure that I'm making sense - it's been a hectic weekend, and I'm at work to get some rest!!<BR><BR>Thanks

Hi Violagirl,<BR>You don't say how long you will be in France for, however if you are going to Bayeux that is a great place to start.<BR>In Normandy there are pre determined routes highlighted by signposts.These are:<BR>Overlord-Lassaut <BR>(Bayeux to Merville-Franceville incl pegasus bridge)<BR>D Day Lechoc<BR>(Carentan to Bayeux)<BR>Objective-Un Port<BR>(Cherbourg to Carentan)<BR>L'Affrontement<BR>(Vire and Caen)<BR>Cobra-La Percee<BR>(Cherbourg to Mt St Michel)<BR>La Contre-Attaque<BR>(Mont St Michel to Alencon)<BR>L'Encerclement<BR>(Alencon to L'Aingle)<BR>Le Denounement<BR>Caen to L'aingle)<BR>If you can decide which parts you want to see bearing in mind that USA were landed on UTAH, OMAHA,UK Gold and Sword and Canada Juno which is between Gold and sword. It would help you to decide which tour you need.<BR>However my suggestion would be to hire a car if that's possible and do these places at your leisure, away from the crowds.<BR>In particular Coleville sur mer is a huge American cemetry with 9387 graves and gets very very busy with American coaches etc.(although how busy it is now with the reduced travelling I don't know).<BR>I hope I havn't given too much irrelevant information here, I think to make the most of the visit you should target specific tour areas and follow the route through. I think its best done by car but if thats not possible I think overlord would be the most beneficial to you.<BR>you could have a look at this site it may help:<BR>www.normandy-tourism.org<BR>Muck

I have to agree with Mucky - renting a car lets you see whatever you want to see (realizing you said &quot;without use of own transport&quot. It would be a shame to miss out on a large part of WWII history just because of a tour company's schedule. We were there in Oct. and were so glad to have a car (rented in Caen) to visit exactly what we wanted to see.

Violagirl: just returned from Normandy last week. I only had a long weekend in Bayeux, so I booked a full day American sites tour with Battlebus. It was excellent. The tour guide/owner is British, but all four of us on the trip were American. The tour guide made it clear that D-Day was an Allied effort, not just an American effort, even tho our tour was primarily American landing sites. If your time is limited, go with a tour. It was only 65 EUR for the day. I couldn't have rented a car for that.

Rent a car and driver from your NOrmandy hotel and do what you want. Set the price before you go and relax.<BR>Should cost about $200. Well worth it as your time is your own.

Thanks for the suggestions - but I won't be able to follow them. I don't have the use of my own transport, and I can't drive anyway, so renting a car is out of the question. <BR><BR>I've actually arranged a tour with Battlebus - I decided on the British/Canadian one in the end, mainly because it fit my schedule better.<BR><BR>I might see if there is any public transport method of getting to the American sector while I'm there.

Hi Violagirl,<BR>Have fun, take a toy machine gun and run all over the beaches and imagine the situation your forefathers were in,<BR><BR>Have fun<BR><BR>Good luck<BR><BR>Muck

LOL Muck,<BR><BR>I think I would buy the toy in France, rather than put it in my carry on.<BR><BR> Keith

this has been said a 1000 times, but if you can, contact Colonel Chilcott in Bayeux for a guided tour. How long are you in Normandy? <BR><BR>Whilst in the British/Canadian sector, try to visit the battery at Merville. it's not far from Pegasus Bridge. are you going to visit Caen? <BR><BR>also, if your tour does not take you to Arromanches, try to get there yourself. it is fascinating. you can see the mulberries (fake harbors) quite clearly from there.

Have to agree the battery at Merville is interesting, by the way, one ticket gives discount off other sights, keep a look out on your ticket.<BR>Also check out the small churches, they often have singular graves of soldiers and one near merville actually had one grave containing 6 unknown soldiers which was tucked around the back of the churchyard. Its so sad and touching really.<BR>There was also a great museum showing items brought up from the sea bed, ie tanks etc.<BR>Name escapes me for a moment but if anyone can remember please remind me otherwise I will check info and post later.<BR><BR>Muck