Help--we're desperate. We're going to Paris the last week in March and want to visit the landing beaches, but the tours don't seem start until April 1. Can any fellow traveller give us a suggestion or connection to a way to find a DDay trip? I'm a little fearful about driving in Paris and would rather be taken to Normandy. Thanks.

Marylou: <BR> My wife and I visited Paris and then rented a car to visit Normandy and Brittany during late March in 1998. We rented a car from Budget at the Gare du nord location because it was most convenient to our room in the eastern latin quarter. It was a challenge creeping through the beltway traffic to get around to the west side of Paris to enter A13 to Caen. After about 45 minutes of this "paris traffic" we were on our way. By renting at a location in a western suburb of Paris, such as La Defense, one would eliminate most of any Paris traffic concerns. <BR> If you enjoy the freedom and adventure of driving and exploring at your own pace, this is the way to go. <BR>Get a Michelin Normandie road map and other good travel guide to plan your trip. We also drove down to Brittany (Mont St. Michael) and across the Loire valley, all in 3-4 days. Plenty of space in all the local hotels that time of year. The D-day Museum in Caen is a must! <BR> Good luck, However you go. Lee

We took the train from the Gare d'Austerlitz to Caen and rented a car there. It was a very short drive to the beaches and there were many rental agencies. Make sure to watch what time the cemetaries are open until though.

Please go out to the suburbs and get a car for the day, or maybe take the train to Rouen or Caen to get one. Caen is closer, but Rouen will let you do a side trip to charming Honfleur, maybe for dinner before returning the car and taking a late train back to Paris. You will enjoy it so much more, and I assure you there will be a time you will want to stand there alone and just cry. It is so moving.

If you don't want to drive, it appears it might be possible to get a tour out of Caen or Bayeux after taking the train there. Go to www.normandy-tourism.org and click on the landing beaches. There's Bus Fly out of Bayeux and the Caen Peace memorial has Saturday tours in March. Good luck--we're going in May but are staying in Normandy for 2 nights.