My friends are joining us in Provence this summer, I am very excited because it is their first trip to this wonderful country. They will be in Paris for four days on their own and the DH has expressed a real desire to visit Normandy. They could spend an evening there (giving up an evening in Paris, Yikes) could you offer suggestions, they will not have a car.

Not sure if this is the procedure but I think I am ttt...still looking for some expert advice to give these folks before they take their first trip to Europe..he is very interested in seeing the history in that region, where would they stay, can they take a train and any other information if you have taken this journey. Many thanks.

Others will know better - I've been there but on a tour - you can't see it in a day and I don't believe it's a quick trip from Paris. Yoohoo, Anselm where are you?

Oh, now I see what's wrong - you need to post on the Europe forum...not Asia.

What have I done now - I was in Asia...and now Europe. Okay, I will now SHUT UP.

Hourly about trains to Bayeux (2.25 hrs about each way) then in Bayeux hop the mini-bus tours that cart you around all the key sights such as the D-Day beaches by the famous Colville-sur-Mer cemetery, etc.

www.battlebus.fr is one of many such tours and this one has gotten great reviews here.

No need to rent a car nor stay overnight

Bayeux also merits a quick look to see its fine cathedral and Queen Mathilda's Tapestry -- very famous it was woven just after the 1066 invasion from here to conquer England and tell the bloody story

Bayeux is a cute small regional town that was about the only one in the area not smashed to smithereens during D-Day and following days

www.voyages-sncf.com for train schedules - pretty much just buy tickets at the station as should be no problems getting on trains on this line IME

If they are then going to Provence by train they may consider a France Railpass or scour voyages-sncf.com for cheap PREM fares which must be booked far in advance often to get

full fare and the 3-day France Railpass flexipass comes into play -esp if returning to paris

Visiting Normandy (which is huge) in just one evening wouldn't be feasible.

do you think they should stay for the evening and if so where? I just want to help them have this all in order and know with the help of this board I can....Any suggestions for overnight and meals would be appreciated.

Personally no - what the typical tourist wants to see - the cemetery and beaches nearby is easily done in the scenario i provide

or on tour bus groups that go from Paris and back in a day

If staying Bayeux is the nicest town there

Caen is a big modern town with some charm and the best museum on D-Day and following months activity but the focal point for most are the beaches and cemetery