I will be part of a tour group that will be in London before moving on to Paris. The day before we leave for Paris is "free time". I would like to see Normandy on that day. Is it logistically possible (distance and time) to do this in 1 day? If so, what would be the best way to do it? Would like to return to London that evening, but staying overnight in Normandy and meeting the tour in Paris the next day is also an option. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

It might depend on how much you're willing and able to separate from the group. It sounds like you have some flexibility, and maybe enough independence to add a great new dimension to your trip by springing out on your own as follows:<BR><BR>On www.Ryanair.com you can find a flight from London (Stansted) to Dinard for as little as 24.99 (punds sterling); leaves daily at 16:00, arrives dinard 18:05. Do that the day BEFORE the group departs for Paris - - or maybe even the day BEFORE that (to have that entire "free day" in Normandy).<BR><BR>Otherwise, you'll take 8 hours to go from London to Paris to Normandy.<BR><BR>Then just return to Paris when the rest of the group is arriving there. You'll find train info at www.sncf.com or www.raileurope.com (but don't buy your tickets from there, before going to Europe - - BIG markup).<BR><BR>The worst problem with this is that there is so much too much to see in normandy in 12, 24 or even 48 hours. See www.normandy-tourism.org for a rich overview of all thre is to see and do there. You probably think of Normandy chiefly for the WW2 (D-Day) landing/battle sites - - very important, no doubt - - but so much more than that.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping, for Paul...<BR>

I don't think you're going to see much and I think the experience will be rather frenzied. <BR><BR>If your focus is D-Day, you will need a car to cover as much ground as possible. If you start in Dinard, you already have a bit of a drive to reach even Utah Beach and Pont du Hoc. Then there's Omaha, the U.S. cemetery, Arromanches, the British beaches and Pegasus Bridge. That's already a lot of driving, and you still haven't seen any of the sights inland, including the Peace Museum in Caen which really is a must. <BR><BR>Then you have to either drop the car somewhere and get back to London somehow or drive on to Paris in the dark.<BR><BR>Of course, if D-Day is not your focus, you could spend a very enjoyable day driving from Dinard through Normandy to Paris stopping at a couple points of interest.

Paul, my wife and I are also going to try a quick trip to Normandy mid May.<BR>We are flying from Stanstead to Caen about noon, renting a car, seeing the D-Day beaches only, turning in the car about 8:00pm, busing to Quistreham and catching the ferry overnight to Portsmouth. Whew! Mightbe too much but we will see. Good luck.