My husband and I are looking for a moderately priced, comfortable B & B or small hotel located near Normandy's D-Day beaches. We need parking, preferably free, and would prefer a rural or small town location. We will appreciate recommendations.

We stayed at the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux and would stay there again.

http://www.hotel-dargouges.com/

Another hotel in Bayeux that's often recommended here is the Churchill Hotel.

http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/index_uk.html

Agree with Jean, Bayeux is the place to stay. A great little town with a good WWII museum and a British Cemetery. You also have a fine cathedral and of course the tapestry. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Luxembourg. It is a Best Western and not as grand as the name implies. Not too expensive and had a lot of character. It also had a fine, free car park.

We love the Clos Normand in St. Aubin sur Mer. It's on the seaside promenade with direct views on the ocean in the tiny town (really more like a holiday village) of St. Aubin sur Mer, has free parking on the side of the hotel or in a back lot (if all that fills up there's another car park--free also, I think--about a block away) Rates for a double are 62 to 95 euros per night depending upon season and view. It's a two star, so rooms are small but it's very clean with cheerful furnishings and a lovely old dining room--half pension obligatory at peak season for a very reasonable rate and very good food with lots of choices. We've been there twice now and intend to return again this year. On the coast about midway between Caen and Bayeux. Very pleasant service with a really welcoming atmosphere. http://www.closnormandhotel.com/index_gb.php

We stayed here:

http://www.giaglis.com/GB_maison.htm

They were great. Not only did we have an expansive room with a fridge, we left before official breakfast hours one morning. The owner quickly ran and got us croissants and bread for us to take with us. Parking is on the public streets, but we never had a problem finding a spot - either directly in front of the b&b or nearby.

Thanks to each of you. I will look at these recommendations.
K

We stayed at the Churchill Hotel in Bayeux and loved it. The location is excellent. Parking is free as well. If you walk out the back door, you are on a street with loads of shops and restaurants. It is only a couple blocks from the cathedral as well. We would definitely stay there again

Surfmom, thanks for the recommendation of a place in Honfleur. We intend to stay in Honfleur just after our stay in St. Aubin and will check out the Coeur Sainte Catherine. It looks like just what we're looking for.

We stayed here in 2006 and it was very pleasant. It meets your requirements for free parking and being in a rural area. The owner is English. From this location we made day trips to Mont St Micheal, the the Normandy beaches.

http://www.vacation-key.com/location_3191.html