My husband and I want to take a day trip by train from Paris to Bayeux on Monday June 28. We will take the first train out of Paris at 7:07am and arrive at Bayeux at 9:29am. We will walk to the Tapestry and spent some time there. After that we'll walk around town and have lunch. We plan to join the Overlord OMAHA half day tour from 1:30 to 5:30pm. Should we take the 6:41pm train back to Paris or stay for dinner in Bayeux and take the 8:07pm train. Will we have enough time to have dinner there before we board the train? We know that most of the restaurants in Italy will not serve dinner before 7pm. Is it same for the french restaurants? Will we be able to find some place to eat that is fast and casual in Bayeux? Do you think my plan for the day is too long? Any advice?

I think your plan is just fine and doesn't need too much fine tuning. As for dinner, many (but not all) restaurants will open after 7:00. If you just want something quick there are always creperie (which serve crepes) and cafe's or just take away service where you can grab a quick bite anytime. If you've had a long day, which you will, maybe grab a quick bite and take the 6:41 train back to Paris and have a more complete meal there. You've got plenty of time to decide. In the meantime here's a couple of links with reviews about restaurants in Bayeux. You might write to some of the reviewers and ask for advice about hours of operation.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...yeux-BR-1.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Normandy.html

I forgot to add the comment about casual dress and fast service. Casual dress is always fine except at the most exclusive of restaurants. There's a big myth about having to get all dressed up to go to a French restaurant. As long as you don't enter topless you should blend right in. As for fast service, at restaurants the French typically do not like to rush. Depending on the restaurant you could get in and out in as little as 45 minutes, maybe. But the French enjoy relaxing while they dine and aren't big on rushed service. One to two hours is typical in a French restaurant and for a multi-course meal 3 hours is not uncommon.

Here's one more option. After you finish the tour buy the fixings for a really nice picnic, including wine, and take everything on the 18:41 train with you. Enjoy a leisurely meal on board.

Good idea TimS. And while you are walking around Bayeux during your lunch break in the daytime remember where the stores are that sell the delicious things that you want to buy later.

Thank you for all the advice and suggestions. Do you know what time are the stores usually close on Monday in Bayuex? How long does it takes to walk from the town center to the train station?

Oh, I forgot to read that you were going on a Monday. Monday is a day that many or even most independent store owners in France will be closed. It's sort of equivalent to Sunday in the U.S. Chain stores will be open but most (not all) smaller stores will likely be closed. On any other day it's still common for stores in France to close from 12:00 or 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon and then open again from 4:00 to 7:00 or 7:30. There is a store across from the tourist office that is open everyday from 8:00 to 8:30 that sells local produce. You will likely find a few tourist stores open as well as maybe 1 or 2 bakeries. Brasseries and take away/quick food vendors are generally still open on Mondays. Restaurants, as well, are usually open from noon to 2:00 and then in the evening from 7:00 to 9:00 or 9:30. The train station is about 1/3 - 1/2 mile from the very center of town. So however long it would take you to walk that distance is your time.

Thank you for the detail answer. Too bad we can only go on Monday. I think most likely we will buy something to eat from a bakery or the grocery store and eat on the 6:41pm train.