Help. I have about a day to explore Normandy. I am a WWII buff so it seems Caen is the place to start, but there is so much more to see. We are planning to train in from Paris. Should we rent a car to try and see more, or are the bus tours ok? Should we plan on staying over night or can we see it in a day and get back to Paris?

Trying to see the landing beaches in a one-day trip from Paris will lead to exhaustion. Definitely rent a car and plan to stay over at least one night, possibly in Bayeux--worth a visit on its own, but a good base for what you want to see.

On either this page, or on Frommer's, FP Robespierre posted a one day extravaganza from Paris, using the local Busverts system. He also recommended going to the tourist information bureau in either Caen or Bayeux to rent a van for a day, with a driver. Search for Robespierre and Normandy and you should find his post. (here or frommers) It's excellent.

Hi
We visited Normandy in sept. we stayed 3 nights in Bayeux. If you are a WW 2 buff one day is not enough. We toured by car independently though we saw many people on a tour such as Battlebus or others. In addition to the beaches we drove and also visited St. Mere Eglise and the good museum they have there. We also visited another museum. As we were not rushed, we saw the Bayeux tapestry too. It's your decision as to haw to travel. We stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux and the tours came to the hotel and picked people up. Walking along the beaches and the gun emplacements gives a very vivid perception of what occured. My wife did not have as much interest as I did but after being there she appreciates and understands what the soldiers went through. Visit the American cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer. It's something you will remember. We happened to be there on sept. 11 at the exact time the World trade Center was destroyed. It was heartwrenching. The soldiers gave a 21 gun salute, the Flag was lowered and taps played. Everyone was still. It's something unforgetable.

I would head directly to Bayeux by train and stay there as a base. It is a charming, very medieval town, the first city liberated on D-Day. I would return to Hotel Churchill again. I recommend booking a tour, preferably a full day. There is so much to see-history coming alive. You may regret not having enough time there. My husband is the WW2 devotee, whereas I had little interest until I visited the sites. Now I have become very interested-actually enjoyed watching Band of Brothers. You didn't say how long you will be in Paris, but I would also suggest you read Is Paris Burning? before you go.

I agree with Underhill, aeiger and Kerrygirl. We have made the trip twice from Paris to Caen by train then picked up a rental car we had booked across the street from the train station in Caen.

Our first trip was tacked on to a Paris trip and booked only 3 weeks ahead. We had only one night at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux but it worked well. We drove straight to the Memorial Peace Museum in Caen, easy signage, had lunch there then toured the museum. Got driving directions from staff there to Bayeux, Hotel Churchill has easy parking and is centrally located in this lovely town--love the cathedral. Next day drove to Colleville and the beaches. On our first trip in 1998 we could enter the Rangers' memorial at Pointe du Hoc but in 2002 this was closed due to unstable ground. Returned the car and back on the train to Paris late the second day. Saw a lot but had to return a few years later. I could easily go back a third time.

Aeiger, what a place to be on 9/11/01. It's a heartwrenching place on it's own but on that day of all days.