Normandy Day Trip
 

We are going to be in Paris next month. Is it feasible to take a daytrip to Normandy and see enough in one day to make it worthwhile?

Normandy is a very large region. What part of it do you want to see on a day trip?

We leave next week for Paris and plan to take a day trip to the Normandy beaches, cemetary and possibly other nearby sites. My father is 91 and wants to go there again. We have a driver and van who will take our group of 5. We're hoping to get to Utah Beach, where my father landed on June 12. With the big buses they have a set itinerary and that beach is too small or the streets are too small to navigate. ParisVision has tours there every Thursday, I think. Check their website. The tour is 12-13 hours and goes several places. We want to make this a quick specific tour, not an all day affair. I can give you our tour guide's number if you'd like. I was supposed to call him today with info on airport pick-up and it got too late. He said we'd talk about the tour price in the van to our hotel. I understand he charges by the tour not per person. As long as he's within reason we'll have him take us because it'll be easier on my father, who will be using a walker and wheelchair.

Those areas most famous for D-Day.

KarenG,

What a wonderful trip for dad, I'm sure he'll have many mixed emotions. Come back and tell us how the trip went.

Karen, This sounds like something that might work for us. Any info you can share would be appreciated. Thx

We got the name of Jean-Marie Ceccaldi from Frederic Melnick ([email protected]). He writes often on Frommers and has been to Paris over 25 times. His website is actually an online Paris travel guide. Being new to these sites, I'm trusting his judgement. Jean-Marie's cell phone number is 011 336 0903 3153; his fax number is 011 331 409 30732.

When will you be in Paris? We'll be there the first week of May. We're hoping to go to Normandy on Tuesday May 3.

lyb-I will definitely write a trip report when we return. So many people on this site have been so helpful and supportive. My father's great. He walks very slowly and getting worse but still wants to be on the go. He had visited Normandy on a trip through France with my mother in 1990, so you are right, it will be emotional for him in more ways than one.

I am so fortunate not only to have him with us, but to be meeting our friends there also. My father met this woman in Finland 5 years ago when he went there alone and now we are like sisters. Dear, old Dad will be getting a lot of attention that week and my husband and I will have help getting around with him.

We arrive in Paris on May 18. Thx for the info. Have a wonderful trip.

Karen,

God bless your dad.
I went to Normandy beaches, Point Du Hoc, St. Marie Eglise, cemetary, several years ago and was moved more that I ever thought possible.

Please give my thanks to your dad for his service. I think is great what you're doing , going with him.

Must do, try Battlebus tours or Overlord tours, each have a tour
for those coming in from Paris by train for the day. Both have web
sites. BOB