Normandy Father/Son Trip
Apr 10th, 2019, 11:08 PM
#21
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<<all seems to involve taking RER from CDG to Paris Nord then another RER line to Saint-Lazare station for direct trains to Caen from there>>
Wrong. There are countless trains from CDG to Caen every day, more than half of them requiring a simple change in Le Mans. No need to go anywhere near the RER.
https://www.thetrainline.com/book/re...%3D%3AStandard
And no, there aren't any direct trains to Bayeux. That would be impossible.
It's pretty easy to gather all this information on www.trainline.eu if you're not comfortable using the SNCF sites.
Wrong. There are countless trains from CDG to Caen every day, more than half of them requiring a simple change in Le Mans. No need to go anywhere near the RER.
https://www.thetrainline.com/book/re...%3D%3AStandard
And no, there aren't any direct trains to Bayeux. That would be impossible.
It's pretty easy to gather all this information on www.trainline.eu if you're not comfortable using the SNCF sites.
Apr 11th, 2019, 11:52 AM
#22
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Weird that www.bahn.de/en doesn't show any Le Mans connections but yes StCirq is right.
Apr 11th, 2019, 01:30 PM
#24
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IME bahn.de/en has nearly always been accurate but will now yes always double check with national rail cites. I just find www.bahn.de/en so so easy to use and tells so much in a concise way. But, I did think later that St-Cirq was probably right. But still the quickest way would be to get a taxi or private car to St-Lazare then take train - may be a few hours quicker and no change of train - can go straight to Bayeux too on some connections. No cars or few to rent in Bayeux however - rent in Caen and hit the Caen Memorial/Museum - the best in area and great orientation as said above to the whole area.
Caen though leveled in war it seems is a nice larger city that could make a nice first night hotel - saving day on car rental and no need of driving on landing day at all - many here say as dangerous as drinks driving.
Caen though leveled in war it seems is a nice larger city that could make a nice first night hotel - saving day on car rental and no need of driving on landing day at all - many here say as dangerous as drinks driving.
Apr 12th, 2019, 06:24 AM
#25
Just a head's up -- this year is the 75th anniversary of D-Day so accommodations throughout Normandy will book up far in advance if they haven't already. (That is a major reason I'm putting off my next visit til Autumn).
I know you will be there after the actual commemorations but the whole early summer will be affected. So before you set on any firm plans . . . secure your hotels ASAP, then work your itinerary around the dates/places you get.
I know you will be there after the actual commemorations but the whole early summer will be affected. So before you set on any firm plans . . . secure your hotels ASAP, then work your itinerary around the dates/places you get.
Apr 12th, 2019, 10:51 AM
#26
I don't think his hair blows.
Anyway, getting away from our always amusing snarkiness (at least to us), let's not forget that the event was 75 years ago, and that makes a huge difference in the number of people commemorating it. There are almost no original participants left, and it is fading from a lot of memories, even though it will be considered to be a super important event for a very long time. So the 75th, 76th, 77th anniversaries are no longer all that important. The important thing that remains is for people to go there whenever they can manage. There are not all that many big crowds these days other than normal "tourist season."
Anyway, getting away from our always amusing snarkiness (at least to us), let's not forget that the event was 75 years ago, and that makes a huge difference in the number of people commemorating it. There are almost no original participants left, and it is fading from a lot of memories, even though it will be considered to be a super important event for a very long time. So the 75th, 76th, 77th anniversaries are no longer all that important. The important thing that remains is for people to go there whenever they can manage. There are not all that many big crowds these days other than normal "tourist season."
Apr 16th, 2019, 12:19 AM
#27
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We loved Normandy and especially Bayeux! In Bayeux we visited the Museum Of The Battle Of Normandy, Bayeux tapestry museum and WWII Commonwealth War Cemetery and Memorial. All you may find interesting and are all in close proximity to each other in Bayeux. The D-Day beaches are also in close proximity to Bayeux and were great to visit as well. We were in our motorhome so didn't stay in any hotels unfortunately but we recently visited and put together a post with info of everything we saw in Bayeux here https://www.destinationaddict.com/bayeux-france/ Hope you have a great time!
Apr 16th, 2019, 02:34 PM
#28
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Since you seem to be starting at Rouen, I'd recommend taking a cap to St. Lazare (50 euros) and then catch a train to Rouen from there. Train tickets in June are currently at $12 2nd class one way. I'd recommend staying at the Mercure Centre Cathedral in Rouen, great location and really nice for the price. Car rentals in several locations, but i'd recommend going to the locations south of the river, you can avoid the train station surcharge. FYI, the driving distance from St. Mere Eglise to Caen is less than one hour. Once you are there, the distances are really short for the D-Day sites. In 2016, we took a tour from Port en Bessin and went to the Omaha Beach area below the American Cemetery, the Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Stopped in Grandcamp Maisy to see the Ranger memorial there, then still had time to stop in St. Mere Eglise and Utah Beach musem. FWIW, we found the little church in Angoville sur Plain right outside St. Mere Eglise to be memorable. https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-dest...ld-D-Day-Story We had a tour guide, and a driver, but that was all in one day.
You will also be very close to Brecourt Manor and the Richard Winters memorial if your son is a fan of the Band of Brothers story about the guns located there. The Manor itself is private, but it is visible from the roadway. The 2:51 train from Caen to St. Lazare is currently $24.
You will also be very close to Brecourt Manor and the Richard Winters memorial if your son is a fan of the Band of Brothers story about the guns located there. The Manor itself is private, but it is visible from the roadway. The 2:51 train from Caen to St. Lazare is currently $24.
Apr 16th, 2019, 02:39 PM
#29
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I don't think his hair blows.
Anyway, getting away from our always amusing snarkiness (at least to us), let's not forget that the event was 75 years ago, and that makes a huge difference in the number of people commemorating it. There are almost no original participants left, and it is fading from a lot of memories, even though it will be considered to be a super important event for a very long time. So the 75th, 76th, 77th anniversaries are no longer all that important. The important thing that remains is for people to go there whenever they can manage. There are not all that many big crowds these days other than normal "tourist season."
Anyway, getting away from our always amusing snarkiness (at least to us), let's not forget that the event was 75 years ago, and that makes a huge difference in the number of people commemorating it. There are almost no original participants left, and it is fading from a lot of memories, even though it will be considered to be a super important event for a very long time. So the 75th, 76th, 77th anniversaries are no longer all that important. The important thing that remains is for people to go there whenever they can manage. There are not all that many big crowds these days other than normal "tourist season."
