Normandy in a Day?
 

I will be in Paris next month for a week only and want to go to Normandy. Is it possible to travel to Normandy by train? If yes, once there will I be able to get around the city on public transportation? I do not want to rent a car nor spend the night in Normandy. Is this an ill conceived plan on my part? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Take a look at your map and you will soon see that Normandy is one of the largest provinces in France, not a city. We took a morning train from Paris to
Rouen, past Monet's home at Giverny, and arrived in the city center in about 1 1/2 hours. A wonderful old place for walking about: the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, its wonderful cathedral (rebuilt after the almost-total destruction of World War II), old cobbled streets and the amazing big clock. Great seafood for lunch. However, if it is your intention to see such places as the D-Day Invasion Beaches, the Bayeux Tapestry, and other places like that, we suggest you take an all-day bus tour. You'll be glad you let somebody else take you to those places, take care of entry fees, parking, lunch, and getting you back into Paris that evening.
For heaven's sake, do not (repeat: DO NOT) rent a car and fight your way out of and back into Paris, plus finding all those places you wanted to see. You will wind up a nervous wreck, out a lot more money, and totally exhausted.

Thank you so much for your response. Roen sounds really neat and we are now (thanks to you) considering that as a day trip. However, one more question with regard to the bus trips to the D-Day sights any suggestions as to how to find the names, logistics prices etc for tour companies that provide that service. Very grateful!

I suggest you contact (via the internet) the French National Tourist Office. They have all the information you will need for arranging a tour out to Bayeux-Avranches-Landing Beaches. Search for their web site, and you will be glad you took the tour and left the driving to someone else!

We are planning on visiting Normandy in September and I have also found http://normandy-tourism.org/gb/index.html useful. It was good to hear Arizona's advice. Our current plan involved either driving from Paris, or taking the train to Rouen and renting a car there so that we could see all the sights. We'll probably rethink that now! Hope your trip is a success!

Rent a car and go to Normandy during the week. Then you can easily see all the sites. Be sure to visit the fishing village of Honfluer. This is a magnificent little village with wonderful small restaurants and many outdoor cafes waterside. I would spend the night there -it's a great respite from Paris. The Mercure Hotel is inexpensive,nicely appointed and also waterside.

I did Normandy in a day (by car) but it's a lot of
driving and the tolls on the motorway between Roen and the beaches is expensive. However I worry that the bus doesn't stop at the best sights (I don't know though). We had 1.5 hrs in Roen so saw the market square where Joan of Arc was burned (there's a modern church on the site). In the cathedral they
have a chapel dedicated to her which is nice. It is a lovely city to walk in (the old town area). As for Normandy we enjoyed Gold Beach but the best film
is at a stop along the highway midway between Gold and Juno Beach where they do a D-Day film on one of those surround screens. Also great views from there.
Ask when you book your tour if they stop here. It is
a shame to miss Caen where the memorial and official D-Day museum is. If there is any tour that includes
Caen and the beaches that would be my recommendation. Also the Bayeaux Tapestry (near Caen) is worth a look (dates from 1066).

Having lived in Normandy I would like to recommend three must see sites: 1) The D-Day Beaches northwest of Caen and the Museum in Caen, 2) Rouen, and 3) Monet's home in Giverny. The gardens are most beautiful in May or June. Driving in Normandy is not difficult but distances can be a problem (aboout four hours from Paris to Caen) and tolls are expensive. I wouls also suggest one of the commercial tours. I think that you also enjoy one that includes the Mont Saint Michel. If you do go to the Mont Saint Michel do not miss trying a camembert omelette.