Normandy Overnight From Paris
Aug 23rd, 2008 | 09:55 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
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Normandy Overnight From Paris
I am studying abroad in Paris this fall and would like to visit the D Day beaches for one overnight in mid-October (It seems too hard to do as a day trip, but I have several other long-weekend trips planned, and don't want to be away from Paris for a full weekend). I have just started planning, but here is what I am thinking:
Day 1:
Morning Train from Paris to Caen
Peace Museum/Memorial
Mid/late afternoon go to Bayeux
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Bayeux
Bayeux Tapestry
(Sleep in Bayeux)
Day 2:
Full day tour of D-Day beaches
So, questions:
1. What is the easiest way to get from Caen to Bayeux? I know I can get there by train in 18 minutes for $11, but I am guessing there is a bus or other option that might be simpler.
2. Is it worth going to Caen and not just spend the whole time in Bayeux?
3. Is Day 1 reasonable? Obviously everyone spends different amounts of time in the museums, but if I want to visit the museums without needing to experience every detail, is this itinerary reasonable?
4. Are there any tours besides Battlebus tours that people have used and particularly enjoyed?
Thanks!
Day 1:
Morning Train from Paris to Caen
Peace Museum/Memorial
Mid/late afternoon go to Bayeux
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Bayeux
Bayeux Tapestry
(Sleep in Bayeux)
Day 2:
Full day tour of D-Day beaches
So, questions:
1. What is the easiest way to get from Caen to Bayeux? I know I can get there by train in 18 minutes for $11, but I am guessing there is a bus or other option that might be simpler.
2. Is it worth going to Caen and not just spend the whole time in Bayeux?
3. Is Day 1 reasonable? Obviously everyone spends different amounts of time in the museums, but if I want to visit the museums without needing to experience every detail, is this itinerary reasonable?
4. Are there any tours besides Battlebus tours that people have used and particularly enjoyed?
Thanks!
Aug 26th, 2008 | 05:09 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
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I'm surprised that you have not received answers yet, and my own experiences tracing (parts of) the invasion of Normandy was rather different from your intended plan (I was not starting nor ending in Paris, or at least not immediately)...
...but lots of people have posted ideas on this forum, regarding doing exactly what you're asking. So, hopefully, this tops your post, for others to answer your specific questions.
Curiously, enough, I have never been to either of the main two places you mention: neither Caen nor Bayeux.
Our trip took in Ste. Mere Eglise, Pointe du Hoc, Colleville sur Mer (the American cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach) and Arromanches - - spanning pretty much a solid day and a half.
And of these, I would principally recommend NOT missing Arromanches.
Best wishes,
Rex
...but lots of people have posted ideas on this forum, regarding doing exactly what you're asking. So, hopefully, this tops your post, for others to answer your specific questions.
Curiously, enough, I have never been to either of the main two places you mention: neither Caen nor Bayeux.
Our trip took in Ste. Mere Eglise, Pointe du Hoc, Colleville sur Mer (the American cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach) and Arromanches - - spanning pretty much a solid day and a half.
And of these, I would principally recommend NOT missing Arromanches.
Best wishes,
Rex
Aug 26th, 2008 | 12:16 PM
#3
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,359
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Caen was partly destroyed by bombing during WWII. However, there remain the Abbaye des Hommes and Abbaye des Dames, both well worth seeing if you are interested in church architecture. Otherwise there's not a whole lot besides the Peace Museum.
Taking the train from Caen to Bayeux is probably the easiest way.
Taking the train from Caen to Bayeux is probably the easiest way.
Sep 11th, 2008 | 07:43 AM
#4
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
The itinerary seems OK.
To get from the station at Caen to the Memorial and back to town again you'll need to take a taxi or you'll waste too much time on your quick visit. The station is south of city center, the museum north.
The train is the best way to Bayeux.
You intend to take an organised tour or guide for the d-day visits. You can't do it other wise arriving by train.
To get from the station at Caen to the Memorial and back to town again you'll need to take a taxi or you'll waste too much time on your quick visit. The station is south of city center, the museum north.
The train is the best way to Bayeux.
You intend to take an organised tour or guide for the d-day visits. You can't do it other wise arriving by train.
Sep 11th, 2008 | 08:22 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 542
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Just got back today. My opinion, which others may not share, is to take the train direct from Paris to Bayeux. Stay at a hotel in Bayeux, and see the Church, Tapestry and whatever else you can that day, depending upon what time you arrive.
The next day you can take a Battlebus tour and see most of the sites, and be back in Bayeux that night. The next day you can either:
1. Take the train to Caen, and them back to Paris.
2. Take a 1/2 day tour of the D-Day sites you muissed, and come back by 1:00pm, then take the train back.
I am not sure which train goes to Bayeux, since I took a car, but if you're under 22/25, you may have trouble renting a car.
For a one night trip, I woulkd NOT stop over in Caen.
The next day you can take a Battlebus tour and see most of the sites, and be back in Bayeux that night. The next day you can either:
1. Take the train to Caen, and them back to Paris.
2. Take a 1/2 day tour of the D-Day sites you muissed, and come back by 1:00pm, then take the train back.
I am not sure which train goes to Bayeux, since I took a car, but if you're under 22/25, you may have trouble renting a car.
For a one night trip, I woulkd NOT stop over in Caen.
Sep 11th, 2008 | 12:49 PM
#6
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,412
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I think that your itinerary is fine. I certainly would stop in Caen enroute to visit the Caen Mémorial. It is a superb museum and it will put your subsequent visit to the D-Day sites in perspective.
If you take an early train from Paris, you will have time enough for the Mémorial and then the sights in Bayeux later that day. As others have mentioned, the train is your best bet to get from Caen to Bayeux, but you will probably want to take a taxi to and from the Mémorial. As Underhill mentioned, the two Abbeys in Caen are worth seeing, but I don't think that you will have time for them.
An option which you might want to consider is a tour arranged by the Mémorial. They will pick you up at the train station in Caen, take you to the Mémorial for a tour and then a tour of the D-Day beaches. At the end of the day, they will drop you at the train station. You can then proceed to Bayeux for overnight and sightseeing there the next day.
http://tinyurl.com/3nn3wd
Enjoy your visit.
If you take an early train from Paris, you will have time enough for the Mémorial and then the sights in Bayeux later that day. As others have mentioned, the train is your best bet to get from Caen to Bayeux, but you will probably want to take a taxi to and from the Mémorial. As Underhill mentioned, the two Abbeys in Caen are worth seeing, but I don't think that you will have time for them.
An option which you might want to consider is a tour arranged by the Mémorial. They will pick you up at the train station in Caen, take you to the Mémorial for a tour and then a tour of the D-Day beaches. At the end of the day, they will drop you at the train station. You can then proceed to Bayeux for overnight and sightseeing there the next day.
http://tinyurl.com/3nn3wd
Enjoy your visit.
