Normandy to Bastogne
 

I'm trying to plan a trip to follow in my grandfather's footsteps during WWII. He was a platoon leader in Easy Company (BoB). I'd prefer to use private tours, but I'm really struggling with transportation logistics. If I start in Paris, it's easy to get to Bayeux, but after that, I'm at a loss. I'd prefer not to rent a car. To make this even more complicated, I may want to add in a trip to Eindhoven. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Routes, how to get there, etc! I'm thinking about flying into Paris and out of Amsterdam... but I'm flexible. Thank you!

Welcome to Fodors. We moved your thread to the Europe Forum and tagged it for France and Netherlands

Hi sarahehret8510, I don't think you have given us enough to go on. Where were (all) the significant sites for your grandfather? To reach Bastogne you will probably want to go via Luxembourg or Brussels if you don't want to drive. There are definitely private tours of Bastogne, but you can at a pinch do it by public transport (I think for example you can take a bus from Libramont to the American Cemetery). I was going to suggest pivoting from a central point like Brussels (which may work as an airport) but you may well have some overnights in Paris, Bayeux, Eindhoven and Bastogne. Happy to kick ideas around some more.

There are some planning tools you can use to get a rough idea - Rome2Rio can be helpful, just know that it's not gospel.

Lavandula

Do you drive in the US? If so, there is no reason why you shouldn't consider getting a rental car as a means of getting from point to point. The invasion route simply does not track with routes taken by local residents for work, or leisure, so trying to piece it together with public transport would result in a lot of zigzagging. A rental car would be much more efficient, and give you much more time at the locations you really want to see, as opposed to getting to the locations you want to see.

Now, in Normandy and Bastogne, I think you can find local battlefield guides (Normandy for sure, as I've done that), but I'm not as certain at other Band of Brothers locations. There are many guided tours that follow in the tracks of Easy Company, and that might actually be the easiest way to do this, but you can do it independently if you are willing to put in the time, and maybe get a little bit out of your comfort zone.

I'm not sure I understand. You would prefer to use private tours, but are looking at ways to do it yourself too? Have you looked ant the BoB Tours website? They have tours that cater to everything you mentioned, and you don't have to worry about driving or logistics yourself. Just a thought. Try Bandofbrotherstour.com

Mods, Bastogne is Belgium - please add Belgium tag :)

Lavandula

Welcome to Fodors. Do you want to get just to Bastogne or to other places in the 'Bulge'/Ardennes as well?