Hello Fodorites!! I will be in Paris in early spring for my dream vacation!! I have wanted to see the D-Day beaches at Normandy my whole life. What is the best way to get there??? Do any bus tours run from Paris to Normandy?? Is a train an option. Any information would be immensely appreciated! Thanks alot.

Hi Kosmonaught, Best to search on Normandy as there have been many responses to this question before so lots of info. Last August we went by car to Normandy and did our own tour which was wonderful however I know there are guided tours in Normandy or from Paris.

There are several tour companies that run day trips to Paris. I arranged one for 6 of us through a tour company called French Accents travel in NY, prior to our departure.

You can also take the train from Paris to Bayeux or Caen and pick up a tour there. We did this two weeks ago and found an afternoon tour for 31 euros at the hotel by the Bayeux train station.

I've been thinking of doing the same thing on a Paris-Belgium trip this winter, but I'm wondering...what exactly IS there to see at the DDay sites? What does an afternoon tour comprise?

The American Cemetary on the cliffs above Omaha Beach should be a required tourist site for every American who sets foot in France. What you will see is rows and rows of the monuments to people who gave up the best year's of their life so that future generations wouldn't be put into the same position. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered and their names read.

I went in 2000. You can take the train from Paris out to Bayeaux. Typically, there are a couple tour guides sitting right outside the train station. If you are there don't miss the cathedral in Bayeaux it is pretty neat as well.

During the tour, we saw the American Cemetary above Omaha beach(extremely moving), the remains of the omaha beach/defensive fortifications overlooking omaha (much of it was demolished during the operations after d-day), you might go to the d-day museum in Arvanches(sp?) When in Arvanches go done to the beach and see the mulberry's still in the water from d-day. We drove by Utah beach, St Mre GLese (sp?) and went to Pont de huc and wandered around the bombshell craters. You might also see a couple of the german pillboxes. One was actually used in the filming of "The Longest Day"

Consider driving and allowing yourself an overnight (or two) look in the travel books, there are good suggestions for driving routes and things to do. If tima llows, drive to Mont st Michelle, spend the night, next day drive the beaches and spend the next night in Honfleur and then head home

The best base (IMO) in Normandy from which to explore the DDay beaches and coastline is Bayeux. Bayuex is easily accessible via train from Paris (through Caen). In Bayeux you should not miss seeing the famous Bayeux Tapestry from the Middle Ages. I have taken several tours from a local Bayeux company, Bus Fly, which operates with a knowledgeable, English-speaking local guide that takes 6-8 people through back roads to the WWII beaches of Omaha, Juno, etc, as well as the war cemetery, and the war memorial in neighboring towns. This tour can be taken as a full-day or half-day option. Their company also offers day trips to nearby Mont St. Michel.

In terms of what to see, there is a wonderful memorial in Caen. You'll need about 4 hours there & it's recommended to see it before you go to any of the sites.

From what I've read, if you're an American, you'll need to see at least Omaha beach, the American cemetary, Arromanches (there's a 360 degree video there, I think), and St. Mere Eglise (I think that's the church steeple that Red Buttons landed on as a paratrooper in the movie, "The Longest Day&quot.

Also, I just posted this in another thread yesterday:

Both Bayeux and Caen offer D-Day tours. Write to both tourist info centers for info on tours from both cities.

I picked up a brochure in Bayeux last week:
* www.battlebus.fr: 1/2 day is 35E, 8hr is 65-70E
* www.normandywebguide.com: rates from 35E to 75E based on duration

Go to www.sncf.com to get train rates - you'll need to add on that cost.

If you're staying in Paris, it might be more effective to take a tour with one of the Paris-based companies. Compare to tours at:
* www.parisvision.com (currently running a special on their home page)
* www.cityrama.com

Good luck!