Planning a Trip to Normandy

Bayeux is the starting point for all Normandy D-day tours.

TOUR COMPANY: I recommend Normandy Sightseeing Tours http://www.normandy-sightseeing-tours.com/ or you can purchase a tour from their American broker – Viator www.viator.com

We went on a full day tour of the American sites. At Normandy Sightseeing Tours, they call it the “Utah Beach full day tour”

Normandy Sightseeing Tours will pick you up at your hotel. Tour group maximum is eight. They use a very comfortable van and the guides are fabulous.

HOTEL: I really like the Churchill Hotel: http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/en.php in Bayeux. It is a few hundred meters from the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and the Bayeux Cathedral. The staff are friendly and attentive. If you are traveling April through September, be sure to book early!

Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Open: 2:00-6:00 €7.80 each.

STARTING IN LONDON: If you are starting in London,  you may book at Eurostar: http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp to Gare du Nord in Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC TRANSPORATION: The Eurostar onboard magazine has a section that tells you how to travel from Gare du Nord to St Lazare via public transportation, such as the RER. If you’re not comfortable figuring out the RER, take a taxi.

TAXIS IN PARIS: At Gare du Nord, there’s a long cue for taxis. (The Eurostar holds a lot of people). We waited about 15 minutes. The ride to St. Lazare (pronounced San Laz-r) takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the traffic, and costs €10-12.

FRENCH TRAINS: The trains from St. Lazar Station in Paris stop in Caen, Bayeux and terminate in Cherbourg. The trip from Paris to Bayeux takes 2 hours 5 minutes. Board the Cherbourg train.

You can buy tickets to Bayeux at St. Lazare station, or purchase them in advance at Rail Europe: http://raileurope.co.uk/

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

Eurostar dep London St Pancras station at 7:22 am. Arrive Gare du Nord Paris 10:47 am. (2 hrs 25 min trip) (Set watches ahead ONE HOUR).

Taxi to St Lazare (12 minute ride)

Depart Paris St. Lazare at 12:10 pm. Arrive Bayeux 2:15 pm. (2 hrs 5 min trip)

RETURN: Depart Bayeux at 8:41 am. Arrive Paris Saint Lazare at 10:46 am. (2 hr 5 min)

Taxi to Gare du Nord Paris – 12 minute ride

Depart Gare du Nord Paris at 12:13 pm. Arrive St Pancras London at 1:29 pm. (2 hr 16 min) (Set watches back one hour)

TAXIS IN BAYEUX: Minimum charge is  €6. From the train station to the Churchill Hotel is €6