MoneyMan

I've got an opportunity (long layover) finally to take a Normandy tour. I'm not a big fan of renting a car and driving, although I know it can be done. So does anyone have any recommendations for a tour operator that does a day tour (or something like that) to Normandy?

Any other tour recommendations in Paris (for wife and 13-year old daughter)?

Thanks.

MoneyMan

Fedex999999

Paris Vision is a tour office right across from the Louvre.
http://en.parisvision.com/1-Home.htm
(I am sure lots of FedEx guys have used them, as it is right next to our old hotel, the Westin.) I have booked several tours with them on layovers (but not Normandy.) They have lots of options, in the city, Normandy, Versailles, etc.

If you google "Paris with kids" you will get other tour sites with kid-friendly ideas.

EZED

I visited Normandy with my son and hired a private guide for the day, using his car. Next time I'll rent a car and go it alone. With some prep work, it's self explanatory and visiting the american cemetary is a solemn experience. You'll want to just walk the grounds with your family, and experience it. No need for endless chatter from a guide who's done it hundreds of times.

GernBlandston

Normandy on a Sunday (or last minute)

Rental cars from CAEN are closed on SUN unless prearranged. So this is what to do otherwise.
From Paris (Gare St. Lazare)
SNCF Train to Bayeux. (Stop after Caen). @ 2 hours @65EUR., Rount trip.
Bus from Bayeux “BusVerts” to Colleville-sur-mer (Cimitiere Americain) 30min. @4EUR , Round trip
Bus is right across street from Train drop. You might check with the bar/restaurant there to get sched.
Touring American Cemetary is @2-3 hour worth. New museum there (free) is great.
Very worthwhile and informative excursion.
We caught 9AM train from Paris and got back around 12 hours later. Armed with this info, connections should go smoother and could take 10 hours or less total for those in a rush. We had dinner in Caen on way back and decided to pass up earlier trains returning to Paris.
Otherwise previous posts about picking up a rental car in Caen and driving should work out as well. Utah, Omaha, Juno, Sword etc… are all spread about (not walkable) and should be seen, but the car would be the only way to do it and is probably an overnight.

ryan1234

Normandie is a beautiful place.. but it takes about two days to see everything... if you are going for a day... I'd say just wait til you can spend the night there..it's a pain rush everything and catch the late train back to Paris.

If you get a chance checkout Cherbourg and Le Mont Saint-Michele..or in Central Normandie try walk the forest... as a matter of fact check out this website:

Parc naturel régional des marais du Cotentin et du Bessin

Le Parc Naturel Régional du Cotentin et du Bessin - it is a great place

basically you start out in a church Sainte-Mère-Eglise (by the airborne troops museum) and you'll follow the advance, etc (there is too much to list) .... it is well worth it.

There are also plenty of nice hotels to stay in that area.....
or if you could stay in a Chateau


as far as Paris goes.... There are a few bus tours... but if you can hack it just take the RER into Paris (from CDG, I'm assuming)...just take the metro from point to point. It isn't that expensive and several places are near to one another... I just proposed to my (now fiance) back in November there... been several times before that.... it is easy to navigate, although the metro gets a little crowded sometimes (and stinky)

points of interest:

Le Louvre
Vesailles (about a 20min train ride from inside Paris)
Tour Eiffel
Notre Dame
Musee D'orsay
Arc de Triomphe - Avenue des Champs-Élysées

There are many others.. but if you are pressed for time ....

WS01

i would also recommend taking the train there then rent a car on site