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Day trip to Omaha Beach from Paris
Posted on 1/8/23 at 9:41 pm
Posted on 1/8/23 at 9:41 pm
Plannig to be in Paris for about 4 days and I am considering buring a day and going over to Normandy/Omaha Beach area. I want to avoid the tour bus and cattle car option.
Has anyone every done this? recommended? Private driver? Suggestions appreciated
Has anyone every done this? recommended? Private driver? Suggestions appreciated
Posted on 1/8/23 at 9:44 pm to Barrister
We did a private driver. It was great but a LONG day.
Posted on 1/8/23 at 10:41 pm to Barrister
Should be able to catch a train to Bayeaux and do a tour. Tours start early though. Honestly I’d rent a car and drive over from Paris.
This post was edited on 1/8/23 at 10:51 pm
Posted on 1/8/23 at 10:55 pm to Barrister
That's going to be rough. You will spend hours on the road, including going between sites at Normandy. It's 3 hours from Paris to St. Mere Eglise, so that's 6 hours in the car. If you're the type that wants to get up at 0400 to drive, sure. Otherwise, a one day trip is not really viable. Even if you caught a bus of old farts, it's going to leave early, but at least you can sleep on the ride.
I'd humbly suggest you just stay overnight in the area, and then check back into your Parisian hotel after the return.
I don't think you can just hit Omaha beach. There is just too much to do. The international American Cemeteries are beautiful, and you can spend 3-4 hours in each one. Normandy.
If you're going in the winter, I suggest going east from Paris to Bastogne or Verdun. I did both in day trips (by myself), but it is particularly important to hit Bastogne in the most wintery conditions you can. Then you understand why we couldn't provide air cover. It's *shocking* how sudden the transition occurs. I had about eleven feet of visibility while driving 100km/h, but it was absolutely brilliant to go to Jack's Wood, and other sites with snow on the ground and the eerie silence and weird "fog." You get transported to Band of Brothers quick fast.
Also, to the east, there is a WWI cemetery that you can get to on the way to/from the Somme/Verdun/Bastogne. It's out of the way, and make sure you get gas before you enter the Champagnes region, especially on the weekends. The gas station I found leaving there was automated, but closed on Sundays. ???
Somme Cemetery
I'd humbly suggest you just stay overnight in the area, and then check back into your Parisian hotel after the return.
I don't think you can just hit Omaha beach. There is just too much to do. The international American Cemeteries are beautiful, and you can spend 3-4 hours in each one. Normandy.
If you're going in the winter, I suggest going east from Paris to Bastogne or Verdun. I did both in day trips (by myself), but it is particularly important to hit Bastogne in the most wintery conditions you can. Then you understand why we couldn't provide air cover. It's *shocking* how sudden the transition occurs. I had about eleven feet of visibility while driving 100km/h, but it was absolutely brilliant to go to Jack's Wood, and other sites with snow on the ground and the eerie silence and weird "fog." You get transported to Band of Brothers quick fast.
Also, to the east, there is a WWI cemetery that you can get to on the way to/from the Somme/Verdun/Bastogne. It's out of the way, and make sure you get gas before you enter the Champagnes region, especially on the weekends. The gas station I found leaving there was automated, but closed on Sundays. ???
Somme Cemetery
Posted on 1/8/23 at 11:12 pm to LemmyLives
And to go a bit off the wall, you can get to a lot of WWI sites in Belgium faster than you can get to Normandy. Ypres, etc. You can hit WWII stuff in Eindhoven, Nijmegen, Arnhem, etc. Northeastern Belgium (in the Flemish area) is freaking packed of war stuff, and a reasonable day drive from Paris, with zero tourist traffic. A ton of places to visit, but of the smaller an less crowded sort.
At least in Europe, the site Rome2Rio displays bus, train, and car options. An important consideration you have to keep in mind is that it's not just about the miles/kms, it's about the mode of transport. You head to Belgium/Netherlands, you're on a TGV train. You head west to Normandy, the distance may be shorter, but the trains/buses have to travel slower, which is why it takes longer.
At least in Europe, the site Rome2Rio displays bus, train, and car options. An important consideration you have to keep in mind is that it's not just about the miles/kms, it's about the mode of transport. You head to Belgium/Netherlands, you're on a TGV train. You head west to Normandy, the distance may be shorter, but the trains/buses have to travel slower, which is why it takes longer.
Posted on 1/8/23 at 11:18 pm to Barrister
We did this last April. We took the train from Paris to Bayeaux, then met our tour guide from Overlord Tours at the train station. Cannot recommend this tour company enough! We were in a van with one other couple. The tour was from around 9am - 6pm. We left Paris around 6am and returned around 10pm. It was a LONG day but totally worth it!
Overlord Tours is highly recommended on this board, and that's how I found it.
Overlord Tours is highly recommended on this board, and that's how I found it.
Posted on 1/8/23 at 11:42 pm to Barrister
We took a guided bus tour from Paris and really enjoyed it. Left early morning. Visited the American Cemetery, landing beaches, Pointe du Hoc, and museum in Caen. Had lunch in the museum. Full day, but well worth it.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 12:11 am to Barrister
I spent four nights in Bayeux in April 2019 just a few weeks before the 75th anniversary of D Day.
Overlord Tours put on a fantastic all day tour of the D Day Beaches and I highly recommend it.
That said, I have been to Paris many times and had always wanted to go to Normandy, but I knew that a day trip there from Paris was not the best way to see it. The travel time back and forth is long.
My answer to you is that if you think you will go back for a longer period of time, wait until you can spend a few days there. If not, I will certainly not dissuade from taking a day trip there because it is awe inspiring.
Overlord Tours put on a fantastic all day tour of the D Day Beaches and I highly recommend it.
That said, I have been to Paris many times and had always wanted to go to Normandy, but I knew that a day trip there from Paris was not the best way to see it. The travel time back and forth is long.
My answer to you is that if you think you will go back for a longer period of time, wait until you can spend a few days there. If not, I will certainly not dissuade from taking a day trip there because it is awe inspiring.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 5:31 am to Barrister
My wife and I with another couple did this several years ago under the same circumstances as you. We had 4 full days in Paris. We took the train to Bayeux where our private guide met us. We saw a lot and had a great time. I would do it again without hesitation.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 6:16 am to Barrister
You absolutely can, I did it. Took a train to Bayeux by way of Caen, and a bus from Bayeux to Omaha beach. Saw the cemetery, sat on Omaha beach for a while, had a look around the museum and got on the train back to Paris. If you only have one day, it's more than worth it to go see Omaha Beach.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 7:11 am to Barrister
It's definitely doable. I took the train to Caen and went to the D-day museum there. They offer semi-private tours from the museum. We were in a minivan with a couple of other Americans and we hit all the high points with time to wander (Omaha, Utah, Pointe du Hoc, American cemetery, German cemetary, etc). Made it back to Paris in time for a nice dinner.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 8:19 am to Barrister
quote:
Plannig to be in Paris for about 4 days and I am considering buring a day and going over to Normandy/Omaha Beach area. I want to avoid the tour bus and cattle car option.
Have you ever been to Paris? What else are you doing on your trip? As said its doable but not really a "day trip" in the sense its a long trip and a long day. With only 4 days in paris if one of those includes the day you are flying in from the states you are pushing your time in Paris.
Posted on 1/9/23 at 11:37 am to Barrister
You’re only there 4 days. If you’ve never been to Paris, I wouldn’t leave. If you have already been to Paris, I suggest spending a night in Bayeux.
Overlord Tours
Overlord Tours
Posted on 1/9/23 at 7:55 pm to Barrister
Did the tour bus trip but if I had it to do over again I would either rent and drive, take the train or pay a driver. Just make sure you make the trip and be prepared to be humbled, especially at the cemetery.
Posted on 1/10/23 at 7:27 am to Barrister
Wife and I are going in May I just booked with Overlord Tours few days ago recommended from this board
This post was edited on 1/10/23 at 7:28 am
Posted on 1/10/23 at 2:09 pm to Barrister
private tour is the way to go, but probably not from Paris
We did it from Honfleur and it was still a long day
We did it from Honfleur and it was still a long day
Posted on 1/12/23 at 2:27 pm to Barrister
We took a train to Bayeux and drive from their to the beach
Posted on 1/12/23 at 3:05 pm to Barrister
With only 4 days in Paris, I would agree just to stay in Paris if you have never been there.
If you are set on going to the Normandy beaches, I suggest using Overlord Tours as many others have, they have one that you take the 1st train from Gare du' Nord to Bayeaux, then they pick you up/drop off at the train station. Makes for a long day, but it was a fantastic tour. Tour was in a 8-10 person van and was able to hit a ton of sites around the area including Utah/Omaha Beaches, American Cemetery, German Cemetery, Point du Hoc, and Sainte Mere Eglise.
LINK
If you are set on going to the Normandy beaches, I suggest using Overlord Tours as many others have, they have one that you take the 1st train from Gare du' Nord to Bayeaux, then they pick you up/drop off at the train station. Makes for a long day, but it was a fantastic tour. Tour was in a 8-10 person van and was able to hit a ton of sites around the area including Utah/Omaha Beaches, American Cemetery, German Cemetery, Point du Hoc, and Sainte Mere Eglise.
LINK
This post was edited on 1/12/23 at 3:12 pm
Posted on 1/12/23 at 5:43 pm to Barrister
quote:
Planning to be in Paris for about 4 days and I am considering burning a day and going over to Normandy/Omaha Beach area. I want to avoid the tour bus and cattle car option. Has anyone every done this? recommended? Private driver? Suggestions appreciated
We just spent two weeks there in late November. My second time to Paris, and while I liked it, BY FAR our favorite part of the trip was the week we self-directed and rented a car. Drove to Normandy.
Now. Regarding a day trip? Dunno. It was about 3 hours. Not that difficult at all to drive, particularly after you get out of Paris. We rented a car at the airport BTW.
We based in Bayeux and stayed at the Grand Hotel du Luxembourg. Highly recommended. Great town with a lot of restaurant options. Within 20 minutes to some of the Beaches. 1 1/2 hours to Mont-Saint-Michel, a true "bucket list destination" if I ever saw one. Wow.
My vote: Won't be popular, IF YOU CAN, avoid Paris as much as possible and go spend your time in Normandy.
The food. The drink (did we tell you about Calvados??) The people. The history.
You'll thank me later.
Selected Photos
Posted on 1/13/23 at 9:17 am to Nole Man
quote:
My vote: Won't be popular, IF YOU CAN, avoid Paris as much as possible and go spend your time in Normandy.
You're right. That won't be popular at all.
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