Day trip to Omaha Beach from Paris

We did a private driver. It was great but a LONG day.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Wife and I are going in May I just booked with Overlord Tours few days ago recommended from this board

We took a train to Bayeux and drive from their to the beach

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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

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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