normandy day trip from paris

my family (four of us) will be in paris in august and would like to go for a day to normandy. could anyone suggest the easiest and least costly method of getting there? is it possible to take a train from paris to caen and from there hook up with a tour? any ideas about how long a trip (by car or train) from paris to normandy beach area. we would rent a car if the trip is not more than 2 hours each way. thanks

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Hi Serafina,

There have been several posts about going to Normandy. You might try a search on this forum. Much good information and suggestions posted. Did you want to visit the D Day Beaches or just the beach?

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Caen is close to a three hour drive from Paris, the beaches about 3.5 hours.

By train you could make it to Caen in about 2 hours. Tours of the D-day beaches are available from Paris. I would imagine there are also tours originating in Caen, but I don%26#39;t know that for a fact...

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Caen will put you near to the British and Canadian beaches. Omaha Beach and the American Cemetary is further west. The closest city would be Bayeau. BE sure that any tour you take from Paris includes what you want to see. Pont du Hoc and St. Mere Eglise are worth a visit and they are the furthest west.

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Bea is correct about inserting Normandy Beaches in the

upper right hand box on the green strip on any page

and hit GO.

The least hassle for me was a tour that I took several

years ago from Paris with ParisVision.

It%26#39;s a full day including the landing beaches, Arromanches,

the American Cemetery and dinner at the WWII Museum

in Caen.

There is a bit of a cost involved but for me it was entirely

work it. The most memorable experience in my 4

visits to France.

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I recommend you check the website www.battlebus.fr which will provide you with lots of information and tour alternatives. I have taken two day tours with this company which were excellent! Their website will provide you with all the information (including customer testamonials) you could need. Miriam, one of the owners with her husband Paul is very helpful so if you have questions e-mail her through the address

listed on the website. Their tours are small groups and their guides are fluent English speakers, extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I also rented a car in Normandy and found the coastal towns and routes difficult to find my way around so you might save a lot of time with someone else driving.