How far to Normandy?

[pinkpixey]

We will be visiting Paris in August for several days before departing for the Med. cruise. DS is an avid WWII buff and is begging us to take him to see Normandy, the beaches and whatever else there is to see relating to WWII. I am wondering if this is totally unrealistic to do for 1 day? How far from DLP is it to drive? Does anyone have a tour guide they would recommend? I hate to disappoint DS since this is probably a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[Cyrano]

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Using Michelin http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/route-planner#

I'd guess about 170 miles. So about 5/6 hours drive round trip

 

[Architect]

We went via Caen last year, and it was about 2.5 hours using the excellent motorways.

 

[MorganB]

In August you could be battling traffic, mainly on the way back to Disney. Depends on the date. I would encourage you to spend at least one night in Normandy. You could do it in a day but it would be a 5 am to midnight type of day and you would be able to see very little.

 

[dznybound]

I highly recommend Victory Tours w/ Roel Klinghammer for D-Day Landing Beach Tours. We did his full day tour two years ago and really enjoyed it. The tour was very interesting even for a non-history buff like myself. We visited Omaha Beach, the American Cemetary, and lots more. One day is really not enough to see the area, but I think the one day tour should satisfy your son.

Google "Victory Tours" and you should be able to get a little more info. Roel is very friendly and speaks perfect English. He will be able to answer any questions you may have via e-mail.

My husband and I want to go back to explore and visit all the museums. We just got back from 3 days in Paris and the Disney Med Cruise. We contemplated taking one of our days in Paris to go back to Normandy, but decided it will have to be another trip. We want to spend atleast 3 days there next time.

You may want to watch "Saving Private Ryan" again before you go to Normandy.

 

[bavaria]

I have been to Normandie many times, albeit not for the history tours for which Americans seem to visit.

I agree that doing a trip in one day is difficult, unless you consider the tour mentioned above. You may want to focus on one area/city etc. There is also an interesting culture here different from other parts of France, so if you do go, it would be worth your time to experience that as well.

 

[pinkpixey]

thanks everyone for the help, I agree that it would be an extremely long day but I need to work something out. How would I find out about train service from DLP to that area? We have so little time, 4 days at DLPR then the Med. cruise. I think I will need a vacation after this vacation!

 

[nbodyhome]

4 days at DLRP is a fair bit - I love Normandy, and Mont St. Michel - I'd spend a couple of nights up that way, a couple of nights at DLRP.

The roadways going up are very nice, I like the France highways (but not the peripherique!)

 

[bavaria]

thanks everyone for the help, I agree that it would be an extremely long day but I need to work something out. How would I find out about train service from DLP to that area?

www.sncf.fr

 

[wnissen]

Google Maps can get you good directions for this sort of thing. It says 3 hours 20 minutes without traffic, click for yourself to see.

Train service is tricky, that's a fairly rural area. You can get to Longueville-sur-Cie in 3.5 hours from Paris, changing twice. You can get to Bayeux or Caen in about 2 hours, but it seems like they don't run till 10:43. Sorry.

Walt

 

[esk]

Is it too late to add days to your trip? Because it is such a shame to come that far and then not see everything.

how old is DS? If he is over 5, 4 days at DLRP is way too long. 1.5 days or 2 maybe would do it.

I spent 4 days in Normandy a few years ago and didn't see it all. But, in 2 days, you could rent a car, drive out there, see the big sites, then go to Mont-St-Michel on the way back. Stop at Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles because you shouldn't miss those either. You can find very nice B-&-Bs in Normandy in the Karen Brown guides.

Honestly, I'd cut short the time at DLRP and I'm someone that goes 2-4 times a year. Especially if DS is between 12-18, because then, he will probably be much more interested in the history than Mickey.

 

[nbodyhome]

I think Normandy is amazing, and we haven't even touched the surface of it either. I'd like to see more of Bayeux, and Brittany is a beautiful area, we just went to a couple of places there - and have stayed on Mont St. Michel twice now.

Denise