Comments on: Omaha Beach: A destination to remember forever

By: Darles

Darles — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:45:27 +0000

I’ve been to Normandy and the beaches a few times (always by car) and echo the author’s feelings. My sons visited with me in 2003 when they were college students; the bravery of these young men (younger than my boys) was not lost on them. I recommend this trip for everyone, but for Americans – it hits the heart.

By: Karen Fawcett

Karen Fawcett — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:53:14 +0000

Natalie: I am able to recommend many tour groups. But as Ned stated, seeing the area by car is the best way. Driving is not difficult in Normandy and you’ll be able to explore so much more of the area.

Best

By: Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:28:24 +0000

Thanks Ned! We aren’t set in stone necessarily, I just wanted to confirm that it really comes down to a tour or a car. I’ll suggest the rental in Caen idea, that sounds like a workable solution.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:44:24 +0000

There’s always the bus verts – the green buses (google it). They don’t go very often, like five times a day, but they’ll take you to all the spots along the coast line: the cemetery, pointe du hoc etc. I spent sex nights recently at St Laurent Du Mer, close to the cemetery and with a little planning I could visit the places I wanted to see only by foot or bus. And it’s cheap.

By: Ned Levi

Ned Levi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Natalie, I understand anyone’s reluctance to drive in a foreign country. Plus, in Europe, train travel is so good and available that I know my wife and I use the train constantly when there.

Initially we were going to take the train to Caen and pick up a battlefield tour there. If you don’t drive there, or rent a car once you’re in Normandy, I don’t know any way to see the battlefields and beaches unless you take a tour.

Taking a train from Paris to Caen and back is easy. Some take a very early train, take a tour, then return to Paris in the evening. I don’t suggest that. It would be a breakneck day. If you take the train, considering this is vacation, I’d take a more leisurely approach and stay in the area overnight.

That being said, it was our travel agent who suggested we rent a car and drive to Normandy and visit the area. We ended up staying in the Normandy area for two nights. By driving, we feel we were able to see more, and had much better flexibility. In addition to the Normandy Beaches and Caen there were three other highlights for us in the region. We saw the amazing Bayeux Tapestry, the Rouen Notre Dame Cathedral and Rouen in general, and we visited Mont Saint-Michel and stayed on the island. We saw other places too, but we feel these are real Normandy highlights not to be missed. I know there are tours which see them, but we liked the ability to set our own pace. Had we visited Normandy a month or so earlier we would have made a point of stopping at Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, either while driving to or from Paris.

As it turns out, once we completed our Normandy visit, we drove to Bruges, Belgium and spent a couple of nights there. On our way back to Paris from Bruges, we stopped off in Gent, and saw some other amazing sites.

I really feel, a car is the best way to see the area, but if you’re set against it, book a tour. You don’t have to do it out of Paris. You can book it from Caen.

Whatever you do, have a wonderful trip.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:40:24 +0000

Another place to visit if you get the chance, is the war cemetery at Arnhem – “A bridge too far”. I was taken there nearly 50 years ago and I still remember it and the impression it made like it was yesterday.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:54:28 +0000

My husband and I are planning a visit next year. If anyone has traveled there and not rented a car, I would love to hear your tips. It seems to me that travel from Paris to Omaha Beach is unreliable unless you are with a tour.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:20:31 +0000

Seeing the American cemetery is a must for everyone.

It is beautifully done and so respectful it made me very proud to be an American.