Paris to Normandy by Train?

[doglover214]

We are thinking of going to Normandy from Paris by train. We realize that a bus takes about 3 hours. Would the train be faster? How long is the trip?

Does anyone know how much a train would cost?

[John Bull]

"Normandy" is a very large departement of France, usually when folk on CC refer to Normandy they mean the D-Day beaches. I'll assume you mean the same?

 

Journey time from Paris (St Lazare) by train varies between 2 & 2.5 hrs to Caen, a little longer for Bayeux.

Frequency varies, vaguely hourly or longer. Direct trains, but some only as far as Caen, so possibly a change of train there for Bayeux.

Cost is also very variable, depending where & when you buy ticket. Budget for around €30

 

Do you have a D-Day tour lined up, starting from Caen or Bayeux? Or planning to rent a car?

Because a taxi tour would be very expensive & poor value, and there's no way you can visit D-Day sights by public transport.

 

Caen has a big "Peace Museum", but D-Day is only a small & insignificant part of it. The city was destroyed during the Normandy campaign & has no D-Day sights.

 

Conversely, the historic town of Bayeux was untouched by D-Day - both sides avoiding action there in order that it be preserved. So a pleasant & historic town, with its "Bayeux Tapestry" depicting the Norman invasion of England in 1066. But again no sights associated with D-Day, & IMHO not by itself worthy of a long haul from Paris.

 

JB :)

[doglover214]

Yes, we want to see the D Day beaches. we plan to get a tour. We don't enjoy seeing anything independently. We like fully escorted tours.