NORMANDY - France 2014 - page 425

Getting Around the D-Day Beaches
On Your Own
Though the minivan excursions listed below teach important history lessons—drawing
Americans and Canadians out of their cars— renting a car is a less expensive way to visit
the beaches, particularly for three or more people (for rental suggestions, see Bayeux's
“Helpful Hints” on here or “Arrival in Caen” on here ) .
However, if you're staying in Paris and want to make the D-Day beaches a day-trip
in a rental car, think twice. A train from Paris to Caen (the most convenient place to pick
up a car) takes over two hours. Then you'll face rental paperwork and at least a half-hour
drivetoyourfirststopatArromanches. Ataminimum, justgetting toandfromtheD-Day
beaches will take 6-7 hours out of your day—severely limiting your time at any one sight
(many close at 18:00). A better alternative for Paris-based travelers is to book a service
that will meet you at a train station and drive you to sights (see “By Taxi” and “By Fully
Guided Minivan Tour” next). Or take a bus tour that starts in Paris.
Note that driving in France can be stressful for the average American unused to nar-
row roads, confusing signage, and tailgating French drivers (for tips, see here ) . Park in
monitored locations at the sites, since break-ins are a problem—particularly at the Amer-
ican Cemetery—and consider hiring a guide to enrich the experience—and help navigate
(see “Private Tours,” later).
Hardy souls can bike between some sites (though distances are long enough to dis-
courage most). Very limited bus service links Bayeux, the coastal town of Arromanches,
and the most impressive sites of D-Day (see Bus Verts du Calvados information on here ) .
Consider a bus one way and taxi the other. For small groups, hiring a taxi for the day is
far cheaper than taking a minivan tour, but you don't get the history.
By Taxi
Taxi minivans shuttle up to seven people between the key sites at reasonable rates (which
vary depending on how far you go). Allow €240 for an eight-hour taxi day (€300 on
Sun) to visit the top Utah and Omaha Beach sites. Figure about €21 each way between
Bayeux and Arromanches, €36 between Bayeux and the American Cemetery, and €95
for a 2.5-hour visit to Omaha Beach sites from Bayeux or Arromanches (50 percent sur-
charge after 19:00 and on Sun, taxi tel. [phone] or mobile [phone],
www.taxisbayeux.com , [e-mail] ).
Abbeilles Taxis offer D-Day excursions from Caen (€130-3.5-hour visit to Omaha
Beach sites, €270-full-day visit, tel. [phone], www.taxis-abbeilles-caen.com ).