Paris Travel Forum

we have 10 night in paris, we would .like to visit the Normandy beaches etc. do we need to stay over night.

other than the famous sights, any other suggestions of things we would enjoy in paris
thanks

If you want to see the Normandy Beaches...and it's worth it for sure...you shouldn't and probably even can't...do it in one day. I'd spend two nights in Normandy if you want to see more than one of the Beaches. Omaha Beach is probably the best bet for the first choice if you're American. There is also a "British" Beach and a "Canadian." One thing I'd recommend is a stop in Bayeux which is a town in Normandy and see the "Bayeux Tapestry." I hadn't ever even heard of it before my first time in Normandy and got there kind of by accident but seeing the Tapestry in the small museum in Bayeux was really something great. It was literally created in the 10th Century and it's about 300 feet long, documenting the Norman Conquest of England in great detail. Don't miss that.

In Paris...stop at Berthillon for sorbet. It's close to Notre Dam, near the Ile St. Louis and it's a great treat, especially on a hot day in Paris. You won't be sorry...the flavors are terrific.

Pere Lachaise, the catacombes and the Rodin museum are my 3 favourites. Plus the obvious ones - tour Eifel, Sacre Coeur etc.

You have lots of time. Definitely stay overnight near Normandy as the drive is long enough to warrant the hotel. To get a real perspective of the site, try to watch some type of History channel documentary of any footage of the invasion or if your stomach can handle it, the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan".

I just returned from Paris (and Normandy) on 7/18/08 -- I definitely recommend Normandy... HOWEVER: We didn't realize how far apart the beaches are from the main villages, etc. involved with the invasion. Also, we thought it was to visit the American Cemetery. The best advice I can give you is to absolutely get a group tour going. I know, sometimes they can be cheesy. We went with a group that included a hotel stay in Caen (very nice accommodations) and a 6-person tour group. It also got us tickets to the Museum in Caen and gobs of information. Obviously, choose the tour that works the best for you, but we only had one day to dedicate to this excursion -- and spent a full 6 hours on the tour. The tour guides took care of everything. All I had to worry about was taking great pictures.

I just returned from Paris (and Normandy) on 7/18/08 -- I definitely recommend Normandy... HOWEVER: We didn't realize how far apart the beaches are from the main villages, etc. involved with the invasion. Also, we thought it was important to visit the American Cemetery. The best advice I can give you is to absolutely get a group tour going. I know, sometimes they can be cheesy. We went with a group that included a hotel stay in Caen (very nice accommodations) and a 6-person tour group. It also got us tickets to the Museum in Caen and gobs of information. Obviously, choose the tour that works the best for you, but we only had one day to dedicate to this excursion -- and spent a full 6 hours on the tour. The tour guides took care of everything. All I had to worry about was taking great pictures.