[PeteePie]

My dad fought in the South of France, the 2nd D-Day and all the way through to Germany as part of the 3rd Army. Yep, he met Patton. I am a student of WWII history and am intent on maximizing this op. Thank you!

[WASCWatch]

With just a little effort, you can plan your own trip unless you can’t physically handle traveling on your own.

[Gay State Conservative]

Not having any special knowledge here all I'd recommend is that you carefully research the subject in the 6+ months you have.Of course there are sure to be Freepers who can give you valuable,specific advice and there will be many other sources of good info.I wonder if the VFW might be a good place to check.

I've often given thought to touring one,or more,of the historic cemeteries in northern France so I'll be watching this thread.

[mass55th]

Back in 2006, I visited Paris specifically to tour the D-Day beaches. I used AAA for my travel plans as I was also going to be going on a 23 day bus tour of the British Isles. AAA made arrangements for a tour with Grayline. I stayed at a hotel on the Rue de Rivoli, and only had to walk a few blocks to the pick-up site. There was mostly Americans on the tour, and it was a very enjoyable time. They provided a nice hot lunch at the museum in Caen. Here's a link to the Grayline site:

Grayline

If you are interested in the Battle of Hastings 1066, you might also want take a tour to view the Bayeaux Tapestry. I never got to see if, and I would have also enjoyed visiting Mont Saint Michel. Grayline was offering tours of those back in 2006 too.

[choctaw man]

We took the tour about four years ago. There’s a travel agency right near the Louve that has tours in all directions. We took another tour, one day, to a chalet south of Paris. I wish I could remember the name of the tourist agency but it’s quite handy, friendly, and does high-volume business.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I can't give you any personal travel tips because I haven't been there. Before you go, I'd recommend you read The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-day Sacrifice. Be warned, though...it is absolutely heartbreaking.

[mass55th]

Forgot to mention you can always check Trip Advisor, and read the various reviews of the tours offered:

Trip Advisor - Normandy

[DocRock]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g608795-d1949183-Reviews-Airborne_Museum-Sainte_Mere_Eglise_Manche_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html

[Pelham]

I suspect that your dad might actually have been in the 7th Army rather than the 3rd. D-Day for the 7th Army was August 15, along the French Riviera.

Patton had commanded the 7th in North Africa and Sicily, but had been replaced by Sandy Patch before the invasion of the south of France. Patton’s 3rd Army landed on the Normandy coast in July 1944, about a month after the Normandy invasion. Familiar history to me because my 98 yr old father was an officer in the 7th Army, from North Africa up to the end of the war.

[dfwgator]

We did the Day Tour from Paris.

[DocRock]

I also recommend you watch The Longest Day just before you go.

[Bon mots]

Well, whatever you do, don't miss Mount St. Michel!

Go ahead... click it! &uar;

[crager]

I was there this past April and there is so much to see. It is amazing to say the least.

I only had one day (tour)and it clearly wasn’t enough time. We only had so much time at each stop, which was not enough time to take it all in.

We went to Pointe du Hoc, the American Cemetery, and Omaha Beach all of which are a must see. They gave me (us) flowers to place on any grave. I placed mine for an Unknown Soldier. We ate lunch at the Omaha Golf Club, which gave us an opportunity to go through the first villages liberated. There was no time to go through any of the museums.

Anyways, depending on how much time you have, you’ll need to prioritize. If you stay in the town of Bayeux or Caen you would have more options.

[RooRoobird20]

Don’t miss Hon Fleur, a beautiful little town. When we stayed there, we were in a hotel on the main town square, within 100 ft from the entrance to the town’s beautiful Catholic Church. Mr RooRoo and I spent a Saturday sipping wine in the hotel garden and literally watched “Four Weddings and a Funeral” —in real life! All on the same day. It’s a very busy parish.

[kaila]

I was just there 2 months ago. If you want to travel to Normandy without a tour guide then you have to rent a car. The distances are too large and no bus transportation.
I would recommend going to Bayeux to see the tapestry. The hotel I stayed at was Le Lion D’or which was good for the price.
There are a lot of tour companies that go to the battlefields. I used Overlord Tour Co. They did a really great job.I would recommend advance reservations, especially the time period you are talking about.
We stayed in Bayeux, and toured from there because we did not want to drive. You can easily take a train from Paris.

[jughandle]

Bookmarked! For...one of these days, I hope.

[kaila]

If you go to Mont St Michel, bring some Deet. The mosquitos and bugs are fierce.

[Lakewood]

We went several years ago. Spent three days in Paris then seven at this place: https://www.chateaudecourtomer.com/ It was an amazing place to stay and do day trips from. About two hours to Normandy, two hours to Mont Saint Michel, two hours to Deauville and Honfluer.

Chateau Courtomer is in the small town of Courtomer, near Seas. There was one “French” restaurant in town and the food was magnificant.

Many small towns around to explore and live the history.

Let me know if you want any specific info and I’ll be happy to respond.

[hardspunned]

D-Day, Normandy Landing Beaches: Battlefield Guide (Major and Mrs Holt’s Battlefield Guides) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848845707/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FHo5BbNN13QAW

Buy this book. Rent a car with GPS if you don’t speak French. I took the train from Paris to Caen and rented there. Double the number of days you plan on spending. I’ve done tours too and there is no comparison with going where YOU want and spending the time you want there. Have a good trip.

[choctaw man]

5 Avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris, France...

http://www.francetourisme.fr/agences-france-tourisme.php?langue=en&agence=louvre#louvre

We used the above agency for both Normandy beaches tour and Fountainebleau tour. I highly recommend this agency.