[Travel] Best way to Bayeux from London…

[Goldstone1976]

…I’m off to Bayeux, Caen etc in October with my partner and (then) 18-month old. I’ve never been. I know that myriads of you will have been, so I ask the hive mind:

What is the best way to travel: fly/drive?, ferry? (which route), Eurostar?, LeShuttle?, other (walk/swim)?

TIA for any advice.

Oh - while I’m at it - any places to visit (D-Day, tapestry, and Bayeux/Caen already planned)? Restaurants? etc…

 

[Brian Fantana]

My parents live in Normandy, so I've spent a fair bit of time there. In terms of Bayeux, my recommendation would be ferry from Poole/Portsmouth to Ouistreham.

For attractions, the Tapestry is well worth seeing. In terms of other things to do, I'd highly recommend the D-Day sights. If you head up towards Utah/Omaha beaches, you'll find some excellent museums. Also worth popping in to some of the cemeteries as well, both German and Allied - it helps the brain process the sheer magnitude of losses on both sides. If you head in-land slightly to St Mere-Eglise, you can see the famous church steeple where an American airbourne soldier was snagged for most of the day. Theres's also a very good Airbourne museum too. Finally, I'd recommend Pegasus Bridge too, the site of the British gliders landing to secure one of the most important bridges.

That's probably a bit garbled, so feel free to PM for anything else/more specific.

 

[Since1982]

Interesting - we are planning a similar trip in September. Current plan is Newhaven Dieppe, drive to Caen and then do the D Day beaches and Bayeux, using the latter as a base before heading down to Mount Saint Michel and then back to Dieppe possibly via Rouen.

 

[The Maharajah of Sydney]

Spend some time in the lovely fishing port of Honfleur, a 90 minute drive east along the coast

 

[Guinness Boy]

Portsmouth to Ouisterham on Brittany Ferries, 100%.

Do not - I repeat do NOT - take the fast ferry though. It's not known as the Vomit Comit for nothing. Take the normal (large, stable with nice bar) one.

Oh, and the Caen ring road is a BASTARD.

 

[Beanstalk]

Mémorial de Caen is probably the best war museum in Europe and well worth a visit.

And a second vote for Honfleur, spent many a holiday there and it's just a lovely picturesque place to be. Great food and cider there as well.

 

[Machiavelli]

Interesting - we are planning a similar trip in September. Current plan is Newhaven Dieppe, drive to Caen and then do the D Day beaches and Bayeux, using the latter as a base before heading down to Mount Saint Michel and then back to Dieppe possibly via Rouen.

I've also done this a fair few times and we usually do the Newhaven to Dieppe. We've gone from Portsmouth too, and do Newhaven because it's easier from Brighton and we're keen to do the little we can to keep the 'quaint' Newhaven-Dieppe crossing going. As G1976 is coming from London, it's just as easy to get to both.

 

[aftershavedave]

I was married in Honfleur. Easiest route is Newhaven-Dieppe or as easy Dover on the train and drive down, it's the same time.

 

[Since1982]

I've also done this a fair few times and we usually do the Newhaven to Dieppe. We've gone from Portsmouth too, and do Newhaven because it's easier from Brighton and we're keen to do the little we can to keep the 'quaint' Newhaven-Dieppe crossing going. As G1976 is coming from London, it's just as easy to get to both.

Thanks, helpful. From Burgess Hill as well it seems a no brainier particularly as in no rush to get to Bayeux.

 

[happypig]

If military/cold war interest you , there is a former ballistic missile submarine, Le Redoutable, that you can go round. It's at Cite de la mer in Cherbourg

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Try not to annoy William the Bastard on your way - it never ends well.

 

[Yes Chef]

The Portsmouth-Ouistreheim ferry is ideal for Caen, and if you're not driving there's a local bus which can drop you off in Caen, in the city centre or the Gare SNCF.

I haven't been to Bayeux for ages, so can't recommend anything specific, but agree that the tapestry is well worth a visit.

Caen is home to probably my favourite restaurant in the whole of France - it's called La Casiniere. It's near the castle, and the owner/manager(?) is a very charismatic English bloke. Food, wine and ambience were all top notch, and value for money too - the set menu was around €35 a head.

 

[Bombardier]

If you are looking for a thoroughly lovely hotel close to St Mere-Eglise and Utah beach look no further. Set on quiet countryside and loads of charm.

Le Grand Hard​

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Having just returned from France, be aware le Pont du Normandie is being repaired at the moment, with single lane traffic as one side is completely closed.

 

[essbee1]

I would go ferry from Poole/or equivalent.

I did it by train to Paris first and then to Caen by train from there. Took bloody ages
and trains to Caen are infrequent and bloody slow and packed.

 

[Since1982]

At the risk of turning this into Tripadvisor - given the Normandy expertise on this site would be good to see if there are any comments on our proposed itinerary. Thanks
Day 1 - Newhaven to Dieppe on the morning sailing - stay over in Dieppe
Day 2 - Drive to Honfleur - stay over one night
Day 3 - Drive to Caen and D Day museum then Castle and Abbey using park and ride. Then drive to Bayeux and stay in city for next four nights.
Days 4 to 6 - D Day Beaches and Bayeux
Day 7 - Drive to Rouen and stay 2 nights
Day 8 - Rouen
Day 9 - Back to Dieppe for midday ferry
Ta!

 

[Greavsey]

At the risk of turning this into Tripadvisor - given the Normandy expertise on this site would be good to see if there are any comments on our proposed itinerary. Thanks
Day 1 - Newhaven to Dieppe on the morning sailing - stay over in Dieppe
Day 2 - Drive to Honfleur - stay over one night
Day 3 - Drive to Caen and D Day museum then Castle and Abbey using park and ride. Then drive to Bayeux and stay in city for next four nights.
Days 4 to 6 - D Day Beaches and Bayeux
Day 7 - Drive to Rouen and stay 2 nights
Day 8 - Rouen
Day 9 - Back to Dieppe for midday ferry
Ta!

I would drive straight to Honfleur from Dieppe on day one. Only an hour or so drive and far nicer town than Dieppe.

 

[Machiavelli]

I would drive straight to Honfleur from Dieppe on day one. Only an hour or so drive and far nicer town than Dieppe.

Yes, I think this is a good call. FWIW, next month we're getting the Newhaven ferry that leaves c05:30 and driving for six or so hours thereafter.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

At the risk of turning this into Tripadvisor - given the Normandy expertise on this site would be good to see if there are any comments on our proposed itinerary. Thanks
Day 1 - Newhaven to Dieppe on the morning sailing - stay over in Dieppe
Day 2 - Drive to Honfleur - stay over one night
Day 3 - Drive to Caen and D Day museum then Castle and Abbey using park and ride. Then drive to Bayeux and stay in city for next four nights.
Days 4 to 6 - D Day Beaches and Bayeux
Day 7 - Drive to Rouen and stay 2 nights
Day 8 - Rouen
Day 9 - Back to Dieppe for midday ferry
Ta!

Looks good. I’ve been to Rouen a lot through my work before I retired. A lovely city And a good addition to your main agenda.

 

[Since1982]

Yes, I think this is a good call. FWIW, next month we're getting the Newhaven ferry that leaves c05:30 and driving for six or so hours thereafter.

I thought the first ferry was at 9.30, arriving 14.45 local (we are going in September)