A World War II historic guide to discover the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy

Travel Normandy guide François Gauthron offers tours of the Normandy landing beaches, World War II battlefield. Come and discover the most famous part of Normandy where took place the Landing and the battle of Normandy in June 1944 to liberate France and Europe. You will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches. Visit the highlights of World War II sites in Normandy with an expert license guide, first the most important sites of the landing beaches.

Normandy Travel

Travel in Normandy with Francois Gauthron

Practical details

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Now in Bayeux, Normandy

Today in France

Tomorrow in France

How to come to Normandy?

From Paris

  • the easiest way will be the train from Gare St Lazare. It will take 2 hours to Caen and another 20mn to Bayeux. Trains run every day.
  • by rental car, we can arrange the booking for you

From England

  • using the Eurotunnel to Calais or Paris
  • with a ferry crossing (Brittany Ferries)
  • with Air France flights to Caen Carpiquet airport

We also suggest you our shuttle service to meet you in Paris, in Calais or any other cities convenient for you.

Motoring in France

Before you go, make sure you have the following: full International driving license if you wish to rent a car, current insurance certificate, country sticker, spare set of bulbs & fuses, red warning triangle and a first aid kit.
Speed Limits: in towns - 50 kph, on main roads - 90 kph, on dual carriageways - 110 kph, on motorways 130 kph. When it is raining or bad weather the speeds in town reduce by 10 kph and on the motorways the new limit is 110kph.
Seat Belts: front and rear seat belts must be worn at all times. Children under 10 may not travel in the front seat.
Drinking and driving: the blood alcohol limit is 0.05% alcohol, breath tests are frequent

Credit Cards

One of the most economical ways to use your money in France is by using ATM machines to get cash directly from your bank account or to use your credit cards to get cash advances from ATMs or banks.
"ATM" machines (guichets automatiques) are available everywhere in France, and they often offer the best exchange rates. Virtually all ATMs in France take Visa and MasterCard, and many are linked to the Cirrus and Plus systems. American Express now has ATMs in major cities as well. Be sure to remember your PIN number, you will often be asked for it when paying at hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.
Important Reminder - Most French ATM code pads or keyboards are numeric. If you know your PIN number in letters only, use a telephone dial pad in the U.S. or France to help translate the PIN into digits.
Generally, direct withdrawals from U.S. banks and cash advances on credit cards are billed at a competitive exchange rate, frequently lower than foreign currency exchange services offered at hotels, airports and at currency exchange offices near major tourist sites. You should check with your local bank or credit card company before visiting France for details on rates and services.
Using credit cards for purchases is easy and reliable throughout France. Visa is the most widely accepted, followed by MasterCard. American Express is more often accepted in premium establishments. Most establishments post signs indicating the cards they accept. If you intend to use credit cards in smaller shops and restaurants, it is a good idea to ask what cards they take before ordering.

Shopping hours

Most shops in the main towns open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 7pm. Shops out of town often shut at lunchtime from noon until 2pm and banks are either open Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday midday. Almost all shops are closed on Sundays with the exception of the bakeries that usually open for a few hours in the morning, some shops can also be closed on Mondays.

Tipping

In French restaurants, the service charge is included in the bill, but it is customary to leave a few coins for the waiter (around 1,50 € for a moderately priced meal) if you are satisfied with the service. The coatroom attendant should likewise receive 1,50 €. In a hotel, tip the bellboy, the porter and concierge (if especially helpful) about 2 € per luggage item or service performed. Tip a taxicab driver no more than 10%-15% of the fare. An attendant in a public restroom expects, or will charge, approximately 0,30 €.

Meals Time

Breakfast: is served between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Continental breakfast usually includes coffee, tea or chocolate accompanied by the traditional croissant, bread, butter and jam.
Lunch: is the largest meal of the day; it is served between noon and 2:00pm.
Dinner: is served between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Restaurants are busier in the evening than at lunch time ; it is best to book a table in advance.

Using Telephones

Most public telephones no longer accept coins but "télécartes": The "télécarte" is a telephone card which enables you to phone from any telephone booth. There are two types of cards: 50 units or 120 units. They can be purchased in post offices, "cafés/tabacs" or in any Paris metro station. For one shot usage only, you will though note that more and more public telephones also accept regular cerdit cards as mean of payment. The charge is then rather higher than with a telecarte. To call outside France dial 00 + country code.

The metric system

Units of capacity

  • 1 liter = 1.7 pints = 0.88 quarts
  • 10 liters = 2.64 US gallons
  • 1 pint = 0.56 liter
  • 1 quart = 1.136 liter = 2 pints
  • 1 US gallon = 3.73 liters

Units of weight

  • 1 gram = 0.035 ounces
  • 1 kilogram = 2.20 pounds
  • 1 ounce = 28.35 grams
  • 1 pound = 0.45 kilograms

Units of distance

  • 1 mile = 1.6 kilometer

Electric current

Current in France is 220 volts AC and current alternates at 50 cycles, not the 60 in use in the U.S.
If you are bring electrical appliances, you will need a voltage transformer and a plug adaptor.