WWI and WWII Day Trips from Paris?

Hello. We would like to make two day trips during our upcoming visit to Paris.

First, to the WWI sites associated with US troops (Belleau Wood, not sure where else?) and second, to the WWII landing beaches and American Cemetary.

Are these trips doable as one day each? Does anyone know of the most cost-effective way to get a private minivan with driver/guide? (There will be five of us, ranging in age from 10 to 72.)

Thank you!!

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Belleau Wood.... awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DbRN0m8rx8

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My own experience was going to the WWII sites - we have made 2 trips from Paris. On our first visit, we used LinkParis ~ they book you on a train from Paris to Caen and you spend the morning visit the Caen Peace Museum, and the afternoon touring various sites. While not totally %26quot;private%26quot;, it is a small group (no more than 8, I believe). It was an excellent day trip, and well worth it.

Second trip we hired a private guide, Nigel Stewart, who was excellent - www.dday-guide.com. Again, we took the train from Paris to Bayeux (booked it through SNCF ourselves - very reasonable). I don%26#39;t know the logistics around accommodating a group of five - you wouldn%26#39;t all fit in his car, but you could check. My husband, a WWII history buff, still raves about Nigel%26#39;s tour ~ it was the highlight of that trip. There are other groups in the area (Bayeux) that do private tours (Battlebus, etc.); if you do a search of the Paris forum for normandy, WWII, d-day, you%26#39;ll find a lot of info.

BUT, no matter how you slice it, it is a looonnnng day, and you mention one of your group is 72, so that%26#39;s a major consideration. Taking the train, you%26#39;re leaving Paris around 7am, and not getting back until about 8:45pm. Some feel it%26#39;s not worth the effort; I respectfully disagree. These have been incredibly moving experiences, and while we could have spent days in the Normandy area, that was not an option. I do feel with a private guide or small tour like LinkParis, you at least make the most of your time. I am not a %26quot;bus%26quot; person, so I didn%26#39;t even explore that option.

Best of luck!

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My husband (military officer) and his father (war buff) did the day trip through the Caen museum and had a wonderful day. It was well-organized and included transportation to/from the train station in Caen- it was organized with Paris day-trippers in mind. They really enjoyed it!

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I%26#39;m not familiar with Belleau Wood, but for the Normandy beaches try posting questions on the TA Normandy forum. I did research there to help family members who wanted to go, and found quite a bit. Also, there are some tours that go from Paris by van - it%26#39;s a long day, but some visitors find that preferable to staying overnight, or organizing their own transport. There are also some very highly regarded day tours once you get there (i.e., you would do your own transport, and they would then pick you up for a half or full day tour).