Hi, the entrance and tour guides are free.

We took a guided tour - and then spent time on our own. Check the internet for various tours of the beaches as well as the cemetery.

Long drive but worth it. It took us 7-8 hours. We barely made it to the cemetery in time and only were able to spend about 30-45 minutes there but it was still worth it. I will go back.

Cultural differences, decided by architects. Allied cemeteries are more like gardens. German cemeteries blend in with their environment. Plants grow freely and trees are not pollarded, according to German mythology's concept of communion between Man and Nature The architecture of these cemeteries is austere but leaves a lot of room for trees to "watch over the eternal rest of the soldiers". The cemeteries often give the impression of being in a forest. It is not true that the Treaty of Versailles obliged the Germans to be buried with black crosses as symbols of the vanquished. There is no such clause. There are many cases of WW2 German soldiers buried in Allied cemeteries, with white headstones (viz. Cemetery near Pegasus Bridge).

Paris is quite a distance from Normandy - I would suggest spending time in Normandy at least a full day or two in Normandy - there is so much history.

I think a rental car will be the best way to see the area. It is also a lot of organized trips (coaches). I had my own compact campervan which was a fine way to travel. Håvard