Normandy beaches etc
Discussion
My wife and I are considering a long weekend - maybe 4 nights - to visit the Normandy beaches, museums, war cemeteries etc at some point in 2020. It will also give me a chance to take the car for a longer trip, via the Shuttle!
I imagine that someone on here has done this recently and can give some guidance on where to go (and where not to go), when to get a guide (and how to book) and where to do things ourselves, and where to stay etc. Suggestions for guidebooks that would help us plan our own trip would also be good.
Ideally, on the last day, we'd take a detour and stay in a nice chateau with a good (Michelin star) restaurant, if there is such a thing conveniently located!
At this stage I'm not really sure of timing, but given other commitments earlier in the year, I think August might be an option.
I'd be grateful for any useful advice, thanks.
I imagine that someone on here has done this recently and can give some guidance on where to go (and where not to go), when to get a guide (and how to book) and where to do things ourselves, and where to stay etc. Suggestions for guidebooks that would help us plan our own trip would also be good.
Ideally, on the last day, we'd take a detour and stay in a nice chateau with a good (Michelin star) restaurant, if there is such a thing conveniently located!
At this stage I'm not really sure of timing, but given other commitments earlier in the year, I think August might be an option.
I'd be grateful for any useful advice, thanks.
A lot to do - We go 4-5 times a year as my wife's family hail from Bayeux.
First, where to stay - I have stayed at La Ranconniere ( https://www.ranconniere.fr/ ) in Crepon several times (family get a bit put out if we don't stay with them but I love the restaurant there).
Where to visit;
Arromanches - See the remnants of the Mulberry harbour, the museum in the town is also excellent - It can seem a little commercial but still worth a visit.
American cemetery at Omaha Beach ( https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/n... )
German Cemetery at La Cambe ( http://www.lacambe.fr/tourisme/cimetiere-allemand/ )
Pointe du Hoc near Grandcamp Maisy ( https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/p... )
Maisy Battery ( http://www.maisybattery.com/ ) really interesting and owned and run by a family from Manchester
Gun Battery at Longues-sur-Mer (I really enjoy this one - still barrels in place)
These are some of my favourites - this site is worth visiting for more ideas ( https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/d-day-bea... )
Apart from La Ranconniere - There is an excellent restaurant in Courseulles-sur-Mer called La Cremaillere ( https://www.la-cremaillere.com/ ) right on the beach
First, where to stay - I have stayed at La Ranconniere ( https://www.ranconniere.fr/ ) in Crepon several times (family get a bit put out if we don't stay with them but I love the restaurant there).
Where to visit;
Arromanches - See the remnants of the Mulberry harbour, the museum in the town is also excellent - It can seem a little commercial but still worth a visit.
American cemetery at Omaha Beach ( https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/n... )
German Cemetery at La Cambe ( http://www.lacambe.fr/tourisme/cimetiere-allemand/ )
Pointe du Hoc near Grandcamp Maisy ( https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/p... )
Maisy Battery ( http://www.maisybattery.com/ ) really interesting and owned and run by a family from Manchester
Gun Battery at Longues-sur-Mer (I really enjoy this one - still barrels in place)
These are some of my favourites - this site is worth visiting for more ideas ( https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/d-day-bea... )
Apart from La Ranconniere - There is an excellent restaurant in Courseulles-sur-Mer called La Cremaillere ( https://www.la-cremaillere.com/ ) right on the beach
My usual points are
Saint Mere Eglise (which has an excellent museum of the 101st Airborne assault on the town - if you watched Band of Brothers this is where they came in)
Arromanche and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour (good 360 cinema on cliff tops)
Pegasus Bridge and the associated museum
US Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Pont du Hoc also worth a look to get an idea of what the Allies were up against on the beaches alone.
There are loads of smaller sites and nothing is too far apart. Regards the drive down from the Channel Ports, hugging the coastline is a far more interesting, if longer, route than the Peage.
Shame you didn’t do this last year for the 75th anniversary although it was rather busy!
Saint Mere Eglise (which has an excellent museum of the 101st Airborne assault on the town - if you watched Band of Brothers this is where they came in)
Arromanche and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour (good 360 cinema on cliff tops)
Pegasus Bridge and the associated museum
US Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Pont du Hoc also worth a look to get an idea of what the Allies were up against on the beaches alone.
There are loads of smaller sites and nothing is too far apart. Regards the drive down from the Channel Ports, hugging the coastline is a far more interesting, if longer, route than the Peage.
Shame you didn’t do this last year for the 75th anniversary although it was rather busy!
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 2nd January 10:36
Crossflow Kid said:
My usual points are
Saint Mere Eglise (which has an excellent museum of the 101st Airborne assault on the town - if you watched Band of Brothers this is where they came in)
Arromanche and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour (good 360 cinema on cliff tops)
Pegasus Bridge and the associated museum
US Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Pont du Hoc also worth a look to get an idea of what the Allies were up against on the beaches alone.
There are loads of smaller sites and nothing is too far apart. Regards the drive down from the Channel Ports, hugging the coastline is a far more interesting, if longer, route than the Peage.
Much appreciated.Saint Mere Eglise (which has an excellent museum of the 101st Airborne assault on the town - if you watched Band of Brothers this is where they came in)
Arromanche and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour (good 360 cinema on cliff tops)
Pegasus Bridge and the associated museum
US Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Pont du Hoc also worth a look to get an idea of what the Allies were up against on the beaches alone.
There are loads of smaller sites and nothing is too far apart. Regards the drive down from the Channel Ports, hugging the coastline is a far more interesting, if longer, route than the Peage.
991_GT3 said:
Much appreciated.
You’re welcome.
Whenever I go over, I have a bit of a thing for visiting Pegasus Bridge at around midnight, roughly the time the first assault gliders landed there on the night of June 5/6 ‘44.
Although everything is closed it just seems so much more fitting, although it is a lot of effort for little gain beyond saying you’ve been there. Needless to say this doesn’t appeal to everyone.
I was at the bridge for last year’s 75th commemorations on the night of the 5th/6th. How it didn’t collapse in to the canal with the number of people gathered on it is a miracle.
There is what’s left of an original Horsa glider in the adjacent Pegasus museum and viewing it really brings home what a ballsy effort the entire operation was.
Like a lot of Overlord hardware, these aircraft were made to be literally disposable, single-use items (although there was a method for recovering them for re-use if they survived the landing intact - which most didn’t)
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 2nd January 10:50
Pegasis bridge
Sainte-Mere Eglise (airborne museum at least)
American Cemetery, Normandy
The beaches themselves.
The Mulberry Pontoons at Omaha Beach and museum are a good visit
There is a bunker near here also I cant remember the name of it sadly but we got a leaflet at the pontoon museum to find it.
The D-Day Museum, Arromanches-sur-Mer
The Merville Gun Battery
Juno Beach Centre museum
In short plenty to see.
I stayed here when I did it a few years ago in Tracy-sur-Mer so very central. Was fantastic and just what we wanted.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/la-rosiere.en-gb....
Last year when we did a few sites again we just stopped in different places but depended on your budget.
Sainte-Mere Eglise (airborne museum at least)
American Cemetery, Normandy
The beaches themselves.
The Mulberry Pontoons at Omaha Beach and museum are a good visit
There is a bunker near here also I cant remember the name of it sadly but we got a leaflet at the pontoon museum to find it.
The D-Day Museum, Arromanches-sur-Mer
The Merville Gun Battery
Juno Beach Centre museum
In short plenty to see.
I stayed here when I did it a few years ago in Tracy-sur-Mer so very central. Was fantastic and just what we wanted.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/la-rosiere.en-gb....
Last year when we did a few sites again we just stopped in different places but depended on your budget.
I`ve been a number of times, there is so much to see and do its impossible to fit in everything in a few days,so do plenty of research and plan an itinerary.
Remember its a major tourist location,people come from all over the world,it will be busy,particularly in the summer. Accommodation is not a problem,a huge selection,but its advisable to book well in advance.
This year there will be two big events taking place. 75th VE Day Anniversary 8th May and the opening of the new British Normandy Memorial at Ver-Sur-Mer (Gold Beach) 4th September. Of course there is always lots of ceremonies all over Normandy on June 6th.
Driving from Calais can take some time so you may want to consider using an overnight Brittany Ferry to Oustreham or Cherbourg.
I would recommend you use the D514 coast road for all the beaches. Say start at the Merville Battery,the D514 then goes over Pegasus Bridge, (airborne gliders museum) then along the coast past Sword,Juno and Gold Beaches. Lots to see and do along the way. Park up at the 360 circular cinema overlooking Arromanches, fascinating film show. You can then take a little shuttle train down into Arromanches and visit the D Day Museum,walk on the beach to see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour. Then take the D514 to Omaha Beach, a visit to the American Cemetery is recommended. By this time you may feel you have seen enough,but if you want to a visit to Utah Beach is a short drive along the D514.
Away from the museums,film shows,tourists,noise etc, its a place for quiet reflection. Just stand in the sand on one of those beaches and think? just imagine what it was like and what those guys went through. They are all heroes and we must never forget them.
Remember its a major tourist location,people come from all over the world,it will be busy,particularly in the summer. Accommodation is not a problem,a huge selection,but its advisable to book well in advance.
This year there will be two big events taking place. 75th VE Day Anniversary 8th May and the opening of the new British Normandy Memorial at Ver-Sur-Mer (Gold Beach) 4th September. Of course there is always lots of ceremonies all over Normandy on June 6th.
Driving from Calais can take some time so you may want to consider using an overnight Brittany Ferry to Oustreham or Cherbourg.
I would recommend you use the D514 coast road for all the beaches. Say start at the Merville Battery,the D514 then goes over Pegasus Bridge, (airborne gliders museum) then along the coast past Sword,Juno and Gold Beaches. Lots to see and do along the way. Park up at the 360 circular cinema overlooking Arromanches, fascinating film show. You can then take a little shuttle train down into Arromanches and visit the D Day Museum,walk on the beach to see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour. Then take the D514 to Omaha Beach, a visit to the American Cemetery is recommended. By this time you may feel you have seen enough,but if you want to a visit to Utah Beach is a short drive along the D514.
Away from the museums,film shows,tourists,noise etc, its a place for quiet reflection. Just stand in the sand on one of those beaches and think? just imagine what it was like and what those guys went through. They are all heroes and we must never forget them.
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