Normandy beaches tips

[dontlookdown]

Got a couple of days in Honfleur in late August as last leg of our summer hols before catching the ferry home.

I'd like to spend one of the days looking at the Normandy beaches as they are not far away. Any tips from the PH hive mind about where to go and what to see? I am more a fan of 'real' stuff even if it's a bit moth eaten than super slick museums/exhibits (although happy with the latter if that's what there is).

[Abbott]

Start with a visit to Pegasus Bridge Caen.

Then head up and across to Arromanche to see the beaches and another good museum

Depending on how much time you want to spend you could then go to the American Cemetery

and then on to Pointe du Hoc


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Memorial+Pegasus...

Edited by Abbott on Tuesday 17th June 10:26

[mikeiow]

90min drive west, I would strongly recommend a visit to the British Normandy Memorial

We found it very moving.

Only opened in 2021.
https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org

[Bill]

Abbott said:

Ammoranche

Just in case of confusion for the OP, Arromanche...

Really like Arromanche, the scale of the Mulberry harbour has to be seen to be believed. And the museum in the centre of town is really good.

[Truckosaurus]

The main museum in Caen is very good.

My favourite was the Juno Centre which is Canadian focused and they give free tours of the beach by student volunteers.

I also walked from the car park at the main American cemetery down onto Omaha Beach past a couple of concrete bunkers, and along the length of the beach. Other than a couple of coach loads at the memorial sites, the rest of the beach front was deserted. It has modern houses behind the beach but isn't a total tourist town like Gold/Sword beach area. There's a bar at the far end to get a drink before strolling back.

Edited by Truckosaurus on Tuesday 17th June 14:08

[Abbott]

Bill said:

Abbott said:

Ammoranche

Just in case of confusion for the OP, Arromanche...

Really like Arromanche, the scale of the Mulberry harbour has to be seen to be believed. And the museum in the centre of town is really good.

Oops. Thanks for the correction

[blue_haddock]

Coming from Honfleur then Pegasus bridge is the obvious starting point and then just make your way along the front from there.

I really liked the grand bunker museum in Ouistreham but also just slowly making my way down the beaches just seeing random Tanks, gun emplacements and monuments all along the front.

[dontlookdown]

I knew I'd get some cracking ideas, tks all!

Would love to see a bit of Mulberry harbour so that's on the list, as is Pegasus Bridge. But also just walking the beaches to see where it all happened.

[loskie]

we rented a Gite at Courseulles sur Mer last summer for a cycling break. It was very pleasant.
Juno Beach.
The whole area is fascinating.

Normandy Memorial as someone said is quite a sight. On a nice day such a beautiful, peaceful location. Nowadays at least.
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/discover/d-day-an...

[blue_haddock]

dontlookdown said:

But also just walking the beaches to see where it all happened.

We often stay in the village of St Aubin Sur Mer which is part of Juno beach and having played on the beach with the kids its just surreal that not so many years ago it was literally a killing field.

Just reading the various memorials to different army units is fascinating to me.

[RONV]

[RONV]

The cafe is owned by the the young girl that was in the photos with her mum and dad during the taking of the bridge by the glider hero's and lots of history in the cafe.

Edited by RONV on Wednesday 18th June 10:42

Edited by RONV on Wednesday 18th June 10:44

[RONV]

[BlindedByTheLights]

We visited the US cemetery at Omaha beach and the British memorial, both moving and recommended. Omaha beach lots of bunkers to visit, and the rock memorial to the medical post on the beach. Mulberry harbour on Arromanche as someone else recommended is well worth a walk into the beach to see.

Pegasus bridge both new and the original in the museum are worth a visit, nice cafe and restaurant by the new bridge, the cafe is one of the first houses liberated on d day.

[RONV]

We always stay here twice a year as it is just around the corner to the church and you are well looked after and good parking for our classic car.

[Dave J]

I was taken aback by

https://www.maisybattery.com/

[hidetheelephants]

Bill said:

Abbott said:

Ammoranche

Just in case of confusion for the OP, Arromanche...

Really like Arromanche, the scale of the Mulberry harbour has to be seen to be believed. And the museum in the centre of town is really good.

Check tide times if you're likely to want to inspect the things up close, if the tide's in you'll need binoculars or a boat. Have a listen to the "We have ways of making you talk" podcast; they have a series on D-Day following the Sherwood Rangers after landing and it brings some individual colour to what can be an overwhelmingly huge event.

[loskie]

You can also come to Garlieston and see where they(Mulberry Harbours) were secretly developed with some remnants remaining.

https://mulberryharbour.info/

[ferret50]

There are dozens of memorials along the coast...













Just a selection from our trip about 5 years ago.

[Truckosaurus]

hidetheelephants said:

...Have a listen to the "We have ways of making you talk" podcast....

Also the somewhat related Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WW2Headquarters/videos