Diversion to Pegasus bridge near Caen

[RL17]

Doing an early ferry on the Wednesday to Calais and thinking of a diversion to Pegasus bridge (just north of Caen) and a a quick visit to Sword beach before driving down from Caen.

Misses Rouen and doesn't seem to add to much to journey. Should do a proper tour some day.

Anything else near Sword beach or Pegasus bridge/Caen we should consider? Or better routes down from Caen?

[ThirstyMonk]

It's well worth stopping off at Pegasus bridge, there's a comprehensive visitor centre, the original bridge and the glider landing zone..

Also just down the coast in Arromanches there is the Mulberry harbour that we used just after D-Day with a very impressive replica setup of how it all looked 75 years ago..

[Truckosaurus]

RL17 said:

....Anything else near Sword beach or Pegasus bridge/Caen we should consider? ...

There's hundreds of D-Day/Battle of Normandy sites around that area. Perhaps the new Canadian museum on Juno Beach if you only have time for one location, and then head across country to Mont Ormel overlooking the Falaise Gap so you cover the start and end of the campaign, this leaves you only a short distance from the N138/D438 or A28 Autoroute towards LM.

https://www.junobeach.org/

http://www.memorial-montormel.org/

[DS240]

Normandy area is littered with so many interesting WWII museums. Just pick one or two because you could spend 2 weeks visiting all the sites.

Big museum on outskirts of Caen is worth visiting. And not too far to Pegasus from there.

Arromanche is interesting.

American cemetery is sobering, hugely impressive in terms of the just how pristine the site is.

But this would all be too much for quick visit.

[vernz]

RL17 said:

Doing an early ferry on the Wednesday to Calais and thinking of a diversion to Pegasus bridge (just north of Caen) and a a quick visit to Sword beach before driving down from Caen.

Misses Rouen and doesn't seem to add to much to journey. Should do a proper tour some day.

Anything else near Sword beach or Pegasus bridge/Caen we should consider? Or better routes down from Caen?

My Dad was in the Ox and Bucks regiment........joined in the early 50's. These were the first in action on D day and I think Lt Brotheridge (of the OX and Bucks) was the first man killed in action on D day.

Top soldiers and very well trained for the operation to capture the bridge......The book Pegasus bridge is a good read if you like that sort of thing.

[ellroy]

We’re spending Weds around the beaches area, well worth the detour.

Give us a wave if you see us!

[jonny142]

http://www.batterie-merville.com/ is about 10 mins drive away from Pegasus bridge , I did 2 days after Le mans last year visiting sites, must go back and spend a good week there .

https://www.lacoupole-france.co.uk/ is about 45 mins from Calais ,and well worth a visit , built to launch V1,V2 Rockets

Edited by jonny142 on Friday 7th June 07:20

[RL17]

Thanks for all the replies

Hope to have a couple of hours and will also try to visit the Hermanville cemetery mentioned in the other post

[billynobrakes]

we are going Wednesday by eurotunnel and stopping off at Honfluer then onto Merville Battery as not been before then Pegasus Bridge, Gold beach to see the new British Memorial and maybe the American Cemetery at Aromanches if we get time, we are going in a motorhome first time for me and we are going to stay overnight in the Aire over looking the mulberry harbours. We are going to come back Monday and start at Saint-Mere-Eglise where the Paratrooper landed in the church tower, there is a great museum there, then fit in what we missed Wednesday. I have been to the beaches a few times now and the guys coming with me will be there first so will be good for the others who have not been before. looking forward to it

[Midlifecrisis4]

Attending the race and making our way to Cean Monday, hopefully arriving around 2pm. Touring the beaches and landmarks thereafter and making our way back to Blighty on Wednesday afternoon.