Normandy WW11 trip

fred1955
fred1955 Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited September 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

I am planning a WW2 trip to Normandy  May /June 2017 intension are to go over from Hull - so far me,  car n caravan and friends with motorhome, 10 to 14 days.  Can anybody recommend sites and places of interest. With a trip like this there are going to be
places that others have seen and would recommend.  Are there any DA going over !! 

Thanks Fred

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  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2016 #2
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  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited September 2016 #3

    We stayed at Campsite La Roseraie d'Omaha which was very pleasant. Close to the American Cemetary and also not far from Bayeux, which is well worth a visit.

    Some people we know stayed at Camping du Joncal and said that was also good.

    Both are in the ACSI scheme.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,395 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #4

    Seem to remember we stayed at the municiple at Arromanches, a good museum of the D-day landings there and don't miss St Mere Eglise.

    From my notes:

    I have read the books and seen the films but standing above Gold St Mere Egise Churchand Omaha Beaches I was still taken aback at the exposed positions of the landing forces. I think everyone should visit this area at least once in their lives and reflect and remember what many men died for. We stayed on the municiple site in Arromanches. There is an adjacent aire but it was full. From here it was a short easy walk to the sea front to view what is left of the Mulberry Harbour and to visit the well presented "6th June 1944" museum. A steep walk up the hill will take you to the war time positions overlooking Arromanches and Gold beach. A 360 degree cinema presents an interesting film about the invasion. There is also a large car park by the cinema so you can drive up to it if you cannot face the walk. A free 'road train' also plies the route. From here we visited the peaceful haven of the British cemetery at Ryes (not easy to find tucked away in the countryside) then on along the coast road to the American cemetery above Omaha Beach. Both very moving experiences. St Mere Eglise was next. We parked in the square overlooked by the dangling paratrooper which still adorns the church tower. We were not charged to visit the Airborne Museum.

    peedee

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited September 2016 #5

    We had a lovely and interesting time in Arromanches. We were following one of Major & Mrs Holt's routes down the coast.

    There is a Commonwealth cemetary on the ring road around Bayeux, where a large number of British soldiers are memorialised.

  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
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    edited September 2016 #6

    There's a Memorial and museum in Caen with gardens, displays, day trips to the beaches etc, etc.  Have a look at their website
    here.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2016 #7

    It's some years since we've been there, but the municipal site at Bayeux was a good central point for visiting the area. The town also has related museums and of course, the tapestry.

  • JimFl
    JimFl Forum Participant Posts: 42
    First Comment
    edited September 2016 #8

    Another vote for Bayeux municipalLaughing

  • H B Watson
    H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
    edited September 2016 #9

    i seem to remember that the Beyeux site is walking distance to the centre of town, also Beyeux is pretty central for touring the area.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2016 #10

    factoid: The Bayeux city bypass was built by the British Army in a matter of days to avoid the damage and chaos which invasion supply convoys might cause to the old town.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited September 2016 #11

    whilst in the area do visit the German cemetry.Built in what seems to be a bomb crator...outside the walls you can hear thebirds sing and all the sounds of the countryside.....inside...perfect silence..no bird song even!The ages of the fallen were the biggest
    shock that I had....so young and so many!It is my firm beleife that everyone should visit Normandy as part of their education on the folly of war!There is an awful lot to see in the area so take at least two weeks.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #12

    A visit to the western front is equally salutary.

  • fred1955
    fred1955 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited September 2016 #13

    Thanks for all replys - the word "Holiday" does not seem appropiate when planning a visit to the area.  As someone said its trip that all should make once we owe alot to that generation.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited September 2016 #14

    A friend of our has booked a gite in the Somme for the Christmas/New Year period - he always has a little pilgrimage and this year we're driving out to meet him on Dec 28 and returning Jan 2. Agree, we all should make these trips at least once.

  • dennisd
    dennisd Forum Participant Posts: 157
    edited September 2016 #15

    Have a look at Yelloh Villages Les Hautes Coutures, Benouville. A good site, pool, bar, cafe and just a 10 minute walk to Pegasus Bridge and museum, also handy for the landing beaches.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited September 2016 #16

    We spent a few days on the Somme a couple of weeks ago.Agreed that enjoy is not the right word but so worthwhile to pay our respects to a fallen generation.

  • Andrew and Margaret
    Andrew and Margaret Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited September 2016 #17

    My son and I plus a couple of friends annually visit WW1 & 2 sites. Carantan has a good Muni (mentioned earlier) very clean and tidy. For Normandy follow a good guide such as the Holts and allow a morning or afternoon at the American Cemetery to thoroughly
    soak it in. On the main route up to Cherbourg there is an awesome museum where all the exhibits are in full working order including the aircraft and tank/plane rides are available. Also worth taking time out for are the huge (I mean HUGE) German concrete installations
    near Calais (La Cupole) V1 & V11 manufacturing/ launch sites.

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited September 2016 #18

    I've stayed at camping Portland, near Port au Bessin, which is a nice site and very central for the main beaches.  Les Mouettes near Dieppe and Le Cormoran near St Mere Eglise are both nice too.  I would recommed visiting some of the smaller British cemeteries
    that are dotted around and found Aromanche really fascinating too, it's truly amazing what was achieved there.  All the museums etc are really good, we bought a 'pass' that gave us discounted entry to almost all the sites and it more than paid for itself over
    our stay(s).  There are just so many things to visit that a really good guide and/or lots of research beforehand to decide which ones to go to is well worthwhile.

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #19

    We visited the area about 10 years ago, and found it very interesting to the point of being stunning.

    but just last weekend we passed though Caen, and picked up a brochure for the 2016 D Day festival. Now passed of course, but you might find the website useful. Www.ddayfestival.com

    incidentally, the festival lasts 2 weeks so I guess the same next year.

    also try www.normandy-dday.com

    we too are thinking about visiting during the 2017 festival

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