Normandy landings and war graves
Hi, My wife and I next May (2020) are planning to visit the North coast of France to visit and pay our respects to the people who fell in the last war. There is so much in this area, both places of conflict and war graves. I know there are many members who have actually done this. There is so much to visit, including the beauty of the area, I wondered if someone could guide us as to the main places we should go to and the recommended sites to stay. We have a motorhome. We are planning to be out there between 2/3 weeks along that coast, possibly arriving via Roskoff from Plymouth. We have been threatening to do this for years and it has to be done, especially as I lost five uncles who I never met in the conflict. Thank you for your help in advance
Robin.
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To pay your respects you should go to the British military cemetery in Bayeux - just inland from the landing beaches - and the municipal campsite there is good for motorhomers because it is conveniently situated in the town itself. But please go to the American military cemetery at Colleville sur mer as well - it's such a moving place to visit because of its sheer scale.
If you are starting from Roscoff it's 200 miles to reach those places - but don't rush because there are many pretty places near Roscoff where you can stay with a Motorhome right on the sea front - there is waterside motorhome parking at St Pol de Leon, and campsites such as Font de la Baie at Locquirec and Camping Tourony at Tregastel are both welll placed by the sea for motorhomers.
Don't be tempted to book anywhere in advance but check whether campsites are open as early in the year as May. Having started from Roscoff you easily come home from Caen or Cherbourg if you wish.
Take care.
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There is MH parking east of Arromanche, on the cliffs adjacent to a museum. Good spot for an overnight as is the side road opposite the Pegasus Bridge museum.
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There is a good Aire within easy walking distance of Utah Beach. One of the Camping-Car Park group of Aires. You need to purchase a card for a few Euros which you charge up with credit. This gets you through the barrier and pays for your stay.
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Hi, we’ve had several wonderful holidays in Normandy & have visited lots of the beaches & war memorials etc. Bayeux is a lovely little town & the Tapestry is worth a visit along with the British cemetery. Point du Hoc is a very interesting place. It’s where the Americans scaled the cliffs to take down the German guns. The American cemetery at Collville sur mer is a must - a peaceful, moving place. The museum of peace near Caen is an excellent day out, not cheap, but worth it. Melville Battery is very good. You must visit Pegasus bridge at the museum beside the new Pegasus bridge. The guided tour is excellent. You can also visit the 1st house liberated in June 1944 & see where the gliders landed. Amazing! Arromanches is a beautiful little town. There is a very good museum there & you can seethe remains of the Mulberry harbour on the beach. There are also landing beaches worth seeing at Ouistreham & on the Cotentin peninsula. St Mere Eglise is worth a visit. If you’re there a visit to Mont St Michelle is not too far away & worth a visit. Hon fleury is also worth a visit.
We always travel Portsmouth to Caen, a lovely crossing & when you land you’re in the heart of Normandy. We still travel that way on our way down to the Dordogne. The ferry virtually takes you on to the landing beach at Ouistreham.
When in Normandy for a full holiday we’ved stayed at chateau de Martragny near Bayeux (in the CC travel brochure). We now stay for 1 night before & after ferries at Riva Bella in Ouistreham. It’s fine for after the afternoon ferry as you’re there in minutes, but would definitely NOT staying there longer than that.
We love the area so much we sped a day or two there at the end of our Dordogne holiday.
Enjoy planning your holiday. My uncle landed at Courseulles a nice fishing village so we always visited there too.
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If you have your own facilities (toilet/shower), a Solar panel and a refillable gas system then using the Aires is ideal.
No need to book and plenty of overnight stops to be found using - https://www.campercontact.com
Don't forget to take a good supply of tissues and handkerchiefs for the visits to Cemeteries and Memorials.
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