Never Been To The Normandy D Day Beaches.

[Mr Dean]

Help required! For a long weekend in the Normandy Area.

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Looking for some advice please....

Loosely Heading for some DD beaches and cemetries, monuments, museums, nice B & B's, Resteraunts, eateries, bars, photo oppertunities, local life, Must see's and so much more.

If any of you have any personal experiences and or recommendation Ideas or routes for the area please share them. B)

Prabably later In October I'm trying to plan a short visit from Most likely Portsmouth to Caen over night arriving in Caen about 8 am all ready for a full Day ahead me amongst three or four bikes :cheer:

Never having been to the area I realise though that I will be most likely wanting to do a lot more of the area and beyond but that alas must wait for another time and maybe its something that perhaps I can build on. I know there are guided tours on offer that are no doubt fantastic but just want it more taylor made.

For this first taster of a long weekend trip can any of you offer some suggestions?

The basic plan would be Arrive Caen Friday morning and taking in the weekend to leave calais back to blighty on the Monday so - not a great deal of time for this

Three nights over the four days. :blink:

I want to research a fair bit to get a lot out of the trip! I have all ways hankered to go but I have never been "yet" and I do not think its to far to travel.

Dean

[moto al]

well worth a visit,utah beach.has a great meuseum, it makes you think .average age 22? al

[gobby1]

Hi mate, as soon as you of ferry al the war museums etc are right. They are well sign posted and easy to find but calais is in other direction. Lots on internet about were to go. When i did it we left from farm after driving from st Malo. Enjoy

[Peejay]

Well worth the visit, I usually stay at Honfleur, plenty of cheaper end hotels and b n b's.
Visit-Pegasus Bridge and its museum, Omaha beach and American cemetary, then Arromanche, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches.
All the British cemeteries are scattered around, unlike the American/German ones which are huge. Two worth a visit are Ranville (close to Pegasus)The churchyard next door has the grave of Lt Brotheridge the first british soldier to lose their life on D Day
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/ ... eridge.htm
and Hermanville. http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_det ... 000&mode=1
Do visit the German cemetary at La Cambe, near Caen.
http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/l ... metery.htm
Most of all tell others to visit, many people say "I want to go" but never do. I believe everyone should go and remember what our forefathers sacrificed for us,

[Kenboxertwin]

Hi Mr Dean
A better route would be Cherbourg to Le Havre just follow the coast and you will find plenty to see and do but check up on museum opening dates!!!
Loads of British B+Bs cheap hotels etc in the area.
Calais is a long boring run up from that area especially in iffy weather, you will be wasting a days sightseeing.
Well worth the visit.....have a good one.

[Mr Free Market]

Don't forget Mont Ormel

http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/f ... _ormel.htm

where the 1st Polish Armoured Division closed the Falaise gap

[desertraider]

been a couple of times stayed at camp sites around BAYEUX here is a link to the camp sites http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe ... /calvados/

[davsato]

bayeux
la cambe
collville
the biggest british, german, amurkin cemetaries, worth going to each to see the different takes on death (each is run by each countries war graves commission) i will let you make your own mind up which one you prefer, not that its a contest of course.
theres tons to see,
pegasus bridge
longues-sur-mer battery
batterie azeville
museum of sunken vehicles
merville battery
d-day museum at arromanche
all good, and loads more.
enough to get fed up of it all, to be honest.

stayed in arromanche at 'beaches' B&B which was okay, you can do better/cheaper though. best thing to do is rock up at the tourist info (in every town and village) and ask them to find you accomodation. speaking of cheaper, be prepared to get ripped off for food and drink at the touristy places, or ride a few miles out of town to find somewhere.

[Lord Vader]

Lots of good tips above

If you should come past Honfleur,stop and have breakfast or a meal in one of the restaurants on the Harbour

Oh and you WILL take lots of pics so make sure you got plenty space on your camera




Pont-du-Hoc
Ranger memorial is a must.The devastation is unreal even all these years later

[Mr Free Market]

I would also recommend that you make a detour down to southern Normandy to the hills known as the Suisse Normand. Great views & only approx an hours ride

If you get down there, Domfront is worth visiting

Accommodation-wise, this summer I stayed at the Belle Vallee



http://www.belle-vallee.net/



Its Brit owned, is off the road & has a barn for parking your bike in overnight.