cagedsoidog Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 OK. This board is all about Thailand. But there is a wealth of knowledge from the vast amount of traveling by some here. Thinking of a few days in Normandy France. Touring the beaches, memorials, and cemeteries. Has anyone been to this area of France? What city in this area is the best to view all of WWII sights. Any ideas? Caen or Bayeux or another? Hotels? Tours? Websites? Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candyfloss Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Can't comment on hotels and stuff, but get hold of a copy of 'Major & Mrs Holts Battlefield Guide (to the) Normandy Landing Beaches'. Essential Reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Dam - has Mr Giant Hamburger finally resurfaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedsoidog Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Dam - has Mr Giant Hamburger finally resurfaced? Lurking, of course. And each time I travel to Thailand, I go to Gullivar's on Friday nights and I don't seem to see anyone familiar. Just a bunch of interesting people and an old Australian Chevrolet hanging from the ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Well - no one as been meeting there for about 2 years - as you'd know if you read the meetings stickies etc and voting to go to a place that made large hamburgers or Bradmans So how did last trip go - feel free to PM - Miss the hamburgers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Been there quite regularly for the last 10 years. (after all my grandpa 'played tourist' there in 1944) About accommodation: Depends what you are looking for, if you like your comfort (4-5 stars hotels) then you would better stay in Caen or Bayeux. (or even le Havre) My best memory: staying in the countryside ('table d'hôte'/gîtes de France = Bed and Breakfast formula) not far from Ouistreham. Plenty to do in the arean, if you are a world war two fanatic like me you can stay there 3 months and still have plenty to do. This said, for a few days visit I would recommend the classic tactical plan: Basics: Renting a car is your survival kit I provide here a basic and logical (if using a car) exploration. Day +1: Use Caen as your base of operation. -> direction Bénouville and the Pegasus bridge museum. After that, head to Ouistreham and Sword Beach, have a view of the beach, of the bunkers and other remains as well as the famous casino. Then, head to Courseulles-sur-Mer and Juno Beach. Visit the Juno beach museum as well as the beach itself. If you are in a hurry all this can be covered during the D+1 morning. For the afternoon: Head to Arromanches-les-bains and Gold Beach, don't miss the Mulberry Harbours and of course the 6th June museum. Not far from the town, go visit the German coastal battery of Longues-sur-Mer. Also, quite near you have the beautiful British military cemetery. Another museum to visit, the battle of Normandy one. Day+2 morning: Spend the night in Bayeux Head to Colleville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach with the incredible American military cemetery. Then direction Omaha beach and the fortified point WN 62. Then go tour the Omaha beach museum. Vierville-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer are all the beach zones. Don't miss the Pointe du Hoc Day +2 afternoon: The famous Sainte-Mère-Eglise and the paratroops museum. Then head to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Utah Beach. Museum + fortified point W5 This is an accelerated and short travel which IMO covers all the 'to do and see' points of D day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Will they let you use a metal detector? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorwolf Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 ... Renting a car is your survival kit ... bah! get yourselves a boat...any dinghy will do...and go storm them white sands and dunes! camp out there...get that barbie going...swim in the murky waters... cars and b&b's and what have you are for tourists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedsoidog Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks. Exactly what I am looking for. Your detailed suggestions are excellent. Thanks for taking the time. Been there quite regularly for the last 10 years.(after all my grandpa 'played tourist' there in 1944) About accommodation: Depends what you are looking for, if you like your comfort (4-5 stars hotels) then you would better stay in Caen or Bayeux. (or even le Havre) My best memory: staying in the countryside ('table d'hôte'/gîtes de France = Bed and Breakfast formula) not far from Ouistreham. Plenty to do in the arean, if you are a world war two fanatic like me you can stay there 3 months and still have plenty to do. This said, for a few days visit I would recommend the classic tactical plan: Basics: Renting a car is your survival kit I provide here a basic and logical (if using a car) exploration. Day +1: Use Caen as your base of operation. -> direction Bénouville and the Pegasus bridge museum. After that, head to Ouistreham and Sword Beach, have a view of the beach, of the bunkers and other remains as well as the famous casino. Then, head to Courseulles-sur-Mer and Juno Beach. Visit the Juno beach museum as well as the beach itself. If you are in a hurry all this can be covered during the D+1 morning. For the afternoon: Head to Arromanches-les-bains and Gold Beach, don't miss the Mulberry Harbours and of course the 6th June museum. Not far from the town, go visit the German coastal battery of Longues-sur-Mer. Also, quite near you have the beautiful British military cemetery. Another museum to visit, the battle of Normandy one. Day+2 morning: Spend the night in Bayeux Head to Colleville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach with the incredible American military cemetery. Then direction Omaha beach and the fortified point WN 62. Then go tour the Omaha beach museum. Vierville-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer are all the beach zones. Don't miss the Pointe du Hoc Day +2 afternoon: The famous Sainte-Mère-Eglise and the paratroops museum. Then head to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Utah Beach. Museum + fortified point W5 This is an accelerated and short travel which IMO covers all the 'to do and see' points of D day. Do you have any hotels in Bayeux that you can mention? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 I like the dingy idea - sillykunt and I could play that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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