A friend and I are planning a tour of the Normandy Beaches area this coming October. We will probably have five days in the area given we are driving down via the Tunnel. A brief outline is 1-2 days in the area of the British beaches and the same with the American beaches. Then a day looking at Hill 112 area and the battles around Caen. Although I know a bit about the Campaign I am far from an expert and there is no particular Regimental association for either of us. So we are looking for ideas of places to visit and things/sites/museums we shouldn't miss? Does the time split make sense? Our plan is to stay in smaller, family-run hotels in smaller towns, rather than a Mercure in Caen. We plan to move every day or two rather than stay in one and drive from it every day. Does anyone have any recommendations? Have looked through the threads here so apologies if this is an oft-asked question! Thanks S89
I would thoroughly recommend the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église - Accueil - English | Airborne. I went some years ago and its a great museum. If you have the transport a trip up to Pointe du Hoc would also be worth doing, its amazing to see the craters and remains still up there, gives an idea of the amount of Firepower raining down on that point on 6 June: If you're interested in the British airborne operations the memorial and museum at Pegasus bridge is also excellent - Musée Mémorial Pegasus - RANVILLE : Normandy Tourism, France - Make sure you watch 'The longest day' before you go! I haven't been personally but I also believe the D-Day Landing Museum at Arromanches is worth a visit, with lots of info about the Mulberry harbours etc. If you would like to visit any cemeteries, the Normandy American Cemetery is very poignant. Enjoy your trip!
Skoyen89 I concur with TomP.1994 , if you get chance, a visit to Pegasus Bridge is well worth it. In 2005, I was lucky enough to have a 7 day RAF 'Force Development' visit to Normandy. Whilst I've had a militaria interest since I was 13, this visit was before my WW2 interest really kicked in. I have very few memories and zero photos of my trip....Pegasus Bridge and Omaha Beach being my only real memories. Enjoy your trip, and get plenty of photos
I concur re Pegasus Bridge and Pointe du Hoc and would add that a trip to the Merville Battery site is worthwhile. The museum in Bayeux is worth a visit - Bayeux, the gateway to the D-Day beaches - Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy Bayeux British cemetery is on the opposite side of the ring road - originally built by RE so vehicles didn’t have to use the narrow medieval streets of Bayeux. If you haven’t seen the Bayeux Tapestry before it is well worth a visit as is a trip to the Norman cathedral. Steve
The Canadian Memorial and museum at Courseulles (Juno Beach) should not be missed. Stay in Arromanches, it is nicely central for the British and American beaches.
I rather like the "Underwater Wrecks" museum. It's really "real" Musée des épaves sous-marines du débarquement. DE Wrecks Reviews - Google Search
Hotel Normandie in Arromanches is right by the Musee du Debarquement. A little tired, but decent value, and very central.
Many many years ago; Hôtel du Phare, Ouistreham (off the Ro-Ro and you're there!). Was exceptionally cheap and cheerful, location made Pegasus, Horsa, Merville but a short step, and driving further afield Hill 112 and Villers-Bocage can be visited as a "day out". Kind regards, always remember, never forget, Jim. P.S. 112 Memorial as was way back when (n.b. The Churchill, not the USSR lump!) Public Tanks
Before you go I suggest you do some light reading to give you some context. A friend of mine who is interested but not deeply knowledgeable borrowed from me Overlord Coastline The Major D Day Locations by Stephen Chicken, and The Penguin Atlas of D Day The Normandy Campaign, John Man. He's just returned them and told me that he really thought they helped him with a deeper understanding of what went on at the places he chose to visit. Do go to a war cemetery. It is for me always a moving experience to look out across a vista of crosses receding into the distance.
