Any recommendations for a Normandy holiday?

Indeed there is:

Moggy

Fine car you got there Moggy 🙂

Just arrived and will try to visit as many of the suggested sites in the next two weeks.

Will post some pictures along the way.

Thanks for all your help.

Its a good few years since i went last, but there was a small musem at Tilly- sur-seulles. A propeller at the cross roads. Also many good Bunkers to explore. You could still find bits on the beaches 11 years ago. I saw Major Howard at Pegasus Bridge museum, and spoke to a few of the OX and Bucks regiment.

Dave

Speaking Tiger tanks.
A walk up the street in Villers-Bocage is worthwhile too.
Take the ‘After The Battle’ book though.
A.

Granted!

However, from the rear, the rather easy access to the interior means it also resembles a wheely bin, albeit a heavily armoured one. I expect un homme from the council gets to empty it out every now and then.

It’s still well worth visiting if passing anywhere near. They are rare tanks and you need to know a bit about them and the other German armour to properly understand the Normandy campaign (imo).

Still looks like a Tiger though

Moggy

Don’t go to Falaise expecting to visit the Falaise Pocket Museum, it’s closed permanently according to the notice on the door in June.

It’s a long drive from St. Lo, the only consolation being we carried on to visit the Tiger at Vimoutiers. The Tiger is gutted and still bears all the scars from previous attempts to cart it off for scrap. I would guess that of all the roadside tank memorials in France, this one is in the worst condition. It’s crying out for restoration (imo).

A monument for Danish seamen involved in the D Day landings. Located on the road to Utah Beach near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.

Indeed there is:

Moggy

In her own words ” Why couldnt the schools have ever arranged a trip like this, I never understood any of this before today, but I now understand some of what went on and the actual cost of life involved?”

The schools do organise trips to the Battlefields, its part of the curriculum my son went to Ypres [ my Grandfather was there in both wars incidently] and the whole year thoroughly enjoyed it.

Graham

Ah, not the Calvados then!

I was only 10 when i went but these are the bits i remember (therefore to me the best things to see as they have stayed with me)

Caen Peace Memorial

Point Du Hoc

American Cemetary at Omaha (a must see)

The battery with the guns still in place, Longues Sur Mer is it?

Falaise

And finally if you dont mind a drive, Mont Saint-Michel. A stunning place. If a bit touristy.

Simon

Absolutely right Simon. The ‘Memorial’ is a half day at least but a very impressive ‘peace’ museum and easy to find from the Caen perifique. The descent into ‘hell’ is very moving. Some years since I went but I still remember seeing French veterans in tears in the deepest part where the Nuremberg Rallies are played on a large screen and photos and details of the occupation are vividly portrayed. Perfect for a wet day

Its been over 10 years since i went but isnt there a very good museum in Caen? Complete with a replica Typhoon hanging from the ceiling.

Also if you have time go to Falaise and see the spitfire (allegedly) bullets in the wall of the castle.

Simon

Ive just got back from a long weekend/DD tour coach trip to Normandy.
We packed in Pegasus Bridge, the Pegasus museum along with the Gondlee/Pegasus cafe, Ranville commonwealth cemetry, Arrowmanches museum, the beach to stare in awe at the huge concrete sections left behind and then finished the day off at Bayeux commonwealth cemetry.
The following day we visited Omaha beach/the American cemetry, Pointe Du Hoc and then St Mere Eglise along with the Airbourne museum.

Two days was nowhere near enough time to actualy take in everything we saw, luckily the tour guide on the coach had booked slots at the various museums so that an English guide was on hand for us when we got there so there was no waiting involved.

At the Pegasus bridge museum we where lucky enough to have the museum currator show us around and he informed us that later in the afternoon they where expecting a family to attend and scatter the ashes of their late grandfather on the bridge that he had helped to liberate all those years ago.

All in all the trip was a very, very moving and humbling experiance, nothing can prepare you for the sight of the American cemetry, no matter how many times you have seen pictures/video, I dare anyone to see it in life and not feel very moved by it.

My wife is now converted, she had no interest in anything military before the trip, but she is now arranging our next trip, probably a WW1 battleground tour.

In her own words ” Why couldnt the schools have ever arranged a trip like this, I never understood any of this before today, but I now understand some of what went on and the actual cost of life involved?”

Just thought of something.

There is a memorial to the Danish in Normandy, cant remember where but it is fairly new i think.Will come back to you if i find it.

Thanks I didn’t know that. I found it online: A monument for Danish seamen involved in the D Day landings. Located on the road to Utah Beach near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.

I will definitely stop by when going to Utah beach.

Just thought of something.

There is a memorial to the Danish in Normandy, cant remember where but it is fairly new i think.Will come back to you if i find it.

Not ‘debarquement’ related (well not the 20th Century version) but the Bayeaux tapestry is a must-see too.

Moggy

Another historic military landing. Very definitely on the list (along with various Norman strongholds and Abbeys).

Not ‘debarquement’ related (well not the 20th Century version) but the Bayeaux tapestry is a must-see too.

Moggy

Can only endorse most of what has been written here. It is a special place to visit, but cant be done in one trip. I reckon you would need to be there for many years before you could even scratch the surface so to speak ! Have been there twice now and will be going back !

One small note, if you are going to Bayeux, dont forget to go into the CWGC cemetery there as well. Indeed as you travel around the area inland from the Normandy coast you will find all too many CWGC cemetaries, some quite large and quite close together. Along with Colleville, which is awe inspiring, a thought provoking walk will let you see the reminders of so many lives lost.

Keep an eye open for all the little details as well, there are many small markers or memorials along the sides of the road.

If you are interested in doind a guided tour I can recommend one of the nicest, most knowledgeable quides in the area…i know they dont like adverts here, even if they are only recommendations, so can PM you if you wish.

Have a great trip and as previously advised take loads of photos to share with the rest of us !

I’m traveling with a few other people, so I’ll skip a guided tour this time. However, I will keep an eye out for markers and memorials along the road. I re-watched a Battlefield Normandy DVD yesterday and it seems there are few places that didn’t see combat.

I have set aside a full day for Bayeux.

Mondariz – I checked the photos last night – sorry cant find a Danish flag either.:rolleyes:

The battery my children liked was Azzeville and not Maisy as I had incorrectly remembered. I see that it is on your list already. There is another one close to Azzeville.

Maybe because we pretty much supported the Germans…..except for a few brave souls.

Mondariz – I checked the photos last night – sorry cant find a Danish flag either.:rolleyes:

The battery my children liked was Azzeville and not Maisy as I had incorrectly remembered. I see that it is on your list already. There is another one close to Azzeville.