Landing Beaches

[Monika]

Which of the Landing Beaches is most interesting, we are taking my mother and sister in law on a whirlwind tour of Normandy (Mont St. Michel), Villedieu or Domfront (not decided yet which way to go), Clecy, St. Vaast, Barfleur and then back to Cherbourg. We have only time for one of the Beaches and my mother in law is not a very good walker. Thanks for your advice in advance.  

[Will]

I would suggest Arromanches (Gold beach), there is certainly the most to see, with the Mulberry harbour, the 360° cinema, the musems etc.

[Teamedup]

And where there is, in my opinion, the rudest most ignorant people of any tourist office in the whole of France. That was the one beach we didn't visit, so I can't really tell you about it. I came out of the little tourist  office just next to the beach in a fury.

 

We then went onto Pont d'Hoc and the American Cemetery. Both certainly worth a visit.

[hastobe]

[quote user="Teamedup"]

We then went onto Pont d'Hoc and the American Cemetery. Both certainly worth a visit.

[/quote]

I agree - I would also visit the British war cemetary outside Bayeux -

Different altogether to the manicured American cemetary and much more

personal.  Each family of the British soldiers buried there was

allowed to choose an inscription for the headstone of their loved one -

I had to stop reading them after the first few.  So many, so young

and so very, very sad - there lies the true price of war.  I think

everyone should visit once - just so they know the cost of our freedom.

Hastobe

[Russethouse]

We had a good visit to Arromanches, although we missed the tourist office ! We went into the museum and were ushered into the film show, which I was not keen to see in the least, but it was really worthwhile. It also has the advantage that there is a restaurant/café really close by.

 

[Scarlett]

If you're going to and from Cherbourg and want to see Mont St Michel I'd stick to one of the American beaches, it's not so far to rive.  So I'd either do Utah along with St Mere Eglise (the Airborne museum being brilliant) or Omaha and incorporate the museum near the beach and the American cemetry. 

I'd also choose Villedieu over Domfront - more to do, nicer town and prettier countryside.

You could even stop by for a cup of tea - we're on the cotentin peninsula.[;-)]

[Dick Smith]

I'd agree with Arromanches, been there many times with & without school parties, plenty to see and the Mulberries are very impressive still.  It is fairly compact if you can park near the museum, otherwise it is a bit of an uphill walk to the car parks. Also, if you are in the area, try to get to Mémorial at Caen, rather watered down and controversial now, but still worth a visit. Any of the war cemeteries, possibly the Jerusalem just outside of Bayeux, which has the grave of the youngest UK soldier to fall in the 2nd World War (he was 16) are worth visiting.

[Pip]

Each time we are in France we always either go or return via Normandy, solely to visit one or all of the landing beaches.  We also visit St. Mere Eglise - it's a must, almost a pilgrimage.  I agree with Scarlett,  Utah or Omaha are an easy drive and worth a visit.  I think your mum would also like St. Mere Eglise as it is compact to walk around and flat but full of historical information. 

[Bassman]

I'd go along with Arromanches as well  as said the Mulberry harbours are very impressive and we spent a very nice day there a few years ago, it's a nice little town as well [:)]

[Scarlett]

[quote user="Bassman"]I'd go along with Arromanches as well  as said the Mulberry harbours are very impressive and we spent a very nice day there a few years ago, it's a nice little town as well [:)][/quote]

Unfortunately that's the problem, if you haven't been there for a few years it has changed!  And I think for the worse.  Only a few years ago it was a lovely little seaside town with the added interest of its WW2 history.  These days I think it's getting tackier and tackier and should most definitely be AVOIDED in high season.  We had omelette and chips there and literally counted 8 chips on the plate for quite a shocking price [:@]

The Mulberry harbour is impressive but if you're going soon the weather is still so unpredictable you may not even be able to see it if it's foggy or raining!

If you're trying to do a whistlestop tour of Normandy I'd give the Memorial at Caen a miss - you won't have time to do it justice.  It's about 18 euros to get in and can take a full day to go round.

By far the best WW2 museum is the Battle of Normandy museum in Bayeux but I don't think it opens til May.  It's also only across the road from the British cemetery.

[Eslier]

Having done this area escorting school trips on a number of occassions I would say Utah Beach - the museum there is very good with an excellent AV show, and the beach area is unspoilt. Following that, head just a few km inland to St Mere Eglise to see the parachutist hanging from the church tower (you must watch the video of "The Longest Day" before your trip) and the American Airborne Museum. All very moving and plenty to see.

[Hoddy]

Several posters have mentioned what a moving experience these cemeteries can be. Even with the warnng I simply wasn't ready for the enormity of the American cemetery and found myself weeping buckets. My advice is to take plenty of tissues.

Hoddy

[Just Katie]

I agree Hoddy,  I really dont weep that often.  Never at films.  But we went to an American cemetary.  It is quite overwhelming.  There was a small chapel at the end with a painting of an angel cradling a dead soldier on the beach.  It wiped me out.  With the british (our boys) I am sure it would be even more moving.  Be prepared.

[Bassman]

The other place I found ineresting to visit is the Pegasus Bridge near Caen

 

http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen3/f24f.html

[Pip]

The other place I found ineresting to visit is the Pegasus Bridge near Caen Yes, Bassman, well worth a visit.  I was humbled by the thought of the bravery and skill of the glider pilots who landed in such a small area.  I also liked the musuem structured in the shape of an aeroplane.

[Monika]

Thank you for all your good advice. I think dependent on weather we will go to Arromanche and make a big detour round the tourist office and take sandwiches. St Mere Eglise  is a good idea because there are some nice cafes. I think we might not go to any cemeteries because my husband and mother in law have just been to the war cemeteries in Egypt (El Alamein) with "Heroes Return" and it was quite emotional. We will go via Villedieu (I wonder if that small, simple restaurant complete with formica tables down a steep road with a very "original" grumpy old owner/chef is still there?) and St. Sever. And thank you so much  Scarlett for inviting us for a cup of tea, may we take it up another time when we have more time. (I am sending you a PM).  

[Michael]

 Eslier. Just a bit of useless information,600 hundred men of 2 Para and the 16th independant Parachute Brigade done the parachuteing scenes for the film The Longest Day .That day i was chalk13 in the lorry going to the airfield ,in the13th aircraft to take off,and number 13 in the stick so i was feeling a little apprehensive.The filming took place in Cyprus, Morpho DZ, the aircraft were Hastings and Beverlys but they were dubbed over in the film.All together over 3000 men jumped that day , from the time the first man exited the door to the last man to hit the ground it was all done in less than 5 minutes, it was pretty hairy with the aircraft stacked  and guys and containers all over the place..its still known to this day as the heavest and fastest drop since the second world war.The courage these chaps had -to jump in the war beggers belief to our standards today.The part that Richard Todd played in the film is just about what he done on Pegasus bridge that day with Major Howard etc.There is still a reunion every year at Pegasus Bridge and allso Arnhem.But one of the main reunions every year for the older paras [mostly 2 para] is at Stoke Rochford Hall Lincolnshire,12/13/14th may, where the guys can sit and natter about the past in a quite and dignified manner,and discuss how much it cost to go in the american airborne museum at St Mere Eglise. On the sunday its church parade to remember comrades ,now that is moving--.Happy days Michael. 

[sueyh]

I would agree with Pegasus Bridge - brilliant museum.  Also Arromanches - go to the 360 degree cinema up on the hill.  Go also to the cemetry at Omaha beach - this really brings it home to you and also the german cemetary shows the other side of the coin.

Suey