Hello everyone, I'm going to normandy in a week and I thought maybe to ask some info? Any tips for places (museums,shops,..) that are worth to visit? Greets Thompson
Try this thread for starters, thompson... http://www.ww2f.com/new-member-forum/36831-planning-trip-d-day-beaches.html Enjoy your trip and make sure you post your photos here on your return.
Here are some more. The first link (Vimoutiers Tiger tank) is a must see when in Normandy. http://www.ww2f.com/weapons-wwii/19316-pix-tiger-i-vimoutiers.html index us Ramsbury at War
Hi Thompson, many members have been to Nomrandy and posted their pictures and places to see. Use the search function and you'll get plenty ideas.
I was in Normandy recently and i found the Point du Hoc an interesting place to visit. It's not far from Omaha beach and it has an interesting story. It was a German gun emplacement that commanded Omaha beach, and so on D-day the Allies had to destroy it to protect the landing groups. They sent a group of American Rangers in to take it out, and you can still see the bunkers and the bomb crates there. There is a sort of picnic area there too, if you go in for that sort of thing. I also recommend visiting Bayeux. Beautiful little city.
Bayeux is great , don' t miss queen Mathilda's tapistry . It's the firt comic strip in history and depicts William the Conqueror's invasion of England in 1066.
I agree with Skipper, the tapestry is amazing. I never knew it was so long...230 feet or 70 metres to be precise! The cathedral is also another fantastic place to visit.
Glad you like it too John, most people will go to the beaches and look for what's left of the artificial harbor (in fact not much besides ones or two relics) and will skip all the other treasures of that fine town.
Very true, Skipper. There is so much more to see and do in Normandy that most visitors overlook. The ruined castle and the cathedral (which was extensively damaged by allied bombing) in the centre of Caen, are other good places to visit. Of course, my main reason for visiting Normandy is for the WW2 aspect, but I also enjoy nothing more than walking in the countryside on a warm summers day...and maybe even finding a relic or two. You can't beat it!
Mrs.Hilts and I are off to Normandy around 3a.m. on Saturday. Among other things, I'm collecting samples of Omaha Beach sand to post to several friends in the States........1 in the US and 5 in the CSA.... Arromanches and all 5 beaches, the museums and The Caen Harley dealer. I'll think of you guys................honest...........!!
We had a fantastic time! You'll find cheaper hotels I'm sure but not better! Our bedroom looked out over Arromanches beach and all the Mulberry's. We went to Omaha and collected some sand that is now en-route to the States. Pegasus Bridge, Juno Beach,the D-Day Museum and of course the Harley dealer in Caen!! Now if I can post the pics, stand by to be bored!! 1 A Grunt's View up Omaha 2 Looking Up Omaha 3 Omaha Bunker 4 G.I.s view of the bunker 5 View from our hotel room
Five more pics: Omaha Memorial, cemetery & the beautiful vibernum planted at the Cemetery have the most beautiful fragrance! It just hits you as you approach! Wonderful!! A Cassion in the surf outside our hotel and The Canadian Memorial at Juno.
Yankee truck exhibit outside our hotel. Pegasus Bridge, a coupla shots of Bayeux, a beautiful old town and a funky Chateau we visited all within half an hour's drive of Arromanches!!
My next trip to Normandy is now twenty days away. I'm currently putting together my 'places to visit' list which is getting longer by the day!