Normandy, France

[cowboydan]

My roommate and I will be in Europe for about a month and a half, and of course will be spending time in France. Aside from Paris, making it up to Normandy to see the WWII landing sites is at the top of our list. Any advice or experiences people have had with this would be of much help. Is it something where you would need to spend the night up in the north, or can Paris serve effectively as a base?
Thanks!

[cowboydan]

Anybody?

[Eagle]

cowboydan, I was going to reply to this later when I have more time, as I only have time for a brief reply now.

IMHO you would be better to base yourself in someplace like Bayeux, which is about 6 miles from the D-Day beaches. Trying to visit the area from Paris isn't really feasible, as with the travel times it wouldn't give you much time to see the area. Depending on your budget, you might want to take an organized tour of the beaches, using www.battlebus.fr or other tour operators.

There are so many historical sites in that area, you might want to spend a few days there. The Museum in Caen is worth a visit, and the Juno Beach Centre if you have the time or interest. You could also stop in St. Mere Eglise, which is the location that was assigned to the 82nd Airborne (if my memory is correct), with the famous bell tower which just about deafened one of the Paratroopers who was "hung up" there (as depicted in the movie "The Longest Day")! Mount St. Michel is also in the same area (on the border between Normandy & Brittany); the German cemetery is close to this, while the American cemetery is closer to the beaches.

Only have a few minutes this afternoon. Hope that helps? Cheers!!!

[LHR02]

Caen and/or Bayeaux are the most logical base cities..there are of course others in the area. It is 'difficult' to see in a day trip from Paris due to travel time involved along with the need, usually, to get on a tour. The area is very difficult to visit via public transportation, although in summer time frame there are some buses that run between the sites. In winter or off season there is but one a day. If you do not have a car you will most likely need to get a tour. There are MANY operating from either city, most are quite good and frankly there is not very much difference between them. There are half day and full day tours and depending on your interest they will center, if that is the word, on either the US or Canadian beaches for the half day, normally both on the full day. Almost all will include a stop at some 'Mom and Pop' "museum" trap.....easy to ignore, just go for a walk along the beach instead. Pont de Hoc was the most impressive to me personally, especially with a good historical background, but Utah stopped me dead due to all the summer vacation homes that now line the beach! When I visited, in February, it would have been darn near impossible to match train/bus/tour schedules trying to come from Paris as a day trip. In summer time frame your options should/might be much more expanded.


I think there was, perhaps, a delay in responding to this due to the fact that it has been discussed in some detail earlier. Did you try the search? You should find other, more detailed information there.