Sights of Northern France - Any Musts?

[Kev_mk3]

The Week after Lemans me and my co pilot Daryl are going to do a little touring around Northern France. Has anyone any suggestions on where to go that we can look into as we are booked on a ferry home Friday in the Evening so have 3/4 days to fill up with sight seeing

We want to do the beaches of Normandy for certain but any other recommendations?


Kev

[Doris]

I guess it all depends what you're interested in Kev (and what ferry port you're travelling from).

I visited Vimy Ridge after the Classic in 2006 and would highly recommend it.  Along with the memorial make sure you visit the trenches.  Very thought provoking. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimy_Memorial

If you're staying further down Normandy way then Mont St Michel is stunning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel

And there's always the Bayeux Tapestry (which I've not managed to see)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_tapestry

Oh, and Pegasus Bridge.  Another very thought provoking place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Bridge

Dx

[Kev_mk3]

Thanks D - we are travelling on speedferries and have no hotels booked where just going to see where we end up when we're tired really.

we want to do mostly WW2 sites as ive been and done most of Berlin and want to experience the beaches etc

I have been but want to go back to Pegasus Bridge

[Steve Pyro]

Kev,
A little further to the north east, but the Somme battlefields are very thought provoking.  I visited Thiepval, Vimy Ridge and the surrounding area last year.  Found this website helpful http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/index.html

[Jules G]

Kev,

Monte Staint Michel is stunning as Doris has mention, infact the surrounding bay of Cancale is worth exploring. There are some excellent fish resturants in the area, and the hotels are reasonably priced. There's sand yatching on the beaches and an excellent go kart track at the western end of the bay. You can also take a trip out into the bay to look at the mussel farming.

[Kev_mk3]

Kev,
A little further to the north east, but the Somme battlefields are very thought provoking.  I visited Thiepval, Vimy Ridge and the surrounding area last year.  Found this website helpful http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/index.html

Thanks steve that has been book marked for later

Kev,

Monte Staint Michel is stunning as Doris has mention, infact the surrounding bay of Cancale is worth exploring. There are some excellent fish resturants in the area, and the hotels are reasonably priced. There's sand yatching on the beaches and an excellent go kart track at the western end of the bay. You can also take a trip out into the bay to look at the mussel farming.

Thanks Jules, im spoilt for choice now  we want to pack as much in as possible as its the first real break weve both had for sometime

[Lord Pig-Pen]

Kev,

Monte Staint Michel is stunning as Doris has mention, infact the surrounding bay of Cancale is worth exploring. There are some excellent fish resturants in the area, and the hotels are reasonably priced. There's sand yatching on the beaches and an excellent go kart track at the western end of the bay. You can also take a trip out into the bay to look at the mussel farming.

Monte Saint Michel is cool,  I wouldnt often say this but its worth paying to go up to the top, especially if you get behind a group having the guided tour in English.. . Dinard is lovely for an outdoor beer or two and watching the world (in short skirts) go by, St Malo is also worth a look and a wander round the city walls, heaps of nice restaurants etc etc
I am heading to Dinard on the Monday for a night of civilisation before sailing back on Tuesday.

[DelBoy]

Kev

If it's WWII you're particularly interested in, then Omaha beach, with the US cemetery is a must.  Just up the road is Pointe du Hoc, between Omaha and Utah beaches, which was blasted from the air and sea, and has been left as is.  Further north is St Mere Eglise, where they still have a 'parachutist' hanging from the church steeple.  There's also a museum there, and another at Bayeux.

If you want to stay around the Bayeux area, I can give you the name of a good camp site that also has gites - they will also feed you with solids and copious quantities of calvados!!

Del

[Brian(Liverpool boys)]

kev, Arromanches, where the remains of the Mullberry harbour can be seen is well worth a visit, there is great museam and on top of the cliff is the 360 degree cinema that is a must the film of the landings is awsome and moving.

[Leftie]

remember we, us the British were also involved in D Day with all our Dominions of Empire involved too.  It's just not 'Band of Brothers, plus supporting cast. Us the Canadians and French has responsibility for the eastern and centre flank of the assault beaches, well worth a week following the progress of the assault.  Use the book I recommended as it covers the assault and the break out.

St Marie Eglise was one of the strategic targets for the 82nd (All American) and 101st (Screaming Eagles)  American airbourne troops, in St Marie Eglise they have a wonderful museum dedicated to the paratroopers and don't forget to look up at the towns church steeple as there is a model of Pte John Steele hanging up there, just like in the film The Longest Day.

It was an A1 clutter f**k the drop, with many of the troops scattered or drowning in the flooded fields, but they still won through.

The German cemeteries are very different to ours and well worth time spending some quality time viewing in contemplation.

Kev,

I second FS here.

But I would suggest a visit to some of the war cemetaries. It will give you time to reflect in the tranquility of these places.

Omaha Cemetary in my view is a bit OTT and commercial. However their 'progress displays' of the battles are good.

Another must see is Aromanche, see the Mulbery harbour. Go to the museum and see a superb model on how it was built.

A walk along any of the beaches with the remaining fortifications is facinating.

[BryanC]

And there's always the Bayeux Tapestry (which I've not managed to see)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_tapestry
Dx

Did that. Once you've seen one set of curtains, you've seen 'em all.

Foodies might try Concale (sp.?) a few kliks east of St Malo. A real selection of oyster restaurants and good views across the bay. If the euros are running short, there's even a barrow selling them to eat while you sit on the harbour wall. Enjoy.

Hoping for a hot one in 2008 ( weather that is )

Regards

Bryan C

[dukla]

Central rather than Northern, but Oradour-sur-Glane is the opening scene from "The World at War".

[Andy]

All of the above and more are on offer and damned well worth visiting as is the LM experience, but when you meet up with us CAer's at LM, there is more years of culture vulturing as there is to LM as well.
the choise is vast,,,,,, what do you want... we have the answer........ and beer!

[Kev_mk3]

i did do some beaches and St Marie Eglise but it was about 10years ago and i didnt really take it in as i didnt understand it. Ive done alot more reading since and also yes i have watched band of brothers but i would like to go to a memorial to pay respects

[Leftie]

i did do some beaches and St Marie Eglise but it was about 10years ago and i didnt really take it in as i didnt understand it. Ive done alot more reading since and also yes i have watched band of brothers but i would like to go to a memorial to pay respects

Kev, there are literally hundreds of memorials scattered around the place.  There is an RAF one with about a dozen graves in at Arque la Batile just south of Dieppe. Two Lancasters were shot down if IRC.