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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: webby23 on 14 March 2009, 08:43:38

Title: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: webby23 on 14 March 2009, 08:43:38

Hi all

We are off to Normandy in a few weeks time.

Myself, the beesh my gorgeous wife, our 11 year old and 2 year old lads, and my parents.

Taking our MV6 and my parents Astra.

Going with Keycamps, lovely mobile home with decking and bbq.

Just wondering if anyone has been over that way and if theres anywhere nice we can visit, for the kids?

Obviously theres the D Day landing museums to start us off.......?

 :y

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: mantahatch on 14 March 2009, 10:51:25

Personally I like Normandy and Brittany regions of France. Many of the D day landing beeches are worth a visit, and if you want a moment of reflevtion visit one of the cemetries. My whole family found this a very moving experience.

But what I really like about northern France is the good open roads between towns and cities. And the ability to really chill out, something I can't do here in the UK

Have a nice holiday

Mike

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: nick v6 on 14 March 2009, 11:05:43

have a nice holiday mate plus don't forget the camera :y

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 14 March 2009, 11:23:39

When visiting areas of historic interest, especially battlefields like Normandy, I would always be pre-armed with the basic historical fact surrounding the initial action, then find suitable literature on how the event is viewed today.  This I have done over the First World War battlefields of Flanders and France.

With the D-Day landings, if you have not read it already, the classic book by Cornelius, Ryan (1960) The Longest Day is a "must" read for a highly regarded historical account of the battle on the 6th June, 1944.

This will give you the background information that could make your visit so enjoyable (well if you are like me as a historian).  After that seek out "After the Battle" publications:

http://www.afterthebattle.com/home.htm         for starters,

and the many sources of information, including tours, available on the web.

Enjoy your holiday!! :D :D ;)  

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: Gaffers on 14 March 2009, 15:55:57

There are two places I would definitely reccomend:

- Honfleur.  A beautiful small fishing town with fantastic restaurants.  Some of my best photos come from this town.  Just down  the road is Etretat where monet painted some famous cliff scenes.
- Ouistreham.  There are more Union Flags here than flying in the whole of the UK.  Nowhere else during my 5 years in france was I made as welcome as here (except maybe Bourgogne)

I can also highly reccomend taking a short trip down to Mont St Michel, an enormous and fascinating monastery off the Brittany coast.

If you need more ideas or some language assistance booking let me know  :y

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: Tommy on 14 March 2009, 16:26:28

Coming from Cornwall I would have to recommend Mont St Michel. Then sometime you can come down here and visit St Michael Mount.

Both built by the same order of monks

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: Mack on 14 March 2009, 19:57:31

I would recommend:

On the coast:
- Arromanches: with the mulberry harbour from the war.
- Point du Hoc: large American museum and battlefield.
- Barfleur: really nice harbour town, find a cafe for lunch.
- Carteret: sheltered beach.
- Granville: nice coastal town.
- Mont-saint-Michel: very impressive if a bit touristy....

Inland:
- Fougeres: really impressive medieval castle...
- Sainte Mere Eglise: for the model of the parachutist on the church and a good museum (see film: The Longest Day).
- Market at Bricquebec on a Monday... sure there are lots of these though....
- Suisse Normande for some hills....

Lots to do, not just the war stuff, but you will be made very welcome....

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: LaserLance on 14 March 2009, 20:39:04

theres some nice cider and even better calvados (apple Brandy ) to drink and some cracking little restaurants as well :y :y :y :y
the bayeux tapastrys are not far from caen

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: webby23 on 14 March 2009, 21:14:52

Brilliant replies everybody and great ideas thanks !!

We are staying at St Aubin Sur Mer.

 :y

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: Entwood on 14 March 2009, 22:19:37

The museum at the Pegasus Bridge at Ranville is well worth a visit, the area is steeped in 2nd world war history ...  

This site might help ...

http://www.france4families.com/Normandy/RegionsNormandyWarPegasus.htm

HTH

Title: Re: Things to do in Normandy
Post by: webby23 on 15 March 2009, 12:24:33

Quote

The museum at the Pegasus Bridge at Ranville is well worth a visit, the area is steeped in 2nd world war history ...  

This site might help ...

http://www.france4families.com/Normandy/RegionsNormandyWarPegasus.htm

HTH

Thats looks like a definate place to visit cheers

 :)