"Normandy Tour on a budget and time limit" Topic
7 Posts
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Korvessa | 17 Sep 2019 2:30 p.m. PST |
Looks like I am finally going to fulfill a lifelong dream and visit Normandy. However, we will be on a budget and a short time frame (hopefully I can go again some day as will be retired with an empty nest before too long). Most of the places are tied to where my dad was with 82nd). So far I have this: • Airborne Museum at St Mere Eglise • Iron Mike Monument on Mederet River • Timmes' Orchard (I found this on Google – Maps once, but it isn't there any longer. Is it still marked?) • Poterie Ridge near Lithaire • Omaha Beach I heard there is a museum near Carentan, how is that? Is Bayeux a good visit? Kind of like to see the tapestry. Any other recommendations? Including places that the wife would like 😉 Going in March, not the best time of year, but is what it is |
Jcfrog | 17 Sep 2019 3:05 p.m. PST |
Look at this site he shows you a good deal of the things to go to see; (I will do the same, but in late April/ early May;) link Don't be afraid (as a Cali man tis not worse than LA;) rent a car and enjoy freedom. budget means: use airbnb mostly, and you can do all with one or rather two base locations rentals, doing your own chow etc. Can't tell you, no time, but with a map of the stuff you make yourself (if can't find it already done by googling). Be sure to check opening and esp CLOSURE times and days, as in march, not everything might be opened either. Funny I thought about this today, as future planning as will go "North" to save on the trip (5h) using it for several aims, and that this kind of military intensive stuff would not be to share with madame. So not ready-made help; too early! I think you need 4 days to do it properly. budget could be not more than $800 USD-900 top including car, tolls, rental and museum entrances. take a rental with a shuttle just out of the airport, cheaper. Send message if can help more. |
Tommy20 | 17 Sep 2019 9:53 p.m. PST |
A LOT depends on how limited your time is. You can do a lightning tour of the entire invasion area in two days (one for the US sector, one for the British) but you will only scratch the surface of any given site. I agree with the above comment that you really need four days to cover everything, and you will still have plenty to do on your return trip. If you are mainly interested in the US sector, and especially the Cotentin, here are my top picks: - St. Mere Eglise and the airborne museum are a must, but don't overlook St. Marie du Mont. It's a beautiful little village, much less crowded, and largely unchanged. - The Utah Beach museum is very good as well, and some of the best preserved beach defenses are just north at Les Dunes. - The Dead Man's Corner museum may be the one near Carentan you mentioned. It's good, but not as good as the two above. - La Fiere Bridge and Iron Mike are well worth the short drive from St. Mere Eglise. Bayeux and the Tapestry museum is well worth a visit, as is Mont St. Michel (if a bit farther afield). Enjoy! |
GJGerr | 17 Sep 2019 11:42 p.m. PST |
It is a nice country, I have been there the last two weeks. One suggestion for the evening, or when passing by on way to Omaha beach. Point Du Hoc. It is free to visit and open in evenings, only the visitor center is closed then, but the crater landscape is interesting to see, also the bunkers. If your wife likes sweets and caramel, you can visit the CARAMELS D'ISIGNY. It is a caramel manufacturer,you can visit the gallery and watch the factory working from the balcony, and they have a large shop. Something totally different than all the war stories. (And it is close to the highway, so good to do when passing by) If interested in medieval battles, you could visit the monuments in Formigny and see the battle field there. Not much to see, but is also next to the highway to Bayeux, and can be done on a evening. (Battle of Formigny 1450) I have visited the tapestry a couple of years ago, I liked it a lot. If renting a car, you could drive to the beach of Arromanches. You dont have to visit any museums there, but there is enough to see on the outside of the museum there, and the mulberry harbor parts on the beach. You then can follow the D514 to Omaha beach and Point du Hoc. Another free site is in Longue Sur Mer, were you can visit the german coast battery, similar as point du hoc, but with the canons still in place. Just some suggestions, to make a day when going in the direction of Bayeux. |
Korvessa | 18 Sep 2019 9:26 p.m. PST |
Thank you for the advice everyone. Another question: How big is Orglandes now compared to 1944? Dad said he landed in a field 1/4 mile east of Orglandes. Is that still a field, or would it be part of the town now? |
Jcfrog | 18 Sep 2019 11:36 p.m. PST |
No idea but if you want to compare maps, use a fr. Site called geoportail ( google hey?) They have maps that can be put on top of each other varying intensity, of mid XIXth cty to now. Just type the village name on top. Zoom etc. very handy. |
Korvessa | 19 Sep 2019 9:26 p.m. PST |
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