ww2 french village oradour sur glane?

[steveo3002]

im intrested in having a look at oradour-sur-glane , a french village that has some ww2 history

never really been to france , anyone been that can offer any local advice on where to stay etc?

[GBB]

Cheap motels? Formule 1 or Campanile. Lots nearby IIRC. We've been a couple of times (pre/post kids), a sad story.

[steveo3002]

is it a easy drive from the airport for a newbie?

anything else in the area we could drive to to fill out a couple of days?

thanks

[fatboy69]

Is that the village where everyone was 'removed' the place was set on fire,iirc, & which has been left untouched since WW2 ended?

[steveo3002]

yah thats it

[fatboy69]

Thank you.

[selwonk]

fatboy69 said:

Is that the village where everyone was 'removed' the place was set on fire,iirc, & which has been left untouched since WW2 ended?

Just a bit of trivia, but the SS exterminated people in the *wrong* village. They were retaliating for the killing of some soldiers by the Maquis, and got the wrong village. The actual village they were targeting was Oradour-sur-Vayres.

[GBB]

steveo3002 said:

is it a easy drive from the airport for a newbie?

anything else in the area we could drive to to fill out a couple of days?

thanks

No clue, I'd drive then you've got all France to choose from. If I was doing it for a couple of days I'd drive down and stop of at points on the way (Chartres, Paris, Le Mans, Loire Valley).

[Matt Harper]

For me, it was an extremely depressing place to visit, which is what I expected, I read all I could about the atrocity that occurred there, before I set-out to see the place.
What struck me about Oradour was that it was very sterilised - there were no ghosts there.
That takes nothing away from the enormity of the horror that was witnessed upon the village - but it just seemed a bit like a movie-set - it's hard to describe.
My visits to places like Vimy, Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel on the Somme - and to the Normandy beaches were filled with a sense of continuing 'presence' there - Oradour seemed devoid of any atmosphere - and maybe that is significant.

[4F6]

It's a fascinating if rather sombre place to visit but you'd expect that. Probably best to make a few days of it and stay in the area, theres plenty of accomodation in the area depending on what sort of thing you want.

If you're driving then ferry to St Malo / Caen would give you a reasonable drive at the other side.

[E31Shrew]

Went in March this year and it's well worth a visit, but do spend time in the visitor as opposed to just whizzing out to the village. English language headphones are plentiful!
Here's a picture of one of the most photographed cars in the world!



Also, take stroll to the cemetery, about 50 yards away.

Sorry can't help with hotels etc as we went there before having a gander at the Le Mans museum.

Edited by E31Shrew on Saturday 30th June 07:22

[qualityscrew]

E31Shrew said:

Went in March this year and it's well worth a visit, but do spend time in the visitor as opposed to just whizzing out to the village. English language headphones are plentiful!
Here's a picture of one of the most photographed cars in the world!



Also, take stroll to the cemetery, about 50 yards away.

Sorry can't help with hotels etc as we went there before having a gander at the Le Mans museum.

Edited by E31Shrew on Saturday 30th June 07:22

I've been twice, pre and post visitor centre, which is well worth a visit. Very moving story and place.

[steveo3002]

how long will i need for a decent look round ?

[E31Shrew]

steveo3002 said:

how long will i need for a decent look round ?

The visitor centre, if you listen to the complete presentation, takes about an hour. For the village and cemetery I would allow a good couple of hours on top..

[Vintage Racer]

If you need a B&B, come and see us (1hr south of Oradour in the Dordogne) - www.chateau-marotte.com

10% off for PH members - Great roads too

Enjoy your trip

Cheers
Glynn

Edited by Vintage Racer on Thursday 5th July 14:54

[steveo3002]

Vintage Racer said:

If you need a B&B, come and see us (1hr south of Oradour in the Dordogne) - www.chateau-marotte.com

10% off for PH members - Great roads too

Enjoy your trip

Cheers
Glynn

Edited by Vintage Racer on Thursday 5th July 14:54

already booked something..but will remember for next time