Normandy Holiday - Review
Discussion
Thought I'd do a write up as I asked about it here.
Trip involved 20 minutes driving to Poole from home, jumping on the Barfleur at the dock, walking around the ferry for four hours, getting off at Cherbourg and driving onto the villa in a small hamlet outside Bayeux.
Day 1
Ferry experience was really good, mrs and me were really impressed by the speed to board, the onboard facilities and experience, four hours got eaten up in next to no time. I was thinking the breakfast would be a polystyrene plate and plastic cutlery, no! It rivalled your supermarket breakfast for about 7 quid each, really good.
Food in general was great for lunch and entertainment just about ok. Barfleur has cabins, which we didn't bother with on the way out, word of warning though, with a toddler the reserved seating wasn't suitable, it was a quiet cabin, I thought it would just be more open social areas but we really felt awkward, like being in a library so we spent about 20 minutes in there which was a waste.
We got to Bayeux and into the Gite to be welcomed by the host speaking zero English which was fun lol
Dinner the first night in Port Bessin and a walk off for the first end of summer sunset
Day 2
A trip to Jurques Zoo to keep devil child happy. Lovely little zoo an hour or so away from Bayeux driving through Tilly on the way. A mix of animals we've not seen in the UK and some of the enclosures rather questionable on height lol.
On the way back drove past a sign for an aqueduct that is now a bungee jump station, nothing there but great views.
Day 3
Ma'ams funeral so a trip into Bayeux for some breakfast and baguette for lunch then back to watch it.
Weird experience watching it on French TV so we went Iplayer.
Bayeux council had laid on 300 seats and a screen in town, so heartwarming to see.
Trip after lunch out to Omaha to run child down then onto the Museum on the west side.
Day 4
A drive down to Mont st Michel which was about an hour and half, brilliant motorways they really are, I never got cut up once....Got flashed by a Truckdriver on the opposite side, "thinking slowly"....oh s
t....hidden blue police in lay-by....luckily I never speed and need over there.
MSM was really spectacular in the morning sun, a sight to be seen driving up to it and seen for miles, we chose to walk up first after the journey down.
I was quite surprised about what was inside, we had the baby and buggy so didn't go up unfortunately but maybe another time.
Quite a lot of nice areas as you get down this way, I fancied St Malo but didn't get down there.
After lunch We decided to take child to an Aligator/Reptile place up the road, it was brilliant and he loved it.
Day 5
I did think we'd goto Rouen for some museums and city culture, but then on the way it looked like the weather warranted A day outside so a change on route to Honfleur which was really nice with gothic architectures and fancy shops.
Evening meal in Arromanches and a walk around till the restaurants opened
Day 6
With most of the sights seen we went to Ouistreham and the Grand Bunker.
Really cool as they let you climb up the top (no liability).
Day 7
Few hours to kill in Cherbourg, I was pleasantly surprised at the town for a dock town. Definitely suitable for a weekend break from Poole.
So....a long week done and other notable places visited of Maisy Battery, Grand Maisy, Pointe Du Hoc, Juno and Storm Beach.
It's definitely a great place to go with a car and with the toddler handy to have everything within 1-1.5 hours drive.
Food and people very welcoming for the week, we never had a bad experience in a restaurant with the nipper, the only issue was menu choices with him which got frustrating when not eating as they tend to only do three main options (Fish and chips, Chicken nuggets etc) which is not his staple, but as I kept saying to the missus it is his learning experience (and blamed her for not feeding him enough of it at home lol).
Next time we may be braver and drive down to the south....
Trip involved 20 minutes driving to Poole from home, jumping on the Barfleur at the dock, walking around the ferry for four hours, getting off at Cherbourg and driving onto the villa in a small hamlet outside Bayeux.
Day 1
Ferry experience was really good, mrs and me were really impressed by the speed to board, the onboard facilities and experience, four hours got eaten up in next to no time. I was thinking the breakfast would be a polystyrene plate and plastic cutlery, no! It rivalled your supermarket breakfast for about 7 quid each, really good.
Food in general was great for lunch and entertainment just about ok. Barfleur has cabins, which we didn't bother with on the way out, word of warning though, with a toddler the reserved seating wasn't suitable, it was a quiet cabin, I thought it would just be more open social areas but we really felt awkward, like being in a library so we spent about 20 minutes in there which was a waste.
We got to Bayeux and into the Gite to be welcomed by the host speaking zero English which was fun lol
Dinner the first night in Port Bessin and a walk off for the first end of summer sunset
Day 2
A trip to Jurques Zoo to keep devil child happy. Lovely little zoo an hour or so away from Bayeux driving through Tilly on the way. A mix of animals we've not seen in the UK and some of the enclosures rather questionable on height lol.
On the way back drove past a sign for an aqueduct that is now a bungee jump station, nothing there but great views.
Day 3
Ma'ams funeral so a trip into Bayeux for some breakfast and baguette for lunch then back to watch it.
Weird experience watching it on French TV so we went Iplayer.
Bayeux council had laid on 300 seats and a screen in town, so heartwarming to see.
Trip after lunch out to Omaha to run child down then onto the Museum on the west side.
Day 4
A drive down to Mont st Michel which was about an hour and half, brilliant motorways they really are, I never got cut up once....Got flashed by a Truckdriver on the opposite side, "thinking slowly"....oh s
t....hidden blue police in lay-by....luckily I never speed and need over there. MSM was really spectacular in the morning sun, a sight to be seen driving up to it and seen for miles, we chose to walk up first after the journey down.
I was quite surprised about what was inside, we had the baby and buggy so didn't go up unfortunately but maybe another time.
Quite a lot of nice areas as you get down this way, I fancied St Malo but didn't get down there.
After lunch We decided to take child to an Aligator/Reptile place up the road, it was brilliant and he loved it.
Day 5
I did think we'd goto Rouen for some museums and city culture, but then on the way it looked like the weather warranted A day outside so a change on route to Honfleur which was really nice with gothic architectures and fancy shops.
Evening meal in Arromanches and a walk around till the restaurants opened
Day 6
With most of the sights seen we went to Ouistreham and the Grand Bunker.
Really cool as they let you climb up the top (no liability).
Day 7
Few hours to kill in Cherbourg, I was pleasantly surprised at the town for a dock town. Definitely suitable for a weekend break from Poole.
So....a long week done and other notable places visited of Maisy Battery, Grand Maisy, Pointe Du Hoc, Juno and Storm Beach.
It's definitely a great place to go with a car and with the toddler handy to have everything within 1-1.5 hours drive.
Food and people very welcoming for the week, we never had a bad experience in a restaurant with the nipper, the only issue was menu choices with him which got frustrating when not eating as they tend to only do three main options (Fish and chips, Chicken nuggets etc) which is not his staple, but as I kept saying to the missus it is his learning experience (and blamed her for not feeding him enough of it at home lol).
Next time we may be braver and drive down to the south....
Edited by fourstardan on Thursday 29th September 20:47
I liked the whole week, from having the flexibility with the driving and trips when we wanted to to the price of things being slightly less, we just found the whole week rather relaxing, I think in kids holiday time it may be a better bet than flying to somewhere in future years. Spanish holidays are ok but its purely beach/bars/restaurants and don't get me wrong I love the Canaries but it's purely that "sun on your back in November" feeling.
Also, driving in France rural regions has shown what a poor show the UK is when it comes to self sufficient farming, everywhere within an Hours radius was field of corn or some other type of produce, livestock everywhere, Apples/Pears growing on trees....or is it just my blinkered view and we have this?
Also, driving in France rural regions has shown what a poor show the UK is when it comes to self sufficient farming, everywhere within an Hours radius was field of corn or some other type of produce, livestock everywhere, Apples/Pears growing on trees....or is it just my blinkered view and we have this?
Yes France is brilliant - we love the place. The whole way of life is just so relaxing & civilised.
They also love nice cars - no hint of jealousy like in our country.
Love practicing my schoolboy French - never ever stuck in a bar or restaurant with not a word of English needed!
Top tip - find a local bar tabac wherever you end up - a great way of feeling like a Frenchman with a beer, calvados or a coffee!
We’ve done quite a few areas (Normandy, Loire Valley, Dordogne, Provence, Alsace, Cote D’Azur, Rhone Alpes among others).
Our favourite is the Dordogne with Provence a close second.
They also love nice cars - no hint of jealousy like in our country.
Love practicing my schoolboy French - never ever stuck in a bar or restaurant with not a word of English needed!
Top tip - find a local bar tabac wherever you end up - a great way of feeling like a Frenchman with a beer, calvados or a coffee!
We’ve done quite a few areas (Normandy, Loire Valley, Dordogne, Provence, Alsace, Cote D’Azur, Rhone Alpes among others).
Our favourite is the Dordogne with Provence a close second.
Boxster5 said:
Yes France is brilliant - we love the place. The whole way of life is just so relaxing & civilised.
They also love nice cars - no hint of jealousy like in our country.
Love practicing my schoolboy French - never ever stuck in a bar or restaurant with not a word of English needed!
Top tip - find a local bar tabac wherever you end up - a great way of feeling like a Frenchman with a beer, calvados or a coffee!
We’ve done quite a few areas (Normandy, Loire Valley, Dordogne, Provence, Alsace, Cote D’Azur, Rhone Alpes among others).
Our favourite is the Dordogne with Provence a close second.
We were in Bordeaux and went into a car park for a visit somewhere. A French youth followed me in in his "Le Barry" Renault with spoilers etc. I thought were going to be mugger, but all he wanted was for me to rev my engine so he could hear it. He then did a hand gesture that I think meant he like it.They also love nice cars - no hint of jealousy like in our country.
Love practicing my schoolboy French - never ever stuck in a bar or restaurant with not a word of English needed!
Top tip - find a local bar tabac wherever you end up - a great way of feeling like a Frenchman with a beer, calvados or a coffee!
We’ve done quite a few areas (Normandy, Loire Valley, Dordogne, Provence, Alsace, Cote D’Azur, Rhone Alpes among others).
Our favourite is the Dordogne with Provence a close second.
On topic, love Normandy and love France. The WWII beaches are incredible and always leave me awe struck.
I think we'll do Provence, but it would need to be two weeks and I'd need a place to base out of as can't stand in/out of hotels. Also It's the drive back that puts me off a bit, maybe we could do Paris on the way back with euro disney to make it worthwhile.
Tolls make driving that distance a bit more expensive.
Tolls make driving that distance a bit more expensive.
Tom8 said:
We were in Bordeaux and went into a car park for a visit somewhere. A French youth followed me in in his "Le Barry" Renault with spoilers etc. I thought were going to be mugger, but all he wanted was for me to rev my engine so he could hear it. He then did a hand gesture that I think meant he like it.
On topic, love Normandy and love France. The WWII beaches are incredible and always leave me awe struck.
Agree mate on the beaches....I saw them in a less emotional way this time as we've been before. I thought it was quite interesting to see how modern life seems to be growing on top of them with kayaks, paddle boards etc now commonplace along the stretch of Omaha to Ouistreham. On topic, love Normandy and love France. The WWII beaches are incredible and always leave me awe struck.
I said to my missus that an age of people are being replaced by new generations in towns like Bayeux with lots of youth/kids everywhere on mopeds/scooters etc. I really hope they don't forget what was given.
lrdisco said:
Great review.
My Grandfather went ashore at Ouistreham on D-Day plus 1. I took him for a visit when he was 79. I cried like a baby. He never shed a tear but he did get some dust in his eyes a couple of times.
Bless him, I can imagine the place was an awful lot different. My Grandfather went ashore at Ouistreham on D-Day plus 1. I took him for a visit when he was 79. I cried like a baby. He never shed a tear but he did get some dust in his eyes a couple of times.
Ouistreham had a Dutch vibe to it, the beaches looked lovely and no doubt really nice now in mid summer.
On the topic of everyone being friendly, while walking to the grand bunker in the residential area....my son caught eye of Le Bleus and Deux...literally shouting nee naw new naw....I was expecting somehard ball French copper in the motor....NOPE.....out came the waves and resulting screams back!.
That cute baby charming happened a lot with locals in restaurants etc, quite different to here that's for sure now days, we really are a bunch of grumpy old men here now lol.
I also like France.
Just returned from SW wine country, we always look out for ruins as the desire to renovate a summer ‘Le bolt hole’ is strong, and the internet pipe dream machine approved something like this;
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126117908?c...
Editing to apologise for my apparent hijack, but the properties are cheap and made of stone and in the heart of wine
Just returned from SW wine country, we always look out for ruins as the desire to renovate a summer ‘Le bolt hole’ is strong, and the internet pipe dream machine approved something like this;
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126117908?c...
Editing to apologise for my apparent hijack, but the properties are cheap and made of stone and in the heart of wine
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