Bayeux and D-Day beaches

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

We’ve booked a trip to France at the end of the summer and have taken the opportunity to have two nights in Bayeux on the way home.
The first day will be devoted to WW2 areas of historical interest etc - I appreciate that you probably need days or weeks to cover things ‘properly’, however as a starting point we are looking for a packed day and, no doubt, will return in the future.

Previously I’ve avoided organised tours, seeking to do some research and then use online suggestions to formulate a plan, but having had some good experiences with guides in Japan last year, I’m wondering wether an organised private tour would be best to make best use of the day.
Any suggestions as to which companies to use - this is one I’ve found:
https://www.d-daytoursnormandy.com/british-sector-...

[Truckosaurus]

That's certainly looks like a whistle-stop tour. You aren't going to get much time at any location if you are doing that all in a day.

(I did a trip a couple of days ago and took a week rushing round all the sites and even then didn't see everything or spend huge amounts of time in any one place - there's literally hundreds of sites, and tens of museums).

For a single day, I'd do the opposite of the tour and just visit a small number of places.

Perhaps Pegasus Bridge, the big museum in Caen, the Juno Centre, and one of the big cemeteries (maybe the American one and walk down on the beach itself).

The Juno Centre is very good, giving the Canadian story, and has student guides doing tours of the beach.

Of the other beaches, Gold beach is barely recognisable as a historical landmark, the town has grown around it and it now a nice tourist beach.

Edit to add: when I was planning my trip I did a search of PH and there's a load of old threads reviewing most of the big locations, so plenty of ideas for alternatives.

Edited by Truckosaurus on Friday 8th March 07:23

Edited by Truckosaurus on Friday 8th March 07:24

[Tabs]

Agree with the last post.
We went a couple of years ago, and there is so much to see.
If based in Bayeux, I'd suggest visiting the museum, and then cross the road and have a wander around the cemetery. In the evening, drive to Arromanche and see the beach.
Day 2, follow the coast to the Pegasus museum in Caen, stopping along the way.
Do research before you go. Better to fully concentrate on a few things, than skip through a lot.

[Old Merc]

We have done this a number of times, as said there is so much to see, you really need 3 to 4 days if based in Bayeux and want to visit all the stuff there as well.

As for WW2 stuff, we used the D514 coast road all the way, nice road with spectacular views. It goes over Pegasus bridge, ( Para museum ) along past Gold and Juno beaches, ( new British D Day memorial ). Park up at the 360 D Day cinema and take the shuttle down into Arromanches ( museum and Mulberry Harbour ). Back along the D514 Omaha and Utah beaches. ( the American cemetery at Omaha is a very moving experience ).

Perhaps it would be better to split up your accommodation with a night half way along the D514.
There will be a lot going on this year to mark the 80th anniversary.
Do lots of research and planning, it will be a trip to remember. Just stand on one of those beaches and think of what went on all those years ago.

[gt40steve]

Maybe in your time scale and proposed location, it would make sense to concentrate on the British / Canadian / Free French area's and look at the American sites on another visit.

As already suggested do a bit of research to see what there is that would interest you in particular. There is so much to see & visit out there.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Thanks for your comments.
There’s no way we can change our plans to give us longer, so it really is one whole day which would allow us to either focus on one particular area and spend a lot of time there, or go for a broader overview of different places. Either way we will definitely want to return for a longer trip.
We could consider a DIY trip this time, using this as a guide:
https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/normandy/visit/on...

[Truckosaurus]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

T
We could consider a DIY trip this time, using this as a guide:
https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/normandy/visit/on...

That looks a decent route along the coast (similar to what was suggested above).

Depends if you want to spend more time indoors looking round museums or outside walking the ground - weather might be a factor in that decision if you only have the one day to play with.

[RosscoPCole]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

We’ve booked a trip to France at the end of the summer and have taken the opportunity to have two nights in Bayeux on the way home.
The first day will be devoted to WW2 areas of historical interest etc - I appreciate that you probably need days or weeks to cover things ‘properly’, however as a starting point we are looking for a packed day and, no doubt, will return in the future.

Previously I’ve avoided organised tours, seeking to do some research and then use online suggestions to formulate a plan, but having had some good experiences with guides in Japan last year, I’m wondering wether an organised private tour would be best to make best use of the day.
Any suggestions as to which companies to use - this is one I’ve found:
https://www.d-daytoursnormandy.com/british-sector-...

If you are in Bayeux you have to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery there. I don't know how to put it into words, but I always think it is important to say thank you to those who gave their lives for us. Also just south of Bayeux is Jerusalem Cemetery which is the smallest Commonwealth cemetery in Normandy. There are some fascinating stories about a some of the people laid to rest there. Not far from Jerusalem Cemetery is Les Vergers de Ducy which is a lovely cider farm.
The 360 cinema at Arromanches is great and from the car park you get a great view of the Mulberry Harbour.
The American Cemetery is a must visit. It is immaculate and the way it has been designed is fascinating. It is often the small memorials in the little villages that are the most moving. I regularly visited Bernieres sur Mer on Juno beach. The kerb stones on the main street leading from the beach still have the scars from the caterpillar tracks of the Allied tanks.
Enjoy it, and remember.

Edited by RosscoPCole on Saturday 9th March 09:58

[Bill]

Truckosaurus said:

That looks a decent route along the coast (similar to what was suggested above).

Depends if you want to spend more time indoors looking round museums or outside walking the ground - weather might be a factor in that decision if you only have the one day to play with.

But a very full day! The mulberry harbour museum in Arromanches is brilliant too, and an easy walk from the 360 cinema.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

RosscoPCole said:

If you are in Bayeux you have to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery there. I don't know how to put it into words, but I always think it is important to say thank you to those who gave their lives for us. Also just south of Bayeux is Jerusalem Cemetery which is the smallest Commonwealth cemetery in Normandy. There are some fascinating stories about a some of the people laid to rest there. Not far from Jerusalem Cemetery is Les Vergers de Ducy which is a lovely cider farm.
The 360 cinema at Arromanches is great and from the car park you get a great view of the Mulberry Harbour.
The American Cemetery is a must visit. It is immaculate and the way it has been designed is fascinating. It is often the small memorials in the little villages that are the most moving. I regularly visited Bernieres sur Mer on Juno beach. The kerb stones on the main street leading from the beach still have the scars from the caterpillar tracks of the Allied tanks.
Enjoy it, and remember.

Thank you.