Normandy unique WW2 spots

[fourstardan]

Im off after easter for a few days. Actually going Easter Sunday so could be a tough one finding something for dinner!

We've done all the well known locations, got to Maisy Battery last time which was unique.

Question is, does anyone know or have spots that are unique/secret to visit and learn something in the area? I will be staying in Hermanville just outside Ouistreham.

The west side of Cherbourg peninsula looks interesting so we may explore this side before getting on the ferry home.

[Truckosaurus]

I think that most of the sites away from the coast/breaches are quieter. In fact anywhere that doesn't have a museum or visitors centre is quiet - I walked from the American Cemetery the length of Omaha Beach and there was no-one else about other than at the cemetery and the memorial half way along.

Places like Hill 112 just outside Caen which is obviously busy at times as there's a big carpark, was all deserted as there's not much to see other than 'walking the ground'.

I need to get back to the Montormel museum and monument overlooking the Falaise Gap that was deserted when I went there as the weather was poor that day and you could not see anything as the valley was covered in fog.

Edited by Truckosaurus on Thursday 10th April 07:42

[Bill]

Falaise itself has a really good museum about civilian life and a well done Norman castle.

Loads of spectacular beaches on the west coast. Port Bail sur Mer is especially pretty and the market was buzzing.

[fourstardan]

Bill said:

Falaise itself has a really good museum about civilian life and a well done Norman castle.

Loads of spectacular beaches on the west coast. Port Bail sur Mer is especially pretty and the market was buzzing.

I may have a drive over to Bail before we depart on the last day.

[fourstardan]

Bill said:

Falaise itself has a really good museum about civilian life and a well done Norman castle.

Loads of spectacular beaches on the west coast. Port Bail sur Mer is especially pretty and the market was buzzing.

May visit Falaise, Willy the Conquerer was born there apparently and the castle looks really interesting.

[balham123]

There is a Tiger tank parked next to the road just outside Vimoutiers. Worth a look if you are nearby.

[Old Merc]

I’ve visited all the WW2 sites in Normandy a number of times. They all are interesting and can be emotional, but I can’t think of any “secret” or quiet ones, all are very popular.

All you can do is drive the D514 coast road all along the D Day landing sites, I found the road quiet.
Or go the other way, over Pegasus Bridge, ( PARA Museum ) to Merville Batteries.

You have got to visit the new British D Day Memorial, it’s just up the D514 from Hermanville.

[blue_haddock]

We often stay in the normandy beaches area and for me some of the most significant spots are just random tributes to certain regiments at the point that they fought on the beaches.

So for example the Fort Garry Horse from Canada at St Aubin Sur Mer

https://www.normandywarguide.com/place/10th-canadi...

I also like the random tanks, artillery guns etc that are mounted on random roundabouts all along the sea front and then reading the dedication to the crew who fought with it.

Out of all the museums the one i enjoyed that isnt as famous as pegasus bridge etc was the Grand Bunker in ouistreham

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g6...

[fourstardan]

blue_haddock said:

We often stay in the normandy beaches area and for me some of the most significant spots are just random tributes to certain regiments at the point that they fought on the beaches.

So for example the Fort Garry Horse from Canada at St Aubin Sur Mer

https://www.normandywarguide.com/place/10th-canadi...

I also like the random tanks, artillery guns etc that are mounted on random roundabouts all along the sea front and then reading the dedication to the crew who fought with it.

Out of all the museums the one i enjoyed that isnt as famous as pegasus bridge etc was the Grand Bunker in ouistreham

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g6...

Went in Grand Bunker last time, yes it's good and I think will do this again so I can take my son up the ladder and give the missus kittens.

I actually have the tiger tank on my google maps saves and would like to get to see it.

V.excited now.

[Voldemort]

I usually stay and EAT here when I'm in the area: https://www.ranconniere.fr/en/

Opposite the main gate is a small plaque explaining that this was the site of a temporary airfield established very soon after D-Day. I could find no physical evidence of the airfield - I suspect it was just grass fields and tents. I had given no thought to where we based aircraft after the landings so it was an eye opener for me.

[DT1975]

I've cycled it with a tent a few times from Cherbourg around to Ouistreham, down to Caen then all the way over to St Malo. Carentan's pretty Interesting, good museum, naturally I was cycling the minor roads and lanes but just north east there's some out of the way history as a lot of the early parachute drops were around there. If you can combine it with a decent book to get a heads up and do some meandering slow time. Just one of a thousand pics.




I've also cycled the Rhine, top to bottom, likewise WW2 history around every corner (mostly on the French side of the Rhine), very touching as well.

[ShortBeardy]

I went a few years ago and from parts of the shore where, given good sunshine and sea conditions there are places where you could clearly see the caissons that were towed across for the Mulbury harbour. Some were sitting on the bottom and bits poking up and some were very clear. It's not perhaps as sexy as an old tank, but it does give a sense of scale.
I don't recall exactly where, sorry.
Also there have been many storms since that time and I believe some of the floatable caissons were actually towed over to Holland to assist with some efforts during major storm and flooding emergencies.

[Bill]

Arromanches. Agree the scale of it has to be seen to be believed.

[fourstardan]

Bill said:

Arromanches. Agree the scale of it has to be seen to be believed.

Arromanches is quaint, I ambled in the WW2 shops for a wee while contemplating if I'd buy something but I just kept upping what I wanted and bottled it. Some of the original maps are quite tempting.

Couple of nice brasseries in Arro too.

[blue_haddock]

fourstardan said:

Arromanches is quaint, I ambled in the WW2 shops for a wee while contemplating if I'd buy something but I just kept upping what I wanted and bottled it. Some of the original maps are quite tempting.

Couple of nice brasseries in Arro too.

Ive been into one of the ww2 antique stores in arronanche and very quickly could have spent a lot of money!

I the question myself over what I'd do with a German ww2 helmet and gas mask canister!

[Dan_The_Man]

fourstardan said:

The west side of Cherbourg peninsula looks interesting so we may explore this side before getting on the ferry home.

Head into the Biville Dunes, just fantastic

[fourstardan]

Dan_The_Man said:

Head into the Biville Dunes, just fantastic

Fantastique!

[FredericRobinson]

fourstardan said:

Arromanches is quaint, I ambled in the WW2 shops for a wee while contemplating if I'd buy something but I just kept upping what I wanted and bottled it. Some of the original maps are quite tempting.

Couple of nice brasseries in Arro too.

I’ve got a couple of night in Arromanches next month, which brasseries are recommended?

[DT1975]

On the subject of Shermans this was taken at Utah Beach at the northern end, where the French 2nd Armoured Division were given a segment to land which is obviously very poignant. I felt it was quite fitting they were involved in the liberation of their own country.

The bicycle is mine btw. I use it for context and to personalise a picture as I travel alone around these sites, unfortunately on this occasion a local got extremely upset with me, perhaps thinking I was just propping the bike up for no reason.




These Shermans are dotted all over France. This was down near Basel on the France / Switzerland border on the other side of the Rhone / Rhine canal.

[fourstardan]

FredericRobinson said:

I’ve got a couple of night in Arromanches next month, which brasseries are recommended?

Anywhere around the pedestrianised area.

Le Bistro and 6th Juin were the picks.