Any interesting diversions between Caen & Le Mans
Any interesting diversions between Caen & Le Mans
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Andy JB

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

248 months

Monday 7th July 2008
quotequote all
With a view to avoiding Motorways - does anyone have any interesting back road recommendations or experiences or detours to the circuit from port of Caen?

This year we thought Caen may make a good alternative to Calais plus a few days tagged on to the race to enjoy Loire & local afterwards.

PaulHogan

7,540 posts

307 months

Monday 7th July 2008
quotequote all
Are you interested in the D-day landings? If so, you're in the middle of them at Caen. I'd recommend the cinema in the round at Arromanches http://www.arromanches360.com/eng/index.php

Relating to a different era the Bayeaux Tapestry museum is an exceptionally nice museum too.


TonySim

296 posts

250 months

Monday 7th July 2008
quotequote all
A really nice scenic route with some nice twisties is Caen, Flers, Domfront, Mayenne then Le Mans. You pass through some picturesque medieval villages.

Did a tour of the D-Day beaches in May with some pals and there are some excellent museums in Ouistreham itself. The Mervill Battery has a sight and sound experience where you get a taste of what it would be like to be under attack in a bunker and the Atlantic Wall museum was very good as well.

The number of times in earlier visits to Le Mans we got back to Ouistreham early on Monday and just kicked our heels around the ferryport. There really is so much to see!

Pegasus Bridge is an excellent visit as well and very close to the ferry port.

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 7th July 2008
quotequote all
Also well worth a visit is the Memorial de Montormel commemorating the 1st Polish Armoured Division who stood and held despite all the Axis troops trying to escape through the Falaise gap.

Falaise itself was home to William the Conqueror and there's a large castle in the town, though I've not yet been inside.

On the scenic side the Alpes Mancelles are picturesque and you can pick up a good meal in some of the villages like Saint Céneri-le-Gerei.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 7th July 18:35

burriana

16,556 posts

283 months

Monday 7th July 2008
quotequote all
sharm said:
On the scenic side the Alpes Mancelles are picturesque and you can pick up a good meal in some of the villages like Saint Céneri-le-Gerei.
Whereabouts is this please, as in the nearest large towns so I can find them on the map?

Thanks.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
burriana said:
sharm said:
On the scenic side the Alpes Mancelles are picturesque and you can pick up a good meal in some of the villages like Saint Céneri-le-Gerei.
Whereabouts is this please, as in the nearest large towns so I can find them on the map?

Thanks.
SW of Alencon, plenty of hits will come up if you search. Slap bang in the middle here http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geoco...

burriana

16,556 posts

283 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Cheers smile

So not any "Alpes" as such then from what I can see on the map ... is it more rolling countryside?

jiber

74 posts

241 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
you have the "Pont l'êvèque circuit".

JB

JohnSW20

886 posts

266 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi

I just set the Sat Nav to avoid motorways and had a very nice drive back from Le Mans on Sunday. Nothing special but lots of nice countryside

John

Andy JB

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

248 months

Tuesday 8th July 2008
quotequote all
Great thanks - some good suggestions here - plan to take full advantage of the recommendations