Juzek
Steve Kyle
I'm planning a trip to Normandy in May so does anyone have suggestions how to spend a couple of days with Bayeux as a hub? Looking for recommendations for museums, historic sites, tours, and tips for getting around.
It's an incredibly broad question. I've been three times now and there is so much to see it would depend on what your interests are in order to prioritize. The cemeteries are all very moving - the American cemetery at Omaha Beach is monumental and almost celebratory, while the German cemetery at La Cambe is stark and sombre. Commonwealth cemeteries are beautifully kept. Not everyone is into cemeteries though.I'm planning a trip to Normandy in May so does anyone have suggestions how to spend a couple of days with Bayeux as a hub? Looking for recommendations for museums, historic sites, tours, and tips for getting around.
Oooh....you could make this into a real scavenger hunt, too. Bonus points if he finds the beach-front bunker with the 75mm Sherman round still embedded in the front of it.So as the resident GS medievalist this is on your homework assignment. You will be quizzed on it next time I pay you.)
This tapestry is just awesome!Of course, stepping out of WW2, do visit the Bayeux tapestry about Bill the Conq's invasion of England : https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/
I’ll second this one. My family and I had the opportunity to visit Angoville-au-Plain and it was a surprise highlight of the trip.A series of very good recommendations are noted above.
Another stop I enjoyed is the church in Angoville-au-Plain. The story is covered in the book Angels of Mercy by Paul Woodadge (www.ddayhistorian.com).
The remains of German strongpoints are also interesting. WN 62 is one and it is located just east of the American cemetery.
Please post some pics for us when you get back. Eager to hear your impressions.Thanks for all the suggestions! We won't have time to do all of these but it gives me some ideas how to plan our trip and prioritize.
Great story,thanks for sharing this. We had a similar experience in Clair Tizon where the whole town came out to offer thanks to our Canadian tour group. When I did a military burial at Vimy in 2017 (they found two men from my regiment that had been missing since Arleux in April 1917), the local French veterans group provided a volunteer honour guard. Which is why it pisses me off to no end when I see people cutting down the French with their little surrender monkey jokes. Your stories just reinforce how well former allies are treated - the closer you get to where they are buried, the better they treat you. I wish I had the opportunity to pay back, honour French valor at places like Bir Hacheim, Stonne, Ouistreham etc., Anyone visiting a French military cemetery will be struck by the scale of their sacrifice.I was moved by many of the local residents and some of my interactions. We forgot it was Sunday and didn't even think about things closing when we were near Ste Eglise. We needed to eat and found a bar/restaurant with lights on in the bar. When I asked about potential food the owner asked - are you American? after saying yes he told us to wait. In minutes the lights in the restaurant portion were on and he ushered us in for dinner. I should not have been surprised. Earlier in the day while watching the airdrop I commented to a couple from California we had met at the hotel and gave a lift to that we would never see 10-12 year old boys getting autographs from veterans in America, maybe Michael Jordan. A French women in front of me overheard, turned around and spoke in very good English with her finger gesturing at me "We teach our children, we will never forget!"
Very well said.Which is why it pisses me off to no end when I see people cutting down the French with their little surrender monkey jokes. Your stories just reinforce how well former allies are treated - the closer you get to where they are buried, the better they treat you. I wish I had the opportunity to pay back, honour French valor at places like Bir Hacheim, Stonne, Ouistreham etc., Anyone visiting a French military cemetery will be struck by the scale of their sacrifice.
Indeed.Which is why it pisses me off to no end when I see people cutting down the French with their little surrender monkey jokes.