Advice Please - Normandy Tour, June 6th, 2019

Self ^ | 8 Nov 2018 | PeteePie

[PeteePie]

I am taking the to Normandy and can pretty much pick my arrival date to coincide with the D-Day anniversary. Was wondering if any of y'all have toured area. Looking for recommendations for reputable tour companies, BnB and places of interest not to be missed that are accessible and open to the public.

[PeteePie]

My dad fought in the South of France, the 2nd D-Day and all the way through to Germany as part of the 3rd Army. Yep, he met Patton. I am a student of WWII history and am intent on maximizing this op. Thank you!

[WASCWatch]

With just a little effort, you can plan your own trip unless you can’t physically handle traveling on your own.

[Gay State Conservative]

Not having any special knowledge here all I'd recommend is that you carefully research the subject in the 6+ months you have.Of course there are sure to be Freepers who can give you valuable,specific advice and there will be many other sources of good info.I wonder if the VFW might be a good place to check.

I've often given thought to touring one,or more,of the historic cemeteries in northern France so I'll be watching this thread.

[PeteePie]

Thanks, I can definitely handle the hiking and would prefer to plan my own trip. The prices for guided tours are insane! Besides, I know enough about what happened to be a guide, rather than be guided. I can plot my course but have never been to France. We’re coming via London and would like to hear anyone else’s experience with local accommodations, car rental, dealing with French people, etc.

[mass55th]

Back in 2006, I visited Paris specifically to tour the D-Day beaches. I used AAA for my travel plans as I was also going to be going on a 23 day bus tour of the British Isles. AAA made arrangements for a tour with Grayline. I stayed at a hotel on the Rue de Rivoli, and only had to walk a few blocks to the pick-up site. There was mostly Americans on the tour, and it was a very enjoyable time. They provided a nice hot lunch at the museum in Caen. Here's a link to the Grayline site:

Grayline

If you are interested in the Battle of Hastings 1066, you might also want take a tour to view the Bayeaux Tapestry. I never got to see if, and I would have also enjoyed visiting Mont Saint Michel. Grayline was offering tours of those back in 2006 too.

[choctaw man]

We took the tour about four years ago. There’s a travel agency right near the Louve that has tours in all directions. We took another tour, one day, to a chalet south of Paris. I wish I could remember the name of the tourist agency but it’s quite handy, friendly, and does high-volume business.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I can't give you any personal travel tips because I haven't been there. Before you go, I'd recommend you read The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-day Sacrifice. Be warned, though...it is absolutely heartbreaking.

[mass55th]

Forgot to mention you can always check Trip Advisor, and read the various reviews of the tours offered:

Trip Advisor - Normandy

[Josa]

Bring tissues. I cried myself silly through the entire tour. Surprisingly the German cemetery was very interesting and beautiful.

Point Du Hoc with the bomb craters still intact was powerful.

[DocRock]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g608795-d1949183-Reviews-Airborne_Museum-Sainte_Mere_Eglise_Manche_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html

[Pelham]

I suspect that your dad might actually have been in the 7th Army rather than the 3rd. D-Day for the 7th Army was August 15, along the French Riviera.

Patton had commanded the 7th in North Africa and Sicily, but had been replaced by Sandy Patch before the invasion of the south of France. Patton’s 3rd Army landed on the Normandy coast in July 1944, about a month after the Normandy invasion. Familiar history to me because my 98 yr old father was an officer in the 7th Army, from North Africa up to the end of the war.

[dfwgator]

We did the Day Tour from Paris.

[dfwgator]

I could have spent all day at the American Cemetery, just reading all the tombstones.

[TADSLOS]

That place put a serious lump in my throat.

[DocRock]

I also recommend you watch The Longest Day just before you go.

[dfwgator]

Especially thinking now they very well might have died in vain seeing where this country is headed.

[Bon mots]

Well, whatever you do, don't miss Mount St. Michel!

Go ahead... click it! &uar;

[TADSLOS]

Yeah...depressing to think about.

[WASCWatch]

You have plenty of time to plan your trip. Could Airbnb to find lodging on your trip. You can communicate with your potential hosts on the best places to see and visit. Can be a great experience getting to know the locals.

You can arrange your own travel arrangements; and not be stuck with an itenerary forced on you. You can probably plan your own for 1/3 the price.

My older son planned a golf trip to Scotland three years ago for 10 guys. They all saved a boatload of money and he basically went for free and put $1,000 in his pocket. He met a number of people if he could plan future golf trips for them and buddies/clients, etc. figures he can net $1,500/person and save them half.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Bookmarked.