A Visit To Normandy

Self | 5.27/24 | Self

[Gay State Conservative]

We're going to France in July and I want to go to Normandy...particularly to see the cemeteries there. I'm particularly interested in the one featured at the start and the end of Saving Private Ryan. I'd love to hear the thoughts/advice of anyone who's done it.

TIA!

[Brian Griffin]

I’ve never been to Normandy, but I do recommend visiting the national cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

[Jeff Chandler]

I believe France now requires women to wear burkas. I could be wrong.

[Brian Griffin]

I’ve seen pictures of Monet’s renovated garden in Normandy and it looks to be well worth a visit.

[Jolla]

It is a wonderful experience and hope you enjoy it, have been a number of times. There is also a small somewhat private museum on the road to the cemetary that is worth a visit.

[lone star annie]

I took a day tour and it started at the Caan Museum with lunch. The museum had some interesting artifacts like a Tiger tank. We proceeded to Point du Hoc then on to Omaha Beach and the cemetery. It is a very solemn place. Walk among the graves and see how many states our precious treasure came from. Stop and say a prayer for those with no name “Known only to God.” If you are physically able walk down the hill to the beach and collect a few rocks for souvenirs. When you go back up the hill imagine our soldiers going up the hill wet and carrying heavy Equipment!

We then went to Juno and Gold which were flat beaches where the English and Canadians landed. You will see our soldiers had a tougher task.
You are going to create memories for a lifetime. Take lots of pictures and don’t forget the rocks!

[litninboldt]

I went to Normandy in 2002, also in July. Walking on Omaha Beach was a very solemn moment. It was very peaceful, children on the beach playing in the sand. Although nature was reclaiming the damage from the battle, craters were still visible on the hillsides. The cemetery is well worth the visit, located above Omaha beach. My friend and I had brought a bunch of small Texas flags and found as many Texas hero’s as we could and planted the flags next to their markers.

[dfwgator]

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

[litninboldt]

Also noted when traveling through small towns in France that the store front windows were sporting both the French and American flags. Many there have not forgotten!

[litninboldt]

I don’t think there is a single state not represented. Was surprised how many were from New York.

[dfwgator]

Lots of Stars of David, among the crosses.

[Mercat]

I have three rocks that I treasure. One is from a Civil War battlefield where my great grandfather fought. Another is from a cemetery where my 6th great grandparents were buried. And the third is from where another gg grandfather built a log cabin in the early 1700s. Only the broken down chimney was left or so said the woman who had helped farm it for years. She said that the cows had knocked down the rest. So I have a piece from the chimney, a dressed stone.

[nwrep]

God bless them all. Memorial Day greetings.

[tired&retired]

The trains are really good transportation. I flew into Paris and took the train to Normandy Beach. It doesnt go right to it, but it will get you real close.

I also went there by Eurostar train from London through the Chunnel.

Here is a good link.

https://www.thetrainline.com/en-us/via/europe/france/how-to-visit-normandys-d-day-beaches-by-train

[litninboldt]

Also took the train from London through the Chunnel. Went to Paris at speeds up to 236 km per hour. Amazing train and very smooth. Speed was so fast it made vehicles on the motorway next to the tracks look like they were going backwards.

[rockabyebaby]

ALERT ALERT!

You're going in July, good thing, because dementia joe is going there next month!

[VeniVidiVici]

I’m envious. :)

I would love to do one of these tours

https://www.beachesofnormandy.com/?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=bon_search&utm_content=ww2-tours&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3tCyBhDBARIsAEY0XNlgK4IUt-f4K8FjwuKBk_rIFrEhmRYnWLlA5MboNKA4abB9O7uIjGoaAkFjEALw_wcB

[MayflowerMadam]

My sister (Baldwin77) and BIL visited Normandy last week — a day trip from a cruise ship. Hugely impactful.

[frnewsjunkie]

My father went ashore.. WWII.
In news video, young men not even 21, on the boats from ships, bringing them to their destination.. Quiet, solumn faces.. German guns awaited them as they ran to shore.
Their instructions: run.. Don’t stop.. Don’t help a fallen soldier.. Take his gun if he is gone.. Run, run.. The goal was to get enough men inland.. Knowing many would be killed.
My father made it.. And spent the next weeks, cold wet and dirty.. Sleep now and then in a temporary fox hole.
We don’t know that kind of life, today. Are we prepared for it with a weak government and years of no war.. We can’t take peace and freedom for granted.

[surrey]

We took a river cruise with a day trip to Normandy. It was a very emotional and educational experience experience. i highly recommend it.
Our guide made a very interesting comment. Someone asked if there are many relatives who visit the cemetery and she said that so many of the soldiers were so young that they only had immediate family. They never had children, grandchildren or great grandchildren.