Yes, in 1977, I visited France and literally bummed around. Since I could speak reasonably passable French, it wasn’t a problem; however, many Normans made a great effort to try to speak English. I stayed at a small inn run by an elderly couple in Ste. Mere Eglise; they showed me photos and souvenirs and were very appreciative.
At that time, you could still find small pieces of rusty metal or spent shells on the beach. The tides were terrible in late May.
I believe there are several websites that show photos of Normandy then and now; many of the same buildings are still there.
The visit to the American cemetery on a cold, damp afternoon makes for pretty bad photography but it certainly sets the mood for such a large resting place. The older caretakers seemed much more respectful than the younger workers. As I was leaving, a busload of older Americans and their wives had just arrived. The third man noticed me and smiled and I just said, “Hi!” Wish I could have said more.
I am so jealous.