Normandy Area

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by Clarkey231, Sep 1, 2018.

  1. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Hi all experienced tourers,

    Me and a couple of mates are off to do the ww2 and 1 memorials and grave yards in France next week. We are very un organised and other than Omaha beach museum we’ve nowt officially planned. We arrive early Monday morning (10th) into St. Malo from Plymouth.

    Does anyone have some other must see places or roads to ride? I’ve just purchased a used tom tom rider off a mate, it’s all plumbed in and ready to go so any good places or tips much appreciated.

    Cheers,

    Dave.

    PS. Also any biker friendly hotels in the area would be good.
     
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  2. stevethegoolie

    stevethegoolie Elite Member

    Oct 16, 2014
    2,454
    800
    East Riding of Yorkshire
    Arromanches - a bit touristy but where else will you find the Mulberry Harbour?
    Arromanches 360 - a 360 degree cinema up on the cliffs which was too much for SWMBO as it reduced her to tears.
    Me dad landed near Courseulles sur Mer on D-Day so I had to visit there, sadly with little knowledge of his activities that day. Found out more later on and been meaning to return ever since. One day .........
    Pont du Normandie - very impressive (scary?) high bridge over the River Seine near Le Harvre, and it's free for bikes, or it was about 10 years ago.
    British War Cemetery in Bayeux. It's big! Smaller versions are available and dotted about all around the area.
    Pegasus Bridge near Ouistreham (I think!). Again, a bit touristy but worth seeing.
    There's an area called La Suisse Normande somewhere around (south of?) the Caen area which is well worth a visit.
    Been a long time since we were there so some (most) of the above will need checking for accuracy. Plenty more besides to see over there - churches, cathedrals, cemeteries, scenery and beaches galore. Enjoy!
     
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  3. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

    Jan 10, 2016
    4,082
    1,000
    Shaw
    Le Cambe, big German cemetery. All done out in black stone in sharp contrast to the white stone of the US main cemetery. There's a German gun emplacement somewhere along the coast maybe near Arromanches where the guns are largely intact, can't remember what it's called. Visit Deauville maybe with it's beach huts engraved with the names of hollywood stars. Cabourg, a nice town with fine dining restaurants if you want a treat.
     
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  4. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter

    Wow thanks a lot for all the info. I’m ex navy so it all has a resonance for me and my mates. I always find a bloke with my surname to go and pay my respects to. There is two of us with the same surname not related so keeps it easy!
     
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  5. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Thanks all!
     
  6. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Awesome thanks.
     
  7. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,216
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Agree with what the lads have said above. The German battery is at Longues sur Mere and is well preserved, but the largest site is at Grand Camp Maisy - it was able to hit both Utah and Omaha beaches.
    There is too much to see in one go and far too many museums to visit. The Overlord museum is pretty decent though.
    If you go to Pegasus Bridge near Ouistreham, then search out the Grand Bunker. It appears to be In the middle of a housing estate but is easy to miss - the Allies did, but then captured it intact - still has the rangefinder in place overlooking Sword Beach.
    wp0d0e420d_0f.jpg
     
  8. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Will do, got about 4 days in the area so enough time to see a good bit. Cheers.
     
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