Visiting Normandy- Anglo/canadian sector

[bracco_n]

Hello everybody, I'll be spending three days in normandy during my eurotrip in july-august. On the first two days I'll be visiting the Utah and Omaha sector, on the third I plan to see the anglocanadian one. The problem is I haven't read enough about their involvement during and after D-day so I'm not sure which places to visit apart from the landing beaches. Could any of you please suggest interesting places to visit? I'll be staying in Carentan by the way.

Thanks in advance!

Nicolas

[chris talpas]

You might consider picking up Terry Copp's "A Canadian's Guide to the Battlefields of Normandy"

Chris

[chris talpas]

The Canadian Battlefields in Normandy: A Visitors Guide, 3rd Edition , ISBN 978-0-9783441-4-6, Terry Copp and Mike Bechthold, softcover, full colour photos, 18 maps, 128pp. (newer version)

Brief description:

For those who plan to visit Normandy or just wish they could! This book contains full touring information, solid history, never-before-seen 1944 colour photographs, original maps and colour air photos of Normandy today.

The Canadian Battlefields in Normandy: A Visitor's

Guide, 3rd Edition is based on Terry Copp’s 1994 guide to the battlefields in Normandy. This new and revised guide is based on ten years of experience in leading battlefield tours.

Much has changed since the last edition and this guide offers up-to-date information on the new airborne museum at Pegasus Bridge, the Juno Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, the Canadian Battlefields Foundation’s battlefield viewing areas or belvederes at Point 67–Verrières Ridge and St. Lambert-sur-Dives as well as many other developments of the past decade. There have also been changes in the road network and Mike Bechthold has drawn new maps that will help you find your way.

[greginvan]

Check out:

http://www.junobeach.org/Centre/index.html

Visit Courseulle sur Mer and check out the 57mm AT gun still in its bunker on the beach. There is a picture in the book mentioned above that shows that same bunker, gun and beach with some sort of Allied fighter crashed on the beach. During your travels, look for metal bits of the temporary airfields the allies set up inland from the beaches -- their were a 4 or 5 airfields used within the first 10 klicks off inland. You can occassionally see some of the metal bits from the airfields are used for farmers fencing as you drive inland.

if you want a truly epic place to stay, I suggest booking this 1 bedroom condo on Juno Beach. The bunker is a 200 m walk along the seawall.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/86088

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beny-sur-Mer_Canadian_War_Cemetery

http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1&sort=name&order=asc

http://www.musee-arromanches.fr/accueil/?lang=uk This is a must.

My wife and I visited for 2 days in June 2011. I'm happy to tell you about our experience.

[Sergei]

Here's an itinerary for you.

[greginvan]

Check out:

http://www.junobeach.org/Centre/index.html

Visit Courseulle sur Mer and check out the 57mm AT gun still in its bunker on the beach. .

Um... Saint Aubin Sur Mer. Courseuelle is two towns to the west.

[bracco_n]

Thanks for the input! Those links were really helpful. I've already booked a room in 101st airborne B&B in Carentan, it's pretty nice and it's owner, Nancy, is a very warm and helpful person. Can't wait to be there!

If you still have places to recommend please keep em coming!

Nicolas

[greginvan]

Make sure you watch movie: The longest Day before your trip.

Then, after your stay in Caretan, mosy on over to the Pegasus Bridge:

http://www.memorial-pegasus.org/mmp/musee_debarquement/index.php?lang=uk

The museum is pretty neat, and getting to check out a HORSA glider is a VERY cool thing. then, go to the first Cafe liberated in France -- the one on the western end of the Bridge: the Gondree Cafe.

For me, understanding the sheer size of the the attack didn't happen until I drove from the Ouistreham to Ste. Mère-Eglise. It's a long way indeed by car.