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Hi all, we are booked to go to Normandy (Houlgate) over the Queen's diamond jubilee holiday and am wondering whether anyone can point us in the direction of must see places. We are taking an 8yr old, a 14yr old and 2 x first time abroad pensioners.....

Which museums and beaches are best? Does anyone know of any planned rememberance ceremonies for D-Day? We know of Rouen, Bayeux, Mont St.Michel and Honfleur but would appreciate some experienced knowledge!!

Any help appreciated!!!

The Airbourne Museum at Ste Mere Eglise is worth a visit as is the Utah Beach Museum. There is also the Museum at  Arromanches where the Mulberry Harbour was.

David

Personally I would say a must for everyone to visit is the American War Cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer above Omaha Beach.The atmosphere is so movingly unforgettable. A stroll along the beach gives you some idea of the immensity of the invasion. Also likewise the British Cemetery  and the adjacent War Museum in Caen. Arromanches, where the remains of the Mulberry Harbours can be seen is also is a must. The museum at Pegasus Bridge explains the strategic importance of it's capture and the orginal bridge, moved several years ago for road improvements, is still on view. Close to Houlgate is the Musee De La Batterie De Merville where the devastating Artillery Battery is preserved.

I would also like to visit one day the German War Cemetery which I believe is situated along the N13 between Carentan and Caen as this, I think, is the biggest of them all.  

I don't know about services for D Day in France, but they certainly celebrate the 11th November.  Passing through a little town in the Aude - Millas - on Remembrance Day  2011 was so moving that I burst into tears, seeing all the people respectfully dresssed in black, placing flowers on the memorial, with the Marseillaise played by the Fireman's band!

We were both very moved by it.

Similarly in Perpignan, a few years ago, when almost the whole town 'shut down' for a few minutes, traffic stopped, the parade headed for the war memorial, and the town stoood still respectfully for a couple of minutes

I found going through the War Graves area very moving too, (we've gone through the area lots of times) but we've not actually 'done' the Landing Beaches, or any of the museums in Normandy.

If anyone is interested in WW2 Beaches, Bunkers and the like, feel free to have a look at our Photos.

http://photobucket.com/Mikes-WW2-Photos

Memorial in Caen is good, also a good museum at Falaise and Bayeux.

 The beaches are signed "route des débarquement" which will take you to lots of intersting and moving places.

We have visited a few times, and like Normandie.

Another vote for Point Du Hoc- an amazing place.

Arromanches & the American war cemetery are also a must. However you wont be able to go one day without seeing some memorial of any sorts. They are everywhere by the sides of the road, in tiny villages etc.

The German cemetery is also an eye opener- I was told that the German goverment do not provide funds to the upkeep of 'their' cemetery and it shows. The British and American cemetery are pristine. What is also stark is that quite a bit of the information on the German soldiers even such as their date of birth is lacking- It seems that all records of the individual soldiers did not survive.