I wanted to share that the American Cemetery in Normandy closes at 4:30 pm and not at 6 pm. We unfortunately found out when we arrived at 4:30 to find the gates closed. Several other cars and vans also pulled up thinking that it was still open. We spent the whole day at the Normandy beaches and sites and planned to finish the day at the Cemetery and watch the ceremony lowering the flag at 6 pm. It was a great day except for missing the cemetery. I'm sharing so no one else misses it as well.
Posted by
Cloud
381 posts
Where did you get the wrong information that it closes at 6 pm? The official website has the hours https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/about-normandy-american-cemetery/
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2156 posts
The website for info about the cemetery is abmc.gov (American Battlefield Monuments Commission) for anyone seeking info about dates, times, etc.
Sorry to hear you missed the ceremony.
Posted by
1297 posts
Artificial Intelligence - it says it closes at 6 pm in the RS France book. We are leaving in less than 2 weeks and this was my thought as well. Guess I better re-look at it.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9383 posts
Always, Always check the actual website for current hours rather than a guidebook that may be years old.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2649 posts
As said above, always check the official site. Books are probably about a year old by the time they reach the public and some things may change. Also don't rely on someone else's advice although well meaning. The official site says it closes at 4:30 PM to allow people to leave and then they can lock up by 5PM. Check official sites no matter where you visit..
Posted by
Normandie
487 posts
Just a note to mention that there are two American WWII cemeteries in Normandie. The larger one is near Colleville-sur-Mer northwest of Bayeux. There is another one that is slightly smaller, but still quite large, near Saint-James southeast of Mont-Saint-Michel, somewhat confusingly named the "Brittany American Cemetery," despite being located in Normandie. It closes as 17h (5 P.M.).
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2156 posts
Re AI info. Someone posted on this forum their itinerary for a France trip. It was bizarre in that it had them going somewhere new almost every day and didn't properly account for travel time. It was WAY WAY too ambitious, even for the fastest traveler. The many responses gave more realistic information to the OP. It trns out the OP had turned to AI for an itinerary. I think AI has a long way to go in this type of query.
Posted by
1297 posts
We actually have a private guide, but based on the itinerary we received when we booked stopping admissions at 4:30 and closing at 5 were not the hours back in the summer of 24. My guess is we will miss it if we don't rearrange things and then I won't be happy. So, off to write an email to check and rearrange things if necessary.
Posted by
1297 posts
I just got a reply and they said it hasn't changed to its summer hours yet, so we will see.
Posted by
Paris
10832 posts
The website literally says:
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the cemetery ends 30 minutes before closing time.
So arriving at 4:30 indeed was too late, I am sorry to say. Really sorry you missed it.