D-Day 2024 with 80 year olds

If they've heard of the Bayeux Tapestry (so many Americans dont know it) I think that's worth seeing.

But being around a lot of older people lately, I think many appreciate just sitting somewhere nice and people-watching. I'm getting that way myself.

If my parents (and PiL) are anything to go by, I'd plan for 3 hours out and about in the morning with probably half of that travelling, a long lunch (something that is no problem), and two hours out and about in the afternoon. A couple of hours with their feet up before dinner, and back to the accommodation by 9:30.

I'd catch the train to Caen and hire a car there rather than drive from Paris. I'd also think about booking a private guided tour for them for half a day. Count that as respite care. They'll learn something you won't, and it will give you all a topic of discussion in the afternoon. One if the problems I've encountered travelling with parents for any period of time is that after a while conversation at dinnertime runs out because you've all seen and done the same things.

Dday is a very busy time on the beaches. You can expect travel to be slow on the days when there are events.

Other activities to think about would be a visit to a calvados distiller, cheese makers (the famously stinky but delicious Pont l'évêque cheese comes from the region) and a visit to Honfleur.

I would recommend planning for naps during the day for parents. My parents are still active in their 80s but need a nap in the afternoon to feel better in the evening.

Bayeux is a very attractive place to stay when visiting D-Day sites. It has a very pretty but not large historic center, the Bayeux Tapestry and a very nice cathedral. There's also a good invasion museum, but you're probably right that you'll have plenty of exposure to D-Day history. Bayeux is a short drive or train ride from Caen, which has multiple car-rental places near the train station.

It has been mentioned several times on the forum that many French car-rental agencies close for lunch and have limited weekend hours, so that's something to check carefully.

I haven't been to Mont-St-Michel, but it will be easiest to get there by car. I'm not sure how much walking there will be from the parking lot, but there's obviously going to some uphill walking if you go up to the top. The place is reportedly an absolute zoo during day-tripping hours, so I'd try to spend one night in the area and visit the Mont late in the day or early the next.

Rouen has an especially beautiful historic center, rebuilt after severe wartime destruction. There are some nice museums, and there's the Joan of Arc history there as well.

Coastal towns I enjoyed included Honfleur, Deauville and Cabourg.

I don't know anything about parking challenges anywhere in Normandy, because I use public transportation.

If you need to eat in Normandy but don't have the time or energy for a long French meal, look for a creperie. There will be savory as well as sweet crepes.

Normandy is a big dairy and cider-production area. I bet there are opportunities to visit cideries. Google cideries Normandy for options.

If you aren't aware, walking in & up Mont St. Michel can be a challenge. It's uphill and up a lot of stairs to get to the Abbey and cloister. It's all amazing and comes with fantastic views. Just take your time, takes breaks and be prepared. Vendors along the marketplace main path sell crepes. Try them?

If you are so inclined, there is a restaurant at the main entry to the Mont that sells huge omelets at a price that starts at 100 euros. The restaurant is highly rated.

You might consider Monet's gardens at Giverny on your way from the D-Day sites to Paris. It does get crowded, but we visited late one day and again early the next day and it was fine, although that was some years ago. We spent one night at a B&B in Vernon, very close to the gardens. And the cruise on the Seine is a relaxing thing to do in Paris.

Most important, lock in your accomodations ASAP. DDay around the main sites near Normandy are packed. Huge parking lots fill up.

Expect to pay top dollar.

BTW, the William the Conqueror tapestry, as you call it, is actually the Bayeux Tapestry.

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probably stay at an Airbnb and stay 7-12 days but unsure of that yet.

Unfortunately, you are probably too late for those dates. Most places booked up over a year ago. It is a mostly rural area, and just doesn't have the hotel/b&b beds to accommodate the large amount of people who want to visit once a year (or once every five years). If you can find a place, it will likely be a long ways away from the activities. If somehow you get accommodations, for non-WWII activities you should consider the Bayeux Tapestry as mentioned. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel, while beautiful, may be a hard slog on your feet for 80-year olds. And worse if you only go in the middle of the day when everyone else goes.

As far as farm interests, there is a wonderful Museum of the history of farming in the region in Sainte-Mère-Église called Ferme-Musée du Cotentin. Also, there are numerous Calvados distilleries located on farms in the region. This is a local, distilled, apple brandy that is more like whiskey than sickly sweet brandies you may be more familiar with. You will often see sings along the roads for these pleasant, owner-occupied businesses.

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/museums-and-heritage-sites/cotentin-farm-museum/

Something I don't believe that has been noted yet in prior responses is you mentioned your daughter's band is performing at two cemeteries, both of which are located in Normandie despite one somewhat confusingly being called the Brittany American Cemetery.

The one most Americans think of is not that one. It's the larger one further east near the landing beaches (at Colleville-sur-Mer).

And because most Americans don't think of it, and because it's not close to the landing beaches, you might find lodging a bit easier to obtain near the Brittany American Cemetery. It's near the little town of Saint-James and the larger town of Pontorson. It's also relatively close (around a half hour by car) to Mont Saint Michel. The much larger town of Avranches is about 25 minutes north by car.

Frankly, given your parents' age, I would think a drive by with some photo stops of Mont Saint Michel in the distance might be best. Consider the weather, lighting, and prioritize a stop in the evening or early morning when light is most dramatic for the best photos.

As far as farms go, this website might have some places to consider.

A couple of other stops might be the Musée Christian Dior in the charming seaside city of Granville (30 minutes northwest of Avranches), which could provide a decidedly non-WWII visit for your Mom. If your Dad isn't interested in Christian Dior Granville also boasts a casino (the gaming kind, not the French grocery) and has a compact downtown with shopping and views of a working harbor on the edge of downtown.

Forty minutes by car south of Avranches is Fougères, which hosts one of the largest medieval castles in France, Le Château de Fougères.

Lots to see and do.

I would certainly try to nail down accommodations, with a car, that gives you more range to get a house or apartment more off the beaten path. Nobody mentioned it, but 2024 will be the 80th anniversary of the invasion, so you can bet crowds will be much larger than an off year, not to mention, this will be (as is every year as time goes by) one of the last big memorials with significant numbers of D-Day vets present (all are now in their upper 90's)

Don't underestimate the ease of touring Mount St Michelle if your parents have any kind of difficulty walking on uneven surfaces. My first visit, we were held up for hours. A tourist had fallen and needed to be carried out on a stretcher. She was a 30ish young woman.

One of my visits to the area coincided with a major anniversary day. The entire area was quite full of visitors and officials with their retinues. Transportation was slow and a bit difficult. I do understand why this would be a very special family trip, however!

The Bayeaux Tapestry is so worthwhile to see. There is humor in it too. It is the story of William of the Conqueror’s conquest of England in 1044 and is a “ must see” in Bayeux, Normandy.

Just an FYI- secure dinner reservations and possibly lunch too. We are in Bayeux now. Happy to have made two dinner reservations weeks before arriving as those two restaurants have been fully booked for the week we are here. We just secured dinner reservations for Saturday and Sunday nights, but it is a bit quieter now. It won’t be during the time you are here-not justBayeux, but all areas from Caen to as far North on the Cotentin Peninsula as Cherbourg. Definitely decide where you want to stay and start your research so you can book as soon as possible.

The US Cemetery at Colleville -sur-Mer (the Normandy American Cemetery) is currently undergoing rehabilitation of the grounds (lawn) so one can’t walk among the markers. I suspect it’s being done in preparation for the 80th anniversary.

The Bayeux Tapestry as mentioned is a must see. If your mother has done any needlework at all, she will be fascinated!

Many of the sites are very walkable. We loved our full day tour with OverlordTours, highly recommend. The American cemetery and museum is excellent and the museum at Utah beach is also very good. The Caen museum is excellent. Those three I think are the best. Staying in Bayeux keeps you very close to the sites.

We stayed at a fantastic B&B in Bayeau last week and it was just block and half from tapestry. Had no problems getting dinner reservations perhaps because our hostess called for us?? Anyway as are going back next May to the same place for a week. Our hostess said that the town is already prepping for next June and she is having a problem with getting parking allowances for her guests. As stated you need to get reservations now. We also took a private tour of the area which was a little expensive but was more than worth it one of the best things we did. Good luck and enjoy.