For future reference where is the best location near the D-day landings are the best to visit with views, foods, friendly locals and of course to visit places from Sword beach all the way to Utah beach D-day landings?
Btw it’s so nice to see that Google loves to commemorate their google logo Art on the main page with a show of support for one of the greatest events on the 20th century. (All sarcastic of course). Go search for something you’ll see what I’m saying.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1143 posts
The best place to base yourself is Bayeux, in my opinion, and most contributors here would agree I think. The D Day landing areas of Normandy are best seen by driving your own car or taking one of the many tours offered. Most begin in Bayeux. (Normandy is much bigger than the DDay landing areas. It covers Rouen, Le Havre, Honfleur., Entretat.......) There are many nice hotels and B and Bs in or near Bayeux, plus lots of restaurants, a beautiful cathedral, and the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry.
One thing I recommend is to try to be at the American Cemetery when they lower the flag at the end of the day. It's very moving.
For more ideas, enter DDay tours in the search box above. Lots and lots of comments on the forum.
Bonne chance!
Posted by
OP
Spokane, Washington
28 posts
@Judy
Thanks so much! More than I hoped.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10554 posts
I agree with using Bayeux as your base. I recommend doing an organized tour one day with a company such as Overlord and then use a car to see things on other days. We have done this twice and if you have a lot of interest in D-Day and want to get a good overview I would suggest at least 3-4 full days there.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16396 posts
...and the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry
While the tapestry wasn't part of the question, worth mention that the current museum is set to close in Sept. 2025 until spring of 2027 while the new museum wing is being built..
Posted by
958 posts
The word happy probably does not apply in any sentence with the words D-day.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33509 posts
agreed.....
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16396 posts
Nope, not the word I would have used either.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1143 posts
To all,
I regret I didn't notice the word "happy" in the title. Yes, I agree, it is a poor choice of words, which I attribute to a lack of historical knowledge and understanding by many people today, not necessarily through their own fault. A visit to the Normandy landing sites is a sober one, yet one full of faith and hope in the general goodness of mankind, in taking care of one another, whether in small ways or big ways, easy ways or hard ways, life-affirming ways or life-sacrificing ways, silent unknown ways or world-shaking ways. This most recent anniversary was, I believe, highlighted more than previous years, and I am glad to see the world being reminded of the duty we all have to one another in protecting the human race from self-destruction. I have visited other places that touch me in the same way (Verdun and Dachau, for example), and I trust that others are touched as well. Reading posts on this forum assure me that my trust is justified.
The sacrifices offered up, and made, in the execution of Operation Overlord, and what they meant for all of us, even today, make it imperative that history should not be whitewashed or condensed or sweetened for students. We must know of about our past to understand our present and prepare for our future.
Mes deux centimes.
Posted by
Central US
141 posts
The OP wrote:
Btw it’s so nice to see that Google loves to commemorate their google logo Art on the main page with a show of support for one of the greatest events on the 20th century. (All sarcastic of course). Go search for something you’ll see what I’m saying.
I read the OP’s title as calling out (criticizing) Google for ignoring D-Day by not having their Google Doodle honor the day.
(Edited to clarify that I was quoting the original poster)