Normandy Beaches WW

room,

One place that I'd recommend a stop in Carcassone. It's a fascinating walled city with an interesting history. Be sure to try Cassoulet if you stop there. Further along you might enjoy the beautiful town of Sarlat. If you're interested in WW-II history, you could visit the "martyr's village" at Oradour sur Glane, which is north west of Limoges. Some other locations - Tours, Amboise, Castles of the Loire Valley.

Bayeux is an ideal location to stay when visiting the Normandy Beaches. There's an excellent Museum there, and of course the famous Bayeux Tapestry which describes a much earlier battle. While it's certainly possible to get to all the beaches with a car, I'd suggest taking one of the excellent local tours, as you'll learn far more about the history and it will be a more interesting visit. If you need names of some of the tour firms, post another note.

Normandy is not only historically significant, it is also breathtaking, you'll love it!

I haven't been to Bayeux, but I hear everyone loves it! I hope to visit next summer when I am in the area again myself.

In 2009, we spent two nights in a lovely B&B, close to the landing beaches. It was called Les Mas Normand (in R. Steves guidebook) It was only about 10 minutes from the town of Arromanches, where you can view the 360 degree WWII movie, visit the musuem, and see the remains of Port Winston (the artificial harbor) on the beach. I also recommend visiting the American Cemetary while you are in Normandy.

Just driving around the area we found lovely off the beaten path opportunities. We went to a local craft show, we found a great flea market, we attended mass in an exquisite old church...I think the best off the beaten path attractions are unplanned...if you give yourself the time to appreciate them when you happen upon them!

Normandy is not only historically significant, it is also breathtaking, you'll love it!

I haven't been to Bayeux, but I hear everyone loves it! I hope to visit next summer when I am in the area again myself.

In 2009, we spent two nights in a lovely B&B, close to the landing beaches. It was called Les Mas Normand (in R. Steves guidebook) It was only about 10 minutes from the town of Arromanches, where you can view the 360 degree WWII movie, visit the musuem, and see the remains of Port Winston (the artificial harbor) on the beach. I also recommend visiting the American Cemetary while you are in Normandy.

Just driving around the area we found lovely off the beaten path opportunities. We went to a local craft show, we found a great flea market, we attended mass in an exquisite old church...I think the best off the beaten path attractions are unplanned...if you give yourself the time to appreciate them when you happen upon them!

We are also seniors who spent 5 nights in Normandy in October a couple of years ago. You can see some of our visit at:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/normandy/ I particularly recommend Etretat which we sort of stumbled on when someone we met at another site raved about it. The Bayeux Tapestry also lives up to its reputation and we enjoyed the Churchill hotel nearby. It is also very near the Overlord Tour launch site and their tour of the beaches and other WWII sites was money well spent. You could also do this by car yourself with a little homework; there was amble parking at sites like Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc (my favorite stop).

This is a wonderful region and Mont St. Michel is one of those places everyone should see once.

Highly recommend you visit the "martyr's village" at Oradour sur Glane. It is as emotionally moving as the Normandy beaches, but in a totally different way. Perhaps you should research it first as it is not everyone's cup of tea just because of the reality of what happened there. TC

Thank you everyone for all the information. I am taking notes and looking into all the suggestions.
I'm looking into Orator sur Glane as suggested, Arromanches and Sarlat. I do have a question for Janet.
The B&B you stayed at to see Mont St Michels what was the name so I make sure not to book that one.
And Ken we already have a night stay at Carcassone before we get on our LeBoat down the Canal du Midi.

If there are any more suggestions about places to see on our way driving from Narbonne to Normandy I am
very open. We are thinking about taking 3 days to drive and stop and see the country side. But would we be better
off using 2 of those days around the Normandy area?