I am traveling with my children to Normandy. We are staying in Liesville-sur-Douve, Normandie. My son's band is playing the D-Day ceremonies at the Brittany Cemetery, St. James, on 6/6, and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach on 6/7, and the parade at
St. Mere Eglise on 6/8. We have a car but have been told driving is by permit. Can anyone offer information, and if that is the case, how do we get around? Is there Uber or cars for hire?
Thank you,
Nancy, St. Louis, MO
I would have thought the Band trip organizers would have provided that information by now, but....
Try Normandie Tourism at: http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/things-to-do/sites-and-attractions/d-day-and-the-battle-of-normandy-113-2.html
There is a "Contact us" button at the very bottom and they should be able to provide more details.
As this forum is not political I sent you a personal message regarding tight security at Omaha Beach that may affect visitors travel.
The driving restrictions only apply to the area bordered by Caen and Bayeux inland to the South, and Omaha to Sword Beach by the coast. And it only is in effect on June 6th—so far there are no restrictions before or after. This is mostly for security for heads of state, and logisitcs for the few honored vets. But you should be fine on June 7th and 8th, and fine in Sainte-Mère-Église all week. Although there may be significant traffic around Sainte-Mère on the 6th and on either side. The town packs a large party and multiple ceremonies. But driving is the only way to get around the area anyway, so that's your only option other than walking (Normandy is a huge area). IF I can find it, I'll try to post a map of the restricted roads.
btw, Liesville-sur-Douve is very close to Sainte-Mère-Église, Carentan, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and somewhat close to Utah Beach. It is a very central location for many of the events in that area, and you're fortunate to be able to stay there. Most of that area has been booked for two years. And on June 9th, there is a huge parachute drop and ceremony following it by the U.S. and Allied airborne troopers nearby (we're talking about many, many, many plane loads of paratroopers). This happens at the LA Fiére Causeway, which is technically in Sainte-Mère-Église, but a few miles west. Sainte-Mère is also the base and hang-out town for the visiting U.S. military.
I'm sure you'll have a great time, and what an honor to have your son's band part of the ceremonies! FWIW, I'll be parachuting into Normandy from France on June 5th, and will stay through the 9th in Carentan (I've visited the area seven times, five of which were D-day anniversaries). PM me if you want any more info.
We are following our son’s band from Birmingham as well. I was given the following info:
June 6th, Brittany American cemetery, 12 Noon pubic wreath laying ceremony (No Parking available at Cemetery. They will need to arrange for someone to drop them off at the cemetery for the ceremony and pick them up after) The ceremony should last about 1 hour. Traffic will be heavy and congested with lots of bus traffic.
June 7th, Normandy American Cemetery, 12 noon public wreath laying ceremony. Parking should be available at the cemetery, but expect very heavy traffic and delays.
June 8th, Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Musical Salute to Liberation goes all day. The D-Day Parade starts at 4pm and should last 1 hour. Parking will be in satellite lots around the town with easy walk into town. No parking except for citizens and official vehicles in the town center.
We will see you there!
Thank you all for the information! We have received very little from the tour company.
We are so excited! PharmerPhil and Case 3309 I will message you Monday if that's okay?
Nancy
Yes, contact anytime.
Found one article explaining the road closures including the map I mentioned:
It looks to me like they are regulating traffic to only those who live in the area, or those with credentials to get to certain ceremonies in the area in yellow. Looks to me like it is the entire coastal region of the four Eastern beaches in the morning (meaning all except Utah Beach on the Cotentin Peninsula), and then just the area from Bayeux to Caen, including Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches in the afternoon. You would need a sticker to enter these areas, and you won't get one unless you either live there, or have specific credentials for one of the several ceremonies. This would be similar to what they did in 2014 for the 70th anniversary.
How's your French?
My bad. This article is from the 70th anniversary. But the closures this year should be very similar.
