Our family will be in the Normandy region over the Fourth of July this summer. Would that be a cool time to visit the D-Day Beaches, or would it be crazy busy at that time and not a good idea? Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I don't think our Fourth of July would make much difference in crowds at the D-day beaches since the occasion is not celebrated in Europe. It might, however, make the visit more meaningful for you.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10192 posts
"(fête nationale in french) is on 21st of july "
Did they change the date without telling anyone else? Le quatorze juillet est le vingt-et-un? Too bad nobody told the French that "le quatorze juillet" (as it is commonly called in French--or even simply "le quatorze") is celebrated on the 21st. Maybe the poster just made a typo.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Yep, 21st July had me puzzled to.
Culture shock No. 1: Most people outside the USA would have to think twice before they associated 4th July with anything special.
You will find that 4th July anywhere in Europe is as much of a non-event as 14th July, or 1st August (Schweizer Nationaltag) or any other country's national day is in the USA.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7034 posts
That 21st of July threw me too because I was in France in 2012 on July 14th when all the celebrating was going on.
I don't think 4th of July will be anything special at Normandy beaches except for those Americans who feel it's special. Now, if you're there on June 6th, that's different.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Too funny woinparis.
Now I will always remember Belgian national day being 21 July. Thanks.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
US Embassies and Consulates often do special things for July 4th, but I don't see any near Normandy beaches (Rennes, which is a limited services post, and Paris are the closest).