As part of our three week trip to Europe this summer my family (including our 15 and 12 year old boys) will be taking the Eurostar from London to Lille, then driving a rental car from Lille to Bayeux. We'll then have three nights in Bayeux and are doing the Battlebus tour. Any suggestions for sites that we could visit during the day that we drive from Lille to Bayeux that our boys might enjoy? I'm thinking Honfleur. Is Les Andeleys too far out of the way? Castle ruins would definitely be of interest.
Posted by
Huntington, WV
160 posts
Lynne,
I dare say that you personally would certainly enjoy Honfleur. It would make for a charming rest bit from all the militaria and historical sites you'll be surrounded by in Normandy. That being said, if you're on a "WWII site" mission, the Atlantic Wall Museum located at the site of the huge German Batterie Todt in Audinghen is sure to impress your sons. Lots of artifacts and the largest surviving railway gun make for some fantastic photo opportunities. Your sons will love crawling around this place...I know I did. There are numerous other attractions along your route that other posters will share with you, but that's my two cents worth. Have Fun!
Posted by
Seattle
77 posts
I highly recommend the Airborne Museum near Caen. Benouville and Ranville are the closest towns and the museum is right where the D514 crosses the Canal du Caen. It's very interesting and has the original Pegasus Bridge, a glider, and tanks and guns. Many of the D-Day gliders landed in that area and there is lots of information about them, and the taking of the bridge, a key link over the canal. My husband is a minor WWII buff and this was possibly his favorite visit, other than Pointe du Hoc (which is not on the way from Lille to Bayeux--you'll probably cover it in the Battlebus tour).
I'm not sure Honfleur will be very interesting to teenage boys, but the harbor is so charming you will love it. Lots of places to get your first taste of Norman food, touristy but fun.
The drive along the coast from Honfleur to near Caen is scenic, but not speedy. Unless you find something else you are interested in between Lille and Honfleur / Normandy, I'd recommend getting there as quickly as possible on the autoroute or major roads, then giving yourselves time to meander from Honfleur to Bayeux. Some of the coastal towns east of Ouistreham have small museums as well, and are pretty typical "seaside resort" towns where it's easy to stop and get a snack or ice cream.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Les Andeleys (Chateau Gaillard) is a wreck, not really a castle. It's only interest is the view and the fact that it's the only one Lionheart ever built if France despite having been born and spending most of his life there. It would add a couple hours in travel time to the trip. You'd be ready to leave ten minutes after you got there.
Think about Rouen. Lionheart's heart is in the cathedral (hard to spot: left side of right aisle toward the back, waist high) and Joan d'Arc was killed about a hundred yards down the main drag out the front doors of the church. Swinging through Rouen would add about a half hour to the driving time. It would also get you by the Le Havre mess on the east side of the river.
Additionally, there's pretty good grub in Rouen, pickings are slim at Les Andeleys.
I'd try to squeeze in Honfleur as well. The boys would probably be interested in the tidal gates at the old port and the plaque on the harbor master's joint that says that this is where Champlain left from.
The best castle I can think of in the area is probably in Falaise, about a half hour south of Caen.