I'm just going to throw out a bunch questions - things i'm thinking about. Please answer as many or as little as you like. This time 3 weeks from today, we will be leaving for our long awaited trip!!!! <p/> We will be riding bikes from Bayeux to St. Malo via St. Mere Eglise / St. Lo / Granville / MSM. What are the best / most interesting sites or picturesque routes along the way? <p/> Along with the above question - what are some of the best non-DD activities / places worth our time? We have a heavy DD itinerary planned, and I imagine we'll definitely need a break from the intensity from time to time. <p/> any restaurant recommendations (for the local experience) along this Normandy route? <p/> Paris - restaurant recommendations? We might do one fancy restaurant, but mostly we kind of want the local neighborhood / traditional french food place. We'll be staying in the 2nd arrondisement. Most importantly, where is the best sandwich merguez / frites in all of Paris? <p/> Best shoes and purse for Paris? What are women wearing there anyways? <p/> That's all I can think of for now - any help appreciated!!! Merci!
Posted by
OP
Everett, WA, United States
42 posts
apparently my attempt at html did not work!!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Molly, the website has had a few "issues" lately, so the html has been disabled. Unfortunately I can't help with your questions as I've never travelled that area by bike. Were you planning to take any D-Day tours while you're there? Most on this site (including myself) HIGHLY RECOMMEND BattleBus Tours (the American Highlights Tour visits St. Mere Eglise).
Posted by
OP
Everett, WA, United States
42 posts
Ken, thanks for your reply. I'm hoping people don't shy away from the first question because it mentions bikes. That wasn't my intent. Whether by bike or by car, the sites will be the same. I'm hoping to hear things like, 'pass thru x-ville, it was a cute little village', or 'I remember the drive from x to x was particularly scenic.' We aren't doing Battlebus tours. All their tours were booked for the day we were available. We will be doing the Caen Memorial tour and museum on the first day, then spending the next 4 days touring the beaches and SM Eglise on our own (by bike).
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
When at SMont t Michel, be sure to spend enough time browsing through the cathedral and cloisters. Tons of people hit MSM yet the cathedral seems undervisited and appreciated
Posted by
Mentor on the Lake, OH, USA
251 posts
On Mont St Michel we ate at La Terasse Poulard which has a wonderful view over looking the bay, food was good, but not exceptional. Staff was helpful.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Molly, a few additional comments. First, regarding the tours. Even though BattleBus is fully booked, did you try one of the other tours? Have a look at * www.ddaybattletours.com/ * or * www.overlordtour.com/ * (cut & paste the links inside the asterisks). As you'll likely be visiting St. Mere Eglise by bike, BE SURE to allow enough time to visit not only the famous Cathedral (Pvt. Steele is STILL hanging from the Bell Tower) but also the Airborne Musuems across the street. The roof of the Museum is designed to look like a parachute canopy, and the displays inside are well done. Another site you may want to visit is the Gun Batteries at Longues sur Mer, which are a short distance outside Bayeux. By car it's about 15-20 minutes, but not sure what the time would be on a bike? There's also a Museum in Bayeux, if you have time. You won't have any shortage of historic sites to keep you busy! Cheers!
Posted by
Loudoun County, Va., USA
220 posts
On your way to Ste. Mere Eglise, be sure to visit the church at Angoville-au-Plain. It's only a mile or so off the N13, about 5 or 6 miles south of Ste. Mere Eglise. The church was used as a field hospital on D-Day, and the pews still bear the bloodstains of the wounded.
Posted by
OP
Everett, WA, United States
42 posts
great tips - keep 'em coming!!! lol
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Don't miss a meal of "Mouton Pre-Sale"
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1326 posts
Just returned from Paris and women are wearing leggings with long tops/sweaters and ballet flats. In Bayeux, be sure to see the Tapestry.
Posted by
Kansas City, MO
54 posts
Molly, I was in Normandy over Easter. Definitely do the Bayeux Tapestry. If you can time it right, the market in Bayeux on Saturday is alot of fun, too. William the Conqueror's Castle in Caen is worth considering. I was a little disappointed in the lack of interpretation, but we were there on Easter Sunday and all of the interior museums were closed. Even with that, being at W the C's place was pretty amazing! In Normandy, think about visiting the Memorial to Liberty Museum in Quineville: http://www.memorial-quineville.com/quineville-gb.asp. It concentrates on the civilian experience of the German occupation. Stop in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. You can get the key from the Maire and climb the church tower there, looking over the countryside and towards Utah Beach. We happened on that by meeting someone in the church who told us about it. As for restaurants, in Isigny-sur-Mer (Normandy)I can recommend: La Flambee and Hotel de France. And if you have room in your DD activities don't miss Pont du Hoc. That was the place that made the biggest impression on me. Have fun!
Posted by
OP
Everett, WA, United States
42 posts
Merci everyone for the great tips!!! Looking forward to a great time!