Normandy Souvenirs

It sounds like the Beaches are your focus! In Bayeux there were really great postcards from the original black and white photos, especially the landing, men in the boats, etc. Then of course your WW II memorabilia stuff! The Quimper pieces are everywhere, in all price ranges- I, too, was traveling on for a month after my stay in Bayeux. I bought a small cheap plastic tray with one of the traditional Brittany scenes and it looked so very tacky in the shop- I use it most every day for toast or whatever and am SO glad I got it. So don't "discount" :) something that looks silly or tacky in its surroundings in France, either!

Or, how about a small bottle of the local specialty, calvados (a delicious apple brandy).

Not much help on the souvenirs, but we just returned and did the 1 day American Highlights tour with Battlebus and it was FABULOUS! Definitely worth the 80 euros each we spent. One of the highlights of our trip to Europe. Enjoy!

This may sound silly...but...When I was a child the soldiers returning from the was brought back those clikers...you know the ones they would click once and if you were a friendly you would click twice.

We played with those as little kids and I've never forgotten them. When in Normandy I ran across some and bought two.

I still "play" with them. Brings tears to my eyes. They are a treasure to me.

There are a lot of things to buy. Across the street from the cathedral is a small store that sells lace and pillow tapestries. I bought a small one from the Bayeux Tapestry and make a small pillow out of it. 10 euros. Perfect. I also bought lace as gifts.

You can also buy Santons from the various shops.

At the beaches, there are tons of things, related to the landing to buy. The "crickets" referred to above are everywhere.

Best thing(s) to buy, I think, are DVD's. I brought home numerous ones about the war history, the D-Day landing, battle of Normandie, and especially one about the French resistance. I bought mine at the Caen Memorial. This are souvenirs which I can watch over and over forever. Obviously, they won't take up too much space in your baggage. Bon Voyage!

Tony,

I read a post from someone a few years ago that took several small bottles and filled them with sand from the beaches of Normandy. I am planning a trip for next year so that is what I am going to do for a special souvenir. It won't cost much, but will be a great remembrance for you.

Darla's idea of using sand from the beaches of Normandy is a wonderful idea. I will be in Normandy in Sept and I'm going to Michael's craft store today to see if they have little bottles. Not only will my sons in law love them, but my husband, a Vietnam vet, has breakfast with a group of WWII vets every Wed and he's going to bring them sand too. Judy

Darla, the sand idea sounds great. Sure would not take up much room in luggage or could be put in a small box and mailed rather tahn carry them around for another 14 days. I know several who would appreciate sand from Omaha Beach.
Thanks

Taking some of the Normandy beaches home sounds like a lovely idea but I wonder how the French and our own TSA would feel about this?

I know it might be a tad bulky, but there were wonderful books there, personal stories written by soldiers who took part in the invasion that I don't think you will find in regular book stores too often. I wish I would have purchased a few of them. I think the DVD idea and the beach sand idea are both good.

"Taking some of the Normandy beaches home sounds like a lovely idea but I wonder how the French and our own TSA would feel about this?"

From the US customs website:

" Soil is prohibited entry unless accompanied by an import permit. Soil must be declared and the permit must be verified." (From experience with the military attempting to ship vehicles from the Balkans back into the US, I can tell you that as far as the Customs Service is concerned, "sand" = "soil").

So, even though the guy from 'Saving Private Ryan' grabbed a can full of Normandy sand for emotional reasons, don't expect your friendly US customs agent to share the same sentiment.

Here's mine: Sand and a couple of small seashells/pebbles from both Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Free. Small ziplock bags do the trick. Some of the Utah Beach sand was for my dad who waded ashore there in the fall after D-Day with his 179th General Hospital unit. Also bought a book of stories/interviews by D-Day veterans and of course, a cricket. Also purchased a lace scarf in Bayeux that will always remind me of that lovely little town. Finally, photographs that we will treasure. For me also, a lifelong dream. Will never forget our experiences in Normandy.