Normandy: visit quaint fishing ports and D-Day beaches,
Sword, Juno, Gold, Utah and Omaha: few names resonate like those of the
D- Day beaches of Normandy. This years marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, that first Allied toe-hold in western Europe which contributed to the eventual fall of Nazi Germany. And while the key sights will be busy during the commemorations, a visit at any time provides a vivid insight into the events of June 1944.
The best place to start exploring is inland, in Caen. Here the Memorial Museum recounts Europe’s spiral into conflict and the subsequent invasion of France, as well as the operation to liberate the country. From there, the beaches, landmarks and memorials to the battle are within easy reach, best accessed with your own car or on an organised tour. You can see them all in a long day. Two would be preferable, however, as there’s a lot to stop off and see, including several excellent museums and the striking cemeteries to be found at various points along the route.
Of course, this being Normandy, there are centuries of history to explore, and a connection with another famous invasion that went in the opposite direction. The D-Day beaches can easily be tied in with a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry in the lovely cathedral town of the same name. William the Conqueror’s tomb, along with that of his wife, is close by in Caen, which is also home to a dramatic castle. For a change of era, the beautiful fishing port of Honfleur, much beloved of weekending Parisians, is stuffed full of half-timbered medieval houses and is also home to a remarkable wooden church. IF YOU LIKE THIS…
• The Ardennes in Belgium, the setting for the battle of the Bulge, is another fascinating Second World War theatre. • A second French region with enormous amounts of history is Alsace-Lorraine, home to the cities of Strasbourg, Nancy and Metz, with wineries dotting the countryside.