Ideas for a short visit to Normandy?

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Even though it is a bit out of the way, I'm thinking of spending 3-4 nights in Normandy on the way from the UK to Germany. Does anyone have any recommendations on the best area to base myself in for a first visit and things to see? As it's so short, I've no expectation of seeing "everything" but rather a nice few days just as a taster. The only place I've already been in Normandy is Rouen (easy day trip from Paris) and really liked it. This time with the car and Carbon, I'd like to focus on the beaches and small villages with perhaps some WW2 history thrown in.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Caen is good close to beaches nice city and you can dance on William the bastards grave if you fancy.

 

[kateincornwall]

Maybe have a look here @Emily_Babbelhund
Best beaches in Normandy - France For Families

 

[SwampDonkey]

Spent a lot of time in Granville love the place.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Thanks @kateincornwall and @SwampDonkey ! Interesting about Granville - I spotted a good Airbnb prospect there on the port but wasn't keen on driving into the centre of town. I'll take another look.

 

[snowbunny]

I reckon @Cath might know the area with her war research?

 

[Cath]

I love Etretat. It is the only place I know where you need to take money to pay for parking. Although you can park near the church for nothing and walk down to the town and beach. Lovely market too.

Etretat: How to spend one day In Etretat, Normandy, France!

Etretat - Normandy Tourism, France

 

[HAH]

We stayed here yonks (about 10 yrs?) ago: Home | Chateau de Monfreville | Normandy | France - Chateau Monfreville we camped, it was terribly English eccentric (in a nice way) - they have dogs and chickens and a donkey, but we didn’t have a dog back then so don’t know if it’s dog friendly. They’re communal (pizza nights, ping pong table, large dining table with benches) but not forcefully. And prices have gone up... Great area for exploring the Normandy beaches and local towns. OH had a fantastic moules mariniere in the local town.

 

[Bruer]

The link Kate posted is good, I have done most of them mentioned. We visited all of the beaches, most have small museums for that beach. Pegasus bridge, We had lunch at the Café Gondrée. Caan Memorial was lovely i really enjoyed it, nice to walk around inside and out. Le Mont St-Michel is something else. You used to drive up to it but they now have parking further away and bus you up to it. It can be really busy but if you've not seen it it's worth a visit. The American Cemetery at Omaha beach it is very poignant, thousands of graves all beautifully kept. Glad we visited.

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[Emily_Babbelhund]

Thanks again! @HAH the chateau is lovely but no dogs allowed. Still interesting to look at the site. @Bruer good info about the memorials. I will have to do a little research to see what (if anything) is dog-friendly. I have been to Mount St Michel but it was 30 years ago. I don't think I'd go back on this trip - it was beautiful but so many other new things to see.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Carnack? Carnac that's a good place to visit.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Carnack? Carnac that's a good place to visit.

That looks like Brittany (if I'm looking at the right place?), which is a little too far afield for this short trip. Good to remember for the next foray to Brittany, though!

 

[HAH]

Thanks again! @HAH the chateau is lovely but no dogs allowed. Still interesting to look at the site. @Bruer good info about the memorials. I will have to do a little research to see what (if anything) is dog-friendly. I have been to Mount St Michel but it was 30 years ago. I don't think I'd go back on this trip - it was beautiful but so many other new things to see.

Dammit! Soz, hope you find a good dog friendly option or two...

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Dammit! Soz, hope you find a good dog friendly option or two...

Actually lodging isn't an issue. Lots of dog-friendly options for the four nights I'm looking at. It's just deciding where to base myself. I'll probably just end up picking what looks the best in my price-range...or flipping a coin!

 

[HAH]

Actually lodging isn't an issue. Lots of dog-friendly options for the four nights I'm looking at. It's just deciding where to base myself. I'll probably just end up picking what looks the best in my price-range...or flipping a coin!

Oh good! In which case I’d recommend the D Day landing beaches, and Isigny sur Mer, which has the mussels and a good museum with lots of dioramas (I love a diorama, me!)

 

[Cath]

dog-friendly

We take our dogs to Etretat no trouble at all. There are dogs on the beach although this beach is stoney, Fred and Annie don't mind it.
Took the dogs around the market, very friendly with the dogs and a stall holder gave the dogs a piece of sausage each.

D Day beaches are lovely sandy and there are good museums, but I am not sure if dogs are aloud in them. I would check on their website before you go. No dogs are aloud in the Commonwealth War Graveyards. Have fun Emily where ever you go.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Well, I've just put in my request for this place for five nights, so fingers crossed! It's big enough for four more people...anyone want to join me?

It was the best dog-friendly option in my price range and not too far from a few major sites. I figure as all of it's new to me, for this first trip the location isn't all that important. Except it had to be on the coast...I'm kind of addicted to sand.

Now on to planning the actual places to go for day trips!

 

[snowbunny]

Well, I've just put in my request for this place for five nights, so fingers crossed!

Wow, that's super cheap! Those kitchen cabinet doors!

 

[Cath]

Looks great and that beach Carbon will love it

 

[Jacqui-S]

Very nice!
Does that say private beach? You are that close?