France Sept 2015 - Ideas?

dmac

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Heading to France with 2 friends for a week in Mid Sept this year, not on the bike unfortunately as mates don't ride but at least in my 320D tourer.

We will come into Cherbourg and leave again from Roscoff. Rough iteniry is to visit DDay beaches, see some WW2 interest sites, down to LeMans and across to coast at St Nazaire, to see UBoat Pens, then north again.

Intention is to camp at the moment, or maybe the odd hotel if the weather mistreats us.

Would love to see some lesser known sights if possible, and do a vineyard tour, but not one where they take things too seriously. I think we will be there during wine harvest, so hopefully we might bump into some festivals of some sort.

Any tips etc welcome as I've never been to France before.
 
Will sort you something out DMAC ... you've got plenty of options to look at but...have you got the time to do it all???

Jim
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Nazaire_Raid

Never mind just going to look at the UBoat pens DMAC - get your lips around that, watch Clarksons Utube video and research the whereabouts of the cemetery of these most-bravest of men.

Truly 'The Greatest Raid ever'

That's one whole day taken care of:thumb2
 
If you make it to Le Mans the museum at the circuit is well worth a visit, as is the Hotel de France (http://www.lhoteldefrance.fr/) which is steeped in Le Mans 24 hr racing history and was the Aston Martin team hotel for many years. Superb restaurant as well (try the marmite - rabbit casserole not that vile black stuff). Now run by English people as well.
 
Bllx! You've got me in overdrive now ... am working out some suggestions for you that will lead you to one of the more eastern points of a tour at Ranville Cemetery where all I ask is you visit my uncles grave therein - he was a Donegal man so might add to the interest.
 
Perfect lads thanks. Cant promise to get it all done, but that just gives me a reason to go back soon on the 1100GS.
 
Mont St Michel
La Cambe German War Cemetery 14230 La Cambe
St Mere Eglise and Airborne Museum
Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial 14710 Colleville Sur Mer (Overlord Museum also in this area)
Pointe du Hoc
Arromanches (Mulberry Harbour)
Honfleur (Stunning French port)
Le Grand Bunker at Ouistreham
Pegasus Bridge and area

That lot should keep you busy for a few hours :D:thumb2
 
Bol d'or at Paul Richard Circuit near Marseille if you want to go that far south.
 
Oradour Sur Glane is incredible if you've got the time to squeeze it in. Possibly one of the best places to visit WW2 related. I can guarantee an eery feeling and goosebumps.
 
Would love to see some lesser known sights if possible

The standing stones at Carnac. They might not do much.... but they have been there are bloody long time.

Failing that:

http://www.brittanytourism.com/discover-brittany

http://paysdelaloire.co.uk/Information/Sarthe

Get involved in the cider, too!

Still short of ideas? Google: 'Things to do in XXX' or 'Top 10 things to do in XXX' or try the viaMichelin website which links to the Green Guides or hit Trip Advisor. You have got three months and your passengers can help.
 
Bit late to the thread but I know you're not gone yet….

As ChasMill says the museum at Le Mans (even if you don't have a huge interest in the iconic race). You can also drive on part of the track cos it's public road :D

All of Sunny Jim's suggestions are good. I would however add the 360 Cinema in Arromanche & the Merville Battery between Caen & Cabourg. And Mémorial de Caen is an absolute must but you'll need several hours to do it justice.
And lots of nice French restaurants :thumb
 


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