polarbear

My 3 month trip next year is going to be a blast, and recently ive been looking at more specifics of where i really want to go.
i would really really like to see the Normandy beaches, pas de Calais, and the such.
i was wondering if anyone has been there before and has any advice on how to go about seeing these things, rental car, train, etc.
i must see them!
thanks
Polar

BigE

Never been there but I am curious to know what kind of things do you want to see?

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polarbear

i want o see some pillboxes, the landing beaches, and maybe the cliffs that the rangers climbed at Calais. some of the cites, like carentan, st mere eglise, and etc.
i just want to know the most effective way of seeing this stuff without spending a fortune on a tour.

expatben

Not much for France but I must admit I do like the places mentioned especially Normandy which is perhaps my favorite part of France.
When in Normandy I would see the town of Cherbourg located on the coast it has delicious sea food and nice views of the channel. There is also a museum if I am not mistaken. The most effective way may be just to take a stroll and see what you come across-thats what we did. Of course I getting lost as a child also got to see a French Police station and ride in a police van-a fun experience but not one that I would recommend

Calais...while I have been to Calais many times I have little memory of it aside from my Dad buying wine at the Auchen-a little tip never go to the hypermarkets on the coast. Go a little bit inland because the hypermarkets there are supposed to stock better quality goods.
Another Normandy recommendation is Bayeux home of the famous tapestry. I saw this as a child after studying it in school and was very impressed. For those who do not know the tapestry tells the story of the battle of 1066 where the Normans beat the Anglo Saxons and took over England.
Oh yeah and in Boulogne they have a really cool aquarium/sea life center called Nautica.

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I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.

Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.

[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"

polarbear

that sounds awesome, how long did you spend in northern france?, any good places to stay? preferably cheaper than the places in paris.
i would be very interested in cherbourg. it would be my last stop before going to london and then home, so i should have at least a week to explore, or even more.

expatben

As a child I went to France probably a few times or so and would normally stay for a couple of days. If you're looking for a cheap place to stay I recommend the Formula 1 hotels or Etap-I mean they're not super cheap but its not super expensive either its 31euros per night
For more information check out their website http://www.hotelformule1.com/formule1/index.html
Its safe to say that anywhere else in France is cheaper than Paris in fact most places in western Europe are cheaper than Paris. Not saying its not worth a visit but if you do go-bring money

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I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.

Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.

[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"