Normandy - The Beaches
The Longest Day
On 6 June 1944 the greatest landing-force ever assembled begun the Allies liberation of France - and of Europe. For those who survived 'D-Day', and the bloody battles that followed it, the bitter-sweet memories of those momentous hours will never be forgotten; for many others, it was the moment of supreme sacrifice. A Nita way to Travel now invites you to visit the beaches, landmarks, museums and military cemeteries of Normandy to pay homage to the architects and witnesses of a brilliant achievement.
During this long weekend we
will be visiting all sorts places related to history at different times. These will include The
town of Bayeux and the
Tapestry, a selection of the D-Day landing beaches, Caen which is the capital of Basse-
Normandy, to name but a few.
Just think the future of Europe was at stake at
Omaha Beach on the 8th June 1944.
This beach extends over Vierville-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer, just visualise what this area would have been like facing the huge chalk cliffs and the enemy.
Of the sites of the Second World War we aim to visit Arromanches and the Landing Museum, Pegasus Bridge and the Museum, the town of Caen. Our hotel is situated in the fishing village of Port en Bessin, juxtaposed Omaha and Gold beaches where we will visit the American museums in this town.
We will be taking a mini bus guided tour for a day (included in the price and subject to change) to Sainte Mere Eglise, Utah, Pointe du Hoc, and Longues sur Mer, the famous Omaha US Cemetery and Omaha Beach.
The Bayeux Tapestry
(French: Tapisserie de Bayeux)
is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which explains the
events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the events
of the invasion itself. The Tapestry is annotated in Latin. It is displayed in
a museum in Bayeux.
Caen is the capital of Basse- Normandy and it’s a lively University city. It was devastated during the war in 1944 but has been skilfully rebuilt
blending together the old and the new. It is still dominated by William the Conquerors Chateaux Ducal and his two great Abbeys – Abbey aux Hommes and the Abbey aux Dames.
Videos
From the Normandie Memoire click here (10 minutes)
'The World at War' Episode 17 from Thames Television (remember them!)
"Morning" June - Aug 1944, for showing on you tube this 50 minute programme is in 5 parts.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
How the Second World War Started OVERVIEW click here
This video trailer gives an excellent overview of the build up to WW11
The Hotel
Proposed
Itinerary
Our hotel will be the Bayeux Port en Bessin hotel which is situated in the heart of the fishing village of Port en Bessin, on the famous Omaha Beach in the environs of the D Day Landings. At our hotel you will be able to make yourself at home... Inviting, modern, spacious and comfortable, with a cosy bed and a functional bathroom. Your room has everything you need and then more...with some including WiFi access in your room or grab a tasty snack whenever you like with the 24 hour bar service.
Distances to these places from our hotel are:
Special tourist area SITE DEBARQUEMENT (5.00km)
Museums MUSEE OMAHA BEACH (5.00km)
Closest major urban centre BAYEUX (10.00km)
Proposed Itinerary
Omaha Beach, Caen, Arromanches and the Landing Museum, Pegasus Bridge and the Museum, Port en Bessin and the museums,
Sainte Mere Eglise, Utah, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha US Cemetery and Longues sur Mer, The Bayeux Tapestry, the town of Bayeux