Normandy

[SimonX]

We’re just back from our break in Netherlands and already my wife is planning our next trip. Whether it’s in a new boat or our existing one remains to be seen.
We went to the Channel Islands this summer past, to St Malo, Granville and then home with an extended stop in Granville while our engine was fixed which allowed us to visit Mont St. Michel and the area round Avranches.
Next year we were going to go further west in Brittany but her ladyship has decided she’d like to do Normandy as her dad was there post invasion and she has his diary and some photos from the period. I haven’t been since a school trip waaay back in 1974.
The idea would be to hop along the coast stopping at 6 or 7 places within E-bike range of various sites and then stop a bit longer at somewhere like Trouville and hire a car for stuff further inland.
Looking for suggestions for nice ports /Marinas to stop, places to avoid. Specifically is Cherbourg worth a visit? it looks very busy. Barfleur looks a possibly but appears not to have anywhere to dock, only anchorages. We don’t have a tender but it’s possible we can borrow one.
Am also interested in how close you can approach the beaches and particularly the Mulberry harbour from sea

 

[Tranona]

Cherbourg is a good entry point. No entry restrictions, plenty of berths in the middle of the town. As you go east most of the ports are tidal restricted behind locks. Barfleur is tidal and really only suitable for a high tide short visit. St Vaast just down the coast is excellent with sheltered marina and good access to Utah beach which starts just south of the town. Very flat and exposed so good for e bikes. Inland visit St Mere l'Eglise which I thing still has the effigy of a US paratrooper who landed on the church roof. Next down is Carentan accessed along a canal with a marina at the end, Along the beaches the only to harbours are Grandcamp Masy and Courseilles sur Mere both of which are accessed through a tidal channel and a lock. Next is Ouisterham which is a ferry port with a marina and access via the canal to Caen which also has mooring in the middle of the city. I think you might need an ICC and CEVNI to use the canal past the Ouisterham lock. The beaches themselves are very exposed and tidal so not suitable for anchoring off - hence the attraction for the invasion and the need to build the Mulberry Harbour off Arromanches.

Just an outline to give you a start. The area has strong tides - less of an issue for you except around the headland at Barfleur and planning your stops around entrance to the locks.

 

[SimonX]

Cherbourg is a good entry point. No entry restrictions, plenty of berths in the middle of the town. As you go east most of the ports are tidal restricted behind locks. Barfleur is tidal and really only suitable for a high tide short visit. St Vaast just down the coast is excellent with sheltered marina and good access to Utah beach which starts just south of the town. Very flat and exposed so good for e bikes. Inland visit St Mere l'Eglise which I thing still has the effigy of a US paratrooper who landed on the church roof. Next down is Carentan accessed along a canal with a marina at the end, Along the beaches the only to harbours are Grandcamp Masy and Courseilles sur Mere both of which are accessed through a tidal channel and a lock. Next is Ouisterham which is a ferry port with a marina and access via the canal to Caen which also has mooring in the middle of the city. I think you might need an ICC and CEVNI to use the canal past the Ouisterham lock. The beaches themselves are very exposed and tidal so not suitable for anchoring off - hence the attraction for the invasion and the need to build the Mulberry Harbour off Arromanches.

Just an outline to give you a start. The area has strong tides - less of an issue for you except around the headland at Barfleur and planning your stops around entrance to the locks.

Thank you so much, that is exactly what we were looking for.
We have a particular desire to use Courseilles sur Mer as my wife has a picture of her dad standing with one of the Canadian supply officers outside what is now Maison de Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, one of the few surviving buildings from before the war, in the adjacent Bernières-sur-Mer

 

[Newbroom]

We’re just back from our break in Netherlands and already my wife is planning our next trip. Whether it’s in a new boat or our existing one remains to be seen.
We went to the Channel Islands this summer past, to St Malo, Granville and then home with an extended stop in Granville while our engine was fixed which allowed us to visit Mont St. Michel and the area round Avranches.
Next year we were going to go further west in Brittany but her ladyship has decided she’d like to do Normandy as her dad was there post invasion and she has his diary and some photos from the period. I haven’t been since a school trip waaay back in 1974.
The idea would be to hop along the coast stopping at 6 or 7 places within E-bike range of various sites and then stop a bit longer at somewhere like Trouville and hire a car for stuff further inland.
Looking for suggestions for nice ports /Marinas to stop, places to avoid. Specifically is Cherbourg worth a visit? it looks very busy. Barfleur looks a possibly but appears not to have anywhere to dock, only anchorages. We don’t have a tender but it’s possible we can borrow one.
Am also interested in how close you can approach the beaches and particularly the Mulberry harbour from sea

My favorite part of Normandy. Make for the little port of Dives Sur Mer, not the easist of entries but well worth it. 1 mile down the road is the stunning town of Houlgate. (not to be missed)
You are 7 miles from the Peagasus Bridge and it associated musem and close to the Merville battery. Ouisterham has two musems both worth a look and as SimonX quotes Caen worth a visit.
The Normandy beaches are all reaosnably close Arromanches a short car ride away.
We have been many times by car motor home and boat. My last visit was to Dives Sur Mer only last week in my boat from Fecamp.
Dave

 

[Boathook]

Many years ago did quite a few of the ports with my parents. We port hopped heading east, leaving as soon as lock gates opened and arriving at next port just before they closed. This was on a sailing boat at around 5 knots. A motor boat will give time to visit beaches, etc on the way.
Carentan is a nice place to visit.

 

[wonkywinch]

Once you're ashore, I found this guy has a great website and You Tube channel full of POI.

Explore the Beaches of D-Day with a Professional Guide

Walking D-day

 

[Alicatt]

Been a long time since we were there in Normandy, we went by motorbike to Deauville and stayed at the Normandie Barrier hotel in Deauville. Did not do much exploring though. Fantastic hotel, we booked through Expedia and got the room for £50 per night for a Prestige room with terrace and a view of the beach. Two motorcycle bums in a 5 star hotel, it was sweet, oh and there was a swimsuit photo shoot going on, I got a smack for looking too long
Hotel Barriere Le Normandy - Guest Reservations

Staying there was the start of a whole chain of bookings I have done, managing to get exceptional accommodation for very little money, While to me it is just another hotel, it was a bit overpowering for my wife (girlfriend at the time)


The Bayeux Tapestry is not far from there as well

 

[SimonX]

The Bayeux Tapestry is not far from there as well

Not for long, its going to be in England for a year

 

[Skysail]

Caen is really good, although largely rebuilt it still has old abbeys and a castle. The WWII museum is good though you would not think UK was involved very much. We went there without CEVNI