D day beaches
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That said, those who are low on time may wish to skip these attractions and head straight to Juno Beach further along the coast. Lesser-visited areas like these are not included on the average guided tour, so they provide a great way to experience some of the D-Day sites without the presence of large crowds. Within just three days, British troops had snatched the latter from Nazi hands, and the reconstructed bunker captures the drama of these heart-pounding rescue moments. There is, however, a small beachfront museum called Commando No 4 at the port of Ouistreham, not to mention a Grand Bunker Museum, located within a former Atlantic Wall firing command post. The immediate area is not especially well-developed for tourism. Moving on, Sword Beach is the first of the five beach landing sites you will see that were used for the Allied invasions on D-Day. The hotel is an authentic and very refreshing alternative to the string of generic chain hotels that proliferate in the city - and it should be considered as a base for the entirety of your Normandy trip. If hoping to catch a glimpse of Normandy as it originally looked before the war wreaked destruction, this is the location. Those wishing to see his tomb are able to visit the interior too. This beautiful historic building, preserved since the 18th century, comes with a view over the jaw-dropping Abbaye Aux Hommes, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. If overnighting in Caen, Les Chambres de l’Abbaye is an unparalleled choice. Finally, visitors can watch an immersive film about the war effort, Europe, Our History.
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There are also American, Canadian, and British-themed gardens all in honor of the Allied troops who fought in Normandy. A network of secret buried phone cables allowed for discreet communication. One section is located underground, in a former quarry once used by a German commander as his headquarters, which adds to the atmosphere. This museum covers everything from the origins of WWII to the tragic genocides and the determination of the Resistance movement, all the way up to the end of the battles. However you shouldn’t leave this city without a visit to a site often skipped by D-Day tourists in their hurry to get nearer to the famous beaches - the Memorial de Caen. Once you are satiated, it’s almost time to get back on the road for a slice of war history. Alternatively, for a quicker snack on the move, choosing one of the creperies the city streets are lined with is your best bet. Just look out for the phrase “Poulet Vallée d’Auge.” Chicken aside, Le Bouchon Du Vaugueux is also worth a visit for its beautifully presented and typically French dishes, and its rich berry-focused desserts.
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Few dishes are more authentically Norman and you’re unlikely to find this delicacy on the average menu in Paris. To taste food the way the locals like it, sample the traditional Vallee d’Auge chicken dish - cooked in the famous apple cider for which the region is renowned, flambéed with locally produced Calvados, and topped with slices of buttery apple. This “town of a hundred bell-towers,” founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, is a perfect place for a stroll and a bite to eat before embarking on the final leg of the journey to the D-Day sites. Naturally, it’s also possible to hire a car, or - for the quickest route of all - trains leave both Gare Montparnasse and Gare Saint-Lazare several times a day and arrive in Caen in as little as two hours. The service also picks up passengers in Paris’ city center along the way, with stops including Gare Montparnasse. With a journey time of less than three hours and prices starting from merely 2.99 euros each way ($3.40), it’s the most budget-friendly way to arrive in the gateway city of Caen. For those keen to get straight to the D-Day sites, the route that’s most hassle-free is simply to hop on a BlaBlaBus vehicle direct from Paris’ Charles de Gaulles Airport.