Quote:
Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn
FurnaceFace, how far from Vimy to Normandy?
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http://www24.mappy.com is a fantastic mapping site for Europe. The great thing about the site is it tells you what the toll charges are or you can set it up for non toll roads. Also gives you an estimate on how much gas you use.
From Arras to Coleville-sur-mer (Omaha) Mappy tells me it's 400kms.
Courseulles-sur-Mer (Juno) is 350kms. Other than the toll roads the highways are not exactly like ours. Many have speed limits under 100 and the bulk of the roads near the landing sites in Normandy are much slower so it's not just 4 hrs.
I'd recommend overnighting in Normandy for a couple of days if your schedule allows as you'll be able to see all the main sites:
Day 1 drive from Belgium to say Bayeaux and on the way stop in Dieppe if you want to go there or Honfleur (not war related, but the location de Champlain left from to explore the Americas and a pretty town)
Depending on when you arrive you could visit one of the museums in Bayeaux. I'd have to check to see which one we went to the first time we were there. It was excellent.
Day 2 hit the beaches!
Go see Arromanches the location of the Mulberry Harbour the Allies floated across the channel.
Go to Omaha and wander through the US cemetary
Take a tour at Juno
Do the Bayeaux museum if you didn't the first day
Go look at the German guns if you're interested
You could spend this night somewhere around Caen or Rouen if you want to be closer to Vimy.
Day 3 head out early to get to Vimy before noon so you've got the afternoon to take the trench tunnel tour, see the cemetary and wander around the momument.
It'd be three full days but worth it. The one Caveat to all this is I'm not sure what any of it would be like in winter and if some of the tours run.
Hope that helps, feel free to ask if you have other questions.
France is a fantastic country, every region is different. France is more than just Paris but as cities go Paris is pretty great. I am of course somewhat bias because Mrs. Furnace was born there.
I think collectively I've spent at least a couple of months in Paris and been able to explore more than just the basic tourist destinations. It has a reputation as unfriendly however I think this reputation is unfounded and no different than any large city. With even an attempt at Sesame St. French you'll at least be tolerated. I've had more attitude in Calgary than I have in Paris. Places outside of Paris are very welcoming to tourists - especially in the Normandy and Pas-de-Calais areas where our efforts during the wars are appreciated.
