American Museum (Musee d'Art Americain), Giverny, Basse-Normandie, Normandy

Advantages: Easy Access from UK
Disadvantages: None that I can think of

...I have been to Normandy four times now and have never tired of it. I'm planning to visit again in August next year. Normandy is on of the most historic of the French 'departments'. With the obvious connections of William the Conquerer, to the almost modern day history of the D-Day Landing Beaches. In Normandy you will never be stuck for something to do. We usually choose to stay at Deauville, a resort on the coast. Deauville is easily accessible from all of the major ports in Normandy, 30 mins drive from Caen and Le Harve and about 2 1/2 hours from Cherbourg and Dieppe. Tourist attractions include the Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux being about 2 hours drive from Deauville. The D-Day Landing Beaches, scattered along the Norman coast, with museums and other related attractions such as Mulberry Harbour and Pegasus Bridge. Caen itself houses... Read review

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Advantages: Interesting, Informative , special exhibitions from time to time,
Disadvantages: Price is bit high

...Caen is the capital of region Basse-Normandy, I spent a year in this small city and happened to to visit this museum twice. I would strongly recommend you to visit the museum BEFORE going to d-day beaches. For person who enjoys history and especially european history, this is the place for you. This museum emphasizes on d-day history or second world war. It reflects the memorable events that took place in Caen and the region during the summer of 1944. As with all other tourist attractions, all the expositions are explained in French and english. So knowledge of french language is not necessary. In the beginning, there is little about the history of Caen and how did the war start, then what happened during the war; from point of view of civilians and soldiers. There are also copies of letters sent from soldiers to their homes. You have... Read review

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Advantages: Great D-Day memorials, lots for kids, great food.
Disadvantages: Crowds in Mont St Michel in July/August.

...emplacements at Longues sur Mer. Here, a few miles west of the American Cemetary, there are three rusted out naval size guns in large concrete emplacements, and a forward observation post the size of a house made of concrete overlooking the shore. This was by far the best true artefact we saw during our visit. We also visited Arromanches where you can see Mulberry harbor and a 360 degree cinema which falls somewhat short of an Imax and shows the same kind of D-Day footage that you can see at La Memoriale interspersed with pictures of present day Normandy. I think it was 5 Euros, or 4 Euros if you could produce tickets from another D-Day museum. Mont St Michel WARNING - MAJOR TOURIST TRAP - In August the hordes descend and you find yourself in a traffic jam as you approach the vast carparks outside the monument. We would not recommend... Read review

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