Normandy Attractions

Le Mont Saint-Michel

Advantages: beautiful architecture and atmosphere
Disadvantages: why should it have any! well, kinda expensive to hang around

Le Mont Saint-Michel The abbey at Mont Saint-Michel has been one of my dream-destinations to visit since, well, literary ages! This is how the story of my addiction started: Back in 1996 I have got a little pocket calendar with a beautiful cathedral on the front, I have fallen in love with it the moment I laid my eyes on it for the first time! However, the photo bore no description and even if I really did try, I was never able to find out ...
...a keen traveler and photographer! I've kept the little picture and every now and then it tortured my mind again. However, I have to say back then I had a strong suspection that it would be someplace in France as you can't iss the resemblance of French architecture. The redemption came in 2006 when my girlfriend told me we were going on holiday to French Normandy and that Mt. St.-Michel would be one of our destinations and she showed me pictures from ...

jeaniecz 09.07.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel, Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie, Normandy

The fabric of history

Advantages: One of history's great stories, well-presented with an excellent audio guide
Disadvantages: It can get crowded in the main room

...of Bayeux by car, the museum is signposted from all approaches ('Tapisserie') and you are guided to one of the public car parks that are placed around the town centre. From there, just follow the pedestrian signs and you will find the museum easily enough, and this is also the case if you arrive on the train (Bayeux station is on the Paris St Lazare - Cherbourg line). If you've got time after viewing the tapestry, I also recommend that you take the ...
...The entrance to the museum itself is housed in an imposing stone edifice that was previously the Bayeux Seminary, which itself was constructed upon the site of a medieval priory. You ascend a few stairs to the main doors (stair-free disabled access is available from the other side of the building) and can get your tickets from one of the cash desks in the hall. The fee charged is €7.70 for adults and €3.80 for children, with various discounts for ...

JVL 15.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry (Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux), Bayeux, Basse-

Memorial of Caen

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 ...
...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 to READ them, they give alot of information about the war. A quote from one of the letter sent by American soldier to ...

nomi_a 06.08.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Memorial of Caen, Caen, Basse-Normandie, Normandy

An arrow in the eye for Harold

Advantages: Get to see a reproduction of the tapestry up close with clear explanations of what is going on in every scene
Disadvantages: The conveyor belt feeling you can get when viewing the actual tapestry on a busy day

The Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry makes a great family day out and a chance to see how the French portray this important piece of history. On entering the museum, you pass through a larger than life reproduction of the tapestry, with an audio commentary and clear descriptions of what you can see in each scene. The occasional display cases showing life in the times depicted also help to bring the whole battle to life. You can spend ages in this bit ...
...affected by how busy the museum is. On a busy day you shuffle past it slowly in a darkened room, with other visitors directly behind and in front of you. Dawdlers are reprimanded and hurried on. However, I have also visited on a quiet day when we had the tapestry gallery almost to ourselves and could walk the length and back again at a leisurely pace. Even if it is busy it is an amazing experience to see the tapestry, having learnt so much about ...

delilahb 26.03.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry (Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux), Bayeux, Basse-

Ooh la la!

Advantages: Out of this world.
Disadvantages: None.

Mont St Michel is just simply - amazing! Sitting just off the coast, it can be seen from miles around. I like it because it has got all of that charm and suchlike that is all over France, but there is just that little extra something that makes it oh so special for me. Maybe it is because I know that when the tide comes in I am nearly stranded and cut off from the rest of the world - not ideal, but it is certainly something that I could cope with ...
...are so friendly, and are happy to greet you once they know that you are English. Small little French gift shops; cafes witht he best hot dogs ever (at least a 20-cm sausage which was great!), and of course rising to the top - its most magnificent church. I'm not into architecture much, but this place just speaks volumes and makes me just stand in awe of it all every time I go and visit. I also enjoyed exploring the area around it, just outside of ...

danthepianoman 10.02.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel, Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie, Normandy