NFR: Atlantic Wall

[Berserker]

I'm driving over to France in a few weeks time to the Somme area. While I'm there I thought I'd drive over to the coast and have a look at the WW2 Atlantic Wall. Has anybody been there, can they give me any advise of things to go and have a look at

[fulhamben]

if you count 10009987 from the left and 5 up, you can see the brick i graffitied ffc on

[ron]

The first thing to say is that France is a lot bigger than you imagine, and it is probably better to choose one area and look at it closer , rather than spend hours driving from one area to another. For my money, the Somme is as much as you need -emotionally as well as geographically - in a short break. Pozieres, the Thiepval memorial, Delville Wood, High Wood etc. etc. and further north to Vimy Ridge are musts.

"The Atlantic Wall" existed more in Hitler's mind than it did on the French coasts. Parts of it are visible at Cap Blanc Nezand other spots not far from Calais, but it had more to do with troop concentrations rather than fixed gun emplacements, although there are plenty of those also.

The Normandy beaches as a separate trip from Utah Beach to Sword Beach, and Pegasus bridge at Ouistreham is very interesting from the information boards present on the seafronts. You can eat quite well there in the cafes and restaurants too!

[Berserker]

Thanks Ron. I have been to The Western Front, Flanders down to the Somme alot of times and fancied having a look at something different to usual. I have always concentrated on WW1 but am interested in looking WW2 stuff. Went to Agincourt once as like Longbow Archery etc. Which was funny as Morris Men there, which my husband being Scottish think are weird.

[epsomraver]

As Ron says , it is a big country and to drive over to the Atlantic coast is a really long trip to see very little

[Huxley]

Mont st Michel is worth a visit if over that side. Also honfleur is really pretty but not the cheapest.