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Post by cigalechanta on Aug 22, 2008 12:39:10 GMT -5
Honfleur was one of our favorite places. Be sure to try the hard cider and the calvadoes, far superior than any here unless you pay $$$. We always made a stop in Trouville at our favorite brasserie Les Vapeurs but the best Moules with a cream souce. I think MSM is incredible beautiful on the approach or from a distance. It's way too crowded for me.
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Post by MaisonMetz on Aug 22, 2008 19:47:45 GMT -5
Shoesy, four nights is a good idea if you've the time, particularly if you are going to Mont St Michel in addition to other sites during this visit. If you've the chance, you might consider a short stop en route in Villedieu-les-Poêles. This attractive town with its interesting name has been a center for metalworking since the 12th century and is particularly known for its copper goods. I'd highly recommend spending a few hours at Le Memorial in Caën before you begin the circuit of D-Day beaches. It's an incredible museum that uses a full range of multi-media presentations to address the war from many perspectives. www.memorial-caen.fr/portail/# In Bayeux, don't miss seeing the Bayeux Tapestry in the Centre Guillaume-Le-Conquérant . The introductory displays are an excellent prelude to the embroidery itself. www.tapisserie-bayeux.fr/index.php?id=3&L=1 The Notre Dame Cathedral is another worthwhile stop in Bayeux. Honfleur is a particular favorite of ours. Laidback included some excellent photos of it in the recent thread on Le Havre. One of his photos was of the Église Ste Catherine, a fascinating 15th/16th-century church, and the largest wooden church in France with a detached belfry. Local masters from the shipyards built the church at a time when stone was reserved for military use. The top of one nave – there are two side by side naves – resembles an inverted ship’s hull, and the wooden tracery and carved panels are quite intricate. Save some time for cafe culture somewhere on the Vieux Bassin. Jo |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 22, 2008 22:44:44 GMT -5
Yikes - Will 4 nights be enough with all those wonderful sights to see?  I haven't even gotten the nerve to ask my dear hubby how long he can get away for this trip. Unfortunately, there will be a limit to the number of days he can take off since he plans to join me in N.Y. next summer. Everyone, thank you all for your input. I really appreciate your replies.  |
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Post by holger on Aug 23, 2008 10:41:52 GMT -5
;D
Shoesy,
I am thrilled for you. It sounds like a great trip and I hope you will get some time in Paris as well. We have been talking about Normandy and Brittainy for 2010 so will look for your report. March 2009 we just plan on staying in Paris for the two weeks.
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Post by Katharine on Aug 24, 2008 9:15:16 GMT -5
Shoesy - First Iam so glad ou are going back to France! Yea!!  My husband and I were in Normandy in June this year, where we spent three nights. It is now on our list of places to revisit for at least a week. We stayed in Caen because we had reward points and needed a Holiday Inn (these points made our trip doable!). I love the location and look of the chateau between Caen and Bayeaux, which would be a great location. We spent two days doing the beaches, one of them with a one-day American Hightlights tour with Battlebus. I now wish we had done the two day tour. Our guide had so much information we never would have gotten on our own. We also spent a day driving up the coast through Cabourg and Deauville to Honfleur. The moules avec creme fraiche were wonderful. Do not miss going up to the Point de Grace to experienice the overlook of the Seine estuary.....absolutley breathtaking! We did not have time for MSM. It was simply too far. If you only have three days, you might find that will be true, as well. We wanted to be sure we saw everything ofthe beaches and other memorials, including the American Cemetary and the Pegasus Bridge Memorial (worth a stop), so we decided to include MSM in our next trip. If you can do four days, it might fit in. Have a great time planning this trip. That is most of thefun for me! The calvados and camembert are wonderful. You will not be disappointed! Katharine |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 24, 2008 9:27:26 GMT -5
Katharine - It's so nice to hear from another poster who loved Normandy. We've already decided to stay there for at least 4 nights, and we definitely want to visit MSM. I think it'll be hard deciding on an exact itinerary, especially since there seems to be so much to see. Of course we'll be going to Paris too, and I only wish my husband were also retired so we wouldn't have to take into consideration how much time he can take off from work.  Then again, the longer trip is the more euros it'll cost.  |
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Post by chemong on Aug 24, 2008 11:51:33 GMT -5
I leave for Paris in 2 days and will be in Honfleur for 1 day. I would be happy to send you info upon return. Happy planning and the Chateaux looks fabulous- how to pick? ? |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 24, 2008 11:58:47 GMT -5
That's so sweet of you, chemong. Have a fabulous trip !!! |
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Post by Jody on Aug 24, 2008 15:23:52 GMT -5
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 24, 2008 16:23:45 GMT -5
An exalt to you, demarais, for giving me a sample of what I'm going to be seeing. I just love those old charming villages. Thanks a million. |
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Post by GitteK on Aug 25, 2008 0:41:45 GMT -5
Can't resist posting one of demarais's photos:  When you come driving in those flat marshlands, looking at maps, discussing how to find it, and you spot Mont St Michel for the first time in the horizon - virtually being the only thing in that area sticking up higher than turf-level - it feels as if you are experiencing a mystic vision or some sort of esoteric revelation. Your jaw just goes smack down and your eyes go SO big ! I dream of going back there some day - the hefty buscrowds notwithstanding. Anyone ever stayed the night out there, after the "tourists" (that's all the others ;D) have gone home ? That's part of the dream for me. |
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Post by cigalechanta on Aug 25, 2008 20:39:35 GMT -5
demarais, in Beuvron, there is santon maker next to that famous restaurant, Le Pave D'Auge.
I bought a rooster and a hedgehog for jerry(Imet my first in France, we don't have them here)
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Post by Katharine on Aug 30, 2008 18:18:03 GMT -5
Really there is so much so much to see in Normandy you will love. I hope you will indulge me posting a few photos as I have just now figured out how to do that.. This is a memorial to the women of Honfleur who risked their lives to harvest les moules for so many year.  You will enjoy your visit no matter where you go Shoesy! |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 30, 2008 22:53:11 GMT -5
That's a beautiful memorial, Katharine! Oooh.........I can't wait to go to Normandy, and Paris too, of course!!! ;D
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I haven't even gotten the nerve to ask my dear hubby how long he can get away for this trip. Unfortunately, there will be a limit to the number of days he can take off since he plans to join me in N.Y. next summer. 
My husband and I were in Normandy in June this year, where we spent three nights. It is now on our list of places to revisit for at least a week. We stayed in Caen because we had reward points and needed a Holiday Inn (these points made our trip doable!). I love the location and look of the chateau between Caen and Bayeaux, which would be a great location. 
Then again, the longer trip is the more euros it'll cost. 
hahahha