Dee_Dee

I was just checking the American Battle Monuments Commission website for the time each day taps is played at the Normandy Cemetery (Omaha Beach). The site states:

<Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Due to security concerns, the pathway from Normandy American Cemetery to the beach is no longer open to the public. However, public beach access is available nearby.

Omaha Beach can be accessed by taking D514 west from the cemetery to St Laurent sur Mer. Take the first exit at the traffic circle. This road will take you to the beach, where there is plenty of parking.

Omaha Beach can also be accessed by taking D514 east from the cemetery to Colleville sur Mer. As you enter the town of Colleville there will be a road to you left. Follow this road all the way down to the grass parking lot.>

Unless someone here tells me otherwise, I'll believe the website (although it hasn't been updated since before Memorial Day.) We would like to visit the cemetery then stroll the beach. Does anyone have a suggestion as to going east or west to find parking for a beach stroll?

Thanks!

HappyTrvlr

We went to them each separately as per instructions you gave.

Christina

I don't really understand your concern. Why do you care if you go to the beach right from the cemetery or not? I didn't and never even gave it a thought or wanted to.

If you go to the Omaha Beach memorial museum, they have a parking lot and it's not that far from the beach itself. But the above directions tell you exactly how to go there and find a parking lot.

janisj

The directions/instructions from the website re how to get to the beach would seem totally clear/straightforward.

Macross

<Does anyone have a suggestion as to going east or west to find parking for a beach stroll?>

I'd park in the lot that is closest to the cemetery so you can walk on the beach in front of the cemetery. I wanted to do that but we had spent a lot of time at the cemetery and a caregiver had given my husband info on something he wanted to see so off we went. We did get a little vile of sand at Utah beach for a freind that had asked us for his Dad that landed there. Very moving and glad you are going. I would like to go back one day.

Dee_Dee

HappyTrvlr, janisj & Christina, I visited the cemetery and then walked down to the beach and took a very reflective walk along the sand in 2000. It meant a great deal to me to visit and pay my respects. A friend of our family lost his life there. This will be my first return trip. I now have Multiple Sclerosis so walking can be difficult. Rather than walking to and from one parking lot, I'll now have to make the trek from two lots. I was simply looking for suggestions as to which parking area might be preferable.

Macross, I do hope you will make a return trip some day. It was moving for me as well in 2000 and I look forward to my long overdue return next month.

Macross

Dee_Dee, Are you staying in Bayeux? I loved that little village. The food was excellent and enjoyed it more than Paris. Hope you can walk the beach ok.
I would very much like to walk in that area of the cemetery next trip.

Dee_Dee

Macross, yes! We're staying in Bayeux in a wonderful B&B, Le Castel Guesthouse in a room with a balcony and view of the cathedral for 3 nights! I'm so glad you enjoyed the town. Last time we stayed in Caen which was quite lean on charm. Do you have any restaurant recommendations? Currently I'm thinking of Le Petite Normand, Le Pommier and Le Moulin De La Galette. All 3 are very close to our B&B.

Macross

http://www.restaurant-bayeux-lafringale.fr/ I ordered the four course dinner, my husband the five. Very good.
LE CONQUERANT was a great little pub, one of the owners speaks English and I was there on the night of the election so got a great education on the system. Good for late night drinks also.

AGM_Cape_Cod

Dee_Dee we just book that room at Le Castel Guesthouse. When will you be there? We will be there in September.

Dee_Dee

Macross, thank you for the recommendations! La Fringale looks perfect for traditional Normandie food, just what I like! The restaurant gets great reviews on Tripadvisor too. Both your suggestions are within walking distance of our B&B (with the pub basically within crawling distance!) I'm thinking we'll be there for pre dinner cidre and/or post dinner Calvados! I appreciate you taking the time to post your recommendations!

AGM, unfortunately, our paths will not cross. We will be there the last week of July. Being peak season, I was fortunate to book that room back in January. I'm really looking forward to our stay there especially a nightcap on our private balcony watching the cathedral bathed in light. Can't wait! I hope you enjoy your stay. The B&B certainly does get great reviews.