How wonderful that your family will be doing this.

I went some 10 years ago with a friend. We stayed at the Ch. d'Audrieu at that time.

You will find the American cemeteries to be a very moving experience..even moreso, for your father. There were many, many people there, but it was silent.

We also went by a German cemetery. It was not so well kept and grey in color. They actually had signs asking for contributions for upkeep.

Enjoy your trip..

Joan

I recommend the Michelin Battle of Normandy Map No.102 to prepare.

We stayed in Bayeaux and also stayed at a chateau outside of Cean. Chateaux Fonatine D Etoufor if I remember correctly.

In Caen, the car rental agencies are very convenient to the train station.

As far as how many days, The major sights are
#1) the invasion Beaches and Pont du Hoc.
#2) Also, St Mere Eglaise was the first town liberated. It was liberated by the airborne troops so there is an Airboprne Museum there.
#3) There was a small museum at one of the invasion beaches.
#4) The museum in Cean is supposed to be good.
#5) I highly recommend a trip to Arromanche where one of the two artificial. pre-fabricated harbors was installed. They have a museum and a permanet movie there as well.
#6) The American cemetery at Colleville sur mere.
#7) Pegasus bridge
#7) the Merville batteries

It is hard for us to tell you and your family how to best allocate your days. Get some books to do research with. I have D-Day and the Battle for Normandy, A traveller's guide, by Carl Shilleto and Mike Tolhurst. It lists some 18 museums. Mr & Mrs Holts is also supposed to be good.

Please pass my THANKS to your father for his service. I anticipate that this will be a very moving and memorable trip for you and your father. Count your blessings for being able to make this trip with him.

My father was a B-17 bomber pilot in WWII. He bombed Caen on D-Day. He survived 31 missions, including one where he and his bombardier were the only two of a crew of ten to come home. Dad passed away in 2006, and I would have loved to take a trip with him to visit his airfield etc.

Again, please pass my thanks to your father for his service. Enjoy your trip!

My father was a WWII marine who served in the Pacific Theater and whom we lost 6 years ago. There is a rough draft online of a song I wrote for him and his generation "From the Sands of Iwo Jima/to the Cliffs of Normandy...". A CD is nearing completion. THANKS to them all for their service! Clint Lawrence.

PS: Is the Colonel in fact ill and not guiding tours? Does anyone have an email address for him? I hope to visit the Normandy battlefields this April 17-21 prior to a meeting in Paris.