by julian » Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:03 pm
Dear All,
Regarding the proposed long weekend to Normandy, the itinerary is detailed below.
Thursday 6th May 2010
Steve Gibson and myself will meet in West London at about 5pm and drive to The Fox Goes Free Pub, Singleton, West Sussex arriving about 7pm. Food is good.
Having eaten we will make our way to Portsmouth to catch the 22.45 overnight crossing to Caen. The ferry is operated by Brittany Ferries and arrives at 0645 on the 7th.
Cost for one car and a two berth cabin is £232.00. This is return but no cabin on the Sunday.
Essentially outbound for a car is £88.00 and inbound is £104.00 but it is compulsory to book a cabin or a reclining seat at £5, I mention this for people travelling alone and sharing a cabin. Personally, for £232.00 you get your Atom on and your own cabin.
Friday 7th May 2010
Arrive Caen at 0645 then drive to Pegasus Bridge to begin our route. From Pegasus Bridge we head for Arromanches – les – Bains, then turn in land for a few miles and head to Bayeux, continue onto Plage d’ Omaha. If anyone has any particular points of interest then we can stop at those. We continue on the D514 to Valgnes having driven through Ste–Mere-Eglise near Utah Beach which was the first French Town liberated on D-Day where the figure of a paratrooper hangs from the church tower every summer. Taking the D902 we will arrive at Barneville- Carteret, then a short drive to Briquebec and hotel.
Total Mileage 110
The hotel we will stay at is l’Hostellerie du Chateau. The cost for a twin / double room is 88 or 96 Euros per night depending on type of room with a 12 Euro charge per person for breakfast. There is car parking to the front of the hotel and the pictures on their website show it to be well off street. I have spoken to the hotel and it is described as safe.
Saturday 8th May 2010
Having had breakfast we will depart the hotel and make for Granville taking the D650 coastal road passing through some stunning villages and towns. We then turn inland heading toward Bagnoles-de-l’ Orne, our end of day destination. This is a spa town with the La Vee river passing through it. It is described as having several restaurants specialising in Normandy Cuisine? It also has a Casino for anyone interested.
Total Mileage 114
We will stay at Hotel Boisjoli which is 126 Euros per twin / double and is 11 Euros for breakfast. It has a private car park. Previous guests have included Pompidou and Rommel, the latter not paying his bill upon departure!
Sunday 9th May 2010
Again having had breakfast we take a leisurely drive North heading toward Clecy which is situated on the River Orne, the town centre is described as pleasant with 18th century houses. We will then continue onto Caen for our 1630 departure to Portsmouth arriving at 2115, unfortunately there is no express service that gives us a reasonable departure and arrival time for those that have work on the Monday.
Total Mileage 60
Steve Gibson and I are going to do this trip in any event but it would be great to see others come along. Like I have said, all are welcome and it doesn’t matter if you want to bring youngsters or whoever. It is intended to drive on great roads taking in some historic sights, towns and villages. I have deliberately kept the mileage down each day so we can stop for decent meals and a walk about here and there, also arriving at the hotels late afternoons so we can have a catch up in the bar. Please check out the hotel websites, the hotels look good and I have tried to find ones with safe parking. Driving in France is excellent and knocks spots off UK roads.
If I have missed anything or the above is not clear then please ask.
Kind regards and it would be great to see others come along.
Julian Richards
Dear All,
Regarding the proposed long weekend to Normandy, the itinerary is detailed below.
Thursday 6th May 2010
Steve Gibson and myself will meet in West London at about 5pm and drive to The Fox Goes Free Pub, Singleton, West Sussex arriving about 7pm. Food is good.
Having eaten we will make our way to Portsmouth to catch the 22.45 overnight crossing to Caen. The ferry is operated by Brittany Ferries and arrives at 0645 on the 7th.
Cost for one car and a two berth cabin is £232.00. This is return but no cabin on the Sunday.
Essentially outbound for a car is £88.00 and inbound is £104.00 but it is compulsory to book a cabin or a reclining seat at £5, I mention this for people travelling alone and sharing a cabin. Personally, for £232.00 you get your Atom on and your own cabin.
Friday 7th May 2010
Arrive Caen at 0645 then drive to Pegasus Bridge to begin our route. From Pegasus Bridge we head for Arromanches – les – Bains, then turn in land for a few miles and head to Bayeux, continue onto Plage d’ Omaha. If anyone has any particular points of interest then we can stop at those. We continue on the D514 to Valgnes having driven through Ste–Mere-Eglise near Utah Beach which was the first French Town liberated on D-Day where the figure of a paratrooper hangs from the church tower every summer. Taking the D902 we will arrive at Barneville- Carteret, then a short drive to Briquebec and hotel.
Total Mileage 110
The hotel we will stay at is l’Hostellerie du Chateau. The cost for a twin / double room is 88 or 96 Euros per night depending on type of room with a 12 Euro charge per person for breakfast. There is car parking to the front of the hotel and the pictures on their website show it to be well off street. I have spoken to the hotel and it is described as safe.
Saturday 8th May 2010
Having had breakfast we will depart the hotel and make for Granville taking the D650 coastal road passing through some stunning villages and towns. We then turn inland heading toward Bagnoles-de-l’ Orne, our end of day destination. This is a spa town with the La Vee river passing through it. It is described as having several restaurants specialising in Normandy Cuisine? It also has a Casino for anyone interested.
Total Mileage 114
We will stay at Hotel Boisjoli which is 126 Euros per twin / double and is 11 Euros for breakfast. It has a private car park. Previous guests have included Pompidou and Rommel, the latter not paying his bill upon departure!
Sunday 9th May 2010
Again having had breakfast we take a leisurely drive North heading toward Clecy which is situated on the River Orne, the town centre is described as pleasant with 18th century houses. We will then continue onto Caen for our 1630 departure to Portsmouth arriving at 2115, unfortunately there is no express service that gives us a reasonable departure and arrival time for those that have work on the Monday.
Total Mileage 60
Steve Gibson and I are going to do this trip in any event but it would be great to see others come along. Like I have said, all are welcome and it doesn’t matter if you want to bring youngsters or whoever. It is intended to drive on great roads taking in some historic sights, towns and villages. I have deliberately kept the mileage down each day so we can stop for decent meals and a walk about here and there, also arriving at the hotels late afternoons so we can have a catch up in the bar. Please check out the hotel websites, the hotels look good and I have tried to find ones with safe parking. Driving in France is excellent and knocks spots off UK roads.
If I have missed anything or the above is not clear then please ask.
Kind regards and it would be great to see others come along.
Julian Richards