THE NORMANDY AND WESTERN FRONT SERIES, DAY 7&8
CAEN – PEGASUS – MERVILLE – ETRETAT – DEAUVILLE – HONFLEUR – ROUEN
Summary
I explored Normandy over two packed days, starting with the incredible Caen Memorial Museum, which deserved far more time than I expected. I visited Pegasus Bridge and Café Gondrée, then experienced the immersive Merville Gun Battery. A long detour to Étretat rewarded me with stunning coastal views. I wrapped up in Honfleur and Rouen, enjoying history, food, and a memorable end to an unforgettable Normandy trip.
The best viewpoint, museum & cafe in France. After listening to a fella throw up outside my hotel room, I finally made it to sleep for a decent kip before the best museum in Normandy I have been to.
I REFUSED TO BELIEVE THE LADY WE MET YESTERDAY SAID WE NEEDED AT LEAST HALF A DAY AT THIS MUSEUM…SHE WAS RIGHT.
If you can only visit one museum during your time here, then visit the Caen Memorial Museum. It’s an incredible size.
WHERE IS ROUEN?
Rouen
CAEN MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The Caen museum covers everything from the period just after World War I to the 90s, including the Cold War. It also covers the Holocaust in great detail and is only bettered by the Holocaust Museum in DC. The museum can be accompanied by an audio guide or accessed via QR codes on your phone if you sign up.
DAY 7 DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – Brit Hôtel privilège Deauville Sud 7/10
- RESTAURANT – L’Etoile 8.5/10
- ATTRACTIONS –
Caen Memorial Museum 8.5/10
Pegasus Memorial Museum 6.5/10
Pegasus Bridge 8/10
Cafe Gondree
Merville Gun Battery 8.5/10
Pointe de la Courtine 8.5/10
Deauville
DAY 8 DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – Best Western Plus 8/10
- RESTAURANT – Les Maraichers 8/10
- ATTRACTIONS –
Honfluer
Le Gros Horloge 5/10
Rouen Cathedral 7/10
PEGASUS MEMORIAL & BRIDGE
One of the most important pre-battles of the D-Day landings. 180 Royal Engineers flew in to take control of this town and bridge. It was important that the bridge was kept intact, as the Germans had explosives set, but the element of surprise prevented them from detonating any.
The bridge has since been replaced, but the original is within the grounds of the nearby museum. Although not the most exciting museum, it is still worth a visit to see the bridge and replica gliders.
The best viewpoint museum and cafe in France
DAILY TRAVEL STATS….
- Steps – 11,700 & 12,200
- Miles covered – 182.3 miles
CAFE GONDREE
Famous for being the first building to be liberated by the Allies, Cafe Gondree is now the busiest cafe this side of Paris. The young lady, who was only 5 when the Germans took it from her family, still owns it and works at the front desk to this day—relentlessly! I had to say, “Still working?” to which she responded, “You have to,” relentless!
MERVILLE GUN BATTERY
France isn’t short of gun emplacements, but most of them offer something different. However, some offer unique experiences and nowhere more so than here. Merville Gun Battery is more like a museum, similar to Azeville in the value it offers. Several of the pillboxes have been fitted out with weapons, supplies, and demos for you to watch, but the best part, without doubt, is the full immersive experience at the final pillbox. Here you can watch from the POV of the Germans, hear, see, smell and feel what goes on when the battery is defending against a heavy attack. It’s an incredible show and worth visiting!
RELATED READ: THE WORLD’S HIGHEST TOWER CLIMB
POINTE DE LA COURTINE
Our final stop was a 3-hour round-trip out to a small town called Étretat for nothing more than a viewpoint. And, it was worth every mile and wrong turn taken!
If you’re mad about beaches, cliffs and dunes, then this little gem will have, no doubt, featured on your Instagram feed! Taking my parents this far off the beaten path to a place like this, and my dad asks for a picture at the adjacent golf course!
DEAUVILLE
Tonight we kipped at Deauville and our hotel (Brit Hôtel privilège Deauville Sud) seemed to be in yet another industrial estate 🤣. However, the dinner (L’Etoile) was again on another level, shout out to mum for not getting one wrong yet!
DAY 8
After getting it in the ear over the last week, I relented and gave the rents a lie-in. They might rarely go to bed early, but they do prefer getting up after 8 am. They love their lie-ins like they love their tea, scones and wine…every morning!!!
HONFLEUR
We had a quick stop-off in Honfleur, a quaint seaside/marina town just across from Le Havre. It is surely a tourist hotspot, with its heaps of cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops lining the marina.
ROUEN
Rouen is of a similar ilk, but its history goes back as far as the famous heroine Joan D’Arc. She was tried by the British and burned at the stake. Her cross stands in the main square as a constant reminder of her efforts.
LE GROS HORLOGE & CATHEDRAL
Not wanting to get sidetracked on other history lessons, we kept it brief here. An audio tour of the Clock tower and a trip to the cathedral were as exciting as it got here, but again very worthwhile, and a semi-busy day was just what the doctor ordered!
SUMMED UP….
- HIGHLIGHT – Pegasus Bridge or Caen Memorial if you have a spare 12 hours
- MVP – The waiters at L’Etoile
FINAL THOUGHTS
We have now finished the Normandy leg of our trip, and it exceeded all expectations. From good omelettes to people being sick outside my hotel room, it had it all, and long may it continue!!!
NEXT UP
Checking out the Battle of the Somme, one of the worst battles the world has seen!! Would it be bad to say I can’t wait? Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
152/229
This post was part of The Normandy & Western Front Series. For episode 1 click here or to see the entire series click here.
To see a different side of my trip head to my social channels; YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. Links at top of the page.
Question Time
- Have you seen this viewpoint in Instagram?
- Have you visited Honfleur?
- Do you prefer an intense holiday or chilled?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
