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Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

(OP)
My daughter (A research librarian) and I are planning a 1 week north France-Belgium-Luxemburg trip later this fall to see the historic battlefields and "general sites" across the area. Would fly into Paris, go the the "usual" tourist sites there by tour bus, but then she wants to drive across the area looking at the area of the battlefields and sites across the region.

Over 2000 years since the Roman conquests, there are obviously hundreds - if not thousands - of interesting sites. Equally, we want to go to the more interesting architectural and battlefields just to "see" what each one really looks like: the Paris buildings, Mont St-Michel, Crecy, Agincourt for Medieval.

Waterloo (south of Brussels).

The trenches of Loos, Ypres at least. The Somme valley itself? Probably not enough time. Verdun is also too far to reasonably drive unfortunately.

Normandy (while over near St-Michel), Dieppe, Calais, Falais, the Eben-Emanual ruins, Bastogne, the Ardennes.


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What else would you add? Which have you been to, and would recommend skipping?

I know the written histories of these from many different sources, and I know this can't be a very in-depth tour at any of the places, but we want to get to a realistic number of the sites.

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Make time to visit a couple of the American cemeteries in BEL.
They are maintained by locals and they are beautiful little spots.
They each have a little chapel and some background on the battles in the area.
Some are from WW II and others from WW I.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

One other tip, with the Euro weak the crowds are huge.
Look for the interesting 'second tier' sites.
For example, the lines at Louvre were huge, but there are a number of very interesting small art museums in Paris with no waiting.
Have fun.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

If you are going to Normandy then a visit to Bayeux is in order. The cathedral at Bayeux with its tapestry is fantastic as are the war memorials within 5 miles of the town.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

I have been to France many times. There's too much to pack into one vacation. No matter how much you see, there will be more things you didn't. So my humble advice would be to slow down: Take as much time as you want, at the sites that are most important to you (or your family, or your daughter's research). Take the guided tour, chat with folks you meet, find a quiet spot for a long lunch or a picnic...
They fought for many reasons, but they all expected peace at the end of it.

STF

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

From my own travel experience in many varied locations around the world,I have found and recommend to curb the desire to see everything and to go for quality rather than quantity. Pick one, 2 or 3 different types or locations depending on the time available and concentrate on them, in the long run you won't be disappointed.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Malmedy in Belgium holds a special place for me, and the locals who maintain it, at least during my visits there several years ago were amazing people. A late summer visit there was especially nice, at least it was is 2002.

MikeL.

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

For me, Waterloo & Agincourt would top the list with Crecy a close third.

However, as mentioned above there's a lot of history to look at so what appeals most to you & your daughter?

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Pegasus Bridge at Ranville, or one of the surviving forts of the Maginot Line, or Merville battery in Normandy?

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

If it doesn't break you heart I would suggest avoiding Waterloo (actually I believe that Lion's mound is in Plancenoit).
this is the bicentennial of the 1815 battle and the crowds are very large. If you go make sure that it early in the day and not on a weekend.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

I know you already kind of ruled it out, but if you can make Verdun work it will be worth it!

RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

I agree with others, far too much in one week to cover Paris, 1st war battlefields in northern France / Belgium, then waterloo, Mont St Michelle, and then Normandy beaches!

I would stick to Paris and northern France / Belgium

You could hire a car in Paris and drive, but you can use the train system and hire a car at the system, so I suggest TGV to Lille (1 hour). In a car, you would still be in Paris after an hour!

My favourites in Northern France: Vimy Ridge (you seem to be able to see most of northern France / Southern Belgium from this hill, which is why they fought for it)

See the The Canadian National Vimy Memorial which is the only well restored trench system I believe.

Ypres Cloth Hall - restored building destroyed in 1st war and with excellent museum.

If you have time, go to Normandy (train to Bayeux, 4 hours from Lille, via Paris)

See:
Bayeux Embroidery (my wife tells me that it is not a tapestry)
Pegasus Bridge (British Glider landing)
Sainte-Mère-Église (USA Para troops)
Omaha Memorial / cemetery
Arromanches for British beaches and Museum with fabulous model of Mulberry Harbor

For train travel http://www.seat61.com/

If you have any relatives buried in any of these areas, you can visit the graves. Guess you have a website to find these.

If you do not have a relative, you can visit my uncle's at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi

Enjoy, good luck, take it easy!






RE: Belgium, Lux, North France Travel Planning: Which Historic Battlefields Would You See?

Correction: hire a car at the station

You can hire cars via the rail operator SNCF

Forgot to add, when in Ypres, visit the Menin Gate (war memorial). At 8pm every day the road is closed and the local fire brigade play Last Post. Another MUST. Need plenty of Kleenex

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