Cherbourg to Centre Juno Beach and Canadian Sites

Arriving on Cruise Ship on May 19th for the day in Cherbourg and really want to go visit the Canadian sites including the Juno Beach centre. Cruise ship does not offer an excursion and any private tours so far, if available are way too expensive. Any help with ideas on how to best do this. Rent a car in Port? or? Appreciate all advice/suggestions.

Arriving on Cruise Ship on May 19th for the day in Cherbourg and really want to go visit the Canadian sites including the Juno Beach centre. Cruise ship does not offer an excursion and any private tours so far, if available are way too expensive. Any help with ideas on how to best do this. Rent a car in Port? or? Appreciate all advice/suggestions.

Train to Bayeux then bus (?) or taxi the 14 miles to Courseulles-sur-Mer might work out cheaper. And you could tie it in with time in Bayeux - worthy of an hour or two, longer if you want to look at the tapestry.

But car rental would give you greatest flexibility, you could tie in Juno with other D-Day sights:

This route is a 4 hour drive, 3 1/4 if you exclude Pegasus/Ouistreham.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Avenue+de+Northeim&daddr=49.24078,-0.26908+to:49.24947,-0.27669+to:49.29018,-0.2793+to:49.33411,-0.45777+to:49.39259,-1.00741+to:49.3712989,-1.2906872+to:49.4056318,-1.3190841+to:Avenue+des+Prairies&geocode=FSSJ9QIdQNjn_w%3BFcxa7wId6OT7_ynFx44lfWYKSDEADEY6SBQMEw%3BFb587wIdLsf7_ymrJZJwjGYKSDEc2tSjwvWh0A%3BFcQb8AId_Lz7_ylXesZsSWEKSDGgJ542SBQMEw%3BFV7H8AId1gP5_ymdPMVT3VgKSDFxpJ02SBQMEw%3BFc6r8QIdzqDw_ynNHFiaUAoLSDEw6BE7SBQMEw%3BFaJY8QIdQU7s_yntlsbEkXgLSDGgz0o7SBQMEw%3BFb_e8QIdVN_r_yl3kQrwLnkLSDHw8ro4SBQMEw%3BFVx09QIdfOLn_w&hl=en&mra=dvme&mrsp=7&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&doflg=ptm&sll=49.437771,-1.219482&sspn=0.183514,0.422974&ie=UTF8&ll=49.302293,-0.486145&spn=0.18402,0.422974&z=11

It drives the fast N13 77 miles (under 1 hr 20) from Cherbourg to the Caen ring road, then before the big Orne bridge head 8 miles north to Ouistreham (with a one mile detour for Pegasus Bridge/museum at Ranville). Then back along the coast (Sword beach) 8 miles to Courseulles / Juno beach & centre.

Keep to the coast road for Gold beach, Arromanches (360 cinema, Mulberry harbour remains, museum) , American cemetery / Omaha beach, Pointe du Hoc (Atlantic Wall remains), then cut back to the N13 back to Cherbourg - stopping at Ste Mere-Eglise (airborne museum), just 30 mins from Cherbourg, if you have the time.

Depending on the clock, you can cut across to the fast N13 at various points to beat a retreat to Cherbourg.

John Bull

We will echo some of JBs post. The best way to visit Normandy (which is actually a very rural area) is to simply rent a car and drive yourselves. Driving in this part of France is quite easy (a GPS makes navigation a snap) since traffic is relatively light. Of course once you get near the Normandy beaches, and if you are in the busy tourist season, there will be some traffic and crowds. We thought the Peace Museum in Caen was quite amazing....and is often not included on most tours. This museum does an excellent job explaining the period between the great wars and what led up to the 2nd World War. It also is very honest in its explanation of France's role in this interesting period as well as what happened in WWII. We stopped at this museum a few years ago on a driving trip and thought it was interesting to find several large German school groups touring the museum. You could hear a pin drop with these kids.

Hank

We will echo some of JBs post.

Hank

Since echoing seems to be in fashion, Hank, I'll echo your mention of the Peace Museum in Caen ;)

It's no more than a mile outside the north ring road. It's not dedicated to the liberation of Normandy, it has a much much wider brief, including the holocaust. And it's an excellent and thought-provoking museum

But I think perhaps the reason it doesn't figure on cruise tours is that it alone is well worth half a day at least. I've driven groups there several times & still haven't seen it all. And you kinda proved the point by including it in a driving vacation. Plus it's not a "D-Day" sight, so gets shunted to one side in a single rushed port day.

IMHO, that's the only real downside of cruising.

Regards,

JB :)

Appreciate responses. Have tried EVERY tour and tour guide recommendations from every source, no one is available or they want $2400 U.S.!!! (More than the cruise). Do you know if you rent a car, is the pick up close to the Cruise Ship Pier? Any car rental company recommendations and do's and don'ts? Thank you in advance.

Appreciate responses. Have tried EVERY tour and tour guide recommendations from every source, no one is available or they want $2400 U.S.!!! (More than the cruise). Do you know if you rent a car, is the pick up close to the Cruise Ship Pier? Any car rental company recommendations and do's and don'ts? Thank you in advance.

Well, we have reserved a car at the Hertz location in the city (Rue du Val da Saire) which looks to be within easy walking distance from the port. As to do's and don'ts, renting a car in Europe is similar to the US or Canada. You want to make sure to check on the insurance options (many decent credit cards such as AMEX will cover CDW). It is also wise to rent a GPS (unless you have your own with Europe maps) which makes life a lot easier. We have driven a lot in France (and have also driven around Normandy) and its not that difficult once you get out of the city and on the proper road. In France you only need a valid drivers license and credit card :). My other advice is to get a car early in the day and immediately head to your furthest point (in your case this will be Normandy) and make sure to work yourself back towards Cherbourg so you are relatively close to the city (and port) a couple of hours early. You always should have a decent margin of error (with time) because you do need to stop and get gas and have to allow for a traffic jam. Most of it is just common sense. You also want to prepare for the worst (missing the ship) which means you want the name an phone number of the ships port agent (they give you this on the ship) and its also good to have a phone number directly to the ship (ask at the Guest Relations Desk).

As to rental car locations, check the various locations on the rental car web sites (they all have map links for their rental offices) and print-out the detailed map so you can find your way to the rental car counter. Make sure to check the hours of the rental car office (many are closed on Sundays). We have our own GPS and always program the rental car office location so we do not have to be concerned about getting lost on the way back. We also ask at the rental car office for advice on were to buy gas upon our return. Keep in mind that gas is expensive. Filling a small car can easily cost over $75. Also be advised that a majority of the lower price European rentals are manual transmissions. If you cannot drive a stick you are generally going to pay a hefty premium to get an automatic.

Hank

Can't argue with anything in Hank's post. :)

National Car Rental is also about a ten-minute walk from the pier.

Yes, be aware that both car rental and gas are expensive in France compared to North America. Very very ball-park, mebbe a max of US$ 250 rental & US$ 50 gas.

But if you can find another couple to share, perhaps via your roll-call or once on-board, of course your costs will be halved. :)

The driving & navigation are easy - the fast & free-flowing main A13 freeway and slow & leisurely country lanes, no city streets to negotiate. :)

As both Hank's post & my suggested route, head for the furthest point & work your way back. Give yourself a good margin of time for problems, and if all goes to plan you can use up most of that margin by dropping into Ste Mere-Eglise on your way back to Cherbourg.

JB

JB, Its not that bad as long as we reserve in advance. Our Hertz rental in Cherbourg is 61.42 Euros (about $85) and that is with unlimited kilometers. We do reserve economy or compact cars which helps keep the cost down, parking easy, and gas mileage good.

Hank

JB, Its not that bad as long as we reserve in advance. Our Hertz rental in Cherbourg is 61.42 Euros (about $85) and that is with unlimited kilometers. We do reserve economy or compact cars which helps keep the cost down, parking easy, and gas mileage good.

 

Hank

Pretty big ball-park then, Hank :D

Regards

JB :)

(many decent credit cards such as AMEX will cover CDW)

Hank

While this has been true in the past I have noted that even many AMEX cards do not cover CDW anymore outside the US. My Delta AMEX Platinum gets me free bags and companion ticket but no CDW :-(

I would advise anyone to check their card in advance. Real Platinum AMEX may still offer protection but it is about the only one if it does.

While this has been true in the past I have noted that even many AMEX cards do not cover CDW anymore outside the US. My Delta AMEX Platinum gets me free bags and companion ticket but no CDW :-(

 

I would advise anyone to check their card in advance. Real Platinum AMEX may still offer protection but it is about the only one if it does.

That is great advice which we take to heart. Although several my credit cards cover insurance (but they all exclude Ireland and Italy) I always check right before a trip to make sure nothing has changed.

Hank

Wow, a big thank you for all the great advice. Am crossing my fingers that everything will work out.

Merci!

Shertwo - We are from Whitby, Ontario and we rented a car in Cherbourg and drove to the Juno Centre and on from there to the Canadian cemetery just past the Juno centre. We also saw a movie in the round theatre at Omaha Beach area. It was very doable and not rushed but full day. Driving is easy as others have stated, we did not have GPS but are good navigators. The Canadian cemetery near Juno is definitely worth the visit. The Juno centre for us was not as great as we expected (although fantastic) because we have a phenomenal war museum right here in our home town. If you would like more specific info, feel free to send an email to pinksensations at excite dot com.

The cost was around $75 dollars (not euros) for car rental but we can look back in our details for you if you would like. The gas was expensive but the car we had was very fuel efficient so it didn't cost us an arm and leg. We picked up the car about a block and a half walk from the pier. Great day! Hope you really enjoy this visit.

Thank you very much. Hubby really wants to see the more "Canadian" sites and don't blame him,appreciate the American stuff however as Canadians we know where our hearts truly lie. If we do have qustions will be in touch appreciate this offer very much.

Take care,

Thank you very much. Hubby really wants to see the more "Canadian" sites and don't blame him,appreciate the American stuff however as Canadians we know where our hearts truly lie. If we do have qustions will be in touch appreciate this offer very much.

Take care,

Would love to hear what you did! How did it work out? We are in the same dilemma. From Elora Ontario

Would love to hear what you did! How did it work out? We are in the same dilemma. From Elora Ontario

Truly doubt that someone is monitoring this board 5 yrs out from their trip.