Had a wonderful fortnight in early June last year, split between Normandy & Brittany.
So much so, that we plan similar this year (Same sites... longer bike rides due to now having a battery apiece! ).
However, whereas last year we headed for Brittany after departing Normandy on the 4th, this year we'll arrive on (Saturday) 3rd, and depart around a week later, so in the area very much on and around D-Day itself (6th).
1) We prefer to turn up en-spec, and not pre-book.
2) Did I see something about the campsite nearest to the ferry port (Ouistreham) being closed for the foreseeable?
Just wondering how busy Camping des Capucines, at Ranville... our intended target site... is likely to be if that's the case?
Plenty of space on site last year in fairness, (So probably worrying over nothing!) but unsure whether the aforementioned campsite closure elsewhere may affect things, as well as our stay coinciding with D Day itself this time around?
Any thoughts/past experiences, at that time of year?
Riva Bella at Ouistreham is closed fully until July. Best is to email or ring Les Capucines and ask. There are several other sites, which are rarely or never mentioned on here, near to Ouistreham. Camping les Hautes Coutures at Benouville the port side of Pegasus Bridge, Camping Mirabel Calvados, a big four star site near the beach, Camping Les Salines, Camping Les Bagatelle, Camping Oasis at Merville Francoville, then across the other side of the river but near the coast is Camping du Prieure, at Bavent, a two star site which actually looks very nice, has big pitches and reasonable prices.
We've stayed only at Hautes Coutures, but I think you should find a space at one of the others, but at such a busy time I would certainly phone or email to check.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 26/4/2023
Riva Bella at Ouistreham is closed fully until July. Best is to email or ring Les Capucines and ask. There are several other sites, which are rarely or never mentioned on here, near to Ouistreham. Camping les Hautes Coutures at Benouville the port side of Pegasus Bridge, Camping Mirabel Calvados, a big four star site near the beach, Camping Les Salines, Camping Les Bagatelle, Camping Oasis at Merville Francoville, then across the other side of the river but near the coast is Camping du Prieure, at Bavent, a two star site which actually looks very nice, has big pitches and reasonable prices.
We've stayed only at Hautes Coutures, but I think you should find a space at one of the others, but at such a busy time I would certainly phone or email to check.
I shall bear these in mind when I return to the area in future.
I had not planned to do any exploring for my trip next month when I planned my trip, and found out the main D-day locations are quite a distance away yesterday after seeing Mucker's post.
DK
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We did the D day anniversary a few years ago, but near Omaha beach. We needed to book the campsite and lucky to get a pitch. The locals set up a very long table to accommodate about 500 people for the occasion. You brought your own food and drink, but could also buy off nearby stalls. We had a really great day!
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I reckon we'll aim for Les Capucines, as it suited us well last year, but with a healthy list of back up sites (Thanks Val ) as well as the trusty ACSI App, of course.
The problem with ringing ahead kind of defeats the object, imo... I'd imagine most sites would say to book to make sure, be that days ahead, or weeks?
The only pre-booking we've done (abroad) was for Bruges and Ypres, for obvious reasons.
I may wimp out nearer to the time, and maybe book about a week in advance.
In all honesty, I didn't realise there was such a wide choice in the area. I'll do a bit of presearch, just in case!
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 26/4/2023
We did the D day anniversary a few years ago, but near Omaha beach. We needed to book the campsite and lucky to get a pitch. The locals set up a very long table to accommodate about 500 people for the occasion. You brought your own food and drink, but could also buy off nearby stalls. We had a really great day!
That doesn't surprise me, up by the beaches themselves.
I'm relying on Ranville being "Just far enough out"!
In all honesty, the site (last year) was only 50% occupied for the statics, and less so for the large grass tourer pitches. Hardstanding MH pitches were probably 90%, but that doesn't affect us, being in a tent.
It was just this tiny niggle about the campsite near the Ferry being closed, that bothered me! Thought that was the only other option in the area. Less worried now, in truth!
Good to see there are a good number of options nearer the beaches, which may just leave Capucines as quiet as last year. Fingers crossed!
We’ve stayed at Ranville several times, in July and September and I only recall it being busy once. We still had a choice of pitches but had to wiggle a 7m caravan around the trees a bit ! Not stayed at any of the others but big fans of this site.
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Topic: D Day in Normandy, 2023...
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) as well as the trusty ACSI App, of course.
