Trip to France...

[Django]

So the wife and I are heading to Spain in Nov, and we are going to hit Paris for 3 days and then fly back home from Paris...

If you only had to pick one thing to see that is WWII and/or warbird related, what would it be?

Is there a train to Normandy? Is it too far to go for the limited time?

I saw the recent pics of the museum. Looks cool, but I don't know if I NEED to go there. Obviously we are going to hit the Eiffel and the Arche de Triumphe. Maybe the Louvre. Still putting it together. My wife was there 10 years ago and loves Paris. My first time though. She would be content seeing all the art museums again, (which as a designer definitely has it's appeal) but I feel I need to see some WWII stuff too. I've studied it since I was 6.

I originally wanted to go to England, but it costs too much for so little time.

Since you guys did so well with advice in my "Airventure Virgin" thread, I thought I'd throw it out there again.

[Bill Greenwood]

It's not a warbird, but the Louvre is a must. By the way, the people may not be too nice, but you can definitely eat the food. Little bars have great ham and cheese sandwiches and of course vino.

[gregv]

If I was there and could talk my girlfriend into it, I would definitely take a trek to Normandy, if even just to walk around that historic area. Lots of armor to see, if you're so inclined:

http://www.com-central.net/index.php?na ... t=normandy

and of course there is the Musee des Blindes at Saumur (about 150 miles south-west of Paris) which has loads of tanks as well.

From what I can gather there are many museums in the Normandy area to check out, so I personally can't see it being a waste of time...

cheers

gv

P.S. I know its somewhat nuts, but if I was in Paris I would seriously consider a tour of the sewers and catacombs:

http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/ ... aris00.asp

I'd bring a hip flask of course...

[Glyn]

Have made several trips to France over the years, a wonderful country with wonderful people - don't believe the hype that the French are unfriendly. November 15th this year is when the new Beaujolais will arrive throughout the country - hopefully your trip will allow you to be in France during this time. Basically the Beaujolais is wine that is meant to be consumed as soon as possible - it does not age (nor keep) with time - so the entire country does it's part in November and December to drink it all. Delicious and fun times!

Anyway - the Normandy coast and the various D-Day landing beaches and sites are all spread out around 3 hours from Paris. I suppose there are tour buses leaving from Paris that you could take but best bet would be to rent a car for the day and drive up there on your own schedule - driving in France is no different than driving in the States. I'm a big fan of car trips in Europe just so you can get off the beaten path but I realize that isn't for everyone. Seeing the D-Day sites is a very moving experience and one that would certainly stick with you.

If you want to do something aviation related in Paris the excellent Air & Space museum at Le Bourget is well worth visiting, perhaps that wouldn't be so high on your wife's list though! Some very unique French aircraft there.

As Bill suggested, a visit to the Louvre is something that would have to be at the top of the list for anyone with even a passing interest in art and art history - it is staggering to see so many recognizable works of art in one place. Like visiting the Normandy beaches, a visit to the Louvre would be something not soon forgotten.

Have fun!

[Lightjug]

Because we were only there for less than a week, I thought it best not to drag my wife to "another plane museum". I will however second what Bill and Glyn said, the Louvre is incredible and you could literally spend days in there.

[Bill Greenwood]

There is a place named Agincourt in France. It is the site of a battle that is considered the most decisive defeat in history of a numerically superior force. How many French does it take to defeat 7000 Englishmen? We don't know, but in this battle the Brits led by Henry V, made french legs out of 40,000 Frenchmen. Don't recall the details, it might have be during Beaujolais season and they were in their cups, but the French were too proud to attack in overwhelming force and only sent smaller waves against the Brits. The Brits didn't have Spitfires, but they did have long bows. The paperback book, HARRY OF MONMOUTH describes it well.. It don't know what part of France it is in, but if I was near there I'd see the site. Of course I am a history buff. I have been to the Alamo a number of times and still get a chill walking inside. I think this as well as Normandy would be similar. I think it is not too far from Calais and the coast, maybe on the road to Normandy.

Last edited by Bill Greenwood on Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[muddyboots]

Because we were only there for less than a week, I thought it best not to drag my wife to "another plane museum". I will however second what Bill and Glyn said, the Louvre is incredible and you could literally spend days in there.

Dude. Drag her. She would love Normandy. All women lve Normandy. It's still pretty quaint and you can wander forever.

[ww2John]

RE: French and "friendly" & "not friendly"...

I travel a great deal and have always found that, if you are polite, courteous and make the effort to speak at least a few words of the language, most people are friendly, or at least "tolerant". Even just Please and Thank-You in their own language generally is well received.

France has been a wonderful place for me to visit, last time with my 85 year old father. We were well treated or at least (very occasionally) only "tolerated". We had a ball and I know v-e-r-y little French - my index card cheat sheet helped a lot.

Put the shoe on the other foot: How tolerant are you, or would you be, of a foreign tourist visiting this country who could not speak any "english" and thought there was something wrong with you because you did not know their language?

Most often, in travel, what goes around...

Specifically to Paris, the Metro & the buses (and most of the trains) are easy to use and an excellent way to get around, including out to the MAE at Le Bourget.

Do your homework so you don't attempt go to the Louvre (or any other attraction) on a day they are closed (ask my know-it-all Brother sometime).

Enjoy your trip

[armyjunk2]

Saumur is one of the great tank museums in the world and the road trip from Paris is wonderful..............

[armyjunk2]

I forgot some women don't like tanks

[gregv]

I forgot some women don't like tanks

the good ones do

and better to find out sooner than later...

gv

[rwdfresno]

Little bars have great ham and cheese sandwiches and of course vino

le vino est grand en Italie mais en France ils boivent du vin.

[Bill Greenwood]

I stand corrected, along with the vin I think jabon with fromage goes pretty well. If in doubt down a bottle of vino before you get to the vin and you won't care.

[EDowning]

When I was an Army Officer/pilot in Germany, our Brigade Commander required us to go on a Battalion "Officer Development" Field trip once a month. We had three weeks of military history classes on Fridays and then a chartered bus trip to the area we studied. I was in my mid twenties, and like a fool, had very little appreciation for this required weekend trip. Amazing how your perspective changes when you get older (grow up).

Anyway, most of the trips were to France of Belgium, and I had the good fortune to see most of the various battlefields and memorials over the four year period. Surprisingly, the one that made the greatest impression on me was the Maginot Line at Verdun. It is hard to realize the true horror of WWI until you see it from the rolling fields as well as the trenches. Well worth the trip.

[rwdfresno]

I stand corrected, along with the vin I think jabon with fromage goes pretty well. If in doubt down a bottle of vino before you get to the vin and you won't care.

I agree, best to go with a bottle of each.