Part 2 of 2
Our next destination was Arromanches and Gold beach. In particular the 360 museum and the musee du debarquement.
At the centre of the Gold Beach landing zone, Arromanches was spared the brunt of the fighting on D-Day so the installation and operation of the port could proceed as quickly as possible without damaging the beach and destroying surrounding lines of communication. The port was commissioned on 14 June 1944.
This location was one of two sites chosen to establish the necessary port facilities to unload quantities of supplies and troops needed for the invasion during June 1944, the other was built further West at Omaha Beach. The British built huge floating concrete caissons which, after being towed from England, then had to be assembled to form walls and piers forming and defining the artificial port called the Mulberry harbour. These comprised of pontoons linked to the land by floating roadways. One of these ports was assembled at Arromanches and even today sections of the Mulberry harbour still remain with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand and more can be seen further out at sea.
We left Ranville and the Pegasus bridge in sunshine and temperatures of 22c. However, on reaching the coast a sea fret had come in and reduced the temperature to 15c. Pulling in to the car park next to the 360 museum you are now charged 6euros for parking a motorhome, and they don’t allow overnight parking anymore. There was plenty of parking and space for motorhomes of various sizes. We had hoped to have lunch in the van with a view over the cliff to the beach and out to sea but had to settle with a very foggy view.
Lunch eaten we headed off to the 360 museum. This museum was small but again worth every cent charge of 5euros per person to get in. The film was about to start and with a large group about to enter we went in to the cinema and missed the few exhibits outside. We thought we would come back out on this side but you exit in to the shop. The cinema projects in High Definition on 9 screens in a circle, hence 360, telling the story of the Battle of Normandy thanks to archive images they have gathered from around the world. You are put into the shoes of a soldier landing on the beaches during D-Day, be it by plane or boat. This film is a tribute to all who were involved during this invasion and battle for the liberation of Europe. The film is very dramatic with loud music and sounds which stirs up your emotions. The best viewing is from either the middle of the room or by viewing twice and being at opposite sides of the room. We were on one side and even though some of the pictures seem to be repeated on the screen you do instinctively move your head around to try and capture all the detail.
After the film is over you enter in to the very well stocked shop which then leads you back outside on to the cliff tops overlooking Arromanches. Had it not been for a heavy sea fret it would give you the most magnificent views of the D-Day beaches.
The area is renowned for the two artificial Mulberry harbours that were built by the Allied forces after D-Day. Mulberry "B" was the harbour assembled on Gold Beach at Arromanches for use by the British and Canadian invasion forces. It was finally decommissioned 6 months after D-Day as allied forces were able to use the recently captured port of Antwerp to offload troops and supplies.
So from here you can either walk or as we did catch a little road train that takes you down the very steep hill to the other museum, musee du debarquement. Motorhomes aren’t allowed near the beach front where the next museum is located. On the way down you pass a Sherman tank standing guard overlooking the town and the beach.
We then went in to the next museum, which was heaving with numerous coach parties. Entry is 7.90euros per person. The museum is packed with information and visual displays but it was a bit hard to see some it due to the amount of people. I would advise trying to find out when the quieter times to visit are. There is an excellent model display and info on the Mulberry Harbour.
Outside we wandered around the shops and restaurants along the front. We went down on to the beach and walked along.
We caught the train back up to the cliff top and back to Monty where we decided that we should try the Municipal campsite in Arromanches.
The Municipal site, Camping Muncipal Arromanches des bain, is located just 5-10minute walk from the shops, sea front and musee du debarquement. Beware though as there is a height limit of 3.3metres at the entrance to the site.
Reception was very friendly and welcoming and English was spoken. It was quiet as the site had only opened for the season on the 1st of April. Cost for 2 of us for the night with electric was 18euros. Toilet block was very clean, pitches and surrounding appeared well maintained. There is an aire that backs on to the campsite which is free, but this was full and parking seemed very tight next to each other.
Also a basketball/football court backs on to the aire and we noticed some noise from the court, but would have been more so on the aire. The aire was obviously a well used place as we noticed when dining in the 6 Juin restaurant/Brasserie a non ending stream of campers going to the aire, from 5pm to 7pm. We later went for a walk along the front as the sea fret was clearing to reveal through the mist the remains of the mulberry harbour.
When we got back there were 4 motorhomes, a caravan and a tent pitched up. We had a peaceful nights sleep, ready for our next days busy schedule.
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