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U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:01 am
by enduroclaret
Me and a buddy are travelling down through France on motorcycles next month. Neither of us have visited any of the U Boat Pens.
We are crossing Portsmouth-Caen. I’ve been busy on Google, but I’m still unsure which of the U Boat Pen sites are the best to visit.
Anyone got any advice?
We’d like something with a visitor centre/museum/cafe.
Cheers
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:18 am
by winsomeyen
We live in Brittany and have visited the u boat pens at Lorient,the site is well signposted and has a visitor centre /museum and a cafe/bar.
I believe the pen at St Nazaire is being used by the French navy and access is not available,but check as things may have changed.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:21 am
by winsomeyen
As you are arriving at Caen have you considered seeing the landing beaches in Normandy ?
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:26 am
by enduroclaret
Thanks winsomeyen, Lorient it is.
We’re heading down south to visit a buddy…..D day beaches on the way back.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:44 am
by ebby
If you are visiting the Normandy Beaches the best place to visit from is Bayeux. Excellent military museum in the town and pretty central for the five beaches. The museum in Caen is poor.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 7:48 am
by Claret Till I Die
I'd recommend a stop at Ranville to look around Pegasus Bridge & the museum on your way back. Probably only 20 mins outside Caen
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:16 am
by Croydon Claret
Don't miss the Easy Company memorial, it's just a short distance from Utah beach
https://www.normandywarguide.com/place/ ... e-memorial
https://g.co/kgs/bAb2Ro
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:27 am
by cbx750
Have you driven in France before? If you are not near a town on Saturday afternoon make sure you fill with petrol, when we rode there many of the petrol stations out in the sticks closed Saturday at 5 or 6 PM and did not open till Monday lunch time.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:29 am
by Boss Hogg
Know this area fairly well. U Boat pens are at Lorient.
I’d recommend the drive through St Mere l’ Eglise through to Utah beach on the way back and further across the gun batteries at Longues sur Mer.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:42 am
by Dark Cloud
I saw the ones at St Nazaire many years ago and they were extremely interesting, but may not be accessible any more as someone posted above.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:42 am
by IWOODLOVETT
How far down are you going?
If you’re anywhere near Limoges (west central France) you should visit Oradour-sur-Glane.
Look it up on Wikipedia and you’ll understand why.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:47 am
by Dark Cloud
IWOODLOVETT wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 9:42 am
How far down are you going?
If you’re anywhere near Limoges (west central France) you should visit Oradour-sur-Glane.
Look it up on Wikipedia and you’ll understand why.
Definitely! Extremely eerie place, but absolutely fascinating (if that's the right word?) and also very moving.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 9:47 am
by roperclaret
Don’t forget to take in the Palais Benedictine in Fecamp
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:11 am
by enduroclaret
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions, much appreciated.
My bike has a range of about 150 miles, so I’ll top up as often as I can. I’ve had fuel anxiety in France before!
I’ve been to Oradour-Sur-Glane before, but my riding companion hasn’t, so we’ll visit.
We’re keeping to small roads, travelling light, so not camping, the bikes are pretty lightweight.
On the outward leg We’ll head South West out of Caen to Lorient, then South East to Payrac (about 100 miles south of Limoges) we’ll do a couple of overnight stops.
We’re stopping at a friend’s at Payrac and riding the local trails for a couple of days.
On the return leg we’ll head pretty much due North taking in Oradour. Two overnight stops, we can have a day at the Normandy Beaches as the ferry isn’t until 22:45.
So any recommendations about accommodation of things to see is much appreciated.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:16 am
by Bosscat
Another shout for Lorient for sub pens... Arromanche is a good visit for the D Day Beaches and also The Glider landings at "Pegasus Bridge"
Bayeaux is a good day out too
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:18 am
by Lancasterclaret
enduroclaret wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 10:11 am
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions, much appreciated.
My bike has a range of about 150 miles, so I’ll top up as often as I can. I’ve had fuel anxiety in France before!
I’ve been to Oradour-Sur-Glane before, but my riding companion hasn’t, so we’ll visit.
We’re keeping to small roads, travelling light, so not camping, the bikes are pretty lightweight.
On the outward leg We’ll head South West out of Caen to Lorient, then South East to Payrac (about 100 miles south of Limoges) we’ll do a couple of overnight stops.
We’re stopping at a friend’s at Payrac and riding the local trails for a couple of days.
On the return leg we’ll head pretty much due North taking in Oradour. Two overnight stops, we can have a day at the Normandy Beaches as the ferry isn’t until 22:45.
So any recommendations about accommodation of things to see is much appreciated.
Not WWII related, but you have to see the Bayeux Tapestry
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:35 am
by enduroclaret
Yes, I’ve seen the Bayeux Tapestry as a 7 year old……it’s time for another visit.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:41 am
by Owdsyker
I worked in St.Nazaire for a couple of years and when friends and family visited a trip to see the U-boat bunkers was a must do and well worth a visit. They did a tour of a submarine, not a U boat but actually a stripped out French nuclear sub from the early sixties, very claustrophobic. You can also take a virtual trip on the first cruise liner to sail from St.Nazaire to New York which is well worth doing.
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:43 am
by Bosscat
enduroclaret wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 10:35 am
Yes, I’ve seen the Bayeux Tapestry as a 7 year old……it’s time for another visit.
If you have time St Mer Eglise Church and The Omaha Beach Rangers Museum at Pointe_du_Hoc
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... if6u4ceSXW
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 10:43 am
by Lancasterclaret
Years since I've been, but I remember La Rochelle being worth a visit for the castle and walls
Re: U Boat Pens France
Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 11:27 am
by IWOODLOVETT
There’s a handy camp site near Calais and you can avoid the crush for the ferries by using the regular cross-channel rib service. Book early to avoid disappointment.
