Berry - Lonely Planet Normandy & D-Day Beaches Trips Discover the Freedom of the Open Road

WELCOME TO NORMANDY & D-DAY BEACHES

Northern France is primed with possibilities whether that means sampling Norman cheeses, getting close to WWI and WWII history or simply moseying around Rouens old town. And with its abundance of coast and countryside, its a pleasure to drive, too.

Its a region with a long (and turbulent) history that is plain to see. The scars of war can still be traced on the fields of Flanders and the beaches of Normandy. Elsewhere, be awed by the landscapes and villages that inspired artists such as Claude Monet.

Dramatic white cliffs, tretat ()
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NORMANDY & D-DAY BEACHES HIGHLIGHTS

On 6 June 1944 the largest invasion the world has ever seen stormed the beaches of Normandy. Now known as D-Day, it marked the turning point of WWII.

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This museum in Le Havre contains the best impressionist collection outside Paris.

RGB VENTURES/SUPERSTOCK/ALAMY LE SIGNAL ARTIST: HENRI-GEORGES ADAM; LE MUMA ARCHITECT: ANDR MALRAUX

Walk through one of the only surviving trench systems from WWI.

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CITY GUIDE

le de la Cit, Paris
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If ever a city needed no introduction, its Paris a trend setter, fashion former and style icon for centuries, and still very much at the cutting edge. Whether youre here to tick off the landmarks or seek out the secret corners, Paris fulfils all your expectations, and still leaves you wanting more.

Driving in Paris is a nightmare. Happily, theres no need for a car. The metro is fast, frequent and efficient; tickets cost 1.70 (day passes 6.70) and are valid on the citys buses. Bikes can be hired from 1800 Vlib (www.velib.paris.fr) stations; insert a credit card, authorise a 150 deposit and pedal away. Day passes cost 1; first 30 minutes free, subsequent 30 minutes from 2.

Meters dont take coins; use a chip-enabled credit card. Municipal car parks cost 2 to 3.50 an hour, or 20 to 25 per 24 hours.

Le Marais is one of the best areas for eating out, with its small restaurants and trendy bistros. Dont miss Paris street markets: the March Bastille, rue Montorgueil and rue Mouffetard are full of atmosphere.

Base yourself in Montmartre for its Parisian charm, if you dont mind crowds. Le Marais and Bastille provide style on a budget, while St-Germain is good for a splurge.

Paris Info (http://en.parisinfo.com) Official visitor site.

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/paris) Lonely Planets city guide.

Secrets of Paris (www.secretsofparis.com) Locals blog full of insider tips.

Paris by Mouth (www.parisbymouth.com) Eat and drink your way round the capital.

Place du Gnral de Gaulle, Lille
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Lille may be Frances most underrated major city. This once-tired industrial metropolis has transformed itself into a stylish, self-confident city with a strong Flemish accent. Three art museums, lots of stylish shops and a lovely old town make it well worth investigating.

Driving into Lille is incredibly confusing, even with a good map; just suspend your sense of direction and blindly follow the Centre Ville signs. Lilles buses and two speedy metro lines run until about 12.30am. Tickets cost 1.50; a Pass Journe (all-day pass) costs 4.

If youre driving, the best idea is to leave your vehicle at the park-and-ride at Champ de Mars on bd de la Libert (open from 10am to 6pm or 7pm, closed Saturdays and Sundays, September to March), 1.2km northwest of the centre. It costs 3.25 a day and includes return travel for five people to central Lille on bus 12.

Lilles proximity to Alsace and Belgium has influenced its cuisine. Cosy estaminets (Flemish eateries) serve Lillois specialities such as carbonade (braised beef stewed with beer, spiced bread and brown sugar) and potjevleesch (jellied chicken, pork, veal and rabbit).

Most hotels are within striking distance of the city centre, but Lilles business focus means many are short on charm. On the plus side, rates drop at weekends.