(click here for Map)

Our 1^st stop (10:00am) is La Maison du Parc :

The Maison du Parc covering about 100 hectares lies within the heart of the Cotentin and Bessin marshes and is an ideal starting point to begin our discovery of the marshes and meadows which welcome a wide variety of birds throughout the year.

This nature reserve forms part of the larger Cotentin and Bessin Regional Natural Park which links the east and west coasts of the Cotentin Peninsula. The area as a whole is marked by the seasonal rhythm of water – when the rains are heavy (especially in winter), the rivers in the area overflow and the water table rises and the meadows (criss-crossed by canals and ditches) are transformed into a vast body of water. In the spring, grasslands emerge from the flooded areas, plant life is reborn and cows and horses are put to graze on the meadows. This changing seasonal picture makes the area an interesting place to visit all year round. In Spring one can see the storks beginning to nest and in Autumn the migratory birds begin to arrive. Within the reserve are various walking trails (ranging from 2 to 6 km) and a number of bird hides from which to practice one’s bird photography or just relax and enjoy watching and trying to identify the various bird species. We will spend about 2.5 hours here and will have an adequate supply of snacks and liquid refreshments available. There is also a Visitors centre on site, with an exhibition centre, a shop and rest room facilities.

Having enjoyed the sights and sounds of this reserve we will head off to the nearby village of Saint-Côme-du-Mont- it is so close that we may even take a slow stroll there

Our 2nd stop (around12:30) is the nearby village of Saint-Côme-du-Mont where:

• we will explore this small village and if possible, enjoy lunch there. Places to eat are limited and if for some reason are closed on the day of our visit, we will either enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve or if weather does not permit this a short drive to Carentan for lunch will be on the cards.

• as with almost all French villages there is also an interesting church to explore in Saint-Côme-du-Mont. The church of Saint Como and Saint Damien. Both the church and its cemetery are classified as Historic monuments.

Our 3rd stop (around14:30) will enable us to learn more about the Normandy landings on DDay:

• here we will visit Dead Man's Corner Museum. This historic D-Day paratrooper museum is located at the crossroads of the Carentan and Saint-Côme-du-Mont roads and a mere 13km from Utah Beach. The house which now hosts the museum was the headquarters of the 6^th German Parachute Regiment (better known as the Green Devils) and the scene of fierce fighting with the 101^st Airborne Division. Wondering about the name of the museum a visit will soon solve that!

• at the same site, you can also enjoy the comforts of a 3D cinema and take in a 36-minute film which brings together the remastered film D-Day Normandy 1944 by Pascal Vuong plus a previously unreleased short film about the Battle of Carentan. In season this is shown every hour.

• AND / OR you can experience what it was like to jump into Normandy as an American paratrooper by enjoying the D Day simulation experience on a C-47 built in 1943.

Thus, having enjoyed a full day of nature, birds and history, we will make our way back to Morsalines for some personal relaxation time after which we can meet up to download and view the days photos whilst enjoying some drinks and snacks.