Dear All,

For those of you planning to visit Normandy this June season and who are perhaps looking for something a little bit different from the old B’n’B or Gites routine, check this out!

http://www.brucheville-bootcamp.com

Based in the heart of the rural Normandy countryside, yet only a “Grenades Throw” from all the major D-Day attractions is just what you have been looking for!

Specifically tailored for re-enactors and enthusiasts of D-Day & WWII, Brucheville-Bootcamp gives you the opportunity to experience what life was like for the thousands of Allied & Axis troops in Normandy during and after D-Day (obviously without the associated risks).

For those of you with military vehicles, we are able to provide secure, under-cover parking and the choice of joining us in military vehicle convoy when we visit the sites ‘en masse’.

Facilities on site, whilst clean, are somewhat basic – the idea being to re-create the atmosphere of a forward supply depot or military base during WWII.

We are set in over 20 acres of beautiful French countryside, with fields just waiting for your entrenching tools! Foxholes, Trenches – feel free to dig to your heart’s content!

Best of all, you can stay here ABSOLUTELY FREE! That’s right – we don’t charge for camping, so bring your tent and military uniform and join us for June 2007!

Please contact us or view our site for more information.

CURRAHEE!!!

Welcome to the Forums bootcamp! I hope you stay a while.

Is there anything you do have to pay for on these trips? It's just that I know this post is a cut and paste job, and if this is a solicitation it's against Forum rules to join just for that purpose.

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Hi Otto,

No really you can stay here gratis.

we have a private 'mess hall' on site which offers hot food in the eves (should you so desire), but we don't charge for camping or the use of our shower/toilet block.

We are into re-enactment ourselves (one of the reasons we relocated to Normandy) and having been ripped off by several French farmers in the past who wanted to cash in on the June season by charging to stay in their cow-pat smothered fields, we thought we'd open our estate to anyone who is looking for somewhere different, interesting and cheap to stay. Its also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and for re-enactors and enthusiasts to share historical information and take some great photos (see the slide-show on our site).

Over the past few Junes, we have had people from Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, the UK, USA and Canada who have just 'dropped-by' on the off-chance of using a field for camping. With our own re-enactor friends who visit us every June and camp on-site - we thought we'd open the doors to anyone who might be interested.

I'm sorry if I perhaps breached one of your listing policies - just wanted to be of assistance to any of your members who are planning on visiting Normandy in June, but who perhaps havn't organised accomodation yet. (or who have organised accomodation, but feel that this might be more interesting/cheaper!!!)

Anyhoo - thanks for your time

James

www.brucheville-bootcamp.com

No worries James, and thanks for the prompt reply.

I usually just delete any thread that is a direct solicitation, but I left your post and replied to it to get a little more information. Based on what you've told me here I'll leave the post as it seems like a good program. Feel free to post more information about it here. Thanks for sharing this info.

Also, just an FYI: Your website doesn't seem to work with non Explorer browsers. It doesn't work with firefox for example. The photo with Rommel covers all the other info and most importantly covers the "Contact Us" link. Just figured you'd want to know.

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Interesting stuff Bootcamp.
Got any pictures of the site during WW2?

Cheers,
Adam.

(and of course, welcome. )

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Dear Von Poop,

Unfortunately, despite several hours on 'the net' searching for photos of Ste Marie du Mont during the occupation and immediately after D-Day, I have been unable to find any photos of our Property.

Thankfully, our neighbour (who is 95 years old) was resident in Ste Marie du Mont during the occupation and clearly remembers the morning of June 6th 1944 and the months/years before that.

'La Maillardiere' (which is the name of our house) was home to 14 German officers under Nazi occupation and was also used as the kommandantur for Utah Beach and the surrounding area.

Below you will find a photo of the historical sign located outside the Marie at Ste Marie du Mont;



In addition, we have recovered several artifacts on-site from the many barns and out-buildings which make up the property, including 'Grease Gun' clips, spent ammo cases, Parachute D-Rings, German Dog-Tags etc etc. Indeed, the outside of the main house is riddled with bullet holes and the plaster in the attic is emblazoned with the names of American (and German) soldiers who were stationed here prior to, and after D-Day.



Many people wonder why Brecor Manor (which is less than 1km from here) was not used as the Officers HQ during occupation. There are 2 main reasons;

1) - 'La Maillardiere' is on the lee-side of the hill, therefore offering some protection from any bombardement from 'Utah' beach.

2) - (and perhaps most importantly) - 'La Maillardiere' was purchased by a famous French artist during the 1930's and he paid for the complete renovation of the house in 'Art-Deco' style. Whereas 'Brecor Manor' (at the time of occupation) had been empty for many years and was in a state of dis-repair. In addition, the attic also holds a classic example of German engineering - specifically a water 'header tank' - constructed in re-enforced concrete - which is then piped directly into each of the 7 bedrooms.

I hope the above is of interest to you and look foward to welcoming you to our home at some stage in the future.

All the best

James
www.brucheville-bootcamp.com