May 14, 2004 -- If you, your dad or your grandpa helped liberate France 60 years ago, this year's Father's Day will be a very special one.
On Friday, the government of Canada agreed to give a C$1,000 travel subsidy to any Canadian D-Day vet who wants to go to France for the 60th anniversary ceremonies on June 5-6.
To bag your cash, you must attend the official commemorative ceremonies at Juno Beach in Normandy and collect a paper pass. When you get back to Canada, bundle a copy of your pass up with copies of your receipts for airfare and call 800/443-0394 to find out where to send them. You'll get a C$1,000 check in the mail.
European railpass sellers Rail Europe, meanwhile, are offering a four-day, first-class France rail pass to any U.S. or Canadian Normandy campaign veteran traveling to France any time between now and August 15th. Non-vets can get 3-day passes for the discounted price of $199 from www.raileurope.com. Vets, get your free passes at www.raileurope.com/dday.
No matter what country you're from, families in Norman villages have offered to put up Normandy campaign vets for free. To register for free accommodation, go to www.normandiememoire.com/NM60Anglais/remise/hebergement.php.
For other tips on hotels, dining and transportation, check out www.normandy-tourism.org or our own guide to Normandy at www.frommers.com/destinations/normandyandmont-st-michel.
For airfare, you're pretty much on your own. For Americans, travel agency Humbert Travel is working with the D-Day commemoration committee to offer airfares of $550, plus tax, from New York to Paris for dates before June 13th. Call them at 212/688-3700. If you're willing to leave before the end of this month and stay in France for a week or two, check out 1800flyeurope.com's current super-cheap airfare sale. They're offering Paris flights from New York for a mere $297, and flights from a dozen other US cities for under $400.
The cheapest way for Canadians to get to Paris right now is (groan, we know) Air Transat. Roundtrips for D-dates start at C$799, including tax, from Montreal, and C$833, including tax, from Toronto. Book them at www.airtransat.com.
A D-Licious List of D-Day Events
Getting to the events may be the biggest challenge, as commemorative events are scattered around northeastern Normandy. Your best bet is to rent a car in Paris or Caen, two hours by car from Paris, though we'll understand if you're 85 and don't feel much like driving.
Fortunately, the core Canadian events at the Juno Beach Centre offer a free shuttle bus from Caen. Trains every half-hour or so connect Caen to Paris' St. Lazare station; the ride takes about 2 hours. For other options in getting to the beaches, see www.frommers.com/destinations/d-daybeaches/0572010002.html.
For a list of US military-sponsored events on June 5-6 and to register for US events, go to: www.60wwii.mil/dday.htm, call 877/868-2058 or e-mail wwii60th@hqda.army.mil.
For a list of Canadian commemorative events in France on June 5-6, go to https://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/internationalcalendar/main-en.asp?Region=12, call 800/443-0394 or e-mail priscilla.campbell@vac-acc.gc.ca.
Canada's Veterans Affairs website has many more details on the ceremonies, including directions to Juno Beach. Check it out at .
For a list of all commemorative events taking place in France at the beginning of June, for people from all countries, see: www.normandiememoire.com/NM60Anglais/accueil.php.