Normandy

During the mid-term break we decided to sneak in a mini-vacation and took the Eurotunnel (where we can drive our car onto a vehicle train) to France. We decided to go to Normandy to visit the D-day beaches and get a quick taste of the region.

The drive from Calais, where we get off the train, to our B&B in Normandy took about 3 hours but was pretty easy. We stayed at a renovated 11th century farm house. It was a perfect location for our travels for the weekend. The stay was great. We were the only people there at the time and it only had 4 BRs anyway.



On our first full day we drove down to Mont St Michel, a granite rock in the delta of the Seine, where, in 708, the Archangle Michael appeared to St Aubert to build a church on the island. The history of the island is amazing. Around the island is much silt and sand that has built up over the centuries. In the past the quicksand enabled the defenders of the church to repel any enemy that approached.

The island is amazing. The small road leads through the small village up to the church. Subsequent editions/layers of the church were added to previous sections to enhance the overall stature of the island.



The children and I walked along the flats, occasionally sunk in the mud, and found many shells.

The second day we went to the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer. When we went through the town there were large pictures that showed what the town looked like on D-day. The town church, looking perfect now, was in ruins on D-day and the picture from that day showed American troops marching through the town.



The cemetery itself was very moving and emotional. Just seeing the monuments, displays, etc., brought tears to your eyes. Afterwards we walked down to Omaha Beach and tried to imagine what it was like on June 6th, 1944. It was impossible since the beach was so peaceful.



Next we went to Pointe-du-Hoc, a German artillery position that overlooked both Omaha and Utah Beaches. As part of D-day the Rangers had to scale the 200ft cliff and capture the position. The position had been bombed unmercifully by the Allies. Today the craters are everywhere and the pieces of the concrete bunkers that were buried throughout the location are still where they were that day.