I’m drinking coffee in advance of our second day in Normandy. We had an uneventful trip from Paris, in a great rental car (a brand new Renault Kangoo, which had 4 km on it when I picked it up, and which uses diesel fuel which is not only more energy per km but also less expensive and, best of all, is spacious enough for the four of us). We’re staying in Bayeux, a pretty little town with a grand (and somehow warm-feeling) cathedral:
Notre Dame de Bayeux
It’s home also to the famous Bayeux tapestry, a must-see if you’re ever here, very intricate, bawdy (naked women and men with erections, odd for something supposedly commissioned by a bishop), and interesting, telling a wild, wonderful story of adventure, betrayal, and war that someone should make into a movie.
Arromanches With Part of Artificial Harbor
We also drove to Arromanches, one of the landing points for the Normandy invasions in World War 2 (code named Gold Beach), where the British created an artificial harbor by hauling large concrete blocks over from England, which you can still see today.
From there we went west along the coast, looking for (but never quite finding) Omaha Beach, the American landing spot, but finding instead a gorgeous park at the oddly named St Honorine des Pertes:
Today it’s back to Omaha Beach, visits to some chateaus, and who knows what other random goodies we’ll find along the way. All the photos for those who are interested are at this link. Many benefit by taking the time to view in the large or original size.
Categories: France, Travel -- France
Tags: Bayeux Arromanches France