Today we traveled to Bayeux and the Cote de Nacre, which is the coastal area where the Allied troops landed on D-Day. First, we went to Bayeux, a small city that was spared during World War II so it is in tact. There is a large cathedral there and the real draw is The Tapestry of Bayeux - this is a tapistry that measures 230 ft long, which tells the story of William the Conqueror (who was from Normandy) becoming King of England. You get an audio guide and walk along the tapestry listening to the story. It is really very cool actually. No pictures allowed though!
After the Tapestry, we went to the Battle of Normandy Museum in Bayeux which gave a really good history of D-Day and the battles that happened over the next month as the Allies liberated Normandy and then the rest of France.
There were 5 beaches where the Allies landed, the Americans arrived at Utah and Omaha. We went to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer. The Cemetery has a great new visitors center with a lot of exhibits and movies.
We then went to La Pointe du Hoc, this is where 225 Army Rangers scaled the cliffs to get to the German guns and fortifications on top.
Then we headed down to our hotel near Avranches, which is a good starting point for exploring Mont Saint Michel. Dinner at Le Tripot was delicious, our best meal so far. We were hoping to get to Mont Saint Michel tonight but too tired after dinner (and the Panda sort of ran out of gas), so we will just go first thing in the morning. Then off to the Loire Valley...wineries and chateaux!
By the way, I updated a bunch of pictures from the first two days of the trip, so take a look!
You are inspiring me to take another vacation. Patty D.
ReplyDeleteWow! What beautiful pictures and such history. Sounds like you guys are having a great time :)
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