Paris Day 2 Normandy Day Trip

After stopping by the corner pastry shop (so yummy!), we got in the van and headed north to the coast to visit NORMANDY

We weren't sure if this chocolate eclair was going to be good or not.  After the first bite, Karyl and I were wishing we hadn't decided to share! 

Karyl really wanted to visit Normandy during our weekend to Paris.  Although it merits more than a days visit, that was all we had.  We tried to make the best of our time.  Karyl has a deep appreciation for World War II since her father Carl Anderson was a side gunner in the war and spent 9 months in a prison of war camp.   We started in Arromanches which is a town that was like ground zero during D-day.  We watched the 360 degree film at a visitor center called The Price of Freedom.  It had live footage from the actual day intermixed with modern day footage.  It was very well done with screens all around the room that you stand in the middle of.  They play different things so you find yourself turning round to take it all in and it really sets the mood for your visit. 

Out in the sea off the beaches of Arromanches sits some of the remnants of the prefabricated, temporary harbor that was created by the British to aid in the transportation of troops and tanks needed for the D-day attack.  Since it was Churchill’s brainchild, it was named Port Winston. 

 

It was neat to learn more about "D-Day".... These are some of the things we learned while reading through our Rick Steve's guide and visiting the sights. 

On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched “Operation Overload” better known as D-Day.  The Allies had amassed three million soldiers and six million tons of Material in England to prepare for the biggest fleet-led invasion in history-across the English Channel to France, then eastward to Berlin.  The Germans, hunkered down in northern France, knew an invasion was imminent, but the Allies kept the details top secret.  On the night of June 5, 150,000 soldiers boarded ships and planes, not knowing where they were headed until they were under way.  Each one carried a note from General Dwight D. Eisenhower.  “The tide has turned.  The free men of the world are marching together to victory.” 

At 6:30 on June 6, 1944, Americans spilled out of troop transports into the cold waters off a beach in Normandy, code named Omaha.  The weather was bad, seas were rough, and the prep bombing had failed.  The soldiers, many seeing their first action, were dazed, confused, and weighed down by heavy packs.  Nazi machine guns pinned them against the sea.  Slowly, they crawled up the beach on their stomachs.  More than a thousand died.  They held on until the next wave of transports arrived. 

All day long, Allied confusion did battle with German indecision-the Nazis never really counter-attacked, thinking D-Day was just a ruse not the main invasion.  By day’s end, the Allies had taken several beaches along the Normandy coast and begun building artificial harbors, providing a tiny port-of-entry for the reconquest of Europe.   With in 10 months, Allied troops had liberated Paris, marched on Berlin from several angles, Hitler had shot himself and after six years of war-Europe is free.  -- Rick Steve's France book 2011

Next we headed over to the WWII Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial 

It was really well done and a peaceful feeling abides there

The statue symbolizes the American Spirit of youth being lifted up out of the water. 

Crowning a bluff just above Omaha Beach and the eye of the D-Day storm, 9, 387 brilliant white-marble crosses glow in memory of Americans who gave their lives to free Europe on the beaches below.  Interestingly, one thing I really walked away having learned is that these soldiers died fighting for peoples’ freedom they did not know, that weren’t from their country.   A very warm regard for Americans still exists here today.  The soldiers are still honored and the image of the US as a force for good has remained largely untarnished in the surrounding areas of France by Normandy.  

Its hard not to stand there today with all the white crosses in rows that go on and on while listening to the quiet peaceful sounds of the ocean not far away to not get choked up and revere these young soldiers.  It makes me wonder if we are raising a generation of boys that would be willing to do the same today for their fellow man if called upon by their country.  I hope my boys would. 

 Two of the Niland boys made famous from the Saving Private Ryan movie are buried here. 

The best quote of the day in my opinion (and there were quite a few to choose from) was this:

“Soldiers’ graves are the greatest preachers of peace.” 

--Albert Schweitzer

After viewing the cemetery we drove around and parked by Omaha beach.  We walked on the sand and looked for seashells.  Took some pictures of the kids playing in the sand and enjoyed being FREE to do so. 

Joshy spelled his way....

Our little model

The French countryside was so picturesque.  The villages and houses are similar to the German ones, but have there own look and style too.  There were lots of shutters and gates with grassy courtyards in front of the houses.  I loved the drive to Normandy because it takes you through some beautiful villages and gave us a taste of the French countryside.