Paris and Northern France in 11 days
Brittany/Normandy
* Fougères
* Mont St-Michel
* Normandy Beach
* Bayeux
Fougères
We moved from city to city in a comfortable bus. This became a mobile classroom. Virginie, a teacher, explained about French people, language, food, politic, and history. There was never a dull moment while in the bus. She cracked a joke when she was explaining about cheese. It is funny. Listen to it.
cheeseJoke.MOV
Fougères is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.
The town is nestled on the hill.
In 1166, the fortress was besieged and taken by Henry II of England exactly 100 years after the Battle of Hastings.
So the ownership of town shifted back and forth between England and France.
We had crêpes lunch because it was local specialty.
Townspeople seem to be fond of elaborate blue doors.
You walk in to the church only welcomed by serendipitous “Impressionist moment”. Monet would have approved of our assessment.
Mont St-Michel
The abbey was built on the rocky island. Pilgrimage started in the10th century.
Now it is mostly tourists like us but the spirits are the same without the inconvenience of hardship.
Half way up to our hotel.
Late afternoon, the tide was coming in flooding the abbey shadow.
Dinner: we were served like a king and queen with local specialties.
We were told there were more than 425 sorts of cheese in France but Mas knew only three kinds: gooey, hard, and stinky.
We recreated the most memorable experience of the entire trip in the following video clip.
Thanks to the Rick Steves Tour, we had a unique experience spending the night on the island and rising for morning services. As we were leaving the island, a horde of tourists were just arriving.
MSM.MOV
Normandy Beach
The D-Day June 6th 1944.
The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions descended behind the enemy lines in the darkness before the beach assault.
Unlucky John Steele got hung up on the church roof. He pretended to be dead until being rescued.
The German defense was formidable.
They took advantage of geographical barrier.
This is a German machine gunner’s view (from the concrete bunker) at the Omaha Beach.
Robertson.MOV
Reference:
"saving private ryan" directed by Steven Spielberg opens with a very tense battle scene of Omaha Beach.
Stuart Robertson, our local guide, is an author of this book containing many photos and stories based on individuals, generals to soldiers on both sides. Also this is an excellent field guide. This intellectual and passionate guide superbly untangles the complex story. We were happy to have Stuart taking us to the historical path.
American cemetery.
Truly reflective here.
The statue expresses spirits rising from water.
It took three months to liberate Paris, and eleven months for the German surrender.
Bayeux
The town is close to the Normandy Beach. Bayeux Cathedral stands in the middle of the town. No doubt this is one of the most elegant cathedrals in Europe. Susan has seen hundreds of churches and she thinks this is “the most laciest”. The organist was practicing the organ. See the light magic.
Bayeux.MOV
Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Another attraction in town is a 230' long embroidery. It depicts the victors view of The Battle of Hastings. It took place 1064-1066. Anglo-Saxon King Harold vs. Duke of Normandy, William.
tapestry.MOV
The French brought the laws and order to England. French words used in law and government were widely introduced there such as government, champion, bureau, marriage, and sovereign etc.
Reference: “Mother Tongue, English & How It Got That Way” by Bill Bryson.
Several chapters explore the French influence to the English language. Humorous, fun to read.