Normandy; the epicenter of D-Day on June 6, 1944 when 156,000 allied troops stormed the beaches in the long fight to defeat Nazism and re-establish freedom. An enormous price was paid by the allied soldiers and the people of Normandy. Visiting the beaches today expect to be emotional when paying respects in the cemeteries, monuments and museums that recount the horrific battles and the sacrifices made.
Basic facts – Along the 80-kilometer coastline are the five assault beaches code named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword and Juno. The attack was planned with Americans landing on Utah and Omaha, British on Gold and Sword and Canadians on Juno. An intriguing fact in this day of social media and information leaks, D-Day code named “operation overlord” took over a year to plan and was executed by surprize!
Our visit – We stationed ourselves in the town of Bayeux for its close proximity to Juno beach and the museum simply known as the Juno Beach Center. Juno is a long stretch of beach that was deserted during our October visit. It is hard to imagine the carnage that happened here, on the first day of the invasion -1,200 casualties (381 died). By the end of the Battle of Normandy 5,500 Canadian soldiers lost their lives. The Canadian miliary cemetery is situated close in Beny-sur-mer. Rows upon rows of white crosses bearing the names of young Canadians.
The Juno Beach Center tells the Canadian WWII history and pays homage to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives and to all who served. It is a remarkable museum both educational and poignant. The museum is staffed by young Canadians in red jackets on work experience (the premise being they approximate the ages of those who served).
Besides visiting the museum, the guides give tours (free with admission) to the bunkers built by the Germans to guard the beach front.
Further on the coast overlooking the town of Arromanches-les-Baines (a charming town by the sea) is a touching memorial commemorating the 75 th anniversary of D-Day. An installation with a lifelike statue of a 92 year old veteran sadly looking at young soldiers in various attack poses is moving. Also on this site is the Arromanches 360 circular cinema. Standing in the theatre surrounded by screens you watch 20 minutes of realistic historical intensity of the 100 Days of the Battle of Normandy.
While Normandy bears the scars of war, with more cemeteries and museums than anywhere this area also hosts many picturesque towns along the coast and a short day trip away will take you to magical Mont St. Michel
You will also enjoy some of the best, most fresh fish & seafood, wonderful artisanal
cheeses, and apple desserts, ciders and the special Calvados liqueaur. This is a place I know I will vist again for the history, the beauty and the food!
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