Holiday pics from Normandy
We spent halfterm in France, in the Calvados region in Normandy, near the D-Day landing beaches. This is Gold beach at Arromanches, one of the British landing beaches. The structures you see in the distance are the remains of a Mulberry Harbour, which was a temporary harbour constructed during the allied invasions.
This was one of the most moving places we visited: the American Cemetery and Memorial at Omaha Beach. More than nine thousand crosses mark the graves of the soldiers that lost their lives during the invasion. We were there the day before the anniversary, and the graves were marked with French and American flags. There’s a cliff that overlooks the beach, with a steep path down to the beach, and it gives you a sense of the enormous challenge these soldiers faced.
I had to add a pic of this Bar Restaurant near the D-Day beaches in Saint Laurent Sur Mer. Quite possibly the WORST meal I have ever eaten in my ENTIRE life (and that includes Scotland in the 80s!) A microwave hamburger that was in the microwave a little too long and rancid chicken. In France! I shudder as I write this…
Here are the famous waterlilies at Monet’s garden in Giverny. The gardens were a bit of a drive from Houlgate (1 1/2 hours) but well worth it and late May is a great time to visit. I’ve visited the gardens before in August and it was heaving. In May it is quiet and there are irises, wall flowers, violets, roses…
…oh, and the peonies!
This is on our trip to Bayeux, mainly to see the famous Tapestry. There is also a large cathedral there, with lovely stained glass windows.
And one cannot have a trip to Normandy without visiting Honfleur, possibly the most picturesque town on the coast. Monet and his buddies used to hang out here and paint.
My personal favourite: the beach in Deauville! We rented an umbrella, deck charis and brought a picnic lunch that included a chilled bottled of chardonnay. Perfect!
I reviewed Keycamp and the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso while I was there … check out those posts if you are so inclined.
How was your half term?
Review: Keycamp Houlgate | A Modern Mother | 17th Oct 13
[…] For some pics of our trip, and where went, check out this post. […]
Geekymummy | 15th Jun 10
Have very happy memories of a similar vacation when I wa about the age of your eldest. Lovely.
Deer Baby | 14th Jun 10
Great pictures and words. We did this exact trip (apart from the Monet gardens – which I really wanted to see) a year or so ago and it was really moving and deeply affecting. My son was studying WWII at the time. We stayed in Deauville, saw the Bayeaux Tapestry (he loved the audio recording for children) and visited a lot of the beaches and cemeteries. I think it’s really important for them to see it and understand it. But it was a really good holiday as well though. And luckily we missed that restaurant!
Pants With Names | 14th Jun 10
Love that last picture. You’ve just reminded me that I have to renew the kids passports if we want to go to France this summer!
MommyTime | 14th Jun 10
What an absolutely lovely sounding holiday! You are inspiring me to do more long-distance traveling with my own children.
Muddling Along Mummy | 14th Jun 10
It sounds lovely – beach, chardonnay, yum!
A Modern Mother | 14th Jun 10
@califlorna — I’m guessing the weather was not so great then?
A Modern Mother | 14th Jun 10
@Mwa it was a bit of a trek — but my mother was visiting and really wanted to see it.
Calif Lorna | 14th Jun 10
We spent Easter in Normandy. The American cemetery and Omaha beach were very moving. I thought the museum was very well done.
Glad you enjoyed the rest of the trip as well.
Mwa | 13th Jun 10
I loved Monet’s garden as well.
A Modern Mother | 13th Jun 10
@english mum I think those beaches are a great history lesson for children, it raised all sorts of questions with my chidlren too (ages 5, 6 and 8). OK, mainly from the 8-year-old.
English Mum | 12th Jun 10
My oldest (15) says he actually felt really moved when he visited Omaha Beach. Sounds like you had a blast 🙂
A Modern Mother | 12th Jun 10
@nappyvalley The moules WERE extraordinary (and the Normandy tarts). I think we were lucky with the weather.
A Modern Mother | 12th Jun 10
@rosie I Heart CenterParcs!
nappyvalleygirl | 12th Jun 10
Nice photos. I spent a very rainy week in the same region when I was a student. Because it was so wet, we spent the entire time eating moules marinieres and drinking cider and calvados…..great holiday, though.
Rosie Scribble | 12th Jun 10
Lovely photos. Very moving. We spent half term im Centre Parcs, again!