Normandy

With a long weekend approaching, there is typically some chat among my work colleagues about our plans for the weekend. While most people ask “Are you going anywhere special?”, my colleagues have learnt to ask “Where are you going this time?”. This past long weekend was no different. With little time to plan a full adventure by myself, I joined Belle & Ivan for a history lesson in the Normandy region of France.

The name ‘Normandy’ comes from the Vikings (the ‘northmen’) who settled in the territory in the 9th century. Normandy certainly has its name in more than one page in the history books. Here are just a few of the key dates that guided our weekend:

14 October 1066
The events of 1066 are reflected in a 68m tapestry which is currently located in the town of Bayeux, nearby the grand Cathedral (see photo right). This tapestry steps through the life of William, the Duke of Normandy, who became the King of England. The climax of the tapestry was the Battle of Hastings when William conquered over Herold who had been crowned king against his predecessor’s request.


30 May 1431
It was in the town of Rouen where Jehanne d’Arc (later known as Joan of Arc) was burned at the stake in 1431. A peasant girl who lead the French army through several important victories, Joan of Arc was put on trial for heresy. Later the Catholic Church found her to be innocent and she was declared a martyr. Today she is one of five patron saints in France. The photo to the left shows the style of some of the buildings which overlook the square where she died.

6 June 1944
Commonly known as D-day, it was on this day that the British and Allied forces attacked the Germans who held control of the French coastline. Some 165,000 troops landed on D-Day at 5 beaches along the 50 mile stretch of coastline. We visited two of the five beaches – Omaha beach and Gold Beach.

Omaha (above) was one of two landings by the US forces and was the hardest hit on D-day with some 5,000 soldiers falling on D-day. The cemetary holds the resting place for about 10,000 of the USA soldiers. The landing on Gold beach (below) was lead by the British forces. It was also one of two locations where the Allies constructed a temporary harbour (known as a Mulberry) to deliver supplies to its troops. Using prefabricated piers and roadways towed across the channel, the harbour was operational in 3 days – a pretty amazing engineering feat! Some of the concrete piers still remain today, despite the fact they were only made to last for 3 months. While exploring the history we were also able to some other towns…

• Honfleur is a quaint fishing village. We had just enough time to wander through the local markets including a few shops selling some of the local specialities – apple cider & calvados (apple brandy).
• Mont Saint Michel is a picturesque tidal island. According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to bishop St Aubert in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert initially ignored the instruction, but later reconsidered when St Michael burned a hole in the bishop’s skull with his finger. Today the island is a popular tourist attraction. Below are photos of me at the top with the Abbey overlooking the panoramic view and the island at low tide.