Unforgettable Experiences in Normandy

Our first impression of Normandy was magical. Dense fog covered the rural landscape and it seemed like a horde of Vikings could ambush us from the forest at any moment.

Our first stop was the Pointe du Hoc, a 100 meter cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. It was the site of a major battle during D-Day in World War II. The grassy ground leading up to the Pointe du Hoc monument is almost completely covered with craters created by allied bombs.

Giant concrete bunkers are scattered around the area, still standing but missing the heavy artillery they once housed. The lookout had a breathtaking view of the English Channel coastline. The vegetation in the area has since grown around the bunkers and grass has filled in the craters. It was very difficult to imagine war happening in such a peaceful place.

Next up was the Caen Memorial museum. A storm-gray plane hung precariously from the ceiling as if in mid flight, guns blazing. We walked through pre-war, during and post war exhibitions. Propaganda posters decorated the walls and the effects of World War II in Normandy were shown through pictures, black and white films and remains of buildings blown apart in the chaos.

Our hotel was in a town called Bayeux, which is home to a nearly 230 foot tapestry with 75 scenes describing the struggle between William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold, Earl of Wessex, for the throne of England.

Bayeux is a petite town with bumpy cobblestone streets and an abundance of history including a ginormous 218 year-old-tree planted after the success of the French Revolution.

Breakfast was provided by the hotel in a formal dining room with just enough chairs to fit our group of ten. The amount and variety of food set in front of us could have fed the whole town of Bayeux. Piles of fresh croissants and fruit were passed around the table and stacks of bacon and eggs were just begging to be eaten. There were too many tartes, pies and breads to eat them all and we even ended up wrapping a few croissants up for later.

Around 9:15 in the morning, our bus parked at the Normandy American cemetery. It was a solemn walk from the visitors center through the spacious lawn and graves of 9,387 American soldiers. The sacrifice made during D-Day became very real. Stark white grave markers seemed to stretch on endlessly in pin straight rows.

Our walk through the grounds eventually turned into a treacherous hike down a slippery hill lined with barbed bushes and many unmarked paths. We were very determined to reach Omaha Beach and braved the wilderness. I may or may not have slipped, but the scary experience and dirty shoes were with it.

Visiting Omaha Beach is not like going to Gulf Shores Beach. It feels very sacred, almost like hallowed ground. The small amount of visitors talk in hushed silence and walk slowly, almost as if they can see the amount of bloodshed that occurred. The beach itself is beautiful, unmarred by the effects of tourism and lightly shrouded in a misty fog. It looks like it jumped right out of a dream. We could have spent all day walking the Normandy American cemetery, but Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo were itching to be seen.

Mont Saint Michel did not disappoint, but it did prove to be challenging. It is a magnificent monastery on top of a rocky peak with a small town that emerged around it. There are no cars in this ancient city, which is surrounded by water at high tide. It was a steep journey up countless stairs and inclined roads until we reached the entrance to the monastery itself.

It has been standing for about 1300 years and is full of gothic and medieval architecture. The city was packed despite extensive restoration and it is a marvel that still stands today. Windows carved into the stone walls around the building are not for those with a fear of heights, you can look from numerous spots in the monastery all the way down to the sandy beach.

Rushing around Normandy is difficult when you have an itinerary like ours. It was easy to loose track of time exploring Mont Saint Michel and walking through the Normandy American cemetery, so our visit to Saint Malo was a culinary one. We sat down for dinner at Lion D’Or where we rushed through our meals of either mussels or crepes. The meal was delicious and a great way to cap off our visit to Normandy.

Friday morning was back to school, but not for long. We interrupted the school day for a visit to the Belanger Chocolate Factory where we suited up like hazmat workers for a tour of the facility. The chocolate smell was overwhelming in a good way and before long it was time to visit the storefront. I think it is safe to say that I bought more chocolate in half an hour than I have in the past week spent in France.