My father fought in WWII, but in the South Pacific. He died in 2009.
A few years ago, my family did a tour of WWII sites in Europe. We went to Normandy and visited Arromanches-sur-baines. My daughter walked out onto the beach and I have a photo of her and one of the caissons in the distance.
The building with the diorama is very interesting, as is the film of DeGaulle and the Free French. The person speaking about the diorama gave her talk in English, but the film about DeGaulle was only in French. C'est la vie.
Afterwards, we went to the American cemetery. We arrived just at sunset and they were playing taps and lowering the flag. It was beautiful and sad at the same time.
There was a display of how the British, Canadian, and American troops worked together to stage the invasion at Normandy.
How far we've come and how far the US has fallen since those days.
Merci Susan. All attempts have been made to stop the hackers. Let me know if you can see this comment or if you receive other “strange” messages. Thank you for your help.
Great photos! Arromanches is on my to-do list, never been there before, but can't wait to make a trip there. (We're just across the Channel, in the Portsmouth area!)
The Normandy coast totally grabbed me and wouldn’t let go, even now. The sense of history was astounding, and as a WWII buff, I was enraptured by the place itself. You definitely should go, Pierre.
Yes, that’s right — I live in England now, but I often travel to France, where most of my family still lives (my parents and siblings). So I’m lucky to go back regularly and explore both sides of the Channel! Bonne soirée Véronique!
Arromanches is one of my favorite places of memory. I agree that it is "pas mal, pas mal du tout". And your photo of the sunset is almost like a painting. Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely, peaceful view from your window! I'm glad you're finding time to report from your tour. I had no idea Arromanches was such a small village.
If you are talking about visiting the village of Arromanches and walking along the waterfront as I did, I think you'd be ok. The hotel has an elevator.
The few times I have been to Normandy on layovers, I can’t sing the praises of the locals that are so kind and generous with their love for Americans that visit. Your tour would be one I wish I could be a member of……thank you so much for sharing Véro…🥰
Avec plaisir. You are right, locals have not forgotten the events that unfolded here in the spring and summer of 1944. Worth noting Arromanches was in the English sector (Gold Beach) and it is British troops you will see highlighted here with murals and on shop windows very often.
A few years back, on a crisp March layover day, I was with my two pilots who had both served in the Army. So this was an incredibly special trip for them. I have been to the American Cemetery several times. (I never visit and don’t cry) my dad was a tail gunner for the US Air Force….at any rate….. Lots of French Children were on a field trip there and just being children ….one of the teachers could see we were Americans, and stopped them in their tracks…. I speak French, so I knew what he said to them. Several came up to us and apologized in the sweetest French accents, that they were sorry to not be respectful. I can cry every time I share this story. It’s like it was last month for me. I’ve also been there where it seems French families bring their children to the cemetery and pick weeds and make sure the entire area is pristine. So if you want to say the French don’t like Americans…I can say for a fact….they respect our soldiers and America.
My father fought in WWII, but in the South Pacific. He died in 2009.
A few years ago, my family did a tour of WWII sites in Europe. We went to Normandy and visited Arromanches-sur-baines. My daughter walked out onto the beach and I have a photo of her and one of the caissons in the distance.
The building with the diorama is very interesting, as is the film of DeGaulle and the Free French. The person speaking about the diorama gave her talk in English, but the film about DeGaulle was only in French. C'est la vie.
Afterwards, we went to the American cemetery. We arrived just at sunset and they were playing taps and lowering the flag. It was beautiful and sad at the same time.
There was a display of how the British, Canadian, and American troops worked together to stage the invasion at Normandy.
How far we've come and how far the US has fallen since those days.
Maintenant ….sur ma liste de choses à faire…..I truly can feel 1944 in your photos 😘
Beautiful photos Vero!
Here is the test comment, Véro. Hope that you will always hold that special place in your heart.
Merci Susan. All attempts have been made to stop the hackers. Let me know if you can see this comment or if you receive other “strange” messages. Thank you for your help.
Will do! Hope you don’t have to waste more time on that nonsense.
I’m enjoying my armchair travels with you, revisiting places I love.
I especially like your photos in this post!
Armchair travel can be quite fun too. Merci Bonita.
Gorgeous place, gorgeous piece. I hate that we didn't stop there while we were in Normandie.
You can always return Lisa.
What a gorgeous place!
That it is Sacha. I could see myself spending some time there in the spring or summer preferably in one of the "vieilles dames" along the shore.
What a great way to start your morning...sunrise, beach, calm seas, and loads of history! Thanks for all you do!!!
Jeanie
Thank you for being here Jeanie.
Great photos! Arromanches is on my to-do list, never been there before, but can't wait to make a trip there. (We're just across the Channel, in the Portsmouth area!)
The Normandy coast totally grabbed me and wouldn’t let go, even now. The sense of history was astounding, and as a WWII buff, I was enraptured by the place itself. You definitely should go, Pierre.
I didn't realize you lived in England Pierre. You seem to be doing a fair amount of traveling in France.
Yes, that’s right — I live in England now, but I often travel to France, where most of my family still lives (my parents and siblings). So I’m lucky to go back regularly and explore both sides of the Channel! Bonne soirée Véronique!
One of the perks of being across "la Manche" - You are still close to home. :-)
Arromanches is one of my favorite places of memory. I agree that it is "pas mal, pas mal du tout". And your photo of the sunset is almost like a painting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Harriet. I do like that photo too. I've built quite the collection of "Arromanches shots" over the last few years.
What a lovely, peaceful view from your window! I'm glad you're finding time to report from your tour. I had no idea Arromanches was such a small village.
I wrote this story after my group's farewell dinner last night (and went to bed too late.) ;-) Arromanches is a very special place in Normandy.
Absolutely love it. Thanks for taking us along. ❤️Normandy.
Avec plaisir Camilla. It is definitely a special part of France.
I walk with a leg brace and a cane. Is this doable for someone like me?
If you are talking about visiting the village of Arromanches and walking along the waterfront as I did, I think you'd be ok. The hotel has an elevator.
The few times I have been to Normandy on layovers, I can’t sing the praises of the locals that are so kind and generous with their love for Americans that visit. Your tour would be one I wish I could be a member of……thank you so much for sharing Véro…🥰
Avec plaisir. You are right, locals have not forgotten the events that unfolded here in the spring and summer of 1944. Worth noting Arromanches was in the English sector (Gold Beach) and it is British troops you will see highlighted here with murals and on shop windows very often.
A few years back, on a crisp March layover day, I was with my two pilots who had both served in the Army. So this was an incredibly special trip for them. I have been to the American Cemetery several times. (I never visit and don’t cry) my dad was a tail gunner for the US Air Force….at any rate….. Lots of French Children were on a field trip there and just being children ….one of the teachers could see we were Americans, and stopped them in their tracks…. I speak French, so I knew what he said to them. Several came up to us and apologized in the sweetest French accents, that they were sorry to not be respectful. I can cry every time I share this story. It’s like it was last month for me. I’ve also been there where it seems French families bring their children to the cemetery and pick weeds and make sure the entire area is pristine. So if you want to say the French don’t like Americans…I can say for a fact….they respect our soldiers and America.
Love the picture of the view from the hotel window!
Moi aussi. I lucked out that day.
Thank you for that fine walk through history of beautiful Arromanches.
Happy you enjoyed reading my little story. I wrote it in an hour before meeting tour members for our farewell dinner in Paris last night.