France - Normandy Day 2 - Streets of Bayeux

France - Normandy Day 2 - War Reporter's Memorial

 The War Reporter's Memorial was built to remember the fallen who seek not to fight but to tell the truth. Each column has a year and the names of war or conflict reporters who died in that year.

 The stone says, "One may only taste freedom when others around us are free".

 Here are the reporters who died in 2012. Shoukri Ahmed Ratib Abu Bourghoul was a Syrian journalist who was killed by armed persons when heading home after a radio show. Each has a story.

Another quote on a stone, "We must uphold freedom of speech. It is the basis for all other freedoms: it is how we enlighten each other" by Voltaire.

France - Normandy Day 2 - Commonwealth Cemetery

 The Commonwealth Cemetery is the largest in France. It has graves from all of the countries that served under Britain.

 The motto on the arch across from the cemetery translates to "We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land.”

 The building seen here has a book where you can look up names in order to find the location they are buried.

The cemetery includes several from my Grandfather's regiment, the North Shore Regiment.

France - Normandy Day 2 - Battle Of Normandy War Museum

 The Battle of Normandy War Museum is situated in Bayeux. It is smaller than the one in Caen and we spent several hours here. The building looks similar to a bunker and many tanks are on the outside.

 They have a chronological series of rooms about the lead up to D-Day, the landings itself and the liberation of Normandy from the German army. Here are Canadian uniforms of WW2.

 Here are German uniforms.

 There are artillery, jeeps, half-tracks and other large items used during WW2 in the rooms.

 I was also interested in what my Grandfather's Regiment, the North Shore Regiment, did during the war. Especially so because he missed the initial landings due to pneumonia. He rejoined them either just before or just after the taking of Carpiquet, which came before the assault on Caen.

Here is a recording that played to encourage German forces to surrender.

France - Normandy Day 2 - Bayeux Cathedral

 Built on top of Roman temples, as many Catholic Churches were, this cathedral was built in 1077.

 The same size as the Notre Dame cathedral, it is not as well known.

 The evil looking nun touching herself in a biblical way is not what pops into my head when I think of gargoyles. Yet here it is.

 The inside is better lit from the glass on the upper section. I feel that it makes it more inviting.

 Inside there are many other gargoyles that mock visitors. The pattern underneath changes as you proceed down the church.

 Here is another one that caught my eye.

 Click on the image to see dozens of faces of demons that form the arch.

The priest in black may be the first representation of an auton.Although disturbing the colors used are nice.

 This is a stained glass window made after WW2 that shows the units that freed France.

 Saint George in metal.

 A scene of the apocalypse done in a different style than I had seen before.

 This is the crypt and I had to stand very still for the camera to absorb enough light and still remain in focus. Patience is a virtue in picture taking.

This image was in a frame around a corner. Forgotten or hidden? The maze in the middle is not anywhere in this cathedral so it is a mystery.

France - Normandy Day 2 - Bayeux Tapestry

Through these door sits the building that houses the Bayeux Tapestry. Although its actually embroidery on cloth (a tapestry is woven cloth) it measures almost 70 meters and is about a meter tall. It tells the story of the Norman conquest of England including the battle of Hastings. Think of it as a medieval comic book. It has frames, the important characters are all stitched the same way, and it has a continuing story line.

I'd like to show pictures of it but it is almost 1000 years old so no pictures are allowed. If you want to see what it loos like, click here. If you do come here to see the tapestry, get the audio guide and have your finger on the pause button. The explanations come fast and furious. There is also a section in the museum that talks about how the tapestry was constructed, the culture and history of the time, how arms and armor were made, fortifications and a short film tying it all together. Expect 2-3 hours for the full thing and the gift shop has some great items, including a comic book of the tapestry and cider!

France - Normandy Day 1 - Le Pommier

 Le Pommier was one of the recommended restaurants. It serves excellently prepared local specialties.

 The lighting was in full candlelight mode so some pictures turned out dark and fuzzy. My apologies. We srated with an amuse bouche of seafood and creamed something.

 We had the local cider which was damn tasty. My wife's starter was salmon lox cubed on salad greens.

 I had many types of seafood which included shrimp, langostine sized shrimps, whelks, periwinkles and oysters.

 My wife had stewed rabbit with mustard cream sauce, potatoes dauphinoises and steamed vegetables.

 I had the duck breast with wine sauce and vegetables.

We both had for dessert the Normandie pomme tarte. It all was very delicious!

France - Normandy Day 1 - Le Manoir de Sainte Victoire

 The bed and breakfast Le Manoir de Sainte Victoire is a step above and beyond what a bed and breakfast is. The three rooms that are available reside on separate levels accesable from the tower built in the 1400's. Not to worry, they are completely renovated.

 Each accomodation is named after a modern artist and prints from them hang in the rooms.

 The bathrooms have plenty of room and luxury. There is also a mini-kitchen with microwave and fridge. The shower is a large walk in affair.

 After our arrival were were given freshly made pie and it was very very good.

 Here's the stairs and holding onto the rope is highly encouraged.

This is the eating area for breakfast. Lots of food is provided with plenty of different local jams.

France - Normandy Day 01 - Chateau Gratlot

 We visited Chateau Gratot on a whim on our drive from Dinan to Bayeux, our next accommodations. We were very happy with the choice.Built in the 1300's, it was added and changed many times until it was abandoned in the mid 1800's. In the 1960's volunteers fixed the grounds and inner towers. In the summer there is a gift shop and desk but we were here in March and left to our own devices.

 This home made from restored outbuildings looks fantastic on the outside but is private property. The church tower is connected to a church still in use.

 The main gate is simple and has the split entrance for pedestrians and animals/carts.

 The inner chateau is in semi-ruins. Both towers and the structure on the left have a roof and electricity. They have plays and music performances here, including a production of Greece (in French of course).

 Someone made a 25mm scale model of the chateau. Perfect for tabletop gaming!

 The basement of the chateau is open to the air.

 This is a shot of one tower from another tower. The steps are worn away so use at your own risk!

 This is a view of the front of the chateau from a tower.

 This is the back of the chateau with a bridge connecting it to the gardens. There are no gardens anymore, its an animal paddock, but one can close their eyes and imagine.

There are many small islands in the moat and duck houses made out of wood. With the variety of ducks here they must enjoy it as much as we did.