While in the Normandie region, we found ourselves in the quaint coastal village of Courseulles sur Mer. With its walkable streets and warm-hearted locals, this seaside gem was a treasure trove of history. A fellow military traveler recommended it, and this is where we made our home for our time in this region. We were not disappointed.
Nestled at Junio Beach near the Canadian Memorial, we could walk along the coastal dunes and imagine what it must have been like to land here many years ago. The German bunkers remain, lest we forget. Many Canadians and some from the UK visit, adding to the historical significance. We had the joy of meeting a wonderful young couple from York while on holiday, and we were thrilled to meet up with them every evening and enjoy dinner. They were lovely, and we hope to run into each other again, either in York or the USA! Maybe both! We hadn’t quite mustered the courage to tell them that half our children are older than they are!
There is much to be said about traveling in lesser-known areas, which was perfect for us. We also spent some time in Caen, a city bursting with history and stunning architecture, and Bayeux, home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry. The Saturday street market was bustling, and we were happy to be there.
As we walked through these areas, I could not help but reflect on the rich history. Our country is young in comparison, and I loved that these areas were worth preserving.
Additionally, we visited the Pegasus Bridge near Bénouville, a key location in the D-Day landings. Before we arrived in this area, I was unaware of its significance. Here, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, a glider-borne force that was part of the 6th Airlanding Brigade, would land and capture the bridge, preventing the German armor from crossing it and allowing the British to continue to move forward.These treasures brought us immense joy and were steeped in history; it felt like the war had just ended, and people were still rejoicing.
We have a few more gems to visit before we move on, but we will soon drive to Lyon and leave our rental car behind. We plan to travel with BlaBlaCar, an excellent rideshare service that connects travelers with drivers heading in the same direction, from Lyon to Le Puy, where we will begin our walkabout in a few days.
There is still so much to see and we are excited.
You are loved.
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 