Spring Break: Normandy Beaches, France

From Mont St. Michel we headed over to the town of Arromanches, about 2 hours away.  Our hotel was right on the beach of what became Port Winston during WWII.  The allies, after storming the beaches of Normandy, and gaining a foot hold in France needed a port to bring supplies to the soldiers fighting their way through France and on to Berlin.  Using old ships (sunk purposefully in strategic places), football field sized cement blocks and floating steel piers the allies built a temporary harbor.

Our first stop was the bluff overlooking the beach.  There was a theater with a film about the war and how the small French towns were affected.  The film had no speaking, just footage from the war and music.  It was pretty powerful to see the faces of soldiers right before they got off the boats to head to the beach.  You just knew some of those faces were of men that never made it home to their families.

A photo from the bluff overlooking the beach.  Off in the distance you can still see remains of the temporary harbor.

We walked up to the theater but then opted to ride the free tourist train back down the hill.  Anything to keep the kids happy and willing to trudge to yet another site.

Townsend exploring the old pier on the beach

Oma and Julian.  You can see in the distance some of the sunken ships used as a breakwater for the temporary harbor.

Quick, take a photo, the sun came out!!!

Exploring an old US Army vehicle that was on display

We stayed the night in Arromanches, not the best hotel experience but we survived for just one night.  The next morning we went to visit the Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery.  Four German bunkers with guns intact are the only original guns remaining in the D-Day region.  Even though it was raining a bit and the wind was bitterly cold, I'm so glad we got out of the car and walked around this site.  What a chilling reminder for what happened 60 years ago.  I have to admit, as I walked around, I felt a bit sorry for the poor German soldiers that were sent to this post.  It was pretty secluded and the bunkers seemed so cold and dark.  

One of the hilltop bunkers.  These giant guns could shoot 13 miles out to sea and pounded the boats as they attempted to land on D-Day.

The boys didn't really understand the gravity of what happened at all these sites we were taking them to.  For 8 year olds, this was just a cool place to climb around and explore.

After the bunkers we headed over to Omaha beach.  It's such a quiet, peaceful stretch of beach.  There is a special feeling you get as you walk around.  You feel almost as though you are in a church or a cemetery, some place sacred.  It was a bit eerie.  Maybe it was the cloudy, cold day.  Maybe it was because we were the only people on the beach and it was very quiet and you could reflect on the events on June 6, 1944.  I'm not sure what it was about the beach but I felt something very strong and powerful.  I kept thinking "why?"  Why is there war in the world?  I couldn't help contrasting the images in my mind of death and life.  Death because of the events of D-Day and life because my three boys were running on the beach jumping and playing in the waves.  

Oma looking out over the ocean on Omaha beach

Our last stop was the WWII American cemetery and memorial.  The final resting spot of over 9,000 American soldiers that lost their lives bringing freedom to the people of Europe.

Another amazing and awe inspiring site.  

The cemetery is in a beautiful location, overlooking Omaha beach.

I'm so glad we spent some time exploring the sites from a piece of American and European history.  I feel so lucky and blessed to live in a time of peace and plenty and I know I owe much to the men and women that have served in the military and are still serving today.

Next stop, Belgium...stay tuned!