Europe recap day 3: Normandy

Wounded soldier memorial statue, Omaha Beach

Friday marked Day 3 of our trip, and we had a full day ahead of us! So full that I'm going to separate this day into 3 different posts - Beaches of Normandy, Bayeux, and then dinner back in Paris. One thing that was great about this trip is that we not only experienced the big city, we also traveled to the outskirts to feel the small city life as well. This day was one of our "small city" days. We booked this D-Day in Normandy private tour and the van picked us up in front of our AirBNB at 7am. The 8 of us plus the tour guide fit comfortably in the van, which was good because we had a 3-hour commute each way. The drive was scenic and our tour guide, Fredrick, did a great job sharing some history along the way, pointing out monuments, castles, etc. as we approached them.

It was very convenient being on a private tour because we could request stops as needed. It was early - I remember texting with my family in California right before bed, and by the time I woke up to get dressed for the day, replied to more texts in the morning and they hadn't even went to sleep for the night yet! That said, early mornings meant coffee was our first stop! He also stopped about halfway there for a restroom and snack break. 

Bunker with mount for rotating gun, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach

Honestly, I wasn't really sure what to expect from the beaches of Normandy, but needless to say it was somber walking around, hearing the history, and trying to comprehend the massive scale and sadness of it all. A grandfather of one of our friends on our trip fought here, and our friend kept saying how surreal it was knowing that his grandfather was here years ago and now here he stood himself. 

Gun emplacement at Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach

Our first stop was Pointe du Hoc at Utah beach. The guts of the remaining structures and shelters all had an inherent beauty to them, but then when it truly sinks in about who created them and what they were used for, your awe turns to sadness, disbelief, and gratitude.

Bomb crater at Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach

At first glance, I look around and think the terrain is hilly. Then the tour guide tells us that these changes in grade are really bomb craters. Some of them one right next to the other. Again, it's shocking to try and imagine what this actually looked like on D-Day.

Our group in Normandy at at Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach

The weather kept in theme with the mood of the battlefield remains - chilly and gloomy. It drizzled for a good portion of this tour and I was kicking myself for forgetting both my rain jacket and my umbrella. (I blame it on the super early morning, I really should have packed for the day the night before vs. the morning of when I'm sleep deprived and rushing!) I did have a poncho so I wore that, and while it did keep me dry and serve as a wind barrier, I really could have used that rain jacket! I chose my waterproof boots for this day, which were the perfect choice - comfy, warm, and dry. My denim jacket was fine for the majority of the day. For moments I felt chillier, I used my scarf as a wrap for an extra layer.

National Guard Monument at Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach Monument to the Allies

Les Braves sculpture, Omaha Beach

Our next stop was Omaha Beach which hit even more closer to home for all of us since it was full of American memorials and tributes. What's kind of funny, or perhaps strange, is that one of the nights we retired for the night early, we decided to watch Saving Private Ryan. Maybe a bit morbid to do as a group on vacation, but, having visited Normandy and being able to put what we saw in context with what was portrayed in the movie.... well, it added a whole other level of respect and gratitude to those who served and are serving. There are no words really to describe the feeling.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Our final stop before lunch was the American Cemetery and Memorial. Just when you think you understand the sheer scale of this all, you visit a place like this and you realize you still have no idea. We learned there were over 9300 soldiers buried here, and when you see the mass amount of ground the graves cover and think about how this *only* represents American casualties.... you get chills.

The ceiling of the Memorial Chapel in Normandy American Cemetery

I took so many photos, but these were the highlights! And the day is only a third of the way through! Overall, this was a great tour. The boys on our trip are all history buffs, and obviously us girls appreciated it, too. Some might think it to be a bit eery to see what we saw, and that is certainly true. But I'm very glad we had this on our itinerary!

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