Travel Modernism Limited

Normandy

prev next
Normandy has a fascinating history and culture to explore particularly in the perfect vehicle, the Citroen 2CV!  The perfect place to stay is La Chapelle and this holiday gite available to rent and has many original features and situated in a quiet and secluded countryside, click here to find out more.  From the D-Day Beaches, Le Mont St Michel, medieval and modernist architecture, Monet and the impressionist painters, music of Erik Satie, food and drink such as Calvados, Camembert, Pavé d’Auge, Livarot, Pont l’Evêque, Neufchatel, Boursin, Brillat-Savarain and Brin de Paille cheeses, there is something for everyone in this beautiful region of France.  
prev next

Giverny - The home of world famous impressionist painter, Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926.  The house and gardens provide a fascinating insight into how Monet created a muse for his paintings, the ideal time to visit is between June and August, in June you will see and smell the divine aroma of the flowers in full bloom.  In August you'll witness the water lilies in all their splendor as you gaze across from the Japanese foot bridge.  The village also features the grave yard where Monet is buried, the Museum of Impressionism and period establishments such as Hotel Baudy which accommodated and fed the American artists who came to visit the impressionist master at work.

prev next

Pegasus Bridge was a key crossing point that needed to be secured ahead of the main D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, the task fell to force of 181 men led by Major John Howard.  The story of the assault unfolds in the dedicated museum with artifacts that have been donated by those involved and re-productions of the gliders involved in the operation.

prev next

Juno Beach was the responsibility of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on D-Day and met significant opposition from the German 716th Infantry Division and parts of the 21st Panzer Division.  The Canadians advanced further than any other of the allied forces on D-Day and their remarkable story is told by the Juno Beach Centre, staffed entirely by young Canadians, the guided tour of the German fortifications is a must for visitors.

prev next

Gold Beach was the responsibility of the British XXX Corps on the 6 June 1944 with the aim of linking the beach heads allocated to the Canadians and Americans.  The capture of Bayeux took until the next day but would be become the first liberated city in France.  There is a small museum that is well worth visiting which also tells the story of the first air mail flight from America to France in 1927.

prev next

Arromanches was the site of one of two artificial harbours known as Mulberries and were critical to the succession of the Allied invasion of Europe.  During the hundred day campaign in Normandy, more than 300,000 men, 54,000 vehicles, 104,000 tons of supplies had been landed.  The D-Day Museum includes some excellent models which demonstrate the technical achievements of the Mulberry Harbour and can be related to the remains of the Harbour in the bay.

prev next

Omaha Beach became known as 'Bloody Omaha' as a result of the high casualties taken by the American 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions who assaulted the beaches on D-Day.  The German 352nd Infantry Division was made of highly experienced troops and took advantage of the confusion and implementation of the American beach landings.  The American Cemetery at Colleville provides both an informative visitor centre but also a poignant reminder of the human cost of Europe's liberation.

prev next
Utah Beach compared with Omaha was much easier to take due to the lack of committed German troops and the American Airborne 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who secured the areas behind the beaches.  Utah Beach D-Day Museum is located just behind the Beaches involved in the landings and also includes a rare B26 Maurauder, illustrating a type that was involved in bombing fortifications ahead of the actual landings.
prev next
St Mere Eglise was the focus of the American 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne Divisions who secured the strategically important N13 road that links Cherbourg and Caen.  It was also a cross roads that linked to Utah Beach and needed to be held until the arrival of armoured vehicles.  Today there is an excellent Airborne Museum and a mannequin hanging from the church tower representing paratrooper John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church, and could only observe the fighting going on below. He hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner.
prev next

Cherbourg was a key port to take during the Invasion of Europe, however the Germans offered stiff resistance and resulted in street by street fighting and the total destruction of the port facilities.  The Germans surrendered on 26 June 1944 and after repairs would become the main supply conduit to Allied Forces.  The Cherbourg Liberation Museum tells the story fittingly within the former Fort du Roule which was part of the German fortifications and provides scenic views across the Port.

prev next
Caen took the brunt of the Normandy campaign with Operation Charnwood destroying 70% of the city and killing 2,000 French civilians. The Caen Memorial Museum provides the background to how the Second World War started through to the Cold War, featuring a replica Hawker Typhoon dramatically hung from the ceiling in the foyer area.