Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

 We
drove to Mont Saint Michel Abbey, a pilgrimage site through the ages. The abbey was started in 708, surrounded by the bay and sitting on an island. The first monk climbed the rock to get close to God. The tide sends the surf speeding 8 miles in and out with each tide cycle. Before the causeway was built, pilgrims would approach across the mud flats aware of the tides that comes in at 18 feet per second. There are only 30 full time residents on the island. The village below the Abbey lives solely for the tourist.

Bayeux and the D-Day Beaches

buying pastries before catching the train

We left Amboise heading to Normandy area, town of Bayeux.  Abby met us soon after we arrived, walked around town, visited Notre Dame of bayeux then had dinner at the doomsday cafe.  we rented a car and headed north to the d-day beaches.  started out at Arromanches where there was a four mile long breakwater 1 and 1/2 miles offshore built within the first few days of the d-day invasion. walked on the bluff to see the beaches east and west.  the Allies landing on the Western beaches were from Canada and England the Americans landed in Omaha and Utah beaches.   we went to the German guns battery for German casements that were built to guard against Seaborn attack which was all part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall that stretched from from the Pyrenees to Norway. we went to the Normandy American Cemetery and memorial. it was very emotional and sits above Omaha Beach.  Utah Beach was next and the Utah beach landing Museum.  robert's father James Forcum landed here 2 days after the d- day.  he was wounded about one month later and taken out of active combat sent to England as an assistant to an officer.  We then went to Ste-mere Eglise about 15 minutes north of Utah beach to see the church where a paratrooper dangled from the church  for 2 hours before being found.


 

the

Loire Region of France

Before leaving Paris
we went to Pere Lachaise Cemetery.  Several metro stops in our area were closed because the Chinese President was visiting.  We had to take the long way around. We saw crypts of Oscar Wilde, Gertude Stein, Yves Montand, Honore de Balzac, George Serat, and Jim Morrison - Light my Fire.  We had our last lunch in Paris  and  took a train to the Loire Region - Amboise along the Loire River with many castles.
 The day in Amboise began at a bakery then along the river to an open air market to purchase wine, cheese, fruit, bread and sausage.  We then toured the castle Chateau Royal d' Amboise where the kings of France spent their summers 1400 - 1600.  Beautiful view and gardens.  An outside cafe for lunch then on to Chateau du Clos Luce, residence of Leonardo da Vinci his last 3 years of life.  Many models of his inventions in the residence and gardens.  Also the secret passageway that the King and Leonardo used to visit. Afterwards gellatos and to the room for future travel plans.  A very pleasant town to visit.

Oscar Wilde

Georges Seurat

Jim Morrison

It's all in the details