Best of Normandy

     This northern region of France was made especially famous in World War II because it hosted the invasion of Allied forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944. However, the area was a tourist destination long before D-Day. The history and charming villages have long been a draw for visitors to France.

        The most impressive attraction in Normandy has to be Mont-St-Michel, the ancient abbey built into an off-shore island. Before the current causeway was built, the island was only accessible during low tide. But now visitors crowd the narrow streets and peruse the old church at all times.

Mont-St-Michel

    The Normandy Beaches (Omaha, Utah, etc), made famous on D-Day, are still a major draw for tourists who find it hard to imagine the incredible loss of life which occurred here in 1944. However, the American Cemetery puts the loss of life into perspective.

American Cemetery

     One of the major cities used as a base of operations for an exploration of Normandy is the city of Caen. It was once the home of William the Conqueror, who defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings and went to rule Great Britain. His castle is a major attraction in Caen.

William the Conqueror's Castle

  Nearby, in the village of Bayeaux, is a tapestry which chronicles the events before and during the pivotal Battle of Hastings.

Bayeaux Tapestry

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