Juno Beach, Normandy France

The Juno Beach Centre is a museum and cultural centre, which opened at Courseulles-sur-Mer, France on June 6, 2003. The Centre presents the war effort made by all Canadians, civilian and military alike, both at home and on the various fronts during the Second World War.

In September 1939, Canada declared the state of war. Standing up for its allies and summoning all its human, industrial and financial resources in an ongoing war effort, Canada mobilized the mightiest military force in its history. At sea, on land and in the air, Canada was involved in the great campaigns that led to the fall of the German Reich and brought back peace.

Just some of the loved ones that were lost in the battle

"Remembrance and Renewal"
Bronze sculpture

View from the beach

The Juno Beach Centre

             

On the beach, many personal memories that
have been left behind by visitors



To think that such beauty holds such
sadness



One of 300 German bunkers located at
Juno beach but only a few that remain open
for viewing





Alice checking out the exterior of the bunker



Inside the bunker

Up to 8 men would stay in this tiny bunker

 

Lest We Forget........

I am glad l was able to come and visit this site, as much as l felt the sadness, l also felt very proud to be a Canadian.

Where ever l have visited in Europe, whether it was Paris, Belgium, London, Normandy, Strasbourg or smaller villages like Beaumont Le Roger, when people found out that l was Canadian, l was always greeted with kind words and big smiles.
The efforts and sacrifices of the Canadian Men and Women will never be forgotten in France and in Europe.......

Mont St. Michel

Mont Saint Michel or Mont St. Michel is a small rocky island about 1 km from the north coast of France at the mouth of the Couesnon River in Normandy.
Because of it's physical location and height, it can be seen from miles away.

It was at the request of the Archangel Michel, of the celestial militia  that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709. In 966 a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy and the pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand

Streets are very narrow, plenty of
little shops are located throughout
this little village.

Alice checking one of many
stairways/paths. You definitely
get a work out here with all the
steps you have to do.

In the 11th century, the Romanesque abbey church was founded over a set of crypts where the rock comes to an apex, and the first monastery buildings were built up against its north wall.

Mr. Seagull wanted to stop by to say hi

 

In the 12th century, the Romanesque monastery buildings were extended to the west and south.

In the 13th century, a donation by the king of France, Philip Augustus, in the wake of his conquest of Normandy, enabled a start to be made on the Gothic section of the "Merveille ": two three-storey buildings, crowned by the cloister and the refectory.

Just one of many beautiful views you get
from the mid way point.

 

A very busy location!

The tide is out.

In the 14th century, the Hundred Years War made it necessary to protect the abbey behind a set of military constructions, enabling it to hold out against a siege lasting 30 years.

In the 15th century, the Romanesque chancel of the abbey church, broken down in 1421 was replaced by the Gothic Flamboyant chancel.

 

 

One of many restaurants/cafes that you can enjoy
a lovely meal as you sit back and take in the view.
Alice and l enjoyed a meal of mussels,  frites and beer!

With Rome and Saint Jacques de Compostelle, this great spiritual and intellectual centre, was one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the Medieval occident. For nearly one thousand years men, women and children went there by roads called « paths to paradise » hoping for the assurance of eternity, given by the Archangel of judgement « Peseur des ames ».

The Abbey was turned into a prison during the days of the French Revolution and Empire, and needed to be restored before the end of the 19th century.

 

As we walked through the narrow
 streets, l was imagining what it would of
liked to of lived here a 1000 yrs ago!

During the Revolution the abbey was closed and converted into a prison, initially to hold clerical opponents of the republican régime. High-profile political prisoners followed, but by 1836 influential figures, including Victor Hugo, had launched a campaign to restore what was seen as a national architectural treasure. The prison was finally closed in 1863, and the mount was declared a historic monument in 1874. Mont Saint Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.  Over 3,000,000 people visit this site every year.

Thoroughly enjoyed my day with Alice as we explored Mont Saint Michel. l would suggest to anyone that would be in this part of France, to visit this wonderful site.