Breakfast and on the bus at 9:30 at off to Rouen, France 🇫🇷. This is a city in the Normandy region. It was once a capital of the Anglo-Norman region which ruled England and parts of Northern France. It was claimed by both England and France in the 100 years war. It is the site where Joan of Arc was captured and burned alive on 5/30/1431. It has been a textile hub because of its seaport and the imported wool from England.
Rouen gothic cathedral was nearly destroyed on D-Day 1944.
The side entrance to the Cathedral.
Side door into the Cathedral
The doors look imposing from this angle.
The organ inside the church
Every alcove was dedicated to as specific Saint.
Another alcove
Another alcove
Light a candle for me.
These stairs
Obligatory hallway shot.
Cathedral at Rouen.
The central spire
Monet painted the Cathedral several times this is one of the images. He must have been sitting on the opposite side of the square.
After the Cathedral, I wandered around town aimlessly because Verizon was happily providing me with the worst cellular coverage know to mankind.
The Big Ben of Rouen
This church is not receiving the same attention as the cathedral
The streets of Rouen.
Rouen
Wandering.
Jon of Arc statue is actually in the right side of this building/church. There was a funeral in progress so I thought busting in for some pics might be considered inappropriate.
I did get a pic of the plaque.
The square for lunch.
This beer was great.
After lunch we journeyed to the war museum in Caen.
Well organized and moving it starts after WW I and details the continuing escalation of conflicts that ultimately led to WW II. It has a section dedicated to the Cold War as well. There is also an old German command bunk which is maintained as part of the site. Great museum and well worth a visit.
The museum
Typhoon Hawker
The Great Depressions influence on the world and the rise of the Axis powers
The enigma machine. Allied forces need to break the encrypted message sent to the German force by this machine. Once cracked plans could be made and U-boats could be avoid. Cracking the created code was a huge turning point in the war. Thanks Allen Turing, look him up!!
The world at war.
This famous Life magazine cover.
Gen. Douglas MacCarther
Allies leadership: far left Gen. Omar Bradley, center, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, directly right of Eisenhower is Gen. Montgomery of the British.
A little on the German defenses.
VE- Day
Entering the bunker
The bunker
Working in the bunker.
The bunker.
After the museum it was dinner (not good) and the a little walk into Ouistreham. It was a beautiful night near the coast of France.
The girls by the church in Ouistreham
There are boys on this trip too.
The church in Ouistreham as the sunset. Not a bad view on the walk home.
Let’s go to bed because tomorrow is Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery there.
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