On the 6th of June 1944 starting at 6:30am, Allied forces landed on the coast of Lower Normandy to start the liberation of Europe from the Germans. Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each. “Bloody Omaha”, the Pointe du Hoc, Pegasus Bridge, the American cemetery at Colleville, the Norman Hedgerow countryside that gave the Allied armies so much trouble, the church steeple at Sainte Mere Eglise where John Steele got caught up, the massive artificial harbour at Arromanches, are just a few of the places to visit. Relive the film “The Longest Day” or the series “Band of Brothers” and follow the battles of the 101st airborne division, the famous “Screaming Eagles”. These emotional visits to the places where history was made will be something that you will never forget from your time here in Normandy.

The first beach secured by the Allies in the early hours of Operation Overlord, Utah Beach is best known for both its light casualties and its famous commander, Theodore Roosevelt Jr, son of the President of the same name. Before the landings started, the Germans had already dispatched their best troops to the interior away from the beach to look for the paratroopers that had been dropped earlier. As a result of this, the troops of General Barton’s 4th Division faced only very light resistance. At the site of La Madeleine, the centre of the landings on Utah, you can see the remains of the German bunkers as well as various different pieces of Allied equipment beside the monuments to the American divisions who opened the “Road of Liberty”.

During the night of the 5th and 6th of June 1944, more than 16,000 paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions landed behind Utah Beach to assist the seaborne landings. Navigational errors meant that although most of the troops were dropped near their landing zones, a lot more were dropped up to 25 miles off course. By getting caught on the church steeple, John Steele ensured the lasting fame of the village, being immortalised in the film “The Longest Day”. These landings are commemorated in two of the stained-glass windows now to be seen in the church of Sainte Mere Eglise.

This museum holds numerous uniforms and objects of equipment used principally by the American Airborne Forces, including things found on the Battlefields behind Utah Beach. You will have a chance to see one of the fragile Waco gliders used by the American forces, exhibited in one part of the museum and a C-47 transport plane used on the 6th of June 1944 to bring both paratroopers and a glider to Normandy from England. There are also numerous photographs and films of the Allied troops in France shown in the museum.

Approximately 34,000 soldiers of the 1st, 2nd and 29th Infantry Divisions landed on this beach on D-Day. The beach was covered in anti-tank and anti-landing craft obstacles. Nearly all of the pre-invasion bombardment had missed the fortifications along the beach and the geography of the beach itself, consisting of 80 to 100-foot bluffs rising up from the shore, was very easily defendable terrain for the Germans. One of the only good-quality front line Infantry Divisions available to the Germans was also present on the beach, purely by coincidence. This made the assault the most difficult of all the beaches on D-Day, earning the nickname “Bloody Omaha”. Only a few days after the landings, the Americans had transformed nearly the entire beach into a vast artificial harbour, code-named “Mulberry A”. It was used for less than a week before it was destroyed in a very heavy storm between the 19th and 22nd of June 1944. There is only one piece of this harbour left to be seen today.

Overlooking the eastern end of Omaha Beach, the American cemetery holds the bodies of 9,387 soldiers who came from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to liberate Western Europe from the Germans. This immense place of memory and reflection will impress you with its calm and serenity. You can see the graves of some of the 307 unknown soldiers or visit the resting places of the more famous, such as the Niland brothers, the family who inspired the film “Saving Private Ryan” as well as the three Medal of Honor winners, one of whom is General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Re-live on this exceptional site the exploits of the 2nd Battalion of the US Rangers. After having scaled the 100-foot cliffs under heavy enemy fire, the Rangers pushed on through this lunar landscape to capture and destroy the 6 heavy guns capable of firing their shells to a maximum range of nearly 15 miles. Colonel Rudder and his men only realised upon capturing the battery that the Germans, under the orders of Rommel, had moved the guns half a mile inland and hidden them while bunkers were being constructed to protect them. The taking of Pointe du Hoc was a long and laborious fight, with the Rangers being left to fend for themselves two days longer than had been planned. The 2nd Battalion suffered very heavy casualties during the two and a half days they were at Pointe du Hoc, only 90 of the original 225 still fighting when they were finally relieved.

The main German Military Graveyard in Normandy, this cemetery initially started out as one of a number of temporary American cemeteries. Between the end of the war and 1947, the American bodies were transferred to the Cemetery at Omaha Beach or back to the United States. After coming in through the narrow entrance you emerge into the very sombre surroundings of this place. There are more than 21,000 soldiers buried here who paid with their life for Hitler’s order to “Never Retreat, Never Surrender”. When face-to-face with these casualties of war, it will allow you to think of the German as well as the Allied losses of the Second World War.

Realising the difficulties of capturing intact an enemy held port, the British, under Churchill, opted for the mammoth task of building two artificial harbours, one for the American 1st Army at Omaha, the other for the British 2nd Army at Gold. However, following a very severe storm lasting from the 19th to the 22nd of June 1944 which completely destroyed the American Mulberry harbour, the British artificial port at Arromanches was left alone as the main supply channel for all of the equipment needed by the Allied soldiers fighting in Normandy.

The battery at Longues sur Mer was composed of four guns of 152 mm calibre, capable of firing shells to a maximum range of 15 miles, allowing them to reach not only Omaha Beach, 8 miles to the west, but also the British landing zone of Gold Beach, 5 miles to the east. The Allies had tried to knock out this battery with aerial bombardment leading up to the landings, but it was not until D-Day itself that the guns were finally silenced by the off-shore Allied Navies. The damage inflicted on the guns themselves can still be seen clearly today. The battery at Longues sur Mer is the only heavy gun battery in France that still has the original cannon in the bunkers, untouched since 1944.

See at Bernieres the sector of Juno Beach where the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and le Regiment de La Chaudiere landed on the 6th of June 1944. This sector is very special for the Quebecois who, for the most part, had come to liberate the home of their ancestors. You will see along the length of the beach the remains of the defences built by the Germans, and especially “The Hotel”, the famous house seen in so many newsreel clips of the landings, known now as “The Canadian House”.

A masterpiece of architectural design dating from the 12th century, this Norman Abbey was, in the early years of the German occupation, a focal point for the local French Resistance. But situated between the strategic points of Caen and Carpiquet airfield, the Abbey was fortified and used by the 12th SS Hitlerjugend Panzer Division as their headquarters during the early part of the Battle of Normandy. Its unfortunate reputation nowadays, however, is as the site of execution of Canadian prisoners of war by the child soldiers of the Hitler Youth Division.

Starting at half past seven in the morning, the first of 28,000 soldiers to come ashore on this beach landed to start the liberation of Western Europe. With them were the 177 Free French soldiers serving under Commandant Philippe Kieffer, who was born and raised in the town of Ouistreham where they landed. They were the only French soldiers to be involved in the assaults on D-Day. One of the first tasks allotted to the forces here was the destruction of a German artillery battery composed of five 155mm cannon and other associated German defences near the beach, as well as the famous Casino which had been heavily fortified and to capture what is now called by the locals “Le Grand Bunker”, a massive German fortification over 5 storeys high. After having achieved this, the 3rd British Infantry Division was to push rapidly inland to surround the town of Caen from the east. Although the British forces had attained nearly all of their D-Day objectives by nightfall, they had failed in their most important task which was the encirclement and capture of Caen in conjunction with the Canadians forces landed on Juno.

The capture of Pegasus Bridge and its sister bridge nearby by elements of the 6th Airborne Division was the most complete and successful operation carried out on D-Day. It was vital for these bridges to be captured intact in order to deny the Germans a crossing point over the Orne River and canal, which together run parallel to the sea from Caen. This kept this important artery open to the British to ensure the successful securing of the eastern flank of the Allied landings in Normandy. The inhabitants of Benouville, the village that sits beside the bridge, were the first French civilians to be liberated on the morning of the of June 6th. Just after midnight the gliders under the command of Major John Howard landed less than fifty yards from their targets, allowing the men contained in them to take possession of the bridges with a minimum of casualties and destruction. The paratroopers held their position despite numerous enemy counter-attacks until they were joined by British troops advancing south from Sword Beach just after midday on D-Day. The Museum at Pegasus Bridge shows not only the assaults undertaken by the British 6th Airborne Division but the landing of the troops on Sword Beach as well. You can also see a full sized replica of the Horsa gliders used in the attack, as well as a Bailey bridge and the original Pegasus Bridge itself which no longer spans the canal.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive sites is the cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. This monumental architectural wonder using both roman and gothic styles continued to evolve right up until the end of the 18th century. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. This 11th century “comic strip” is one of the best and most complete sources for historians to learn about and analyse medieval costumes, boat building and strategies that were employed in Norman and British camps leading up to the battle of Hasting. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each.

“Le Bessin”, as this area of Normandy around Bayeux is known, has, over the centuries, been dotted with magnificent examples of all types and styles of architecture, such as the elaborately ornate abbeys like Cerisy la Foret and Juaye Mondaye. On the road to Saint Lo you can see the Chateau de Balleroy dating from the 16th century with its beautiful gardens designed by the celebrated architect Le Notre. This became famous when the American Forbes family bought the chateau and instituted a yearly balloon race. North of Bayeux, there is the Chateau de Fontaine Henry, a fortified manor house dating from the Renaissance and the Chateau de Creully, medieval castle where the BBC based their broadcasting unit in June 1944.

To continue the history of William the Conqueror, you can visit the two abbeys of Caen founded by him and his queen, Mathilda, the “Abbaye aux Hommes” and the “Abbaye aux Dames” where they now lie buried. Dominating the centre of Caen, the castle started by William the Conqueror now houses the Museum of Normandy and the Art museum. Caen also hosts the “Musee Memorial pour la Paix”, a modern peace museum offering a reflection on the lives of soldiers and civilians in time of war.

A visit to Honfleur is in itself a complete history lesson, from the 100 years war, through the voyages of discovery to the New World during the 17th century to the art of the impressionists. As a defence against invasion by the English the town was walled and fortified during the second half of the 14th century. You can still go through the old “Caen Gate”, the last remaining piece of the original fortifications, most of which were demolished as the town and port were being expanded in the 17th century. In the medieval part of the town, known as the “Quartier de l’Enclos”, you can see the “Rue de la Ville”, the old main commercial and trading street in the town, still showing its medieval architecture and buildings from a bygone era, such as the old salt store. As you go around this area you can go back in time as you walk along Prison Street and step onto Little Butchers Street making your way to the Eglise Saint Etienne, dating from the 14th century, making it the oldest church in the town. On the other side of the “Caen Gate” and “La Lieutenance” rises the Eglise Sainte Catherine, the largest wooden church in France, built by the ship carpenters of Honfleur shortly after the 100 years war. You can see that the bell tower of the church was put, rather unusually, on the top of the bell ringer’s house. Honfleur is also a favourite retreat for painters who come to paint the harbour and the colourful 17th century houses surrounding Sainte Catherine’s Quay, the same images that can be seen in the paintings of Claude Monet or his friend and mentor, Eugene Boudin.

Constructed between 1988 and 1995, this famous bridge linking Honfleur with Le Havre was for a short time the Longest Bridge in the World at 1.2 miles in length, and offers unprecedented views of the Seine River estuary.

Constructed during the 17th century by the fishermen of Honfleur the chapel of Notre Dame de Grace shows all the originality of its builders. It is located on a site that has been a place of pilgrimage for a thousand years. Don’t forget to listen for the chimes of the church bells, rung by twenty-three bells that were cast at Villedieu les Poeles.

After a visit to Honfleur take the coast road out of the town and pass through the seaside villages along the way, complete with their old whaling stations, such as Trouville, Villers sur Mer and Houlgate. If you wish you can follow in the footsteps of the American Film Festival at the “Planches de Deauville”, or visit the sumptuous casino to be found in this holiday town. The arrival of the first train here in 1863 gave this “Little Sister of Cannes”, as the town is known by the French, the nickname “21st Quarter of Paris” as it soon became a favourite holiday destination for the Parisiennes.

You can also explore the area of Normandy known as the Pays D’Auge, a rich, green fertile farming area that gives the farmers everything they need to produce all of the local specialities such as Camembert cheese, Calvados liqueur and cider. Whether you are just curious or a knowledgeable connoisseur you can visit cheese factories, breweries and distilleries on your route by just stopping and going in, where you will be given a tasting session of the specialities produced there. There are numerous villages in this rural region of France that personify the image of the region, such as Beuvron en Auge, classed as one of the Top 100 Most Beautiful Villages in France, Pierrefitte en Auge and Crevecoeur en Auge, the most famous thanks to its magnificent chateau.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. The impressive cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town was built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

The town of Lisieux is marked out primarily by the Sacred Imprint of the foot of Saint Theresa. Gravely sick, she was saved from death by the smile of a statue of The Virgin Mary left on her bed. She decided to consecrate the statue to God and do His work. You can still visit the places where St Theresa used to do her work, such as the maison des Buissonnets where she stayed with her family, the church where she used to pray, or the Carmelite Convent where she entered into her ministry at the age of 15. You will find St Theresa’s Basilica in Lisieux, built between 1929 and 1952, to be a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Dating from the middle of the 18th century and built in the classic style of architecture, this château is one of the true original treasures. Thousands of pieces of finely crafted miniature furniture are shown on display. This unique collection shows not only decorative 16th century objects of the Art Deco style, but also the skill of the Goldsmiths of the Period. More than just an ornament, these pieces were made by highly skilled craftsmen to be used as an example for pieces of furniture for sale, as something that was more representative than just a drawing. Also, to show off their skill and talent and to pass the test of admission to their chosen guild, the famous “Compagnons de France” who were apprentice craftsmen used, once a year, to hold a competition to come up with new designs and concepts for their miniatures. The exploration of this somewhat strange but truly magical place finishes up in the magnificent gardens where you can wander around and take in the tranquility.

Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each.

The Capital of Lower Normandy and 85% destroyed in World War Two, the town of Caen has managed to recover and now displays a mixture of both history and modernity, from William the Conqueror to the microchip. Opposite the University you will find the Castle of William the Conqueror, which was started by him, but finished by his son. From these ramparts you can get a good view of this “Town of 100 Steeples”. To make his wedding official with the Pope at the time, William the Conqueror and his wife, Mathilda, were ordered to build two abbeys in the town, which can also be seen from here. William saw from this the opportunity of developing Caen, at this time a very small town, but much more central to his purpose than Lisieux or Bayeux. So his wife built the Women’s Abbey, the “Abbaye aux Dames” with the Church of the Trinity and he built the Men’s Abbey, the “Abbaye aux Hommes”, nowadays the town hall, and its adjoining church of Saint Etienne. The Duke and his wife are now buried in their respective abbeys. The town of Caen had to be largely re-built after the devastation of the Second World War and it earned the title of “The Most Beautiful Reconstructed Town in France”. You can admire its modern street system but it is not hard to find the surviving small medieval streets that used to make up the main layout of the town.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. The impressive cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town was built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

Constructed on an outcrop of rock to take advantage of its natural defences, the castle of Robert the Great, Duke of Normandy from 1027 to 1035, towers majestically above the town of Falaise. Having fallen in love with Arlette, the daughter of a mere tanner of modest means, he founded, in this castle, a family that would give birth to William. Initially known as “William the Bastard” as he was illegitimate, he would go on after 1066 and the conquest of England to be known as “William the Conqueror”. This masterpiece of medieval workmanship is a rare example of a castle that was not just designed to be a defensive position but was also designed to be a place to be lived in by a family. The interior has been restored recently to show how the castle would have looked when it was being lived in.

The town of Lisieux is marked out primarily by the Sacred Imprint of the foot of Saint Theresa. Gravely sick, she was saved from death by the smile of a statue of The Virgin Mary left on her bed. She decided to consecrate the statue to God and do His work. You can still visit the places where St Theresa used to do her work, such as the maison des Buissonnets where she stayed with her family, the church where she used to pray, or the Carmelite Convent where she entered into her ministry at the age of 15. You will find St Theresa’s Basilica in Lisieux, built between 1929 and 1952, to be a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Visit to the south west of Falaise the sites of the last great Allied operation that finally drew the Battle of Normandy to a successful conclusion during the second half of August 1944. Low on ammunition and supplies, the mainly Polish and Canadian troops were trying to plug the exit from the shrinking “Falaise Pocket”. They needed to prevent the German 7th Army and 5th Panzer Army from escaping the American encirclement that had taken place following the successful breakout achieved during operation Cobra. It was finally concluded at the end of August 1944 with thousands of captured prisoners and vehicles and the destruction of the German Army in France. When Eisenhower visited the battlefield he commented “the Battle of Normandy finished with one of the greatest slaughters of the war, in an encircled pocket where one could only walk on human remains”. The savagery and ferocity of the fighting inflicted on the German Army during this time nicknamed the battle “Stalingrad in Normandy”.

Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each.

Mont Saint Michel : a miracle or a mirage? A day spent there will be a day that you will never forget. Follow the legends of the rock such as the two Gods fighting to the death on the Mont-Saint-Michel and the Mont Tombe, places that have been considered sacred by the inhabitants since the third century B.C. The first sanctuary, which turned the site into a Christian place of pilgrimage, was built by Saint Aubert, bishop of Avranches in 708 A.D. This was done because the bishop had received visions from St Michael ordering him to build the sanctuary on the site, and to dedicate it to him. As the centuries went by, with increasing numbers of pilgrims coming to pay homage and leave an offering, the sanctuary grew rich and a monastery was founded. As well as this, the sanctuary was being continually expanded and made ever grander, following the different architectural styles of the times which turned the Mont Saint Michel into what it is today, an Abbey on the scale of which the world has no equal. From the ramparts of the medieval town walls, built to protect the town from invaders, you can admire the magnificent view of the bay and the surrounding salt marshes. The huge tide that used to cover the causeway leading to the island twice a day is the second highest rising tide in the world, second only to the Bay of Fundy in Canada. You can also just wander around the steep cobble stone streets of this town, exploring their narrow winding routes discovering new treasures around every corner, take a wander through the souvenir shops, try one of Mere Poulard’s famous omelettes, or, if you prefer, eat in one of the other restaurants or brasseries. With two and a half million visitors a year, Mont Saint Michel is without a shadow of a doubt Normandy’s most spectacular single spot to visit, considered by the Normans to be the Real 7th Wonder of the World !

Drift back in time as you walk through the streets of the old town of Saint Malo, ringed by high fortified walls that offer spectacular views of the port and bay, still as they were when the 16th century explorers, such as Jacques Cartier who discovered Newfoundland, would have seen them. When you feel that it’s time to find something to eat, try one of the creperies, much loved by the locals, where you will find little better than the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” with a jug of cider. Or if you prefer, there are numerous seafood restaurants where you can sample what the fishermen caught that morning ?

Your breath will be taken away by the rocky beauty of the coastline and the charming little fishing ports dotted along the way, on this, the edge of Northern Brittany. The speciality of this region of the Cancale is its oysters, which can be tried in any of the many seafood restaurants, or the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” accompanied by a jug of cider.

Raised up overlooking the valley of Rance, the rich town of Dinan dominates the fishing port to which it is connected by a cobbled road, lined with old houses and shops. The architecture of this Breton town shows that it was home to many different craftsmen such as potters, basket makers, weavers and butchers, amongst others. Like the Mont Saint Michel or Saint Malo, the town of Dinan was protected by ramparts, partly destroyed now but offering great protection to the Dukes of Brittany who ruled the region at the time. One of the unique buildings of the town is the oval keep, a defensive tower, built at the end of the 14th century and joined to the ramparts. Let the charm and beauty seduce you and spend an afternoon living in a medieval world of amazement.

This town was made famous by the breakthrough achieved here by the Third Army of General George Patton on the 30th and 31st of July in 1944, opening the way for the allied advance to Germany. From the Jardin des Plantes in the town you can get, on a fine day, a remarkable view of the Mont Saint Michel and the bay.

Found on the road to Mont Saint Michel, Villedieu les Poeles became rich by the passage of pilgrims going through the town. In order to encourage the growth of this town, new craftsmen were exempt from taxes if they came to work here. This allowed the guild of copper workers to flourish here. This has continued to this day and, walking around the town, you will see shops displaying examples of the coppersmith’s handiwork. These range from pots and pans to cauldrons and milk churns. One of the last working bell foundries in France is also to be found here and is open to visitors.

This magnificent Abbey, which is partially in ruins, is situated in the heart of the countryside and the surrounding rivers, valleys and Norman “Bocage” countryside will give you some amazing photos for your holiday album.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. The impressive cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town was built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

Heavily damaged during the battle of Normandy in July of 1944, the town of Saint Lo has managed, none the less, to preserve some of its medieval fortifications. The “Capital of Ruins” well deserves its name, as can be seen in the marks left on the Eglise Notre Dame by the fierce bombardment. The town also holds the most important horse stud in France, with over 200 thoroughbred horses.

Known as the “Town of a Hundred Steeples”, the eastern part of Rouen itself is an open-air museum to be walked. With representations of the different eras of history to be seen everywhere, from painting and art to literature and architecture, as well as being the town where some of France and Europe’s most important historical events and characters lived and died. You can see the marvellous architecture of this capital of Normandy, including Claude Monet’s favourite, the Cathedral. This towers up to nearly 500 feet above the plaza making it the tallest Cathedral in France. The richness of its design is evident, down to the intricate sculptures over the entrances, where scenes from the bible have been brought to life by the medieval craftsmen. Inside the Cathedral no matter where you go, from the nave to the crypt, it shows itself to be among the most ornate and beautiful in France. To the east of the Church of St Maclou there is the Aitre Saint Maclou, a 16th century Gothic structure built during the Plague of the Black Death which killed over a third of the population of the town. The carvings on the exposed wooden beams of the building depicting skulls and bones betray its former grisly purpose, as a place where those who had died of the plague were brought to be burned. Take time to wander through this historic town, and think of its famous inhabitants such as the writers Gustave Flaubert and Corneille. Don’t forget Joan of Arc, one of France’s greatest heroines, burned to death as a witch on the 30th of May 1431 by the English Army during the 100 years war at the “Place du Marche”, where the “Eglise de Jeanne d’Arc” now stands. It is the “Rue du Gros Horloge”, however, which best encapsulates Rouen, with it’s half timbered medieval houses, narrow cobbled side-streets and famous clock over the 14th century entrance gate through the old town walls of Rouen.

Nestled in a serene part of the countryside, the ruins of this abbey, founded in 654 by Philbert, will astound you with their beauty. The original abbey was destroyed during the Viking raids of the 9th and 10th centuries, but it was rebuilt by a more famous person than Philbert who was himself of Viking descent, William the Conqueror. Despite mistreatment by successive owners, this historic monument is now owned by the state of France and is considered one of the most beautiful ruins to be seen in France today.

Visit the house of Claude Monet, the 19th century French impressionist painter, and discover his two other passions in life, Japanese prints and his garden, which gave him the inspiration for many of his paintings. Giverny will give the impressionist art lover everything they are looking for into the life and works of the famous painter. Also in Giverny is the American Art Museum, founded here when American artists started to come to Giverny to visit Monet.

Paris: who has not dreamed of visiting and spending time wandering around Paris, the “City of Love”, walk its little streets and grand boulevards, and see the monuments that make Paris famous the world over. Paris offers, more than any other city, a rich mixture of history, art, culture, architecture and variety in a single city. Leaving behind you the Arc de Triomphe, built by the Emperor Napoleon the First, head down the Champs Elysees and have a look at the shops and boutiques that make up this street, as well as the small and large Palaces built by aristocrats, who were executed during the French revolution. At the end of the Champs Elysees you will come to the Place de la Concorde with its huge granite Obelisk taken from the Temple of Luxor in Egypt. Another place to note is the Place Vendome, where there is an original statue of the Emperor Napoleon the First. This spot is ringed by the most luxurious and expensive shops in Paris as well as the best hotel, the original “Ritz”. At the end of one of the nicest streets in Paris the “Rue de la Paix”, you will see in front of you another marvel of the 19th century, The Paris Opera House, the largest in the world. Far more than a museum, the Louvre is a living encyclopaedia showing everything from Ancient Egyptian art to classical art. Mixing the old and the new, its architectural structure of the Louvre is remarkable, as you cannot fail to notice while you make your way through the hundreds of rooms seeing things on your way such as the “Venus de Milo” and “Mona Lisa”. Complementing the collection in the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay displays the art of a different era, in this case the second half of the 19th century up to the start of the cubist era. Go into the very heart of Paris onto the “Ile de la Cite”, the island in the River Seine where the Cathedral Notre Dame stands. This building is renowned worldwide as one of the most magnificent examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. It was this that inspired Victor Hugo to write his novel, “Notre Dame de Paris”. On the other side of the bank of the river you will find the “Conciergerie”, the last stop before execution for people such as Marie Antoinette or Charlotte Corday. Also, stop by the last resting place of the ashes of Napoleon at Les Invalides and have a look at his mausoleum. When you come out you will be able to get a good view of the winning entry for the 1889 Paris Exposition, and what has become one of the symbols of France, the Eiffel Tower. If you choose to visit the Eiffel Tower you can eat at one of the restaurants on the tower which offer an unprecedented view of the city of Paris.

When first built under the orders of Louis XIII the chateau was simply a Royal hunting lodge, but was extensively enlarged and rebuilt by Louis XIV. Today, while its beauty and splendour can be seen on the exterior of the house, it is when the inside is viewed, with each room having its own unique style and design, that the opulence and excesses of the time can be appreciated. The unique richness in style found in the Chateau de Versailles is equalled only by the gardens of the chateau, designed by the celebrated French architect, LeNotre.

Situated between the rivers Seine and Epte, this spot has been, since the 12th century, a place of strong military presence and fortification. The castle, built into the mountain rock, was the place of the headquarters of Field Marshal Rommel, in command of all German troops in Normandy from the start of 1944 onwards. The German Army strongly reinforced the defences already present as well as constructing new additional concrete pillboxes and bunkers.

Complete your day by a visit to this town, much loved by Monet. The town of Rouen is quite simply a work of art in itself, with its medieval half timbered houses, religious architecture, the massive Town Clock and the famous who have lived and died here, such as Flaubert, Corneille and Joan of Arc.

Visit the house of Claude Monet, the 19th century French impressionist painter, and discover his two other passions in life, Japanese prints and his garden, which gave him the inspiration for many of his paintings. Giverny will give the impressionist art lover everything they are looking for into the life and works of the famous painter. Also in Giverny is the American Art Museum, founded here when American artists started to come to Giverny to visit Monet.

Here you can see the spot where the armistice of 1918, which ended the fighting of World War One, was signed. It was here that Hitler decided to make the French sign their surrender after the fall of France in 1940. He ordered the same railway carriage that had been used in 1918 to be put in place for the French surrender. It can be hard to believe, standing in this calm and peaceful forest clearing, the momentous historical events that took place here.

Visit the site of the most ferocious battle of World War One. Commencing with an artillery barrage that lasted a week and could be heard in England, the Allied troops went “Over the Top” to charge the German lines on July 1st 1916. In the first hour of the battle, they suffered most of the 60,000 casualties that they took on that single day. The battle lasted until the end of November 1916 by which stage the French and British had advanced less than 6 miles at a cost of more than 420,000 allied casualties. The sites to be viewed on the Somme are many, from the original trench lines, pillboxes and cratered battlefields to museums, memorials and where the famous “Red Baron” was killed. But there are sites of American battles also found here, such as Cantigny, the first American action of World War One. This is where the 1st Infantry Division, who landed on Omaha beach 26 years later, went into action for the first time on French soil.

At the centre of a rich and undulating countryside, the village of Giverny, just outside Vernon, had the privilege of being, from 1883 onwards, the principal residence of the impressionist painter, Claude Monet. This charming village of Giverny became, in just a few years, famous worldwide thanks to the presence of this talented precursor of modern art. To this day, Normandy represents one of the central places for modern artists to work outside in the same circumstances and places as the original Impressionists. Claude Monet counted amongst his friends Eugene Boudin, another celebrated impressionist from Honfleur, and George Clemenceau, who was twice French Prime Minister. During the 1890’s, artists, principally Americans, started to visit Giverny to meet “The Master”, amongst others, Robinson, Metcalf, Theodore Butler, Finn, Perry, and Jongkind the Dutch painter, who stayed mainly at the Auberge Baudy during their time in the village. Over the years the number of visitors coming to show their respect to this talented man that was Claude Monet increased. Today’s visitor, after having visited all the rooms of the great artist’s house and having seen his collection of Japanese prints, can walk the paths of the garden which gave Monet his inspiration for his garden series of paintings a century ago. You can see the lilies, the Japanese bridge and the colourful passages of this garden that is shown in the majority of his work. A visit to Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny is simply captivating where you can relive the atmosphere, the interests and the passions that inspired his work.

Since the end of the 19th century, numerous painters, mainly Americans, were drawn to Giverny to discover the countryside and landscape that had influenced the French Impressionist painters such as Monet, Boudin and Courbet. Daniel J. Terra, who is an art collector, decided to create in Giverny the American Museum of Art in the same vein as that in Chicago. Several well-known names are present: Theodore Robinson, Charles Courtney Curran, Perry and Mc Monnies. The transatlantic cultural exchange that went on over a century ago is still evident in Giverny today.

After a visit to Monet’s house in Giverny you can visit Honfleur, the other town in Normandy where painters lived including the French impressionist artist and friend of Monet, Eugene Boudin. Honfleur is the town that the impressionist artists loved, with the variety of colours and contrasts offered by the sights of Sainte Catherine’s Quay, the port and the town rising up behind.

Complete your day in the world of artists by a visit to this town, also much loved by Monet. The town of Rouen is quite simply a work of art in itself, with its medieval half timbered houses, religious architecture, the massive Town Clock and the famous who have lived and died here, such as Flaubert, Corneille and Joan of Arc.

Situated between the rivers Seine and Epte this spot has been, since the 12th century, a place of strong military presence and fortification. The castle, built into the mountain rock, was the location of the headquarters of Field Marshal Rommel, in command of all German troops in Normandy from the start of 1944 onwards. The German Army strongly reinforced the defences already present as well as constructing new additional concrete pillboxes and bunkers.

Longest river in France with over 600 miles, almost 200 miles are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its lush valley landscape is studded with France’s greatest chateau’s, including world famous Chambord and Chenonceau. Other ones like Blois, Azay or Amboise are well-worth seeing for their spectacular architecture as well as their rich history. You will discover medieval jewels in the Anjou region, cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty (Angers, le Mans, Fontevraud). During the Hundred-Years war, French King Charles VII escaped to the royal Loire chateaux (Chinon) and received the help of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans against the English King of France Henry VI. Renaissance times brought new architecture and numerous chateau’s here and Leonardo da Vinci was French King Francis I’s guest at Amboise. Delightful diversity will be found between charming gardens (Villandry, Chenonceau) and lively cities (Tours, le Mans). Spiritual experiences in magical cathedrals (Chartres, le Mans) can be alternated with other pleasures of local delicacies combined with Loire’s reputed delicious wines (Vouvray, Saumur, Champigny, Bourigueil, Pouilly Fumé, Sancerre).

After the cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1194, was rebuilt in 25 years and remained unscathed by all wars. It houses the sacred Veil of the Virgin and a 13th century labyrinth and a stunning collection of 150 stained-glass windows and it has a “bible-in-stone” reputation.

7.000 years of history here! From the pre-historical "Bellybutton" near the gorgeous Gothic cathedral with unusual Y-shaped flying buttresses to the beautiful medieval Plantagenet city on 22 acres where Henry II, future King of England was born, and to the world-famous 24-hour automobile race.

Medieval fortress built by Henry II Plantagenet, then lost by his son John Lack-Land to the French king in 1204. During the Hundred-Years war, Joan of Arc came here in 1429 and recognized French king Charles VII and helped him against Henry VI of England. Red wine, white asparagus, black truffle, pear and goat cheese are all locally produced.

French writer Balzac called this chateau “a multi-faceted diamond surrounded by the Indre river”. It shows a refined transition between Gothic and Renaissance styles and is surrounded by moats and an English romantic park. Beautiful 4-storey grand staircase and lovely furniture and tapestries inside.

Sumptuous gardens influenced by Renaissance Italian gardeners : love garden, water garden, vegetable garden, herb garden. This patchwork jewel on 3 levels covers 10 acres and contains 1.200 lime trees and 30 miles of box hedge ! Last big Renaissance chateau built in the Loire in the 1530’s.

Center of Christianity in the 4th century under bishop St Martin and world’s third oldest pilgrimage place, the town was declared French capital by Louis XI. Narrow medieval cobble-stone streets with half-timbered houses to be discovered around picturesque Plumereau square, spared in WWII.

Spectacular views over town and river from the chateau where took place the ill-fated Huguenot plot against teenager King Francis II. Visit Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last four years of his life and see his burial place in the chateau’s chapel.

The chateau, built on a former medieval water mill, was offered by King Henry II to his favorite Diane de Poitiers, and it was recovered by Catherine de Medici after the king’s death in 1559. Over 200-ft long palace-bridge that stretches across the river Cher, widely used by French Resistance in WWII. Also to be discovered a 175-acre park with two beautiful flower gardens.

Time to sample these worldwide reputed sparkling wines that are produced around this village and aged in chalk caves.

French kings’ residence during Renaissance times, where Catherine de Medici died and where the Duke de Guise was stabbed on his cousin’s orders (King Henri III) for being suspected of organizing a plot against him (Religious Wars). The chateau shows 4 different styles, on 4 different aisles, built in 4 different periods, and houses beautiful furniture and sumptuous decoration.

A former hunting lodge, this extravagant chateau (440 rooms, 365 fire places) was built by King Francis I but he stayed there only 8 weeks total. Unique double-helix staircase, supposedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Roof terraces open to public for great views. The 14.000-acre park surrounded by a 20-mile long wall.

Impressive black & white fortress, surrounded by 17 defensive towers, home of Geoffrey of Anjou, father of Henry Plantagenet who married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152 and became King of England in 1154. Incredible 300-ft long tapestry (1373) based on St John’s Book of Revelations.

Renowned for its military cavalry school founded in 1814 and its worldwide famous horse-riding dressage formation, the town is overlooked by a true fairytale chateau. Delicious mushrooms and exquisite sparkling wines available everywhere … The town houses a Tank Museum which exhibits over 150 tanks.

Not-to-be-missed Benedictine abbey built in 1101, which once housed 800 people. It is the burial place of Henry II Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and King of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their crusading son Richard the Lion-Heart. The place was used as a prison after the French Revolution and the last prisoners left in 1985.

If you are a Military history buff coming to France to see the D-Day Landing Beaches why not take a few extra days for a private tour to see the other great Battle Fields here in Western Europe? Not only World War Two, such as the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Nordwind and the Hurtgen Forest, but also the lesser-known sites of World War One. The Argonne Forest, where the American Army and Marines fought against the Germans in 1918. The Somme, where the British and French Armies advanced only six miles in four and a half months in 1916 at a cost of 600,000 casualties. Verdun, where in 1916 the French and German Armies fought a savage battle that lasted for ten months. Vimy, where the Canadian Army captured in only a few hours a strongly fortified ridge that had defied French and British attempts at capture for the previous 2 years. Also, not too far away, Waterloo, where Wellington defeated Napoleon in 1815.

Visit the sites of the battle of the Bulge in Eastern Belgium where Hitler launched the last German offensive of World War Two in a desperate gamble to bring the Western Allied Armies to a compromise peace. Follow the route of Battlegroup Peiper, the spearhead thrust of the First SS Panzer Division. Go past the crossroads south east of Malmedy where on the 17th of December 1944 86 men of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion were murdered by SS soldiers. Follow the steep, winding lanes to the site where only a few American soldiers managed to stop the capture of a fuel dump by German panzers by pouring a river of burning fuel down the road. Then go on up to the village of La Gleize where Peiper’s tanks were finally brought to a halt. Here you will find beside the local museum a King Tiger Tank which still bears the scars of the anti tank gun shells that failed to penetrate its frontal armour plate. On the way down to Bastogne you can pass through the village of Houffalize where Patton’s 3rd Army was meant to meet with Montgomery’s offensive coming down from the north to cut off the German advance. Here you will find one of the Panther tanks left behind by the German Army as they retreated in January of 1945. The World War Two museum in Bastogne, the town where the 101st Airborne division was encircled for five days at Christmas in 1944, is also a good place to visit with an audiovisual presentation of the battle as well as artefacts and photos of the fighting. There are also the fighting positions that were used around the town and you can visit the village of Foy, just to the north of Bastogne where Easy Company from the television series “Band of Brothers” fought and froze and you will see why the whole 101st Airborne Division earned the nickname “The Battered Bastards of Bastogne”. You can also visit the American Military cemetery in Luxembourg, just south east of Bastogne where General Patton lies with over 5,000 soldiers, many of whom died as part of his 3rd Army as they fought north to relieve the beleaguered soldiers in Bastogne.

Operation Jubilee was the attempted landing of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division on the 19th of August 1942 at Dieppe on the coast of France 100 miles north east of the D-Day Landings nearly two years later. This landing was carried out mainly owing to political rather than military pressure. It was intended to seize and hold a major port for a short period, both to prove it was possible and to gather intelligence from prisoners and captured materials while assessing the German responses. The raid is generally considered to be a near complete disaster, with few objectives achieved and over 4,000 of the 6,000 men who made it ashore becoming casualties. Here there is to see the German Bunkers and positions set into the cliff at the eastern-most point of the landing zones, Yellow beach. The ships transporting the men of No. 3 Commando had run into the tail end of a German convoy on the way in and several of their crafts had already been sunk. Only 18 men of this assault force made it in to engage the enemy. At Blue beach, 6 miles further west, is the site where the Canadian soldiers found themselves under very heavy and accurate machine gun fire, only 33 men out of the more than 500 who came ashore there making it back to England. The town of Dieppe itself, where the main assault took place but none of the 29 tanks put ashore made it off the sea-front and the soldiers not much further. On Green beach two miles further west where the Victoria Cross was awarded to the Commanding Officer for his self sacrificing bravery while organising the defence of the beach to allow the evacuation of his men. And Orange beach, the most westerly of the beaches where No. 4 Commando under Lord Lovat came ashore and carried out what was probably the only properly successful assault of the Dieppe Raid where the Gun batteries of Varengeville were captured and their guns destroyed before the Commando’s withdrew, suffering only 45 casualties in all. There is also the Canadian cemetery of Dieppe where nearly 950 soldiers lie buried, most of whom died in the raid of August 19th, 1942.

Arguably the best-known First World War American battlefield is the Argonne. Here, just a few miles west of Verdun, the United States Army and Marines went into action during the last year of World War One. During the German spring offensives, the American soldiers found themselves badly off in the fighting against the better trained and much more experienced German Army, but proved themselves quicker to adapt to modern warfare tactics than the other allied Armies had been before them. Here there is the position where Sgt York earned the Medal of Honor in 1918 when during an attack with his platoon he killed 32 German soldiers and captured 132 others as well as knocking out 35 German machine guns, completely overtaking a German controlled hill. There is also the the World War One American Monument at Montfaucon, an impressive granite tower over 200 feet tall which can be climbed and gives a very impressive view over the battlefield. The monument tower is built on the ruins of the pre World War One village of the same name, which served as an observation post for the German Army and was captured by the 79th Division on the second day of the battle. Seven miles north is the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery, which with over 14,000 graves holds the largest number of American dead in Europe. Most of those buried here gave their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War One. To the west there is also the site of the Lost Battalion where, during an attack on the third of October 1918, a battalion of the 77th Infantry Division advanced too far and found itself cut off behind enemy lines. The battalion’s position was under siege for five days but despite repeated German attacks the battalion managed to hold its position until French counterattacks relieved them. While cut off the soldiers were re-supplied by airdrop for the first time in the history of warfare.

The site where on Easter Monday in 1917 in less than 24 hours the 1st Canadian Corps under the command of General Byng managed to capture and hold what was widely regarded as the strongest German position on the whole of the western front. Vimy ridge had defied French and British attempts at capture over the previous two years, these attack costing more than 300,000 Allied casualties at no net gain. The Canadians suffered “light casualties” of 10,000 during the successful assault. Huge preparations had been made, with the Canadians determined not to repeat the mistakes made on the Somme nearly a year earlier. Miles of tunnels, some as much as 30 feet underground, had been dug to transport troops to the front in safety and security, and sections have been preserved and are open to guided visits during the summer months. The opposing front lines at the mouth of the tunnels have also been exceptionally well preserved, and here the trenches lie less than 100 feet apart, separated by a row of mine craters up to 30 feet deep. The shell and battle scarred terrain leading up to the crest of the hill has also been preserved and at the top the Vimy Memorial comes in to view out of the trees. This memorial, unveiled in the 1930’s, has inscribed on it the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who have no known Grave. This is one of the best-preserved World War One sites on the Western Front.

Verdun is often referred to as the “the French Army’s Somme”. In February of 1916 the German Army under General Falkenhayn launched an attack at the fortress of Verdun, the right flank anchor of the French lines and the symbol of French fighting spirit and the freedom of France. The last fortress town to fall to the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, Verdun’s fortifications had been significantly boosted in the 1880s to withstand further attacks. In addition, its status as an important fortress since Roman times guaranteed recognition of the name ‘Verdun’ to most Frenchmen. In short, it was of greater value symbolically than strategically. Falkenhayn counted upon this. The Germans knew that the French government would collapse if Verdun fell, and probably the French Army, too. It was therefore decided to “bleed France white” by assaulting an objective that the French would have to protect, no matter what the cost. The fact that Verdun formed a French salient into German lines only served to help Falkenhayn, since it meant that it was open to attack from three sides at once. The fighting continued for ten months until December 1916 making the battle of Verdun the longest continuous battle of World War One. The remains of the massive outlying forts built to protect the town itself, such as Fort Vaux and Fort Douaumont, still show the scars of the artillery and close quarters combat that raged in the area over ninety years ago. The French Army cemetery at now at Fort Douaumont, which holds more that 15,000 graves, has behind it the Ossuarie, or bone depositary, which contains the remains of more than 130,000 unknown soldiers whose bodies have been found on the battlefield. There is also the “tranchee des baionnettes”, where an advancing German unit came across a very shallow French trench along the length of which protruded rifles with bayonets attached. On excavation, the body of a soldier was found beneath each rifle. They had been buried in the ferocity of the German artillery barrage. Also worth a visit is the underground citadel and tunnel system that runs under the town of Verdun itself. It is now a museum, with maps, artefacts, photographs, etc, with explanations and an English language audio-visual presentation about the battle. Verdun is only 15 miles east of the Argonne, where the American Army were fighting two years later.

Come and see the fields north of the Somme river valley where British and French armies fought side by side against the Germans in the summer, autumn and winter of 1916. Allied artillery fired over 3 million shells at the German lines in the six days leading up to the first attack on the first of July. See why the attack failed so badly that morning with nearly 60,000 casualties falling, most of them in the first two hours of the attack. Visit the 300 foot wide crater at La Boisselle where British engineers had dug a tunnel under the German lines and placed 22,000 pounds of Ammanol explosives to be blown up as the attack started. See the memorial at Thiepval which is built on the 1916 German front line and has carved on it the names of over 72,000 British soldiers who have no know grave. The village of Pozieres, two miles behind the front line, which was captured by the Australians, has been rebuilt and is a good place to get lunch. The village café has the garden made up as two opposing lines of trenches, complete with machine guns, artillery shells, rifles, helmets, bayonets and all the other paraphernalia that made up the armies During World War One. Most of it was found in the Area of the café. Beaumont Hamel, where the Newfoundland Regiment went over the top on the first of July and lost 808 men and officers out of a total of 897, and where the German and Allied trenches are preserved so that you can see exactly the layout as it was on the day, as well as the “Danger Tree”, less than a third of the way to the German lines across no mans land but which very few men passed on that fateful day in 1916. There is also a monument there to the Black Watch of the 51st Highland Division, the regiment that finally captured Beaumont Hamel four and a half months later. The church steeple that Manfred von Richtofen narrowly missed while chasing a Sopwith Camel in 1918, just two minutes before he was shot down and killed, is still there, with the patched up shell holes from more than 90 years ago still visible in the walls.

Ypres, “Wipers” to the British soldiers fighting there during World War One, was the last large Belgian town still held by the Allies by Christmas 1914. The Germans held the ridgelines running around the town in a semi circle from the north, sweeping around the east and coming back under the south. Haig the British commander in Chief from 1915 onwards, was convinced that this was the only place that a breakthrough could be exploited by “rolling up the German line from the north”. Despite four years fighting around the town, which was completely destroyed during the battles, no breakthrough was achieved. From the first battle of Ypres at the end of 1914, through the second battle in early 1915 when the German Army used poison gas for the first time, to the battle of Messines Ridge in early 1917 when the British exploded 19 huge mines buried under the German lines to aid their advance, to the Third battle of Ypres, more commonly known as the Battle of Passchendale in the autumn of 1917. There are many remnants of these battle still to be seen around Ypres, such as Hill 60, where the Allied and German lines were as close as 30 to 50 feet for most of the war and there is one of the German pillboxes still there, converted by the British to a machine gun post after the successful capture of the position during the Battle of Messines ridge. The craters made by the mines are still visible today. There is also the Menin Gate, one of the largest Memorials to the missing of World War One on which is inscribed the names of nearly 55,000 men who fell during the Great War and have no know grave. The Last Post, the bugle call played at British Army funerals, is still played under the Menin Gate every evening at 8pm in honour of the soldiers who fought. Tyne Cot cemetery, one of the largest British cemeteries in the world is established around a captured German pillbox that was used as an advanced dressing station by British medics during the fighting, with four other pillboxes to be found in the cemetery. There are also still present the bunkers built by British engineers at the aid station where John McRae composed his poem, “In Flanders Fields”, which has come to epitomise the life and death of the fighting men.

Where the British Army fought its first engagement against the Germans in World War One. The spot where the Royal Irish Dragoon Guards charged a detachment of German Lancers in a classic cavalry action of the time of Alexander the Great in August 1914, is marked by a monument which is only 100 feet away from a plaque showing the final position of the Canadian forces at the ceasefire of November the 11th, 1918. Between the two events 16 million men died in the fighting of the First World War. Just a few miles away is the site where shortly afterwards in heroic defence of a tactically important bridge, one platoon of men using a machine gun managed to hold up an entire German Army Regiment for several hours allowing the rest of their unit to Escape. This was also the action for which the first two Victoria crosses of World War One were awarded.