Our last day here in Bayeux. It really has been a magical time in this part of France which has been of historical importance since medieval times. Wonderful old buildings and cosy restaurants everywhere.
Bayeux is right in the centre of some of the most historically important places in France. In June 1944, the Allied Forces (Britain, USA and Canada) mounted an invasion, from England, on the beaches of Normandy, which were to spell the defeat of Germany and the end of World War II. Over the first five days (6-11 June) 326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 tons of supplies were landed on the beaches just a few kilometres of where we are now.
Today we visited the D-Day beaches and everywhere we went are monuments, museums and other reminders of those times. Our first stop was Omaha beach.
We found a beautiful sculpture here located right in the sand on the beach, commemorating the landings and the many who lost their lives here.
The entire invasion, led by General Dwight Eisenhower was codenamed Operation Overlord, and part of today's travels included a visit to the Overlord Museum which had a terrific collection of paraphernalia (guns, tanks, vehicles, uniforms and photos) from June 1944.
In may ways today was an unforgettable day. Over the next little while we will move north through France and then into Bruges in Belgium.
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