LE HAVRE FRANCE

SATURDAY 7^th JULY 2012.

After sailing from Lisbon in moderate seas through The Bay of Biscay and the English Channel we reached the sea port of Le Have the Gateway to France and Paris. The day was overcast and cold, about 15 degrees and threatening rain.

As we had been to Paris a number of times before we decided to do two other separate  land tours, Marilyn decided to a half day visit the seaside village of Honfleur, and I went for the full day tour  of the Normandy Coast and the World War 2 Landing Beaches.

I had to get away to an early start as we had a two hour bus trip to the the Normandy Coast. It was an eye opener to see this strip of coast where the allies came ashore  including the War Museum at the beautiful seaside town of Arromanches and in particular Omaha Beach and the cliffs of La Pointe du Hoc. It was also interesting to see what’s left of the Mulberry, the floating harbour defences used in the war, which is still evident along the beach of Arromanches.

A beautiful lunch at country restaurant in Arromanches really set off the day and overall, even though it rained most of the afternoon it was a great history lesson.

Marilyn had a half hour drive around the beautiful countryside and villages before  reaching the charming 13^th- century Norman fishing village of Honfleur for a guided walking tour of the village. This included a visit to the timber 15^th-century St Catherine’s Church built by shiprights, which is the largest wooden church with a separate bell-tower in France. She had some time to explore the town on her own and thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Tomorrow across the channel to Dover.