We went to see the Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial, in France. As we approached the memorial we could see the outline and the massive size of the memorial.
Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge
We arrived at the parking lot and could see the monument in the distance. We walked slowly along the path towards the monument and imagined what it was like at the battle of Vimy.
The view of Vimy Ridge Monument from the parking lot
Along the path towards the Monument, we saw a metal line which ran across the pathway and divided the landscape. It signified the Canadian front line during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Line showing the front line of the battle of Vimy Ridge
The monument itself was very large and impressive with a beautiful white stone. It is made with limestone from an ancient Roman quarry located near Seget, Croatia.
Path leading to the Vimy Ridge Memorial
When we reached the base of the monument we could see the details in the statues carved in the limestone. The monument was carved from a single block of stone weighing 30-tonne. The massive height of the monument which is approximately 110 meters makes it an impressive sight. The two pillars of 27 meters ( 88.5 Feet ) looms high above the Douai Plain to the east.
Base of the two pillars of the Vimy Ridge monument
We walked around the monument looking at the carvings and statues. The colour of the limestone was a beautiful white and almost looked like marble. The statues were also carved in the white limestone which was beautiful. There were wreaths and flowers laid at different points of the monument.
Wreaths and flowers at the base of the Vimy Ridge MonumentCanadian flags and photos of soldiers of WW I on base of Vimy Ridge MonumentStatue on the Vimy Ridge monument
It was a humbling feeling to be able to physically touch the monument.
Ray, Shelley, Anne, and Jim at the base of the Vimy Ridge Monument
The feelings and emotions we felt while walking around the monument was a mix of pride and of sadness. It was a surreal experience for us to be at the Vimy Ridge Monument and a memory that will stay with us forever.
We went to a beautiful medieval city in Northern France called Amiens. We were dropped off by our tour bus near the Gothic Cathedral.
Gothic 13th-century Cathedral in Amiens, France
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens is a 13th-century Gothic style Cathedral. It is the largest Cathedral in France and is a world heritage site.
Ornate arch above the main entrance to the CathedralOrnate design on Cathedral
We went to the main entrance and were amazed at the number of figures on the arch. Each one was unique and was made in great detail.
We went inside and check out the massive interior of the Cathedral.
Inside the Amiens Cathedral
The Cathedral was very impressive not only because of the size but also the beautiful decorations and stained glass windows.
The Altar in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of AmiensStained glass inside the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens
After seeing the cathedral, we went for a walk in the old quarter of Amiens. What is an interesting feature is the city is divided by the Somme River. Shops and cafes line the narrow street along the Somme River.
Cafes and shops along the Somme River in Amiens, France
We walked along the Somme river for a while and then stopped to enjoy a relaxing drink before exploring more of the city.
Ray, Shelley, Jim, and Anne enjoying a drink in Amiens, France
We walked along the narrow streets in the old quarter admiring the unique features of buildings.
View across the Somme River in Amiens.
While walking through the streets of Amiens we came across a group of Canadian cyclist wearing Canadian markings on their shirts. We decided to stop and ask them about their shirts.
Cyclist wearing Canadian shirts in Amiens
They explained that they were cycling “the 2017 Vimy 100 Battlefield Bike Ride” which goes across a section of Europe touring WWII sites. They were raising money for the Wounded Warriors Canada charity. We had a nice chat with some of the cyclist, which were retired military personnel or spouses of Military personnel.
It made us very proud to be Canadian and to have the opportunity to speak to these veterans of our Canadian Military.
We then walked back to the park near the Cathedral before ending our time in Amiens.
Ray and Shelley in the park near the Cathedral in Amiens
We enjoyed our time in Amiens and chatting with some Canadian Veterans.
We stopped in the small historic city of Bayeux France. This city was the first to be liberated by the Allies on June 16, 1944, after the invasion of Normandy. This is also where General Charles de Gaulle made the first speech in Bayeux in which he made it clear that France sided with the Allies.
Bayeux France
We walked through the center of the old medieval town looking at the cobblestone streets and timbered buildings. There was a quaint watermill which was still working.
A working waterwheel in Bayeux, France
We came to a medieval plaza which was also the location of the local Museum.
Plaza in medieval center of Bayeux, France18th-century seminary converted into Museum
The museum was converted from an 18th-century seminary. We decided to enter the museum and view the famous 68-meter “Tapisserie de Bayeux”. It is an 11th-century tapestry depicting the 1066 Norman invasion of England. It was very interesting and each section of the tapestry depicted a scene of the invasion of England.
Scene 22 of Bayeux Tapestry.Bayeux Tapestry depicting Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, rallying Duke William’s troops during the Battle of Hastings in 1066
Although we only spent a few hours in Bayeux, it was a very enjoyable and interesting city.
After viewing the American cemetery, we went to the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
The parking lot of the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
We walked onto the grounds of the cemetery which were immaculately kept.
There were red flowers between each tombstone. The sight of all the Canadian soldiers who died to protect freedom was a very moving event for us.
Flowers among the grave markers in the Canadian War Cemetery.The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
We walked through the cemetery looking at the individual tombstones and saw something quite interesting. Placed on some of the tombstones, were coins or other small tokens. These small tokens or coins are left by visitors to indicate that someone has visited that particular grave.
Coin and Canadian Flag pin left on grave marker of Canadian soldier
We saw lots of the grave markers with coins or other small tokens. That was something that drew out raw emotions from us and touched our hearts deeply.
In the center of the cemetery, there was the cross of sacrifice monument.
The cross of sacrifice at the Canadian War Cemetery France
We walked through the cemetery and read some of the names of fallen soldiers. The age of the soldier was inscribed on the grave marker.
We were saddened by the number of soldiers who were in their late teens or early twenties. So many young soldiers sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Going to the Canadian War Cemetery was very moving and emotional. It was something that will stay with us throughout our lives.
Before heading down to see the Omaha and Juno beaches, we went to a cliff area on a point of land called “Pointe du Hoc”. The point overlooks both the Omaha and Utah Beaches. We walked along a trail that brought us to the Pointe du Hoc. There on the cliff was the remains of fortified bunkers and lookouts built by the Germans.
Trail leading to the point
This point of land high on the cliffs provided the Germans an excellent vantage point to see Allies advance in the Atlantic.
View of the Omaha Beach from the cliffs area
The ground on the point was heavily damaged with craters caused by the bombings from the Allies during the D-Day operations. It was amazing to see just how big the craters were from the bombs.
Craters caused by bombing during the D-Day operations
It was a moving experience walking through the area, imagining what had transpired on June 6, 1944, when US Army Rangers scaled the 90-foot cliffs to capture this strategic and well-defended point of land. In total, a 150 US Rangers reached the top and seized their objective against machine guns and grenades. The US Rangers then had to fight to defend their position against repeated counter-attacks by the Germans. It took two days for reinforcements to arrive on June 8th. and during that time 60 Rangers had perished defending their position. This heroic act helped to provide the needed foothold for the allied forces. This became the start of the liberation of France.
Ray in front of a damaged Machine gun bunker
We walked through some of the old bunkers and could easily see the damage caused by bombs and gunfire.
Ray at one of the 155MM heavy Gun platforms on Pointe du Hoc, France
We went to explore one of the main fortified bunkers on the Pointe du Hoc. The bunker had only one entrance/exit from the complex and it was strategically designed to be impenetrable.
Ray on the stairs to the only entrance to the German bunker
Once at the entrance landing, there was a hallway immediately to the left of the door with a machine gun post in a small opening. There was also a machine gun post at the base of the stair that could shoot the lower area of any advancing soldiers.
Machine gun opening near the main entrance to the bunker
Anyone trying to gain entry would have been shot before getting to the reinforced door of the bunker.
Shelley looking into one of the machine gun posts of the bunkerRay at the entrance area of the bunker, Bullet holes in the concrete can be seen at the entrance.
We went inside a fortified bunker system and were immediately struck by the sheer size of the complex. There were rooms for ammunition, rooms for personnel and other rooms for communications etc.
Communications room in the bunker system
We walked through the bunker in a quiet and somber manner. There was a plaque located on the wall inside the entrance that listed the US Rangers who died trying to secure the Pointe du Hoc.
Plaque on wall of the US Rangers who died trying to secure the Pointe de Hoc.US Rangers plaque at Pointe du Hoc, France
We went through different rooms in the bunker and imagined what had transpired on D-Day. It is not hard to imagine what happened to the bunker when it was attacked. The ceiling throughout the entire bunker system was burnt. We can only imagine that flamethrowers were used against the bunker.
The view from inside one of the gun slots in the bunker
Once we finished exploring the bunker we walked around the outside of the bunker. There was a series of trenches and other machine gun bunkers all along the cliffs.
The view of the gun slots in the bunker that rained terror on Allied ships and personnel advance on the beaches of Normandy.
Gun slots in the bunker at Pointe du Hoc, FranceMachine gun bunker damaged by artillerySection of trench system at Pointe du Hoc, France
We spend several hours walking around the bunker system and exploring this historic battle site of WWII. It was an emotional and amazing experience, all at the time.
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