Hello, hello!
Andrew and I were up early this morning and in the car by 7:30 AM. After about a two hour drive (ugh for traffic), we arrived at the Normandy American Cemetery.
I was here way back in 1997 with my family, but this was Andrew’s first visit and the main reason we left Paris and headed north on Sunday. If you ever have the opportunity to visit northern France, I cannot recommend this enough. We had a private tour this morning of Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery. Our guide was EXCELLENT and the four hours flew by. Because we are here in January, everything was very quiet and peaceful.
Here are some pictures from our day…let us never forget that so many paid the ultimate price here for the freedom of the world.
We’re back in Honfleur and about to head to dinner.
I’ll be back here in the morning. If you haven’t checked out my other recaps from our trip, you can catch PARIS: #1, PARIS #2 and then PARIS #3.
Have a wonderful evening. xx
Tanya says
Love all the extra posts. Thank you so much for doing them while you’re away!
Elspeth Mizner says
Absolutely beautiful and so moving! Thank you for sharing with us!
http://www.Elspethsdaybyday.com
Tracy Abraham says
Gig ‘em! James Earl Rudder on your plaque was the 16th president of Texas A&M. He was also president over the A&M university system. There is a building on campus named for him, Rudder Tower.
We are using your travel agency to travel here this summer. Can’t wait to see this! Thanks for sharing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! We’re so happy to help you!
Connie says
Oh Shay I have an uncle who died and is buried there. My Dads brother. My Dad turns 85 yrs old Saturday. One day I’d like to visit. One of my cousins went and took some photos for my Dad. I love your posts! Enjoy the rest of your visit. 🥰
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! God bless your sweet family!
Mathieu says
Hi Connie, The French citizens, as members of a local association, can adopt the names of those buried or memorialized on the missing wall at the Normandy American Cemetery. They just have to leave some flowers at some time especially on Memorial Day, as a tribute to the young man they have adopted. Possibly someone cares for the grave of your uncle and leaves some flowers. A nice way to honor those who did not come back home and rest in Normandy.
Kristen Hardison says
This is really neat and I’m so glad y’all had time for it. My sister studied abroad in France in 2004. She got a chance to go to the cemetery as well. Their guide asked if anyone had a relative who passed away and was buried there. My sister said yes because my grandfather’s brother died while serving there. They were able to look up his name and plot and the guide took her straight to the spot so she could get some pictures for my grandmother. She said the whole area is beautiful and she loved that they flew real American soil over there to bury those precious soldiers in. She also said the mood there was somber and respectful the whole time. I’m so glad y’all got to experience it together today.
MelanieL says
I’m so glad you were able to go. We went in 2019 right after the 75th Anniversary and it was so moving. For anyone who might be interested in taking a day trip from Paris, we used a company called Blue Fox Travel. They picked us up in a van near the Arc De Triomphe in the morning and brought us back that evening. It was a really nice trip with my sister and I, 6 other people and the driver/guide. Also, is the service member’s grave in your last picture related to your friend? I recognize the last name. ❤️
Lynne says
So awesome to see! I’ve never been, but it’s on the bucket list! My great uncle was one of the soldiers who stormed the beach of Normandy many years ago, so that place holds a special place in my heart! Thanks for sharing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! God bless him and your family. What a hero!
Patty Anderson says
Wow…how surreal and not at all how I imagined it would look. Thank you SO much for the post!
Cynthia Solomon says
Thank you Shay for the beautiful and reverent photos! This is proof that our freedom is not free! My heart breaks at the sight of so many lost in a war that defined freedom. Many blessings to you and safe travels to your next destination!
Karah Stracener says
I am loving these daily posts. Thank you for sharing.
Yvonne says
Wow! Powerful seeing those pictures, makes me feel so emotional. I hope to go there some day, thank you for sharing.
Missy Winward says
Oh my gosh! I’m loving your trip posts! Just brings tears to my eyes! Paris is fantastic and I was so moved when I went to Normandy, reminding us about all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice! Thanks for letting us tag along on your adventure
Paula says
Random…did you hear Tara Leigh Cobble is coming to McKinney in February? AMAZING & JEALOUS!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did hear that!!! Isn’t that so cool?!
Denise says
This was a highlight of our trip with our teens too! We felt it was important for them to see this in person. We did a day trip and took the train which was a nice break after all of our walking in Paris. Before the tour, we stopped at a little cafe for lunch and my husband still regularly talks about his galette supreme.
Joanne says
I remember those views; even in high school I teared up looking at all those graves and seeing the evidence left behind by the war.
Melissa Terry says
I’ve read so many stories about Normandy, and can’t wait to see it myself some day…what bravery…there just don’t seem to be the words and I’m sure its even more moving in person.
Marla says
Shay, I have thoroughly enjoyed living vicariously through you these past few days. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. You truly are amazing and so giving ….we appreciate you.
Sarah says
So beautiful. To think that all those young men just stormed the beach so bravely is so heroic and amazing. Now I want to go to France!!
Ann says
Lovely Clare from your travel agency has planned our Paris/Normandy vacation for next summer. I’m even more excited to go now!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I’m so happy we are getting to help you!
Kacey says
Wow! What an incredible site to see. I can just feel the importance through the photos you’ve shared. It makes me emotional reading the plaque and seeing you in that shelter. I can only imagine what it was like back then. Thank God for the amazing, brave soldiers who fought for our country (and still do). Praying extra for them and their families today.
Lori Wiseman says
We are planning a trip to Normandy/London and Paris maybe soon. Years ago I planned a Paris/Normandy trip for my husbands birthday (he’s a huge WWII history buff). We were in Paris for 4 days and the night before we were to leave for Normandy by train we got an emergency call from home and had to fly back to the states. We were going to visit Honfleur, and a town where there’s castle that monks make the liquor B&B (that includes the herbs/spices of frankincense & mrryh:)). then on to the Normandy beaches on D-day anniversary. So bummed we missed it but We can’t wait to go back over and see Normandy!
Laura says
I was supposed to go to Paris and work my way up to Normandy last November. My trip was canceled so it’s great that I get to see what I missed from your blog. I’m trying again this November but it’s the opposite way. Down to the south of France. Enjoy your trip. I’ll be reading every day.
Karen says
Oh my goodness, Shay! Thank you for sharing! This is my number one bucket list place in the world. I got chills from so many of your photos. ♥️♥️
Pamela says
Was your grandfather at Normandy? I remember you posted that he was a Marine.
Mix and Match Mama says
He was not. He served in Japan.
Elizabeth Thorson says
Thank you for your posts from France. Shay. Having been to Normandy 2x now, have you read Stephen Ambrose’s D Day? I read it several years ago and it has stayed with me. I cannot imagine seeing the site and having a guide to share that time, so many decades ago. I hope to visit there someday.
sandi says
This is somber and forces us to remember a generation that was sacrificial in their service to our country.
Ashley says
This would be absolutely amazing to see in person! Love seeing all these photos!
Make Life Marvelous
Sharon says
Shay, would you agree that parts of Europe remind you of Boston?
Mix and Match Mama says
I would 🙂 .
Jeannie Crow Pietrowiak says
Thank you for this special post. A few years back we spent our 4th of July touring this area and it was profoundly moving. As an Aggie who worked as a student in Rudder Tower, it was touching to see Rudder remembered! Gosh, we owe so much to that generation!! Love following along- safe travels!!
Pam Zercher says
I was moved to tears, Shay. We were with a larger group and didn’t go to the cemetery the last time we were France. I also had a great uncle who was stationed there and was a POW for a while. He’s been with Jesus for many years now. We’re going next time 💕
Hayden Barber says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us. I love all the Normandy pictures. My parents will be there in May. My dad is a veteran and would like to spend 2 days in Normandy. Do you know of tours that are more in- depth/more than a few hours? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
There are so many tour options available for different times, aspects, locations. Their travel agent should be able to find them the perfect one.
Amanda says
This is incredible.
I’m curious who you booked your private cemetery tour through?
Mix and Match Mama says
Here at my travel agency, we have tours for everything like this! We’d love to help you with your next trip!
Lindsay D. says
My Grandfather was there. He met a French woman who wrote my Grandmother a letter and sent her a silk scarf as a thank you for his service.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh wow! What a detail! God bless your grandfather!