Back to Normandy: Jumièges

Let's go back to France for a bit. There's still so much I haven't shared yet. I love history, and I hope you do, too. One of our excursions while on the river cruise was the Normandy Abbey Route. We visited two abbeys, one a ruin and one still operating. This post is about the ruin. 

The first monastery was built here in 642. Mind-boggling. A few centuries later, however, the Vikings came a-rampaging and destroyed the monastery. 

It didn't take too long before the Vikings themselves converted to Christianity and began building their own monasteries. Duke William of Normandy, aka William the Conqueror, aka King William of England, attended the consecration of the newly constructed abbey in 1067.

The towers still stand, reaching into the blue, blue sky. Our guide pointed out how different they are - deliberate asymmetry.  

Jumièges was an important place of learning in medieval times, and was also well-known for caring for the poor. 

Some of the early paint colours can still be seen in the vaults and arches. 

How lovely it was to wander freely through these ruins, to imagine the life of the monks, to stretch my neck back to see the tops of the ruins. 

Alas, the Abbey became a victim of religion - in the 16th century, the Huguenots destroyed much of the abbey. It was partially rebuilt, but after the French Revolution, destroyed once more. 

These are some of the beautiful details, mostly reproductions, seen in and around the abbey.

The Abbey was sold in the 19th century to a Frenchman who used the old buildings as a quarry, selling off the stones and bricks. This horrified others, who managed to purchase the site before it was totally decimated.

As with most buildings, renovations were carried out over the centuries. These two windows are probably the oldest there.

The grounds are extensive and peaceful for walking. It's preserved now as an historic site, as are other abbeys in the area. If you go to Normandy, take the time to visit one of the abbeys and take a tour. We were so glad we did. 

This pretty house sits outside the abbey walls and I couldn't resist taking a photo. Doesn't it look like something from a fairy tale? 

Linking with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life. 

A Visit to the Beaches of Normandy

Historical events of monumental proportions occurred in Normandy. From here rose the medieval king who conquered England, and this land was the rope in a tug-of-war of power between England and France for generations.

More recent history is commemorated in the World War II memorials of D-Day, June 6, 1944, when 156,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy and began the liberation of France and the downfall of Nazi Germany.

It was a sobering day. The rows and rows of tombstones in the Commonwealth graves (there are 18 graveyards dedicated to the Commonwealth which includes Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). 

Roses grow between the graves along with lavender, poppies and other flowers. They are beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

The headstones are identical white stone made unique by the emblem at the top - here a maple leaf for the Canadian troops. 

There was so much to see and to absorb at these sites. A one-day visit is hardly enough. 

I learned much about the preparations for D-Day and how it all began with 6 gliders, each filled with 30 men and two jeeps who were to land and secure two bridges, just 400 metres apart, so that when the landing of troops occurred, they would be able to cross the rivers with ease.

Above is the original Pegasus Bridge, taken just 15 minutes after the gliders landed. The Pegasus Museum gave a great overview of the event. 

This photo of the new Pegasus Bridge looks much the same as the original (both are counterweight bridges), but is larger. The first glider landed shortly after midnight at the site of the first monument. Incredibly accurate. Gliders were silent (until they landed), so the surprise was a success. 

Once the bridge was taken, it had to be held until the troops arrived. Shots were fired from roof of the chateau in the distance, but those shots could not be returned, for the chateau was a maternity hospital and the Allies did not want to harm the mothers and children there. 

This house and coffee shop, right beside the bridge, was the first house liberated by the Allied troops. It belonged to the Gondree family and the daughter still owns the house and lives there.

More shots were fired from the tower of the church, and these were returned. 

How peaceful it all looks today. A young man fished in the river just below the bridge. Patrons enjoyed coffee and ice cream at the house/coffee shop. Young families strolled by. 

The water is so blue. People lie on the beach, sunbathing, while children run in and out of the water. 

These caissons were towed over on D-Day to form an artificial harbour at Arromanches. It was to this harbour that the materiel for continuing the advance into France arrived.

I was struck by this juxtaposition of war and peace in the square overlooking the sea at Arromanches. A gun memorializes the soldiers who fought there. Next to it is a carousel with merry voices and cheerful music. 

On to Juno Beach, the landing site for the Canadian troops. There is a museum here, and a preserved German bunker. 

Tim on Juno Beach, now a peaceful place of pleasure and play. I am proud to be a Canadian, and never more so than after seeing the role my country played in the war. 9% of Canada's population at the time took direct part in the war - the highest contribution per capita of any nation.

Let us not forget the sacrifice of so many.