NORMANDY 

Normandy-Caen Peace memorial (Musée pour la paix)-Introduction and creation

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D-Day beaches and war memorials

Ste-Mere-Eglise

 Caen-Musée pour le Paix

 Pegasus Bridge
Benouville
Ranvillesus Bridge

Caen is undoubtedly an unavoidable halting-stage for anyone visiting the region. Martyr city in the heart of the bloody and ruthless “bataille de Normandie”, this city suffered heavily from the bombings and war misery but majestic and historical building remind us that there were times when it was different. A pleasant city, with some charm, with some medieval streets that escaped the 75% destruction of Caen during the war. Most of its citizens sought refuge in church caves, which was the reason that the allied spared these buildings. Today life is relaxed, the cuisine above average to delicious and the population very friendly. But despite the good-nature atmosphere, the city didn’t forget the past and it’s incredible "Musee pour la Paix". The best way not to start war over again is to consolidate peace….
In following essays I will only lead you through the Caen War Memorial. The usual way of visiting a town and its history will be described in the Normandy cities section.
On the northwest outskirts of Caen, very well indicated when you come from centre town on the Eisenhower Esplanade (Direct bus 17 from the SNCF station.) stands a smooth, monolithic building. It might be the HQ of some international company until you read the text carved in the façade: ”La Douleur m’a brisée, la Fraternité m’a relevée, de ma blessure a jailli un fleuve de liberté.” "Broken by pain, I was raised up again by comradeship, and from my wounds there flowed a river of freedom." (translation with te graceful collaboration of Mrs. Anne Forrest)
Inaugurated at the symbolic date of 6th of June 1988 by Francois Mitterand, it differs spectacularly from the D-Day museums found elsewhere in Normandy.  It’s one of the unavoidable and obligatory passages in Normandy. Regarded as one of the most modern museums of France, the Memorial is conceived not only as a cultural centre (museum, cinema, exhibitions.....), but also an exchange forum, a data bank (documentation, specialized libraries, research offices), but also a "monument to peace " (gallery of the Nobel prices), an gathering place (conferences, international encounters, concerts, flour shows...), but also, and above all, a centre of meditation: "how to prevent other wars?".
Didactilly seen, I must praise the concept and multi-media presentation. And what is presented pricks the visitors to put themselves in question, question themselves about the evident fact that peace, democracy and human rights are very labile concepts.
Sobriety, limpidity of the design, intelligence of the setting, rigorous selection of the documents make this Memorial an original and passionate museum, where your visit will turn out extremely enriching.
Open every day from 9-19 (21 from July 11 to August 23n and 18 h in the winter). Closed from January 1 to January 15, on January 25 and on Christmas day. Entrance fee: 67 FF (59 students), free for the less than 10 years old. Count a minimum of 3 hours of visit.

Bibliography

A holiday history of France, by Ronald Hamilton (London-Hogarth press), Region Normandie, ses merveilles, ses cicatrices, by Louis Letellier (ed. Cloison, Rouen 1995), Holt’s battle field guides, Normandy Overlord by Holt, Tonie and Valmai (Sandwich, Kent), La France des petits chemins: Normandie, by J. de la Valléé (ed. Cité presse, Paris 1998), Six armies in Normandy, by John Keegan, (paperback ed. Pimlico)-“Memorial pour le Paix, brochure”.

Ouistreham

Arromanches artificial port

 Bayeux war memorials

 Omaha beach 
     
 
Pointe du Hoc
     
 
Utah Beach