We did explore more areas in and around Caen besides the ones dedicated to WW11.

Caen was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th Century and even though as we said it was heavily bombed during the war, there are still some amazing historic buildings.

Our favourite by far was the spectacular Abbaye-aux-Hommes ( Mens Abby) , a Benedictine Monestery founded around the year 1063 by William and his wife Matilda and is a National Monument of France. It was spared from bombings in 1944 because it was used as a refuge for the citizens of Caen.

Many changes have occurred throughout the centuries, and it is said to have inspired the construction of many churches throughout the world. Inside the St Etienne Church within the Abby walls is the tomb of William, and you know how Rhonda likes to lay historical people to rest!

The cloister was a quiet peaceful place to wander. It is a magnificent building. The Monastic building added in the 18th century and attached to the Abby is now the rather stunning Town Hall.

The ruins of the Church of Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux (the Old St Stephens Church) is an historic monument. It has been a ruin quite a while before1944. It was used as a stable during the French Revolution however a bomb did destroy more of the church, and it stands today as an “historical Ruin”.

Place Saint Sauveur is the largest square in Caen. It was a good place to have a drink when the weather was sunny! Although we had seen many timbered houses in Vannes we couldn’t resist a photo of some more in Caen.

Caen’s main Church, the Eglise Saint Pierre was rather large and it’s spire was destroyed by bombings in 1944. It was rebuilt and has a height of 260 feet.

As well as the Men’s Abby, Caen has a Lady’s Abby again founded b y William and Matilda. Its history includes a home for Benedictine nuns until the French Revolution, a Military garrison, a poor house, a Hospital and a Hospice. Matilda apparently rests in the choir “under a slab of black marble” although we didn’t go and visit her.

We took a drive to check out the beaches on another part of the Normandy Coast in the Calvados region. First stop was Villers-sur-Mer. We found it quite up market with the extravagant villas sitting right on the beach. It is said that the coast is visible for 2.1kms, well maybe on a nice sunny day!

Next stop was Deauville, classified as a “fashionable Seaside Destination”. The beach is well known for its 450 colourful parasols, however it was not the day for a swim. The Town Hall was cute to admire while we had a coffee.

We then drove onto the large city of Le Havre. It is a port on the English Channel at the mouth of the River Seine. We expected to have a fish lunch but there were a few things that worked against us, On Mondays a lot of restaurants are closed and there is little fresh fish, so we opted for a roast duck leg with confit spuds, creme brulee and a Normandy apple tart. It was bloody delicious. the owner and waitress photo bombed our photo!

We found a cute cafe for coffee and drinks. The translation is “The Last Bistro Before the End of the World”. This was another cafe full of “stuff” that made it an interesting place to sit! Greg liked his mate who stood out the front!

In France there are a lot of shops where you are able to buy rather good “ready made “meals. One night we bought some great little quiches and some petite Normandy apple tarts! An easy dinner but delicious! Of course, it was followed by cheese and a glass of red!

Greg has of course enjoyed going to the Fresh Food markets and buying our fruit and veges and cheese. Sometimes it is hard to decide what bread to buy when there are so many choices.

Rhonda finally got her duck confit which she had been longing for ever since arriving in France. We started with a pre-dinner aperitif in a cute little square. Our entrees were foie gras for Rhonda and Greg enjoyed his samosas. The duck confit was worth the wait. Yum! Too full for dessert.

Another trip in Barney took us for a visit to Medieval Bayeux. The Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux was very impressive and dates back to William of course. The famous Bayeux Tapestry was housed in the Cathedral until 1793, and now it is in its own museum, but we didn’t go to view it. The oldest house in Bayeux dates back to the 13th Century and was pretty cute.

We then continued onto Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, a picturesque fishing and sailing village and has one of Normandy’s largest harbours. It is home to the UNESCO listed Vauban Towers built from 1694 to protect the mainland from the English.

As you can see the weather was not kind, grey skies, drizzly rain and a chilly wind, however the thing that saved the day was lunch. We finally found our whole grilled dorade (sea Bream) and it was bloody delicious, worth the wait!

We then continued onto Barfleur, classified as “One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France”. It was a pretty spot but would have been much better with blue skies!

Caen has of course a Chateau and of course it was built by William around 1060. It is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. We thought it was great when we read about the “free entry” but once inside we knew why! A restoration process is underway, and it was a complete mess but the view of the house roof tops from the rampart walls was okay!

We had a great time in Caen although the weather was average. As we mentioned previously, we are now in Epernay in the Champagne Region, the weather has improved, and the Champagne is flowing! We are here for a 5 week stay and looking forward to relaxing a little.

Another reminder to click on each photo separately to get the full view! We are working on how to change it but it is a “work in progress”‘

So it is that time, time for a Champers.

A bientot

Lots of love

Greg and Rhonda

xx