From Paris I rode to Caen in Normandy. Getting out of the metropolis I used toll freeways to avoid the traffic and then onto secondary roads through the beautiful Normandy countryside. The beautiful turned wet for the last 90 minutes of the ride and I arrived soaking wet on the outside.

This area is where the allied forces of World War II landed on the beaches to start retaking Europe back from the Germans. During the 100 days it took to drive the Germans back, Normandy was flattened with many civilian casualties but this saved the rest of France from a similar fate.

Pegasus Bridge

1st Battalion Fusilier Marine Commando – French troops

Caen Memorial

I spent a day riding around visiting the various D Day beaches and associated museums, memorials and cemeteries.

Bayeux and Caen