The rolling hills of Western France

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Our first stop after Paris was Bayeux in Normandy. Normandy was a lot like southland with green rolling hill country. While based in Bayeux we ventured out and explored the D day beaches, and associated sights. The stand out amongst these sights was the Pont du Hoc. At this location on June 6 1944 a small group of American rangers climbed the cliffs to claim back the guns which threatened both Omaha and Utah beaches. It was a successful mission, only there were no guns there - just diguises. Of the 250 men that started they finished with 90, but did hold out the germans for a number of days, and found the guns further in land which they distroyed. Remaining at the hoc are huge holes in the ground from aerial bombing, and a lot of the german bunkers, both artillery, and personelle bunkers still remain (well large parts of).

From Bayeux we drove West to the Mont St Michel - it is pretty spectacular, but a tad touristy with the huge cues of parked cars. But we did manage to explore a few off the beaten track pathways. We also were there at the right time to watch the tide come in, on the mud flats. So we waited with the crowds - it certainly wasnt a slow process! There was no sight of anything, then a 1-2 foot wave swept round the corner, and just like that the tide was in!

From Mont St Michel we drove south and stopped for the night at the port town of La Rochelle. Our campsite was a bit rough! As well as general camp info we were given a flyer stating the camp was in a toxic chmical danger zone, and the flyer listed what we should do if the alarms go off! Comforting thought. The port itself was nice thoughb with large, old limestone buildings lining the streets.

Next stop was Bordeaux, wine country. Here we stayed at a camp ground near St Emilion, surrounded by vineyards, heavy with grapes - really nice! Apparently in the region you can pick up bottles of wine for only a couple of euros (at the local super market) that restaurants around the world would charge a small fortune for. Well we didn't know which ones they were, but we did try a couple of bottles of local produce.

From St Emilion we headed to Le Buge, in the Dordogne, or Perigord region. We based ouirselves in Le Buge to explore the pre historic bounty of the region. At Les Eyzies we looked through the Museum of prehistory, and checked out Grotte de Font-de-Gaume. The Grotte de Font de Gaume was one of the few caves in the region that you can actually still see the original art work (buffalo, horse, antelope).

Next stop was Milau.

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Photos

Mulles et Frittes in La Rochelle
Pretty dam good, thanks Mum

An endless landscape of grapes
These ones are at St Emilion

Comments

[Kate]

Great blogs guys - you've been up to heaps! The food and wine in France sounds excellent, as well as all the neat historical stuff. Things are much the same back here although spring has finally arrived so is much warmer. Hope all is going well! Keep em coming :)