The Bayeux War Cemetery is one of many solemn reminders of the sacrifices made during World War II. Rows of white headstones stretch across the well-kept grounds, each marking a life lost too soon, giving everything for freedom.
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Bayeux is a lovely little town in the middle of Normandy. It is historically interesting for two reasons. It is the home of the famous “Bayeux Tapestry” which I highly recommend visiting, and it is where Charles de Gaulle gave the first liberation speeches after the Normandy Landings in World War 2.
The cathedral is the centre of the town, and is lit up at night.
There are a few water ways going through the town, while it looks like you “could” go boating on them, I never saw anybody actually boating. And clearly the above two boats are not in use. On my run I followed one of the canals for a couple of km out of the town, I don’t know how much further it went. Being France, it almost certainly would have joined one of the big boating canals further on.
An old waterwheel in one of the canals, I was unable to find what the mill drove, but I would guess flour.
One thing I love about Europe is the weekly markets that every town seems to have. Bayeux is no exception. In this market you could buy your weekly fresh produce, as well as treats and hot meals.
The nougat stall was fantastic with such a friendly lady selling it. They were of so many interesting flavours, and sheinsisted we taste almost all of them. Of course, some came home with us.
The “Rotisserie” stall was basically a huge BBQ stall, selling all sorts of hot meat. The park belly was a winner for sure. It was excellent!
And of course cheese, we didn’t know what any of them are, so we just bough a selection, and they were all good (and surprisingly inexpensive).
Some of the exhibits inside the Memorial Museum. There are many war museums in Normandy, but this one stands out with some excellent exhibits.
These giant coltrops are still found all over Normandy. They are meant to literally stop tanks in their tracks.
And some anti-aircraft artillery.
These are just a few of the tanks at the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy In Bayeux. I’ll be sharing some photos inside the museum in later posts, but in the meantime here are a few of the tanks on display in the gardens.
Churchill Crocodile flame throwing tank. It was capable of throwing flames to over 100m distance.
Churchill Crocodile flame throwing tank – from the side
M10 tank destroyer, the workhorse tank of the USA army in World War 2.
The very rare Char Grizzly M4A5 Canadian Tank, basically a Canadian Sherman tank. They stopped producing them when they realised the the USA production would be sufficient for the Normandy landings.
The Memorial to the reporters in Bayeux honours journalists that have died in connection with their work. It starts in the 1940, and is (alas) updated every year. Press freedom is fundamental to free society and accountability of those in authority.
Freedom comes at a price, and we should honours those that died reporting on it.
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