Day 2: Longues sur mer and Bayeux

We had an early start this morning with a 6 hour ferry ride from Portsmouth to Caen. We arrived on French soil around 1500hrs and proceeded on our drive to the town of Bayeux. Along the way, we made a stop at Longues sur mer to see 4 German gun batteries aimed at the beaches of Gold and Omaha. These gun batteries threatened those 2 beaches as well as the others on D-Day and needed to be silenced.

After a windy and somewhat cold walk about of the German gun batteries, we retired to our hotel - Lion d'Or where it was the base for the Press Corps during the Battle of Normandy. Inside the bar of the hotel are pictures of famous people who have frequented the Lion d'Or.

Tomorrow, we will continue with our look at D-Day and visit the beaches of Normandy, the Pegasus Bridge, Claire Tison (if we have time) and a visit to one d the Canadian cemeteries at Bennie sur mer.

The cadets had a bit if free time when we got back to the hotel and spent some time wandering around the town before dinner. A good number of them found a French bakery an promptly brought themselves a French baguette or some other delicious pastries.

I've attached some pictures of our day!