“Cultural Treasures” ~ Le Louvre Museum & The Palace of Versailles

On July 27, 2024June 9, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn France, Le Louvre & VersaillesLeave a comment

Our first day in Paris gave us a great start to our adventure in this beautiful city. Exploring the city on foot allowed us to get close up to experience life in Paris and soak in some of the city’s atmosphere. This city has so much depth in it history, culture and historical points of interest that it’s easy to keep yourself busy. With still so much to see and explore, we made our way out again into the neighborhoods and headed to our first stop.

One thing about Europe that a traveler can appreciate is how efficient and well connected its public transportation is. And Paris is no different. The manner in which trains run on time and moves large amounts of people throughout the day is impressive. The Metro runs through out the city and outlying areas and is accessible nearly everywhere. Entering from the street level, you walk downstairs, and soon come across signs to various walkways taking you to different tracks, depending on where you are going. Each metro station was well organized and displayed its personality through its architecture and layout. At some of the stations, the decor would reflect the personality of that area of Paris and was nice to see.

As previously mentioned, there is so much to see in this vibrant and timeless city. With its art, fashion, historic landmarks, and museums to visit and learn from, we started our second day in this city and made our way to Le Louvre. As the Seine River guided us through the city, we came across several bridges that connected the riverbanks throughout the city with one another and allowed traffic and pedestrians to get around. It was interesting to see these old historic buildings and the Seine River coexisting with modern day cars and people on their phone or using their electronic devices. It just showed the versatility of Paris.

Walking across one of the bridges, I came across several light fixtures that had “love locks” attached to them. This act involves fastening locks together and usually occurs around bridges or waterways. Individuals write their name or initials on a lock, secure it to the fence or structure then throw the key into the water. It’s interesting as I often come across these “love locks” in various city whenever I travel and true to nature, it’s usually around a river or bridge. This act is often seen as a token of romantic devotion of a person’s commitment and love to their significant other and is a public way of showing it. If someone is going to use “love locks” to show their love and devotion, then how appropriate to do so in the City of Love.

Arriving at Le Louvre Museum, you immediately find yourself surrounded by three large and impressive renaissance style buildings. The air around the Le Louvre Museum is of opulence, wealth and strength and that is exactly what King Phillip II was going for when he had it built. Construction of the Le Louvre began in the late 12th century and was built to protect the city from attack, especially as the King of England had control of Normandy at that time. Initially built to serve as a fortress it underwent several reconstructions and eventually became the royal residence until Louise XIV relocated the monarchy to the Palace of Versailles.

Artwork is not only found inside the museum but greets visitors as they arrive in the courtyard. Sitting along the facade and high on corner walls, intricately chiseled statues keep watch of visitors entering Le Louvre and provides a sampling of the beautiful artwork created during that time period. The number of statues and art pieces displayed within the courtyard and on the buildings was impressive and I marveled at the amount of work and talent it took to create it all.

Entering Le Louvre, you go through an iconic glass pyramid that has its own space and contrasts against the surrounding buildings. This 71-foot glass pyramid is made up of 603 rhombus-shaped and 70 triangular glass sections that creates its own unique and artistic space. Unlike other museums, guest descend on an escalator into the underground lobby where they find a bright lobby that connects several wings of the museum. Once below, guest can venture into the various galleries and adjoining shopping and gathering areas .

Within the Louvre, there are approximately 500,000 objects with an estimated 38,000 works of art shown at any given time. And of course, I would be remise if I did not mention Le Louvre’s most famous resident.. the Mona Lisa. Displayed in a large gallery, she is given ample space for all her admirers to come and see her portrait. Sitting relaxed with her arms folded across her lap and looking slightly to the left, her gaze and slight smile gets your attention. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of her look or the mystery of not knowing what she was thinking in this pose. No matter, she is beautiful, and it is easy to see why she is so famous throughout the world. She is an icon for the ages.

Le Louvre is an impressive museum, and a person could spend several days exploring and seeing all the works in residence. The talent and foresight to create these impressive works is staggering and one art piece that specifically stood out to me was the “Winged Victory of Samothrace”. She is prominently displayed in the Daru staircase of Le Louvre and is one of its most famous sculptures. In her stance, the winged goddess Nike proclaims victory, is seen just as she is about to descend off a boat. I took this photography in black and white to capture its depth and appreciate the balance of the feminine and strength in this stance. The head and appendages were damaged and lost many years ago, however, seeing this beautiful sculpture now, you would not know any different and its presence is powerful.

View of adjoining wing of Le Louvre from inside the museum.

This museum is a great excursion and I enjoyed it just now as much as I did on my previous visits. Aside from being the largest museum in the world, it is one of my top five favorites when visiting Paris. Le Louvre is so popular that it even beats the Vatican in visitors and hit 8.9 million guests last year. It is definitely one of Paris’ cultural treasures so if you travel to this wonderful city, definitely put it on your list of “must see’s”. You will not be disappointed.

View of the main Chateau looking from the gardens

Our next stop in visiting France’s cultural treasures was the Palace of Versailles. Located approximately 30 minutes outside of Paris, we took the RER train to see this spectacular palace. As previously mentioned, the royal family resided at Le Louvre for many years until King Louis XII had Versailles built in 1623. What started as a simple hunting lodge quickly grew to an expansive estate when King Louis XIV assume the throne. 700 rooms, 60 staircases, and 1200 fireplaces later, the Palace of Versailles became known as a center for French politics, culture, and art and was even envied by other monarchies throughout Europe. It was life at its finest.

Looking out towards the gardens from the main chateau

The Palace of Versailles is not only large and decadent with its buildings and furnishing but also encompasses extensive gardens, small villages and buildings apart from the main compound. So just how large is Versailles you ask? Well, its size is 800 hectares which translates to 1,976 acres. Now that is a lot of grass to mow. Within the well manicured gardens, mazes, small lakes and fountains, visitors get the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful grounds and imagine how the French monarchy lived.

Looking toward the main chateau from the garden area

Guests are welcomed to walk the grounds, and you could see people having picnics on the grass areas and renting small boats to go out onto the lakes. Walking around these lush gardens, classical music could be heard being played throughout the area just as it was when the French monarchs lived there. The Palace of Versailles is very beautiful and a person visiting this impressive estate can easily get lost in its calm and serene landscape. These beautiful grounds allow a visitor to get an idea how life was like back in the 17th century as French monarchs strolled the grounds and admired the impressive sculptures located throughout the area. It was a life of beauty, art and privilege.

The organ of the Royal Chapel inside the Palace of Versailles

The beauty of Versailles not only is limited to its gardens but is also mirrored within the palace. Inside guests are able to walk through and see the many rooms and witness the opulence of the French monarchy of the 17th century. One of the more well known areas of the palace is the organ of the Royal Chapel. Sitting above the altar in the chapel, the organ is just as extravagant as it is large in size. This chapel is one of five chapels within the palace and was the last one built that was consecrated on June 5, 1710. It was the chapel where many significant events took place such the marriage between the last King and Queen of France, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Above on the ceiling, visitors can see beautiful paintings of celestial scenes taking place along with other heavenly beings painted besides them. Ceiling paintings like these were seen throughout the palace and I like to think of them as spectators who witnessed the ongoings that took place at Versalles. If only the walls, or in this case, ceilings could talk.

Checkered hallways inside the palace of Versailles

Within the palace, you will find many rooms, hallways, and dining areas lavishly decorated. It is fair to say that no expense was spared in furnishing these rooms with beautiful works of art. The talent of the artists and workers that built this palace is evident all around you and it is staggering to think about the amount of manpower, time and expertise it took to create so much beauty.

The Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles

While the Palace of Versailles is known for its beautiful and magnificent estate, it is also known for hosting the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. On June 29, 1919, delegates from Germany and the Allied powers, gathered in the palace’s famous Hall of Mirrors room to sign the peace document that would end World War I. Imagine the combination of these world leaders, from opposing sides, meeting in this lavish room to settle a war and bring peace to the world. It was a momentous event. The history of this room goes back to King Louis XIV who expanded on the design and layout of Versailles and and wanted this gallery to represent the glory of his rein and of France. More importantly, he wanted it to be an outward representation of France’s achievements economically, politically and in the arts.

Looking out to the gardens from the Hall of Mirrors room

Walking through the hall you get sense of how opulent life must of been. Life was lived on a grand scale and there were no limits. As you continue walking through the hall you can see beautiful views of the gardens through several French doors that lined the West wall of the room. Looking out I enjoyed the scenery and thought to myself that it probably hasn’t changed that much over time. Great efforts have been made to preserve this beautiful palace and they have done an incredible job.

As I wrapped up my visit to these two “Cultural Treasures”, I left with an appreciation to have been able to visit them in person. Visiting these two historic sites felt more like I was going back in time and getting a first-hand lesson in French culture, arts and history. Travel provides the opportunity to go to different places and gain a broader perspective of life, people and actually see where history has taken place and for me that is invaluable. And so with that , I said “A Dieu” (farewell) to these two historic sites, with greater insight for this rich French heritage and a few more “bucket list” locations visited.

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see where we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

“Paris is always a good idea” ~ Audrey Hepburn, from the movie “Sabrina”

On July 7, 2024June 9, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn France, Paris - Is Always a Good IdeaLeave a comment

Ah…Paris!! How could we come to France and not spend time in this amazing city? It is one of those places that is a must to visit when traveling through Europe. With its blend of history, politics, art, fashion and beautiful landmarks, it gives the adventurous traveler plenty to see and do. It had been a while since I had visited this memorable city so it was time to come back and pick up where I left off on my last trip.

Gare du Nord Train Station, Paris(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Arriving at the heart of the city, Gare du Nord is Paris’s main train station and is a buzz of activity. With its mixture of classical and modern architecture and large glass ceiling windows, it serves as a bright and energetic depot that connects travelers with their trains that will take them to their desired destination. Here you will find TGV trains bound for other areas of France and Europe as well as the Eurostar trains that will take you back to England via the underground tube that runs below the English Channel. Paris’s metro and regional trains also have hubs at this station and with that we took the metro and started our adventure and made our way to the city.

Walking through the streets of Paris allows you to get a good feel of the city. Making our way through the different neighborhoods, we saw tall buildings with their small ornate balconies and historic architecture, grocery stores displaying their fresh fruit on the sidewalk and small stores showing their goods. Cafés with their red awnings and vinyl chairs were usually busy as their guests balanced talking with their friends as they enjoyed their drinks. Bakery’s were found in abundance and through their large front windows, displayed their freshly made pastries and sandwiches that were definitely “Très bien”. Much like London, you see Parisians driving their cars, riding their bikes or walking on the sidewalks, each aware of the other and moving in sync without a hitch. It was easy to get caught up in it and before you knew it, we felt like we had become part of the city.

Making your way around town, the Seine River seems to follow and guide you to Paris’s famous landmarks, museums and points of interest. Apartment and office buildings that have witnessed hundreds of years of history line the streets next to the Seine river and effortlessly blend in today just as they did a century or two ago. If only they could talk and tell us what they have seen.

Visiting historic cities like Paris brings an awareness of how we all play a small part on the large scale of time and history. Construction on the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris took approximately 182 years and was completed in 1345. It stood for 674 years until 2019 when a structural fire occurred and caused significant damage. Efforts to repair and reconstruct the damaged areas of this enormous monument has been in full swing and has consisted of master carpenters, sculptors, painters and collection curators to reestablish this prodigious cathédral. Their due diligence is paying off and Notre Dame is scheduled to reopen its doors in December 2024 to welcome guests again. While it was unfortunate that we were not to be able to go inside the cathedral, it still was an impressive and magnificent place to see.

“Gallery of Kings” – Cathedral Notre Dame

Looking at the entrance to the Cathedral, you will notice a horizontal row of 28 statues above the entrance. These statues are referred to as the “Gallery of Kings” who represent 28 generations of the kings of Judea, preceding Christ. Now as they stand above the entrance to the Cathedral, they appear more like guardians and keep watch of those that enter Notre Dame.

Statue of Virgin Mary with child Jesus- Cathedral Notre Dame

Like many other churches in Europe, statues of saints were found in the front courtyard and around the cathedral. I came across this statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus and it caught my eye as it contrasted against the blue dome building in the background. Beautifully sculpted, this Madonna and child statue were different from others I had seen. Looking at this statue its gaze is more direct. It feels more personal and intriguing. She was beautiful and fit perfectly in with the surrounding of the cathedral.

As we continued to explore the city, we came across nice tree lined walkways that framed our pathway and provided shade. This blend of nature with the urban landscape was throughout the city and made our walks more enjoyable. And bicycles.. yes, they were everywhere. Whether you owed one or needed to rent one for a quick ride, their presence was seen all around Paris. It was impressive to watch them move through traffic so easily and whenever a pedestrian was in their way you would hear the”ding-ding” of their spring-mounted bell politely but firmly warning pedestrians to “watch out or move” out of their pathway.

Paris is home to several famous landmarks that are large in stature and historical importance. The Arc de Triomphe is one that speaks volumes. Construction of this impressive monument began in 1806 and took thirty years to complete (1836). Honoring the French who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic War, it is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Looking at this large arc several impressions come to mind. First is its immense presence and how daily life in Paris revolves around it. This arc has been part of history, for both invading countries (Germany), and for France and its allies. It has been used to acknowledge important world events, such as when Paris was liberated during World War II, and again in 1945 after the end of the war in Europe. In recent years, the last stage of The Tour de France takes place by this landmark and ends nearby. The Arc de Triomphe has been and is a constant factor that does not change while time and history does. It is one of Paris’s unforgettable iconic images.

While Paris is known for many things, one speciality it most definitely excels at is “des pâtisseries” (pastries). Walking along the Champs Elysées, we came across Laudrée, a bakery that is well known for making the best double-shelled macarons in the world. Opening in 1862, Laudrée specializes in creating high end pastries and continues to make them to this day in Paris and around the world. With its beautiful tea rooms, bakeries and colorful macaroons, it has made a name for itself and been used in several movies and series. Now if you are wondering if we sampled these pastries, the answer is “YES!” It would be a sin if we hadn’t. Light and airy, yet rich and tasty with a nice flavor..they simply were delicious.

One of the advantages of visiting Paris in the late spring is that it does not get dark until 9:30-10:00 p.m. A combination of Paris’ location from the equator along with the specific tilt of the earth’s axis creates this circumstance and “Viola!” You have extended daylight. Having this natural light creates additional time to view the city and enjoy the sights without rushing. As a photographer, it gives me more time to capture more people, places and events using natural light and that is always a good thing.

As we headed to dinner before wrapping up our day, we walked on the bridge over the Seine River and came across this scene. It had been overcast on and off all day yet from this view you could see the sun peaking through in the far distance while some sun rays made their way through the clouds. River cruises could be seen going up and down the way with some hosting parties with music and people socializing while others provided tours to travelers visiting the city. Traveling the Seine River, trees, well known buildings and landmarks lined the banks and provided a nice calm and enjoyable view of Paris around you. Not a bad way to end the day.

And so we wrapped up our first day in Paris. Grateful to have seen so much while realizing that there still was quite a bit to see we headed back to our apartment to rest and get ready for another day of exploring this vibrant city. Like Audrey Hepburn said in the movie “Sabrina”, ‘Paris is always a good idea.’ Yes, I agree… Paris is always a good idea. No matter how many times you’ve been to this city, there is so much to experience.

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see where we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

“Sacred Ground” ~ Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

On June 19, 2024June 9, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn France, Normandy, ~ Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial7 Comments

Sacred Ground. That is a pretty good definition of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. It is a final resting place for the 9,387 U.S. service members , most of whom died on D-Day on June 6, 1944. For some, it is where they come to remember their family member who died that day and for others it may be a pilgrimage to bring closure and healing. Others come to learn and understand. For me, it was our last stop before we wrapped up our trip to the Normandy region and and was the perfect way to end my bucket list trip.

Shortly after the war, France bestowed 172 acres of this beautiful space, just east of the original burial area, to the United States government to create a formal burial area to relocated those killed and immediately buried after the D-Day invasion. This generous act was a token of France’s deep appreciation and thanks to their American liberators for their service and great sacrifice to free their citizens and country.

As we walked along the entrance to the cemetery and memorial, we came across beautiful landscape. It was very pretty but I immediately noticed that it was different from what I had been seeing in the countryside the last few days. There were Pine trees, flowers and foliage I have seen back home. It felt familiar. But why was it here?

Our guide shared with us that in designing this special site, their goal was to create a resting place that would resemble being in the United States. During World War II, the casualties from the D-Day invasion were not returned home and instead were usually interred near where they died. Often families were not able to attend services for their loved one. This was all the more reason that the architects understood the importance and significance of creating a place ” like home” for these service members to be buried at. Utilizing trees, flowers, bushes as well as other greenery native to America, they successfully create a sacred and similar “home” for these allied members to be buried at to rest in peace.

Memorial statue, “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves”

Coming into the memorial you can not help but notice the large and impressive statue between several tall stone columns, whose arms are open wide as if embracing the sky. Looking more like a work of art, my impression was that it was a tribute to the spirit of the young men who died on D-Day. It was beautiful, strong, and in a way gave a sense of hope. It was a reminder of the huge loss of youth and life on the beaches near by and that their spirit lives on.

At the rear of the memorial was the Wall of the Missing. This garden is home to the names of 1,557 service members who were killed during the D-Day invasions and were missing or could not be identified or accounted for. The garden consist of roses, grass and trees encircled by two large semicircular walls that have the names of these service members engraved into the stone. There were so many names. It made its point. We were told that every so often, the remains of the servicemen would be found and they were able to render honors and properly bury them. When this happened, they would put a small marker next to the name on the wall to indicate that they had been found. Look at the photograph below and you will see a small black marker next to a name of a servicemen they located.

Wall with name of MIA & marker of a servicemember found.

Being on the bluffs above Omaha Beach, you feel the sea breezes and could smell the ocean. From the walkway the view is scenic with pine trees lined along the walkway. Different hues of blue and green blended together in the water and the shore looked smooth and calm. Looking straight out, it’s hard to imagine that thousand of warships were out in those seas and 34,000 plus servicemen stormed the shore below. It is fitting that the cemetery is located where it’s at and so close to where so many met their demise on the beach below.

View of Omaha Beach from above on bluff @ cemetery

Latin Crosses & Star of David Gravemarkers

Just a few feet over on the other side of the walkway was the cemetery. Manicured lawns were filled with white Latin crosses and Star of David gravestones, all perfectly aligned as if they were in formation. It was peaceful and serene and you could sense the historical importance of it all .

Normandy Cemetery ~ resting place for D-Day servicemen killed

Brothers bonded by serving together are buried here. Thirty three sets of biological brothers are buried side by side and another 12 brothers lie in the same cemetery, just different areas. There is even a father and son buried side by side as well as three Medal of Honor recipients, one of which is Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Grave marker for Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient

Walking around the grounds, there was an air of reverence and visitors were respectful as they made their way through the memorial, gardens and cemetery. The cemetery is also home to the The Normandy Memorial Center. It was good to see this center making an effort to teach current and future generations of the significance of D-Day and the sacrifice that were made by so many during World War II.

After experiencing the cemetery, surrounding grounds and various sites, I left with a better understanding and appreciation for many things. Among them is a greater appreciation for those that participated in the D-Day invasion, the sacrifice that these servicemen and their families made for this great cause and fortunate to be able to travel in person to see and sense where history occurred. Again, traveling proved to be a great teacher.

Wrapping up this “history” segment of our trip, it was time to leave. The Normandy region is a beautiful area with many towns, beaches and things to explore. Everywhere we went, the citizens of the various towns were friendly and willing to share about their small communities and expressed their appreciation for their American liberators, even 80 years later. My only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to see everything, but therein lies a silver lining in that we we just have to come to Normandy again!

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see were we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

“Operation Overlord” ~ D-Day June 6, 1944 Normandy, France

On June 10, 2024June 9, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn D-Day June 6, 1944 "Operation Overlord", France, Normandy1 Comment

Open green fields, tall lush trees that line the roads and local farm animals scattered along the landscape. This was my view as we begin our visits to the beaches and towns along the Normandy coastline. Driving down the road, I’m admiring this beautiful countryside as I know it was not always like this. Normandy has been on my bucket list and we were finally here. I did my research, learned as much as I could and now it was time to visit these places to see where history took place.

Our first stop was Saint Meré Eglise. With its flag banners welcoming us, we drove in and parked near the town square and church. Glancing around, the first thing I noticed was a mannequin with a parachute hanging from the church spire. I figured there had to be an interesting story behind this. Pvt. John Steele, of the 82^ndAirborne Division, was one of the 13,000 paratroopers that was landing behind enemy lines in the Normandy area on that early June 6^th morning in 1944. As he descended into Saint Meré Eglise, he was hit by shrapnel, couldn’t direct his parachute and a wind current trapped him on the spire of the town church. Unable to get free, he hung there for two hours, pretending to be dead until the Germans took him prisoner. He later escaped and rejoined his division, and the story of John Steele was born for the town of Saint Meré Eglise.

But this pretty little town was more significant than that. Saint Meré Eglise was centrally located on a route that goes directly to Utah and Omaha beaches, where the landings were to take place and the German forces would need to travel through it in order to counterattack the Allied Forces. Securing the town was crucial and so American paratroopers landed around the area, on rural farms and anywhere the wind took them. Many were being shot at as they landed, others got caught hanging from trees and utility poles. Two C-47 Dakota planes, transporting paratroopers, crashed near the town square and caught several buildings on fires. It must have been complete chaos. Yet with all this mayhem, the Americans were successful and Saint Meré Eglise was secured by the Allied Forces. This was one of the first major achievements on D-Day.

A short drive away, we next headed over to the small town of Angoville-au-Plain. Not as well known as its neighboring villages, this old small rural town had it’s own story to tell. Like neighboring areas, paratroopers quickly captured the town and two American medics, Kenneth J. Moore and Robert E. Wright, were tasked with setting up an improvised medical aid station.

Using the town’s old church, they immediately hung a white, red cross flag on the church and started to treat the wounded. What stands out about this story is that these two medics treated both American and German personnel and did not discriminate. They saw the injured as young men, not American or German, who needed help and the church was “sacred and safe” ground, both spiritually and literally. As fighting continued, German forces noticed the medics were treating both injured Americans and Germans indifferently. In response, the Germans did not attack the church and allowed these medics to tend to the injured. What is notable to me was the decency that was shown in a time of severe conflict.

The medics photos and candle still adorn the church

Angoville-au-Plain held a special place for the medics and Robert Wright’s wishes to be buried there were honored. His grave is located on the same church grounds where he practiced care and compassion for his fellow man without regard to their origin.

Stain glass in church at Angoville Au Plain commemorating the 60th anniversary.

Seeing these towns and learning their stories was putting together the visual puzzle in my head about what D-Day must have been like. It wasn’t only an invasion on the beaches that happened. It was a multitude of towns, people and events all jumbled together. Now it was time to head to the coastline to get some more pieces for my that mental puzzle.

Picturesque and vast, the Normandy coastlines topography varies from high cliffs to flat shoreline. The targeted areas for the invasion was over a 50-mile stretch of coastline and the given names for the landing areas were Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach. With the American, British, Canadian and French forces making up the larger groups to lead the assault, each was assigned and responsible for their designated areas. So on June 6, 1944, at 6:30 a.m., the largest amphibious invasion in history began.

Located on Westernmost part of the frontline, Utah beach is scenic with its long and flat shoreline, soft sand and calm but steady waves. This was a drastic contrast to the high winds and cold rough seas the Allied Forces experienced. 23,250 American troops, of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division, initially landed 2000 yards south and off course. Concerned with this mishap it turned out to be in their favor as they ended up in an area that was less heavily fortified. Their landing and mission were successful, and they proceeded towards the port city of Cherbourg to support that fight.

At the entrance to Utah Beach you see the Liberty Route marker, which they used as a starting point to measure distance. There’s also a German bunker you can go in and see. Below is a picture of it and if you look closely, take note of the fake windows painted on the bunker. They did this to trick the American planes, taking aerial photos, so they would think they were homes, not bunkers, and not be bombed.

Bunker with windows painted on it – Utah Beach

I also noticed a house on the beach that I had seen in a picture while reading about D-Day. Eighty years later this house is still there. I took a picture of it to compare it to the older photo and you can see below too.

Photo from 1944; Notice the house in the top left of photo

Same house 80 years later still on Utah Beach.

Before I left, I walked the beach and found myself wondering how many men had stood or walked where I was standing and what a contrast their view of the beach was to my mine now. I took a moment to look around and take all of it in. Grateful and honored is the best way to describe my impression to be able to visit this historic place. Our next stop was Pointe du Hoc.

Driving 6.5 km (4.0 miles) east along the coastline, we arrived at Pointe du Hoc. With its 100 foot scenic cliffs and thin beach line, its terrain is vastly different from Utah Beach. A group of 225 U.S. Army Rangers were tasked with landing on this beach and scaling the high cliffs to the top, while under enemy fire. Once at the top of the cliff, they were to engage with the enemy and work their way to destroy the German batterie and get control of the coastal highway. Reading about this is one thing, but looking at it in person you think “how in the world did they accomplish this?”

Using ropes, ladders, and their knives along with their sheer grit, these Rangers made it up that cliff to fight their enemy. At one point during the conflict, they were informed that support would not arrive for a few days and they would have to stronghold the area by themselves. After two days of fighting, 77 were killed and only 90 of the original 225 were still able to fight. As I listen to our guide explain what transpired, I was in awe at their ability to accomplish this feat in the midst of so much turmoil. Below are photos of Pointe du Hoc and note the cliffs they had to overcome to fulfill their mission on D-Day.

Ariel view of Point due Hoc (Photo: Alamay)

Bombarded by the Allied Forces, many craters are still visible at Pointe du Hoc and the uneven landscape gives you an idea of how intense the fighting was. Seeing the German bunkers and scarred landscape impressed just how powerful the artillery was for both sides. It was time to visit our last site, Omaha Beach, to bring it all together.

Bunkers were thick and heavily fortified

Omaha Beach ~ Landing area for 34,250 troops

A few minutes east, we arrived at Omaha Beach. Looking at the long beaches, there was no indication of what had occurred 80 years ago. It’s as if nature stepped in and healed the land. With its long shore, 100 foot cliffs and armed German forces already on the shore, a daunting task awaited the men arriving on Omaha Beach. Photographs and film are the only visual documentation that shows the actual scenes of D-Day and even then, it seems surreal. On June 6th at 6:30 a.m., the U.S. 1st and 29th infantry divisions started their assault. 34,250 troops landed on Omaha beach by nightfall, however, they experienced the worst of the whole D- Day operations. Suffering more than 4,400 casualties, the Allied Forces efforts and sacrifice were at a great expense but not in vain as it changed the tide in the war.

“Thank you” (Photo credit: The Mercury Times)

Visiting Omaha Beach and all the other locations in Normandy has been a very personal experience for me. Appreciation and thankfulness is what I felt for those men who had stormed the beaches and other sites that day in June 1944. I quietly offered my gratitude for those who perished and those that survived. How could you not be thankful? Now having been to Normandy and learn about this historic event, I felt I had just been educated on one of the most important history lessons.

“The Great Generation” (Photo Credit: The Atlantic)

If you want to get a visual depiction of the events involving D-Day and Normandy, the movies “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers” are good reference points. The book “D-Day” by Stephen E. Ambrose, is another good resource too. Out of extraordinary circumstances, remarkable men arise. This couldn’t be more true with the events of World War II. These men deservingly earned the title as “The Greatest Generation”.

Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodman, Tuskegee Airman (Photo Credit: The Atlantic)

I’ve met a few of these veterans and my lasting impression is that they are “a different breed” and we have so much to learn from them. Recently a news reporter asked a WWII veteran if he had any last thoughts about D-Day and he replied “It was a job we had to do and we did it for freedoms sake”. Now it’s our task to keep sharing the story of D-Day with current and future generations so that they will know of the heroics of the men and women of “The Greatest Generation” and how they changed history.

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see were we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

Veteran honoring his fallen brothers. (Photo: The Mercury Times)

Letter from Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower (Airborne Museum )

Royal Marines of 47 Commando reenact coming ashore 80 years ago (Photo: The Atlantic)

“Build It and They Will Come” ~ Mont Saint Michel

On May 28, 2024June 13, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn Mont-Saint-Michel, Travels1 Comment

Did you ever see the movie “Field of Dreams” with Kevin Costner? If you didn’t, he plays a farmer who lives in Iowa and is at point in his life where he wonders what he will achieve before he grows old. Then one night as he’s walking through his cornfields, he hears a voice whisper to him, “If you build it, they will come.” Shortly after, he has a vision to tear up his fields and build a baseball field. What would you do if this happen to you? Would you listen to the voice and abide by the vision or would you just ignore it? The movie and Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, France, are extremely different, but what if I told you that they both had a very similar storyline?

The story of Mont Saint Michel started in 708 A.D. when Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, had a vision from the Archangel Michael. In his vision, the Bishop was told to build a sanctuary for pilgrims to visit on Mont-Tombe, which would later be re-name Mont Saint Michel (St. Michael’s Mount). Thinking that perhaps this vision was only a dream, the Bishop ignored the request however, Archangel Michael was persistent. The story goes on to explain that the Bishop received two more visions and in the last one, Archangel Michael wanted to make sure the Bishop knew that his vision was true and not a dream and burned a small hole in his head to get his attention and whispered, “build it and they will come”. Sounds like a pretty interesting way for Archangel Michael to get his message across but apparently it worked.

Now this request was very different from any other church, Cathedral or Basilica previously built. The site for Mont Saint Michel was to be built on a small rocky island in Normandy, just off the main land, and had a 264 foot rock perch on the island upon which the church was to be built on top of it. And if that wasn’t challenging enough, the island was cut off from the mainland twice a day by high tide. No doubt Bishop Aubert had his work cut out for him.

Construction of the Romanesque style Abbey at Mont Saint Michel began in 708 AD and continued for over 1300 years, adding Gothic architecture in the process, until it was completed. Perched atop this island, its spires soar 302 feet towards the sky and has a gilded golden statue of Archangel Michael presiding at the highest point. Several crypts and chapels had to be built to form a foundation that would disperse and compensate for the incredible amount of weight created by this structure. Walking through the four crypts I could see various doorways and windows that were 2 or 3 meters (6-10 feet), thick which was a good indication to the amount of support needed to build this immense structure (you’ll see these doorways in the photos below). And while down in the crypts, the thought of this was daunting and had me thinking..”yeah, I think it’s time to go upstairs now.”

Are you wondering why an abbey would need to be so large and heavy? During the 10^th century, Mont Saint Michel had become a renowned Benedictine monastery known for its center of learning. It was subjected to attacks from the King of England, especially during the Hundred Years’ War therefore, needed to create an immense and impenetrable wall that would fortify the island. Powerful tides both exposed and protected this abbey and at times would cut Mont Saint Michel off from the mainland due to high tides, and still does even to this day. To address this issue, a newly designed walkway and road was built on stilts in 2014 and allows continuous access to Mont Saint Michel while allowing water to flow freely around the island.

Needless to say, it is a magnificent and impressive place of worship and history. Being able to walk in the abbey, rooms and halls as well as churches, you can get a sense of what life must have been like in medieval times, which was hard, cold and brutal. Walking up the 350 steps, 200 in the Grande Rue, then around 150 inside the abbey, will definitely give you a workout but the views and ability to see the various areas of Mont Saint Michel and surrounding areas are worth it and 3 million visitors a year proves it.

With its staggering views, it is definitely one of Europe’s most unforgettable and sacred sites and continues to be a place of worship, education, and pilgrimage. It is another monumental and historical place within the gem of Normandy. For myself, Mont Saint Michel was like no other church or basilica that I have been to and its longevity, history and sense of sacredness was majestic. Below is a video link of Mont Saint Michel to provide a visual sample of the magnificence and grandiose of this holy site.

So Archangel Michael was right in his visions to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches. He just had to trust the angel and act on faith: “ Build it and they will come”. Thankfully the archbishop listened to the angel’s request to build Mont Saint Michel and who knows how many more will come to visit or complete their pilgrimage here. But one thing is for certain. If Mont Saint Michel has lasted this long, then perhaps it’ll be here for another 1000 years.

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see where we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

Video of mont saint michel

“Port Winston” ~ Arromanches, France

On May 26, 2024June 8, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn “Port Winston” ~ Arromanches, France, France, Normandy, Travels2 Comments

What influences you to decide where to go when traveling? Is it time, money, visiting family or friends? Or do you just throw a dart at a map and go where it lands? Now that is a true adventurist! For me, it can be little of all the above, but to be honest, this trip to Normandy has been on my bucket list. Both of my grandfathers served in World War II, one in Europe and the other in the South Pacific and their service during the war has always peaked my interest to learn more about the historical events and places involving World War II.

Some time back, I had read about the Normandy region with its beautiful countryside, its local culture and how it played such an important role and changed the tide in World War II and it got my attention. Throw in that I really enjoyed France on previous trips and it was a no brainer…we were going to Normandy. The 80^th anniversary for D-Day is quickly approaching (June 6th), and I wanted to educate myself before I went and so the research started. I did my homework and read the Stephen E. Ambrose book, “D-Day”, researched other documents as well as watched “Band of Brothers”, “Masters of the Air” and “Private Ryan” and any other documentaries I could find about World War II. I would soon find out how much more there was to learn and was enlightened about these cities and their role in changing world events.

Once we got settled in our home base in Bayeux, it was time to go out and start exploring. Located 20 minutes or 13.2 km from us, our first stop was Arromanches, France or as it’s known “Gold Beach”. On June 6, 1944, as Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy to begin the liberation of France, British and Canadian forces were landing on the beaches at Arromanches to secure this crucial site. The allied forces needed two ports to off load their supplies to support this massive effort and the nearby deep-water ports of Cherbourg and Le Havre were occupied by the Germans, who would strongly defend these areas.

Arromanches, was chosen to be one of two ports that the allied forces would use to bring supplies to support this massive operation and became known as “Mulberry Harbor B”. A similar port was constructed in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and was named “Mulberry A”, however, it was destroyed shortly after D-Day in a storm. To say that the construction of these man made ports was an enormous and remarkable engineering feat is an understatement.

The idea of a floating harbor came from British prime minister Winston Churchill, who knew creating a harbor at sea was preferable to attempting to seize a well defended port. All of the necessary elements were there to make this happen as Arromanches was mostly untouched by the bombing on D-Day, its close proximity to the other allied forces and flat beaches would make it quick and easy to construct.

British engineers designed these portable harbors in complete secrecy between 1943-44 and utilized 50,000 workers across the British Isles to construct these harbors. As you will see in the photos that follow each of these sections were large, weighed 6,000 tons a piece and were 60ft high, 204ft long, 62ft wide. In total approximately 250 of these large sections were used to construct the two harbors and each one was towed across the channel by boat to use in the construction of the harbor. Can you imagine designing these large floatable sections then transporting approximately 250 of them across the English channel over to France?

It was thought that “Mulberry B” would be used for three months however, it proved to be an efficient and significant hub for the allied forces and was instead utilized for approximately five months. During its time in service a staggering 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and four million tons of supplies arrived via the port at Arromanches. In a nod to Winston Churchill for his valiant leadership and conception of this idea, the Mulberry harbor B became known as Port Winston.

Sometime after the war, several units were towed to different locations for other projects while a good number of them still remain at Gold Beach and serve as a breakwater for the area and natural monument to educate future generations and remind them of what occurred there. When looking at the pictures that will be at the end of the post, notice how small some individuals walking by them are and it’ll put their size in perspective. And note how many are still visible and that a good number are still lurking below in the water.

Now fast forward almost 80 years later and as you drive into this proud shore community you can see that it has not forgotten it’s past nor the sacrifices made by so many for the greater good of all. Navigating through the city streets, you are met with homes that proudly fly the American and French flags and some that also include the British and Canadian flags too. Imagine the fourth of July in your neighborhood and seeing a good number of flags being flown. Arromanches does the same thing but all year round.

Despite all its somber history, Arromanches is surrounded by beautiful and scenic cliffs. While walking on the generous beach landscape, you can stroll on the shore and appreciate the beauty of the coastline, feel the cool sea breeze blowing against your face or take in the historical weight of this area. The drive through the scenic countryside is very appealing and it is probably a stark contradiction to how the landscape might of looked some eighty years ago on D-Day. Like it’s neighboring towns, Arromanches has it place in history and contributed to one of the greatest invasions that changed the course of World War II.

So once again, traveling has proved to be one of my best teachers. I am appreciative to the local residents who graciously welcome visitors to their small town, grateful for the opportunity to be able to see this and other historical places that changed history and lastly thankful for those who keep telling the story of Normandy so that we can avoid the same mistakes and hopefully not have history repeat itself again.

Until next time, we’ll keep moving on and see where we go via El Camino Thru My Lens.

“Bienvenue en France!” ~ Caen /Bayeux

On May 22, 2024June 8, 2025 By Cyndy AlatorreIn Bienvenue en France - Caen & Bayeux, France1 Comment

Our travels continue and we now find ourselves in France. First stop is Normandy. It is one of 13 regions within France and located in the Northwestern part of the country with many small towns within its area. The city we first visited was Caen. Rich in history and culture it is best known for its significant role during World War II, especially in the Battle of Normandy following the D-Day landings.

Some of its historic landmarks include the Château de Caen, a castle built by William the Conqueror in 1060 as well as two other Abbey’s (also built by William) and gothic church Église Saint Pierre that was built in 1134 and is considered one of the oldest parishes in Paris. The cityscape is an architectural mixture of medieval and modern buildings, which is a testimony to the extensive rebuilding efforts after World War II.

During the day the city is slower paced than Paris but still active with people coming and going through their day at work and completing their daily task. But in the evening, it gets its second wind. The restaurants in these historical building and town squares came alive with people gathering to enjoy a meal together and socialize under decorative strings lights that hung above them on a recent beautiful May evening. As before, I observed and enjoyed seeing people spend time with others and I have to say I hardly noticed any phones in front of them. They genuinely were in engaged with the person(s) they were with. Seeing all these people sitting outside or in the restaurant, we couldn’t resist and had to join them. So we had a delicious dinner, enjoyed the nice environment and of course I partook in the European custom after my meal and had a café americano. What a life.

Our next stop the following day was the town of Bayeux, about 30 minutes West of Caen. Living in an urban environment, a person does not realize how much we become acclimated to city noise and visual pollution until we leave it. Driving through the inviting and beautiful landscapes on our way to Bayeux, we saw lush green fields, open spaces, trees, flowers and houses that probably were built in the mid to late 1800’s. And did I mention about the cows in the fields? Yes, even the cows looked happy too! It was a nice reset and what a gift to be able to enjoy this aesthetically pleasing countryside.

Similar to Caen and other towns within Normandy, Bayeux has a rich history and was heavily involved in the Battle of Normandy following D-Day during World War II. Bayeux was one the first towns liberated during the D-Day invasion and was not bombed at all, thanks to the actions of the French Resistance and other individuals who informed the allies that the Germans had left the city. With its proximity to the landing beaches, Bayeux became a transit hub for both soldiers, civilians and supplies.

Bayeux also has its own claim to fame in that it houses the famous Bayeux tapestry. Hand stitched over a 1000 years ago and nearly 70 meters long (approximately 230 feet long), it was made to visually document and explain the events of the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror’s battle for the kingdom of England for all of his subjects to see. Viewing this artifact leaves a person impressed and amazed to think of the monumental effort of time and talent it took to create this artifact. Even more impressive is the fact it is still intact and in such good condition.

Another thing that we noticed throughout Bayeux was the colorful painted characters of American and British soldiers on the business window, commemorating the upcoming 80^th anniversary of D Day and welcoming and thanking these veterans and guests that will arrive in the next few weeks. These paintings consist of flags, military figures and red poppies and had me curious to the confirm the significance of the red poppy.

While in a small local shop (Boutique Coquelicot), that sold many pretty items with red poppies on them, I began to talk with the cashiers, named Elsa and Silla. Both ladies were welcoming and shared that the red poppy is a symbol of both remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. They went on to explain that these small red flowers are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community and that the troops were walking through them during the invasion. How interesting to think that while these tragic events were unfolding this small but simple flower would still be growing and making its presence known in the devastated landscape of the battlefields. They still can be seen today and we saw yellow and red poppies growing along the roads and fields as we drove around the countryside.

As with many other cities, it is home to a beautiful structure, the Cathédral de Notre-Dame de Bayeux, and it is striking. With its stained glass windows, tall arch ceilings, statues and other paintings, a person can get enveloped in how ominous yet sacred it is. Just imagining the amount of manpower and time it took to building such a special and beautiful structure, a person can appreciate it even more.

Caen and Bayeux were definitely great stays and we really enjoyed their history (tapestry, D-Day, cathedrals), slower pace, and how centrally located it was to all the other neighboring towns. It definitely is on the list to come back and visit. So for now we say “Au Revoir” to these two cities as we get ready to move on to the next adventure and visiting several of the D-Day landing sites.

Until then, we’ll see what comes our way via El Camino Thru My Lens.