Day 2 - La Bouille to Courseulles-sur-mer

The plan for today was to head to Bény-sur-Mer to one of two Canadian war cemeteries, and then to Courseulles-sur-Mer to the Juno Beach Centre, and also where we will be staying tonight.

Ger, Aud, and JM had a few issues making it through the night, adjusting to our new time zone.  All three of us ended up wide awake around 4:00 a.m.  Ger and Aud resorted to a half hour of TV, and I jumped on my phone for a bit.  Fortunately we all got back to sleep and managed to get a few more hours.  I’m not sure what Amanda’s trick was but not surprising she is ahead of the curve again!!!

After showers we headed down to the local bakery for some breakfast treats and a baguette.  It was easy to find, as once we were within a block we only had to follow our noses.  Although we wanted to take one of everything we picked four pastries to share back at the apartment.  All I can say is Yummy!!!!

Local Bakery

Day 2 Breakfast - So Yummy

With full tummies and all rested up we hopped in the car to head for Juno, but not before stopping at the bakery again to get some beure et jambon sandwiches and baguettes for lunch later on! 😊.  The girls learned a little bit more about the commune before leaving.  The South Saskatchewan regiment liberated the town from the Germans without any fighting or destruction.  The town remained completely intact.  The inhabitants welcomed the Canadian regiment with joyful cheers and peals of church bells.

Place De La Libération And A Canadian Memorial

Audrey On The Rue des Canadiens

We had two options to get to our destinations today - using tolls on the freeways, or the slow way through the little towns and countryside.  We chose the countryside and really enjoyed all the nice agricultural scenery, and charm of the little villages.

Gerry And His Beurre et Jambon - Mmmmmmm!

First stop today was at the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bény-sur-Mer.  It was very impressive to see how well kept the cemetery was.  The landscaping was exceptional, and the headstones were immaculate.  There are 2,049 soldiers buried in the cemetery.  It was hard not to feel a little emotional walking through the cemetery and seeing the names and ages of all the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives to help liberate France.  The ages ranged from 18 to 43 years old, with the majority under 25.  It was hard not to think of our own boys, and imagine how upsetting and scary it would be to see them head off to war.

Canadian War Cemetery - Bény-sur-Mer

Cemetery

18-Year Old Soldier

One Of Thirteen Unknown Soldiers In The Cemetery

Once we were done at the cemetery we headed for Courseulles-sur-Mer where we are staying tonight.  We checked in at our apartment and then headed over to the Juno Beach Centre.

Juno or Juno Beach was one of five beaches of the allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June, 1944 during the Second World War. The beach spanned from Courseulles, a village just east of the British beach Gold, to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, and just west of the British beach Sword. Taking Juno was the responsibility of the First Canadian Army, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and a naval bombardment force provided by the Royal Canadian Navy and the British Royal Navy as well as elements from the Free French, Norweigian, and other Allied navies. The objectives of the 3rd Canadian Division on D-Day were to cut the Caen-Bayeux road, seize the Carpiquet airport west of Caen, and form a link between the two British beaches on either flank.

There were 961 casualties at Juno Beach - 340 dead, 574 wounded, and 47 captured.

We all thought the Juno Beach Centre was full of very interesting information and artifacts.  It covers the lead-up to the war and the duration of the war, both from the Canadian point of view, as well as the European point of view.  In addition we were able to walk the beach and see some of the German bunkers.  It was another emotional and sobering moment, and our appreciation and respect for what happened here so many years ago deepened.

Royal Winnipeg Rifles Monument

German Bunker At Juno Beach

Juno Beach

We had a couple of hours between when we finished at Juno Beach Centre and  when we had our reservation for dinner.  The girls went shopping on the Main Street, and Gerry and I brought a bottle of rosé back to the apartment for a pre-dinner beverage.  The girls came back with a box of delicious-looking pastries for dessert tonight, and we relaxed for an hour before heading to dinner.

Courseulles-sur-Mer Fish Market

Seagull Scavenging For Fresh Fish 

Town Harbour

We ended up going to a place called La Crémaillère.  We had tried to make a reservation online but the only available time was 20:45.  Fortunately Gerry and I stopped in while we were walking around town, and they had a spot available at 19:00.  Perfect!!  We were the first group to arrive at the restaurant but it didn’t take long to fill right up.  The service was very professional, and the food was absolutely delicious!

Langoustines Panko - JM and Mandy

Mussels Marinière - Gerry

Matelote de Cabillaud en Marinière de Coquillage - Gerry and JM

Poisson Du Jour - Audrey and Amanda

We went for a little walk after dinner to enjoy the evening sea air, and then headed back to the apartment to unwind for the rest of the evening.  It was a very full, enjoyable day, and I am sure we will all sleep well tonight.  Tomorrow we are off to Beauvoir and Mont Saint-Michel, and we are looking forward to whatever else the day brings.

Thanks for reading, everybody.  Bonne nuit, et à demain!!