For Americans, the beaches of Normandy are synonymous with World War II and D-Day. Walking along the beach, it is hard to imagine such a tranquil and lovely beach being the site of such horrific bloodshed.
On closer inspection, one can begin to see the remnants of fortifications. In the upper reaches of the beach are the crumbling and overgrown German gun batteries. The rotting concrete structures seem more benign than malicious, but their history proves otherwise.
There are monuments scattered along the beach, and enormous cemeteries dedicated to the various troupes that were sent to their death here. This is a very popular place for Americans to visit. (You can tell when you have met one on the road, because they rarely know how to use a roundabout.)
The nearby villages are cozy and welcoming. On warmer days than when we were there, the beaches would likely have be thriving with people basking in the sun and playing in the surf. The solitude of our visit seemed more appropriate for the setting though.
