May 8th is not a holiday in the US, but it is in France and elsewhere in Europe. Rightfully so! It's called V-E Day or Victory in Europe Day, for on this day in 1945, the United States and Great Britain celebrated the defeat of the Nazi war machine.
A Paris Travel Blog
Tours in France and Other European Destinations
Normandy
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Just back from France and the highlight was my four days in Normandy. Yes, I’ve been to Normandy many times before, but this time it was with fellow travelers who hadn’t been there before. To see sites that I’d seen before through these fresh eyes was like seeing Normandy again for the first time. It was magical in every way.
...The trial of Joan of Arc began in the city of Rouen on this day in 1431. Rouen is located in Northern France and is in the region of Normandy though some 90 miles from the English Channel.
...Like so many last Sunday, I watched the Super Bowl (and for once, the team that I wanted actually won! Congrats, Ravens!). I couldn’t help but notice the deification that took place as the announcers spoke of various players and their accomplishments. Who would want to or ever could take away from the enthusiasm of a Super Bowl victory? It was well deserved and it’s part of our American culture. They are our sports heros (at least for a day). But unlike a sports hero, I’m thinking today about the unsung heroes from WWII. Tom Brokaw called them the “Greatest Generation” in his book of the same name.
...I'm a fan of France (as you may have suspected), but the region of Normandy holds a very sweet spot in my heart for many reasons. I'll save those reasons for another day's blog because today I want to tell the world about what's coming up in Normandy in 2013.
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