Travel
One of the most enjoyable weeks in France I have spent was in the beautiful region of Normandy. It is a picturesque area of contrasts, with serene, pastoral vistas and haunting memories of World War II. There are sophisticated shops and trendy restaurants, as well as simple apple farms and tiny villages.
For our trip, we made our base the seaside town of Deauville. It reminded us of a "French Carmel", with its upscale shops and abundant, charming restaurants. However, the people-watching was much more interesting than here at home, with Omar Sharif sitting in a sidewalk cafe and the endless stream of chic French women strolling by with their little dogs poking out of their oversized handbags! We chose this spot not only for its ambiance, but for the central location for the sightseeing we had in mind.
One of our main motivations for touring Normandy was to visit the landing beaches of World War II and the nearby museums. Nothing we had read or seen on TV could have prepared us for the overwhelming feelings we experienced. Viewing the cliffs at Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, climbing in the German bunkers and wandering through the acres of graves at the cemetery were some of the most moving experiences of my life. Everyone should see these places to appreciate the courage of our veterans.
Another day we visited the charming town of Bayeux and its fascinating museums. First we went to the Museum of the Battle of Normandy, which recounts the battles from June 7 until August 2, 1944 with arms, uniforms and other artifacts. Our next stop was the museum that displays the famous Queen Matilda's Tapestry, the most important document of the Middle Ages that still exists, which depicts William the Conquerer's preparations for the Conquest.
For a complete change of pace, one day we toured the countryside along the "Route du Fromage."
Winding our way along the country roads, we enjoyed viewing the local farmhouses with their unique half-timbered architecture, the beautiful apple orchards and the hundreds of black and white dairy cattle. Somehow we ended up on a narrow dirt road with a sign indicating we had arrived at the village of Camembert, population 500.
Obviously the town hadn't had many tourists lately, since Madame the Mayor came out to personally greet us and escort us to the cheese museum. Needless to say, consuming the delicious cheese is another benefit of visiting this region.
Another highlight and one of our favorite spots is the town of Honfleur, with its historical dock, quaint winding streets, interesting shops and wonderful restaurants.
Its beauty has inspired artists, including Monet and many of the Impressionists, and it completely captivated us. We are still talking about the feast of local specialties we enjoyed one day for lunch. In fact, we had such a great time, we went back a few days later.
DeVaughn is with All Horizons Rancho Travel at Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos. For more information, call 941-5810.