70 Ans Après/70 Years On

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This is the gun of the second. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050766E

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This is the the third. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050768E

When The Guns Fell Silent The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This is gun of the third, long silent. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050775E

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This is the fourth viewed from near the third. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050773R

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This is the fourth viewed from the rear of the third. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050772R

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. This is one of those, albeit more substantial than a nearby mortar pit. It was, perhaps, an observation post for the gun emplacements or a machine gun post. I recommend a circular walk, to take in all the structures, clockwise along the cliff line and return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050780

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The view west towards Omaha Beach and featuring (left) Le Sémaphore (1937) conveys as well as any the beauty I refer to. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050778

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care and this is the fourth. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050776E

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. This is the second in line when walking from the car/coach park; the first is closed but the others are open to explore with care. A simple and fading plaque is attached to this structure. Its simplicity cannot convey all that took place between the 6th and 7th of June 1944, events which should never be forgotten. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050793

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. The first, when walking from the car/coach park, is closed but the others are open to explore with care. This picture shows the first three viewed across a peaceful field. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050790R

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. This is one of those, albeit more substantial than a nearby mortar pit. It was, perhaps, an observation post for the gun emplacements or a machine gun post. I recommend a circular walk, to take in all the structures, clockwise along the cliff line and return to the parking areas. 200_3_P1050785R

The thing which unites the Normandy sites I have visited is their notable tranquillity and beauty today, a contrast to the violent history of the recent past. Nowhere is this more true than at Batterie de Longues, a stark part of Germany's Atlantic Wall in WWII and now a protected natural site. Four gun emplacements remain today, a little inland above the cliffs, together with other, lesser structures closer to the sea. This is the first in line when walking from the car/coach park and is closed but the others are open to explore with care. I recommend a circular walk to take in all four, continuing clockwise along the cliff line to return to the parking areas. This was my view near the end of such a walk and conveys a peacefulness which belies the shattered past of this site. 200_3_P1050794R

Part of the remains of the Mulberry harbour, Mulberry B, at Arromanches. 200_3_P1050798

Part of the remains of the Mulberry harbour, Mulberry B, at Arromanches. 200_3_P1050800

Part of the remains of the Mulberry harbour, Mulberry B, at Arromanches. 200_3_P1050802