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Back to the beach: Normandy's a must-see (Fablen Charaffi/French Tourist Office) |
You won't be dodging any bullets these days, but standing above the beaches of Normandy, it's easy to picture the Allied troops who did in 1944. Omaha and Utah beaches, the landing points for Americans in France, make for great hikes, as the beaches are dramatic and wide with a high plateau overlooking them. Walk the sand, then trek along the cliffs, where machine-gun pillboxes still form a part of the scenery. Start at Arromanches, which is where artifical Mulberry Harbor was constructed to receive soldiers' supplies. From here, hike west along the coast to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Nearly 10,000 Americans are buried in this staggering expanse of green grass and stark white tombstones. There are hiking trails designated by the tourism department of Normandy that incorporate nearby historic villages.
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