Cherbourg Normandie France Observations

I can’t believe this was my first visit to France since 1995. I felt moved (a bit to tears) as I was strolling about town. So many memories of life in France came rushing back. I even had a burning desire to buy a pack of cigarettes. I was craving a smoke!!! I discovered they no longer make des Gauloises Vertes Filtres which I used to smoke by the carton.

This was my first time using Euros. I miss the Franc. I suppose there’s a whole new generation that doesn’t know the Franc or Deutschmark or Peseta or Lira etc. I received 38 Euros back from $60US.

Cherbourg is the second largest city in Normandie; a major port city since it was invaded by the Vikings; and scene of the Battle of Cherbourg following the Normandie Invasion. Visits to the D-day cemeteries, the Bayeux tapestry (depicting the victory at the Battle of Hastings), and Mt Saint Michel, the stunning gothic monastery are nearby.

La Normandie is known for its Camembert, Cidre, tripes (A La Mode de Caen), and Calvados, a fiery, high alcohol apple brandy. In the past, every Normand household distilled their own brand of Calvados. When I lived here at L’Universite de Caen, we used to take Le Trou Normand, which is drinking a shot of chilled Calva while singing a famous song. This is done mid-meal to revitalize the appetite (a la sorbet)

Cherbourg has been restored since WWII, just like Caen, the city where I lived, since it was damaged in WWII.

Cherbourg was the first and last stop on Titanic’s maiden and only voyage.

300 passengers joined us on the Queen Mary in Cherbourg.

Until I return…………………………