The Abbey trip to Normandy
Thursday, 18 October 2012
As part of The Abbey’s European and Cultural Initiatives programme, forty-four children, accompanied by Abbey staff, enjoyed a wonderful four-day visit to Normandy. During the trip, the children first visited Bayeux, taking in the Cathedrale de Bayeux as well as the famous Tapestry, stopping on the way to practise their French in a local patisserie. Next stop was the Musee du Debarquement at Arromanches where they learnt about the D-Day landings and the construction of the Mulberry Harbour. This was followed by a poignant visit to the Ryes Commonwealth Cemetery on the way back to their chateau-hostel near Le Havre.
Having twice crossed the impressive Pont de Normandie on the previous day, the party was excited to see the unusual Pont Gustave Flaubert as we approached Rouen. A guided walking tour of the city and cathedral was followed by a delightful visit to Honfleur from which the party took a cruise up the Seine to view the Pont de Normandie from underneath instead. Their final day took in the stunning cliff views at Etretat before setting off back to England via Eurotunnel. This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to visit and learn about another country, its culture and its history.