A World War II historic guide to discover the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy

Travel Normandy guide François Gauthron offers tours of the Normandy landing beaches, World War II battlefield. Come and discover the most famous part of Normandy where took place the Landing and the battle of Normandy in June 1944 to liberate France and Europe. You will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches. Visit the highlights of World War II sites in Normandy with an expert license guide, first the most important sites of the landing beaches.

Normandy Travel

Travel in Normandy with Francois Gauthron


Rots

Memorial.

46th RMC Memorial.

History

La Chaudière Regiment and Fort Garry Horse were facing Kurt Meyer tanks in the lower part of the village.

In the meantime the 46th Royal Commando was facing the 1st Coy of the 26th Hitlerjungend regiment. The town was liberated on June 12; the Nazis left 122 killed on the ground. The combat was so terrible that they found two soldiers, one Canadian and one SS impaled to each other with their bayonet.

The great story of Léon Gagné

He was in charge, every morning of bringing bread to his camp. He was buying it from the local baker who had a beautiful young daughter, who he fell in love with. He told her that after the war he would come back to marry her. But a few days before the war was over, he stepped on a mine and lost his two legs.

From the hospital he wrote to his love, explaining to her that they won't be able to get married as he lost his legs. The young women replied, that was not a problem and she went to Canada to marry him.

They use to come almost every year to the Ceremonies; he passed away 6 weeks before the 60th Anniversary.

Sergeant Rosaire Gagnon

Sergeant Rosaire Gagnon is very well known since he landed at Bernières-sur-Mer, you can see his photo along the wall of the Queens Own's House.

He is standing up insulting a British MP who arrested the local civilians living along the beach and suspected to be collaborators. After his intervention the French were liberated.

Rots, then and now

In the Château at Rots, Colonel Matheson held an officers' mess dinner while shells from Carpiquet and Abbey of Ardenne bounced off the walls.

Utilizing their army rations, the officers dined off fine dinnerware belonging to the recently abandoned Château.

Although the food was poor, the wine from the cellars was good.

Only half the officers of the Battalion were able to attend; the others had to stay on duty in case of an attack.