[:de]History and enjoyment – ​​enjoy June with your dog on the Cotentin[:]

[:from]June in Lower Normandy is all about D-Day, which is being celebrated for the 74th time this year. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops conquered the coast of Normandy and initiated the invasion of Europe from Hitler's fascism.

The unique military action is still considered one of the decisive turning points in the Second World War: around 160.000 men landed in Normandy. 11.590 aircraft and 6.500 ships were in action on D-Day and more than 100.000 tons of war material were transported across the English Channel to the coast the Channel and the Calvados. The troops paid a high price in blood because, despite sophisticated deceptive maneuvers, they encountered sometimes bitter resistance from the German occupiers. In the fighting, 65.700 Allied soldiers were killed, 18.000 were reported missing, and 155.000 soldiers were wounded by the end of Operation Overlord. On the Wehrmacht side, losses are estimated at 30.000 to 50.000 men; There are also 150.000 wounded and around 200.000 prisoners of war. To this day, the soil of Normandy not only reveals bombs but also fallen soldiers. The civilian population of Normandy also paid a high price for the liberation: 20.000 people were killed and many towns and villages were almost completely destroyed.

Culture of remembrance today: museums, monuments and festivals

In addition to the official commemorations - for which veterans as well as high-ranking heads of state and government will travel to the Normandy landing beaches in 2019 on the 75th anniversary of D-Day - there has been around ten years the D-Day festival established on the coast between Caen and Sainte-Mere-Eglise. The D-Day Festival takes place annually from late May to early June and offers a colorful mix of remembrance, reenactment and cultural events. Some of the highlights include:
– The reconstruction of military camps (Carentan, Camp Arizona: June 1st to 3rd, 2018, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont: June 1st to 7th, 2018, Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Camp Geronimo June 2nd to 6th. June 2018)
– The second International Film Festival in Carentan from June 1st to 4th, 2018
– Liberation festivals in Carentan and Sainte-Mere-de-Eglise on June 2nd
– Parachute drops on June 3rd near Sainte-Mere-Eglise
– Parades and exhibitions of historic military vehicles in Insigny-sur-Mer and Grandchamp-Maisy on June 9th.
– Big fireworks display on June 9th from 23.30 p.m. in the towns of the Langungsbeaches Utah Beach, Grandcamp-Maisy, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Port-en-Bessin, Longues-sur-Mer, Arromanches, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Luc-sur-Mer and Ouistreham.

Independently of the D-Day festival, the “Normandy Airfield Camp" instead of. In Périers you can visit a photo exhibition until August 31st that deals with the bombing of the city in June 1944 (administrative building of the Communauté de communes, 4 Place de Fairage).

Can I attend the D-Day celebrations with my dog?

Your dog can best answer this question. If your four-legged friend is used to accompanying you to festivals, concerts and Christmas markets, many of the D-Day Festival events should not be a problem. If your dog is stressed by large crowds and loud noises, you should not expose him to this stress - and stay away from fireworks.

Which D-Day museums can I visit with my dog?

Dogs are usually not allowed in the large museums on the landing beaches and four-legged friends are also taboo in the military cemeteries. Your dog can accompany you to numerous smaller museums. In the vicinity of your holiday home these include:
- The Battery of Crisbecq and Marcouf44 at Saint Marcouf.
- The Normandy Victory Museum in Catz at Carentan.
- The Aerobase airship hangar near Ecausseville.
In addition, you can find on many beaches of the Cotentin Old bunkers on the Atlantic Wall and numerous monuments still bear witness to the fact that the Cotentin and Normandy were still hotly contested long after D-Day. In the dunes of Biville, which are ideal for a long walk with a dog, there are still a few American tanks that are rusting peacefully.

Music and sea (h)r – further events in June

June also marks the Fête de la musique. There will be singing and music in public places and restaurants in the evenings - with free entry. In the area around your holiday destination, the music festival takes place in the following towns:
– Portbail, June 16th
– La Haye, Bretteville-sur-Ay (Bar La Paillote, Plage), Barneville-Carteret June 23rd
– Denneville (Bourg) June 29th
You can buy beautiful things for your home and garden at the flea market in Vesley on June 24th. A special event is the Campagn'Art in Fermanville on June 10th: the place is transformed into an open-air gallery with a craft market.
Would you rather go to the beach? In June you still have the wide sandy beaches almost to yourself, especially in the mornings, so nothing stands in the way of extensive beach fun for you and your dog.

Shopping tip in June: Camembert from Réo

Don't go home without tasting the famous Cs of Normandy - Calvados, Cider and Camembert. In Lessay, a stone's throw from your holiday home, there is a small and very fine dairy. Fromagerie Réo relies entirely on regional milk producers and the Camembert produced here is wonderfully spicy and creamy. In June there is even a special D-Day Camembert. You can get this and other products at the factory outlet (every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in July and August Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 15 p.m.) or at the Intermarché in Lessay.

Gourmet tip in June: Restaurant de la Lande in Lessay

Speaking of Réo Camembert: you can also enjoy it at the end of a meal in the Restaurant de la Lande in Lessay. The small and very fine restaurant cooks with great attention to detail and with regional ingredients, most of which are organic. An inexpensive lunch menu is offered at lunchtime from Tuesday to Friday and you can order take-away menus. Since the restaurant has a limited number of seats, you should definitely make a reservation, especially if you want your dog to accompany you. Open in the summer months Tuesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 14 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday also 19 p.m. to 21 p.m.

From Barbara Homolka

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