August 25, 1944: Liberation of Paris - On this day in 1944, French General
Jacques Leclerc enters the free French capital triumphantly. Pockets of German intransigence remained, but Paris was free from German control.
The Battle of The Bulge
"Nearly 80,000 American soldiers were wounded, captured, or killed at the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's last-ditch counterattack against Allied invaders at the end of World War II. The compelling chronicle of this bloody battle includes newsreel footage and film from German and American archives" (YouTube).
Arc de Triomphe
Day 9 - August 13 - Bayeux - Paris Sightseeing
This morning we checked out of our hotel in Bayeux and made our way to Paris to explore the 'City of Light'. Upon arrival (map), our Tour Director showed us a few of Paris' attractions: the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and Place de Concorde, before dropping us off on the Champs Elysees to do a bit of shopping.
Later, we stopped at the Joan of Arc Statue, near the Louvre Museum, where a group of us headed off on foot to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Leaving this group, I headed off for some time to be alone and just enjoyed a walk through some of the city streets and a stroll across and along the Seine River.
After rejoining at the Louvre Museum, we left by bus to view the Eiffel Tower, then headed off to our hotel for our only night in Paris.
Some places along the way included: the Musee d'Orsay, Pont Neuf, Hotel de Ville, the Conciergerie, Ile de la Cite, Place du Chatelet, and the Tour St-Jacques.
This morning we checked out of our hotel in Bayeux and made our way to Paris to explore the 'City of Light'. Upon arrival (map), our Tour Director showed us a few of Paris' attractions: the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and Place de Concorde, before dropping us off on the Champs Elysees to do a bit of shopping.
Later, we stopped at the Joan of Arc Statue, near the Louvre Museum, where a group of us headed off on foot to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Leaving this group, I headed off for some time to be alone and just enjoyed a walk through some of the city streets and a stroll across and along the Seine River.
After rejoining at the Louvre Museum, we left by bus to view the Eiffel Tower, then headed off to our hotel for our only night in Paris.
Some places along the way included: the Musee d'Orsay, Pont Neuf, Hotel de Ville, the Conciergerie, Ile de la Cite, Place du Chatelet, and the Tour St-Jacques.
Day 10 - August 14 - Depart Paris
This morning, after breakfast, we transferred to the Charles de Gualle Airport for our return flight back to Toronto. Upon arrriving, and after a few fairwells, everyone eventually parted ways after clearing Customs; bringing this amazing tour to a close.
This morning, after breakfast, we transferred to the Charles de Gualle Airport for our return flight back to Toronto. Upon arrriving, and after a few fairwells, everyone eventually parted ways after clearing Customs; bringing this amazing tour to a close.
