Compiègne to Bayeux

We had a good first day in France. First stop from Paris was the site of the signing of the WWI armistice at Compiegne, where also Hitler forced the French to terms in the next war. The original rail car was destroyed after the Germans hauled it off to Berlin, but they have one of it's identical sister cars.

They have a nice museum, with one of the more interesting things being a set of original stereoscopic 3D photographs. Also saw our first tank:

From there we went to one of the sites of the battle of the Somme River. Beautiful rolling countryside with broad swathes of yellow in bloom, which I think is the rape plant like they have in England.

Very interesting to see the actual trenches and craters from the bomb blasts still very much visible. The Canadian guide pointed out that they have sheep for mowing so they don't hit any unexploded shells (on one of the days the British fired over 10,000). So far no exploded sheep.

Many small and not so small cemeteries all around, quite a contrast with the natural beauty of the countryside.

First meal was in a (gasp!) British run pub, but not to worry - it was tres francais...

From there it was off to Normandy and a wonderful traditional French meal in Bayeux, of which I'll have photos to share soon. John has had steak tartare twice in two days now, and both times they asked "you know that's raw, right?"