Getting Ready

Normandy

This region has been settled since ancient times, first by Celtic tribes, then Romans, then the Germanic Franks. The kingdom of France was created in 987. At around this same time, Vikings from Scandinavia began spending winters here. In 911, the Viking leader Rollen convinced the French king to cede part of the province to him. The region took the name “Normandy,” land of the Northmen. In 1066, when the English King Edward the Confessor died, Rollen’s descendent William, Duke of Normandy, was one of the claimants to the English throne. William defeated his rival Howard at the Battle of Hastings, and from then on was known as William the Conqueror.

Normandy was a source of dispute between England and France for the next few centuries. With the French victory in the Hundred Years War, the duchy was united with France, and became a province in 1469. The region suffered during the religious wars of the 17th century, and in the period of disillusionment following the French Revolution, civil war raged in the countryside until it was put down in the bloody battle of Vernon. Prosperity returned during the 19th century, but the 1870-71 war between Germany and France, which saw heavy fighting along the Seine, took a large toll. At the turn of the century, the resort towns became popular with newly wealthy Europeans. The region wouldn’t suffer again from the effects of war until WWII and the 1940 German advance. In 1944, Normandy was the site of the Allied invasion. 400 cities were destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed in the fighting.

The Normandy Landings
The Normandy landings were the first operations in the Invasion of Normandy, known as Operation Overlord. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, over 130,000 troops landed on a stretch of Normandy coast divided into five areas: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It was largest single-day amphibious invasion in history, involving American, British, Canadian and Free French troops and including paratrooper landings, massive air strikes and naval bombardments. The goal was to establish a beachhead at the city of Caen, so that the Western European Allied campaign could begin. The battle for Normandy continued for more than two months after D-Day. In August, Allied forces succeeded in encircling the Germans. Paris was liberated on August 25, and the Germans completed their retreat across the Seine on August 30.

Brittany

The first traces of history here date back to the Paleolithic age, but it was Neolithic civilizations who really made their mark. Between 5000 and 2000 BC, these ancient cultures raised thousands of megalith monuments, called dolmen, across the peninsula. Archaeologists are still unsure what these structures mean. In 52 AD, Romans under Julius Caesar conquered the area. Celtic tribes arrived in the 3rd century and gave the region the name of Brittany. Beginning in the 7th century, the Franks tried unsuccessfully to subdue the Bretons. To quell the rebellions, the French King Louis-le-Pieux appointed Nominoë, Count of Vannes, as the first Duke of Brittany in 824. After Louis’ death, Nominoë named himself King of Brittany. He proceeded to unite all of the Bretons, and in 845, forced the new French king to recognize Brittany’s independence. The next few centuries were marked by battles between dukedoms and the successful repulsion of Norman invaders. In 1532, following the wedding of Anne of Brittany to King Louis XII, Brittany was incorporated into France. The 16th and 17th centuries were a golden age for Brittany, due to the development of its ports and the popularity of its handicrafts and agricultural products. After the French Revolution, Brittany (like its neighbor Normandy) was a center of counter-revolution. A period of decline followed, as Brittany had difficulty adapting to the industrial age. The Breton population suffered heavy losses toll during WWI, but experienced relatively few privations during WWII, when the Vichy government separated it from the rest of France. After the war, Brittany embarked on a major period of modernization.

Bordeaux

This region has been occupied since ancient times, when Cro-Magnon man left cave paintings at Lascaux and Les Eyzies. The city of Bordeaux was first settled by the Gauls around 300 BC, who called it Burdigala. The Romans displaced the Gauls in 50 BC, and subsequent centuries saw invasions by Vandals, Visigoths, Francs and Normans. Prosperity returned in the 12th century, when Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henri Plantagenet, who became King Henry II of England soon after. By importing wine to England, the region established its reputation in the wine trade. Bordeaux thrived until 1453, when the French regained control and the wine trade fell into a slump. From 1648-1652, the province took part in a series of revolts against the crown, known as Les Frondes. In the 18th century, trade with the West Indies flourished, leading to a golden age of wealth which lasted until the abolishment of the slave trade and the 1878 infestation of the vines by the phylloxera pest. Only by grafting the vines with pest-resistant American stock were the vineyards saved from total devastation. Bordeaux was spared much of the destruction of the World Wars, due to its southern location. Today it is the most productive wine region in the world.

Wine History and Regions
Bordeaux’s wine-growing history stretches back some 2000 years. The Romans are credited with introducing vines to the region during the occupation of Gaul, around 50 BC. Production was relatively low until the marriage of Eleanor and Henri in 1154, which placed the region under English rule. The English demand for claret caused a major expansion, primarily in the Graves and St. Emilion regions. Demand increased even more during the Golden Age, when Dutch traders drained the Medoc region and encouraged the growing of vines. The phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century nearly wiped out the vineyards, but thanks to the successful grafting and Bordeaux’s unique combination of climate and soil, the region soon regained its prominence. In 1936, the modern system of Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), or "controlled term of origin," was established, clearly stating where the wine had been produced.

Chantemesle: A Normandy Childhood

Both lyrical and intense, this account of the author’s childhood in a hamlet on the Seine evokes the Norman landscape and culture, and the magic of youth. Buy now

The Most Beautiful Villages of Normandy

Part of the “Most Beautiful Villages” series, this oversized book is a pictorial celebration of the chateaux, villages and coastlines of Normandy. Buy now

The Longest Day: June 6, 1944

A skillfully written account of the Normandy invasion, based on interviews with participants while their memories were still fresh. Long considered the definitive study of D-Day for its accuracy, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the invasion. Buy now

Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy

Drawing together eyewitness accounts from both sides, this controversial book challenges many of the legends surrounding the D-Day invasion. Buy now

1066: The Year of the Conquest

This history of the Battle of Hastings is rich in anecdotal details, offering insights into the events that led up to the famous battle and the personalities and motives of the players involved. Buy now

The Conqueror: A Novel of William the Conqueror, the Bastard Son Who Overpowered a Kingdom and the Woman Who Melted His Heart

Romantic and witty, with a superb sense of period, this novel follows the life and adventures of William the Conqueror and his wife, Mathilda of Flanders, as seen through the eyes of his fictional knight Raoul. Buy now

The Bayeux Tapestry: The Life Story of a Masterpiece

Filled with page-turning stories, this book explores the mysterious origins, the making, and the dramatic history of the famed tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings. Buy now

Madame Bovary

Flaubert’s masterpiece is the story of Emma Bovary, an unhappily married woman living in provincial France near Rouen, who seeks escape through illicit affairs. Both a morality tale and an expose of the plight of women in the 19th century, it’s considered one of the most important French novels of the day. Buy now

The Bretons

Blending archaeology and history, this readable and useful survey of one of the most individualistic regions of France covers the period from Neolithic times through the 15th century. Buy now

Legends and Romances of Brittany

Folklorist Spence has compiled a broad anthology of Breton legends, historical tales and fairy stories, with chapters on Breton costumes and traditions. Buy now

Horse of Pride: Life in a Breton Village

A cross between memoir and cultural study, this distinctive book evokes the lives, customs and folklore of Breton peasants between 1908 and 1939. Buy now

A Gift from Brittany: A Memoir of Love and Loss in the French Countryside

In this enchanting book, Price tells of her move from Chicago to a remote corner of Brittany, where she finds herself renovating a farmhouse, impulsively purchased by her volatile Parisian husband. Though the local people and customs seem from another age, Price finds true friendship with an illiterate peasant woman, and discovers her own strength as her marriage unravels. Buy now

The Most Beautiful Villages of Brittany

Another book in the popular series, this oversized volume features stunning photographs of the region’s people, architecture and landscapes, along with lively travel essays. Buy now

The Portrait

In this tale of moral reckoning and revenge, a once-acclaimed Scottish painter, self-exiled to a remote island off the Brittany coast, lures an eminent art critic to sit for a portrait. As the painter recalls their years as friends and adversaries, the critic’s ruthless nature is revealed. Buy now

Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer's Tour of France

Opinionated and enjoyable, this book is both a useful guide and a droll account of wine expert Lynch’s quest through France in search of wine. Buy now

1855: A History of the Bordeaux Classification

The first book to tell the full story behind the historic classification, it’s an excellent reference for wine lovers interested in the Bordeaux region. Buy now

The Complete Bordeaux: The Wines • The Chateaux • The People

Award-winning wine writer Brooks presents a comprehensive analysis of the region, with insider information on how the world-famous Bordeaux wines are produced. Buy now

The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins: A World War II Soldier, Normandy, France, 1944

An engaging and believable first-person account of the Normandy invasion and its aftermath, as written by fictional 17-year-old American soldier. Buy now

The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won

Noted historian Ambrose’s insightful chronicle gets right to the essence of a complex series of events. Photos, maps and personal stories bring the war vividly to life. Buy now

A Day in the Country and Other Stories

A selection of 27 stories, set mostly in de Maupassant's native Normandy, that show the brilliant writer at his comic and cruel best. Includes his famous tale, The Neckace. Buy now

Horrible Histories Series

These books make history entertaining for kids by leaving in the gory and gruesome parts.

Stormin’ Normans: Tales of limb-chopping and tortured saints, why Norman knights slept with a dolly, and what “really” happened in 1066. Buy now

The Woeful Second World War: Horrors and hardships of the worst war ever: snow-bound sieges, jungle trenches, and what happened when an elephant got loose in the blackout. Buy now

Great Kings of England Series: William the Conqueror (2000)

Told through reenactments, historical commentary, and period artwork, this documentary is an account of William, Duke of Normandy, who led the successful invasion of England in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. As King of the Anglo-Norman realm, he introduced feudalism and helped shape the language, laws, and political and military structures, all of which had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England. Buy now

Band of Brothers (2001, HBO miniseries)

This acclaimed 10-part series follows Easy Company, a regiment of U.S. paratroopers, from their early days of training in 1942 through the end of WWII. The characters are based on actual soldiers who parachuted into Europe as part of Operations Overlord and Market Garden, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, helped liberate a concentration camp, and were the first to enter Hitler’s mountaintop retreat. Buy now

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Spielberg’s award-winning WWII film follows a group of U.S. soldiers sent behind enemy lines to rescue a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. The opening sequence, showing the Omaha Beach landing during invasion of Normandy, is notable for its intensity. Buy now

The Longest Day (1962)

Based on Cornelius Ryan’s account of the invasion of Normandy, this epic film tells the story of D-Day from the perspectives of the British, the Americans, the Germans and the Free French.
Buy now

Madame Bovary (1949)

This film adaptation of Flaubert’s novel begins with the author on trial for obscenity. Claiming that his book is actually a morality tale, he narrates the story of adulterous wife Emma Bovary, whose romantic illusions cause her to destroy the lives of others. Buy now

The Vikings (1958)

Adventure film about two Viking half-brothers, one a warrior and one an ex-slave, competing for the throne of Northumbria in Britain. It features a number of standout scenes shot in Normandy and Brittany. Buy now

Le Tempestaire (1945)

This short, haunting film by avant-garde filmmaker Epstein is the story of a Breton girl who, after a dreadful premonition, begs her fisherman fiancé not to go out in his boat. When he ignores her and the dreaded storm occurs, she visits the village “Tempestaire,” an old man who can supposedly control the weather. Buy now

A Day in the Country (1936)

Adapted from a story by Guy de Maupassant, this 40-minute romantic vignette recounts a family’s day out in the French countryside. While the men fish, the mother has a casual flirtation, and the daughter, a more serious liason, with a pair of local men. Fourteen years later, the family returns to the same spot, and the lovers ponder what might have been. Buy now