Caen Peace Memorial

Everyone visits the D-Day Beaches but the Peace Memorial hasn't yet made the must-see lists of many. If you are in Caen, this is a wonderful museum, a museum to peace.

You start down a curving ramp . . . descending into the horrors of war symbolically. It starts with the ending of World War I, the Great Depression and "The Failure of Peace." There are many photos and drawings and explanations in French, German and English.

You progress through "France in the Dark Years" including both collaboration and resistance. There is a stirring film on the Battle of Britain. This is followed by "World War–Total War" including a film on the siege of Stalingrad.

By this time you will be emotionally drained, tired and hungry so it's time to break for lunch. It's a good idea to sign up for the formal lunch when you purchase your tickets. The restaurant is excellent with a salad buffet and then entrees of your choice. You can eat either inside or out on the deck overlooking the park. Service is excellent and friendly.

Next on your agenda is a movie, "The Battle of Normandy." The huge screen is split with Allied footage on the left and Axis footage on the right . . . mostly archival films from the war. We were all herded on to another theater for a film about D Day and then returned to the exhibits.

The Hall of Peace is next and had exhibits from many different cultures defining peace. This included a philosophical dialogue in several languages. Somehow after viewing the previous exhibits and having watched the evening news too often, peace didn’t seem imminent.

Next is "The World and the Cold War" which was accurate and interesting but did truly demonize the USA and USSR. I have no argument with it; however, it did seem a bit self-serving to ignore 2000 years of European battles and (their words) one upmanship. Let’s face it . . . we’re all guilty and we all need to eschew violence.

Having survived the Cold War, an atom bomb drill and the downing of the Berlin Wall, you walk outside through the garden and to the Nobel Peace Prize Gallery in the former WWII bunker of German General Richter.

 It makes for a fascinating day and if it is raining, is a great way to get a feel for the D-Day beach visits.