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Ainsi le Retour Victorieux de Nos Cousins Canadiens — Photo 58 — Project 365

Ainsi le Retour Victorieux de Nos Cousins Canadiens — Photo 58 — Project 365
The Second World War marked France profoundly as many of the battles took place here. Not wanting to forget the sacrifice of so many, little signs commemorating those fallen dot France. (Next time you’re in Paris, if you look for them; you’ll probably see several). In this vain, there are a number of plaques memorializing the failed ‘Operation Jubilee’ that brought nearly 6000 Canadian troops to Dieppe of which only half would return at the end of the day to Britain. That said, several have claimed that the D-Day Landings in Normandy two years later succeed in large part because of the lessons learned at Dieppe.

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Gothic Doorway — Photo 57 — Project 365

Gothic Doorway — Photo 57 — Project 365
One of the features of Gothic style churches (which you find everywhere in France) is the intricate carvings that cover much of the building. This is above a door to a church in Rouen.

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Reflections on France, Three Months In

So it’s been a little over four months since I arrived here in France. I’m working, but only what I’d typically consider about 1/3 of “full time” and so I’ve had lots of time to unwind and just enjoy myself. Bring newly wed, I’ve also affectionately referee to this time as a “honeymoon” too. That said, there’s a few things that stand out in my mind.

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Front Steps — Photo 56 — Project 365

Front Steps — Photo 56 — Project 365
These crumbling steps were once the front door to a splendid building, dreamed up as a vacation resort for the working class. Things didn’t quite work out that way, with the building used as a hospital during the First World War and being blown up during the Second. Now, only the stairs remain as a lonely testament to that dream.

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Row Houses — Photo 55 — Project 365

Row Houses — Photo 55 — Project 365
Perfect row housing. This is relatively rare in France, where most housing is built around an historic courtyard, rather than parallel to the street. I took this picture because I love the effect of the straight lines and their slight disorienting ability.

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The White Cliffs of Normandy — Photo 52 — Project 365

The White Cliffs of Normandy — Photo 52 — Project 365
Again the amazing French countryside! Maybe you’re heard of ‘the white cliffs of Dover,’ but south of the English Channel, the cliffs are made of the same chalk. Together, the white cliffs and the green sea and the blue sky make for an impressive sight.

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The Shire — Photo 51 — Project 365

The Shire — Photo 51 — Project 365
Not the Shire from The Hobbit, but the countryside just a few miles from where we live. The French countryside is simply amazing, and quite the contrast to the flatness closer to where I grew up. The other amazing thing for me was the fact that everything is still this green into late October. (That has changed only here in late December as everything is now covered in snow.)

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French Protests — Photo 50 — Project 365

French Protests — Photo 50 — Project 365
The strikes here in France seemed to be nearly constant. We spent our first month in France wondering whether we would have public buses the next day and double checking modified inter-city train schedules. When we asked our French friends about it, they would shrug and reply “Welcome to France!” with a wry smile. The retirement reforms (moving the minimum retirement age up to 62) have since passed and with Noël (Christmas) upcoming, things seem to have quieted down considerably.

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