The Battle of the Somme is famous not for its military success but for the very opposite; on 1 July 1916, the first day of the offensive, 58,000 British troops were lost (20,000 of whom were killed) as they ‘went over the top’ in a massive assault on German lines. This grotesque figure remains a one-day record.
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In February 1888 one of the world’s most famous artists came to Arles to be inspired by the bright skies of Southern France.
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Le Touquet is a lovely little coastal town with a strong English tradition established after the first world war when the British gradually began returning to Northern France.
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Normandy is a region of enchanting forests, beautiful chateaux and gardens ,atmospheric seaside towns, colourful markets, historic Norman abbeys, fortresses and cathedrals and bloody World War 2 sites such as the D Day Beaches.
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In 1453, following the campaigns of Joan of Arc, the English were expelled from France. And with peace came a new sense of national pride and optimism. This lead to an ambitious royal building program.
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