European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 19, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Granville Monaco of the North tailor made for relaxing a Church and a Row of houses Overlook the Quay area of Granville. A amps Dav Casey ass Avo Carey locals enjoy a game of Quot pita que Quot or Fawn Bowling left. A sea Turtle goes for a close up look at the camera in the town s aquarium above. By Ron Jensen Niernberg Bureau on a Day in Early March a Friendly Sun and soft sea wind conspired to add a stunning glow to Granville France. A a a. A. Geography helps. Granville on the lower West coast of the Cote tin Peninsula next door to the Normandy Region wears Well its existence As a sea town. Clinging to a Finger of Rock that pushes gently into the English Channel Granville is bathed by the largest tides in Europe. When the tide is out one of the town s harbours is a Flat Plain of dark mud sprinkled with the landlocked hulls of privately owned boats. Nearby a yacht Harbor is protected from the tidal vagaries by a giant Concrete sea Wall which holds the High tide captive while nearly 1,000 yachts Rock serenely in anticipation of summer beneath a veritable Jungle of their naked masts. Above the walled old City built by the English in 1439, sits. Within those Walls Are few shops or restaurants. An australian woman who married a local restaurateur explained that the mayor is an old timer. He likes the old town the Way it is a quiet neighbourhood of narrow streets and chummy Granite Homes. A amps Dave Casey therefore walking the old town is a Delight. The Church of notre Dame dominates the peaceful scene its dark Interior includes testimony to the town s livelihood. Small votive fishing boats hang from a Chapel ceiling. Also Here is a City museum which offers a slice of the life of a French fishing Village through the centuries. At the tip of the Rock Finger is evidence of the town s recent history. Concrete bunkers built by the occupying nazi forces during world War ii remain. Some of them have been destroyed but chunks of their carcasses were too Large to haul away. From this Promontory a wide sweep of the English Channel is visible no wonder then that the nazi Force constructed such a substantial outpost Here. The australian woman who Waits on tables in her husband s restaurant said she adjusted slowly to the town Quot there s not much to see Quot she said. That s True. The churches and the museums a including one honouring fashion designer Christian dior who was born Here a Are not overwhelming. An aquarium is interesting but Small. There is a Casino on the Beach and bustling shopping streets in the lower part of town. But seeing and Quot doing Quot Are not Why people come Here. This is a resort basically. It is a town made for relaxation for watching the tide come Way in and go Way out again. A. A a it is a town once called the Monaco of the North of sweeping Ocean views and twisted walking streets. A town of Small cafes and cozy the tourist office downtown a woman said most visitors come from France England and Germany. Parisians like the City to escape the invasion of tourists in their is not a destination Point in itself for americans in Europe. However anyone poking through the remains of a Day in Normandy can make a Quick trip to Granville for perhaps a Day or two of stress free touring. Notes from Granville it is Only an hour s drive or less to Mont Saint Michel the fabulous Island Abbey to the South. This important pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages still attracts thousands of visitors each year. It is the second most visited spot in France trailing Only Paris. History buffs will be interested to note that British prime minister Winston Churchill landed Here on june 12, 1944, and King Ceorge i made the same visit on june 16. A plaque commemorates the two landings. Information on hotels and Sites is available at the tourist office downtown. The Telephone number is 33 50,02.67. It is open year round. May 19, 1904 stripes Magazine
