Allies Day 4 Granville to Canisy Jun 24

Today’s ride was 76.2 km with 942 vertical metres of climbing between Granville and Canisy including the extra loop to Marigny WW2 German Military Cemetery.

We were very keen to get going, maybe too keen as Max didn’t get a chance to brief us! Thommo led our group out of town and into some beautiful countryside. We made our way to Gavray for our coffee break. The trip plan’s assessment was spot on … Idyllic Normandy today with hedgerow riding, beautiful forested valleys, hidden abbayes and magnificent boulangeries and patisseries! Today is one of those days which you scout and cannot wait to ride. With a gently rolling terrain in the morning we enjoy the ups and downs. The country certainly isn’t flat!

Bob and I got together after morning tea and spent the rest of the morning making our way to Soulles for lunch. Our guides always try and supply local fresh produce for our picnic lunches.

While we were waiting we were able wander the grounds of the local church and chateau.

After lunch, we had the option to head to our hotel chateau for the evening or visit the Marigny German Cemetery. Bob, Thommo and I made the journey and we were not disappointed. It was a beautiful, peaceful and deeply moving place.

The trip plan sums it up;

Cemetery is located in the outskirts of the town of La Chapelle-en-Juger, to the west of Saint-Lô.

Many of the 11.172 soldiers buried there belonged to the Panzer-Lehr Division. Allied bombing almost wiped out the Division during the Battle of St-Lô on July 25, 1944.

Over 2,000 allied bombers launched a massive air raid between St-Lô and Périers in order to break the German lines. The American Infantry managed to dismantle the first German lines despite the counter-attack of the Panzer Division. They then progressed towards La Chapelle-en-Juger, where they linked up with other regiments.

The German survivors withdrew to Marigny, where they put up a fierce resistance. However, the 3rd Armoured tanks and Infantry defeated them the next day. La Chapelle-en-Juger was reduced to a pile of rubble, but was free!

This attack was part of the Operation Cobra-La Percee, the great break through the Cotentin Peninsula conducted by the U.S. troops from July 25 to 31, 1944.

Our hotel was absolutely magnificent. According to Wikipedia, The Chateau de Canisy was originally built In 1066. At that time there was a medieval castle on the grounds and a fortified tower; only a portion of these remain. The present Château de Canisy was mainly constructed between 1558 and 1625. It contains 740 acres of beautiful grounds and has been handed down through the Kergorlay family for 1000 years!