About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

D-Day Heads to Dine in at Landmark of French Resistance

by Himabindu Venkatakrishnan on June 6, 2014 at 12:25 PM
Font : A-A+

 D-Day Heads to Dine in at Landmark of French Resistance

The chateau that played a celebrated role in French resistance to the Nazis will be the dine-in venue for the heads of state attending 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Queen Elizabeth II, US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are among the dignitaries who will be treated to a locally-sourced meal produced by Michelin-starred chefs at the Chateau de Benouville.

Advertisement

The 18th-century edifice is situated just a few kilometres (miles) away from the landing beaches where the liberation of continental Europe began seven decades ago.

During the war, the chateau was used as a maternity hospital and its female director, Lea Vion, was famed for offering a refuge to fugitive allied airmen and local resistance activists, as well as relaying crucial intelligence on German forces to the allies.
Advertisement

Constructed between 1765 and 1785, the chateau passed into the ownership of local authorities in the 1920s, after which it was used as both a primary school and a maternity unit run mostly by nuns who provided a refuge for young unmarried mothers and orphans.

Vion became the director of the institution in 1935. Following the occupation of France in 1940, she became involved in the underground resistance to the Nazis, earning the nickname "the Countess."

The building's role made it the perfect place to hide escaped prisoners and allied airmen who found themselves stranded when their planes came down behind enemy lines, as well as weapons.

A radio transmitter used to relay messages to resistance operatives in the region and equipment for producing fake identity cards were also kept away from prying German eyes inside the hospital, its extensive grounds, cellars and outbuildings.

Miraculously, the chateau escaped any damage on D-Day itself, despite being only seven kilometres (four miles) away from some of the fiercest fighting at Sword Beach, and a similar distance from Caen, which was to be virtually razed during the ensuing Battle of Normandy.

After the war, Lea Vion served as mayor of Benouville between 1947 and 1953.

The buildings subsequently fell into disrepair but they were restored in 1985 and two years later hosted a Franco-British summit involving then President Francois Mitterrand and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Now it is regularly opened to the public for exhibitions.

A total of 20 heads of state and government and around 60 other guests will sit down for a lunch produced by five award-winning Normandy chefs.

The actual menu is a closely guarded secret but one of the chefs, Michel Bruneau, confided: "It will be all, or nearly all, Norman produce."

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Lifestyle News

Lose Weight for Your Heart's Sake
Is losing weight good for your heart? Yes,following an intensive behavioral weight loss program and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and boost heart health
Prejuvenation can Help You Say Goodbye to Aging Skin
Prejuvenation could be the new skincare trend for anti-aging. Let's stay prejuvenated to stay young forever.
Walk a Mile to Get Rid of Blood Clots
Want to prevent blood clots? Then, start walking a mile for just 15 minutes every day to keep Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) at bay.
 Choosing The Right Shoe Can Keep You Healthy
An expert emphasizes the importance of choosing the right footwear for a healthy life and shares insights on selecting the right shoes for optimal overall well-being.
Power of Parental Bonds: Strong Relationships Linked to Better Health for Young Adults!
Strong parental relationships improve long-term health outcomes in adolescents, according to a new study.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

D-Day Heads to Dine in at Landmark of French Resistance Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests