France - Paris Again Day 2 - Musee De L'Armee Melee Weapons

 Made for the French King, Henry the forth in 1600. It looks nice from a distance but zooming in...

 ...it has extreme detail. It has all the signs of the zodiac.

 It continues along the blade.

 Italian swords from the late 1400's and early 1500's

 This one in particular caught my eye with the detail it had.

 French sword made around 1595. I love the chain detail on the pommel. Probably quite fragile but very nice.

 A parade sword made in Southern England in 1650. Its a very man themed sword.

 Swords from Java circa 1750.

 Mongol daggers from 1730. If you look carefully at the one on the right, you can just barley see the sands of time (Prince of Persia video game reference).

 Japanese weapons from the 1300's to the 1800's.

 English hunting daggers from around 1590. Note the smaller skinning blades in the sheath.

 Halberds from various eras.

Two handed blades from various eras.

There were many many more melee weapons.

France - Paris Again Day 2 - Musee De L'Armee Armor

 The museum is very very large and a "it should take us two hours max" promise turned into a four hour "we need to come back someday". So i've paired down heavily the pictures but uploaded than at 10 megapixels each, so if you want to see detail, click on one.

 This armor was worn by King Francois the first and is known as his lion armor (1540-1545).

 Also worn by King Francois the first (1539-1540)

Worn by the future Henri the second (1540)

 The armor of Mars and the Victory (1565-1570)

 

 The back of it.

 Gifts of armor and weapons were made to the royalty of France and these are some of them. Japenese Samurai armor (1580-1590).

 Italian shields from 1550-1560.

 Northern "Savoyard" Italian helmets from 1620.

 Jousting armor for the joust of peace in 1510, gifted by Maximilian the first of Austria.

There is a lot of armor in storage as well.

France - Paris Again Day 2 - Musee de l'Armee Old Action Figures

 Baron Fernand Vidal de Lery (later called Bernard Franck) started making these action figures (dolls) in 1888. He covered the time period from ancient Greece to the First French Empire. They were donated to the Army Museum in 1935 by Jacques Violet.

 Here are two Roman Gladiators.

 There are many display cases.

 Each case details not only noble soldiers but the common rank and file.

 The armor and uniforms were meticulously researched.

The uniforms of later periods are even more detailed. As a past collector of 12 inch action figures (dolls) this was a very fun surprise.

France - Paris Again Day 2 - Musee de l'Armee Overview and Napoleon's Tomb

 Constructed in 1678, this place of rest for veterans of wars was the idea of King Louis the Fourteenth. He did not want the men who fought under his command to suffer without medical attention. In 1789, it was attacked and guns taken that were used in the storming of the Bastille. In 1840, Napoleon was interred here. In 1872 the Artillery museum was founded here and in 1896 the Historical Museum of the Armies was founded here. In 1905 the museums were merged and the veterans dispersed to other facilities outside of Paris. There still are facilities for retired and disabled veterans here with the stipulation that retired vetrens have 20 years or more of service.

Under the dome is Napoleon's tomb. He is surrounded by sad female statues.

 A chapel was built for the occasion and is quite majestic and a little opulent.

 The marble and stone work for some of the floor section are masterful.

 There are many murals, with Napoleon as the central figure, doing grand things. Here he is giving the civil code to make men equal while baring his chest and having rays of enlightenment shooting out of his head.

This is the tomb of Napoleon the second. He did not have a long reign and had to abdicate.

Under the dome are many other tombs. Come and visit to see.

France - Normandy Day 3 - Canadian Juno Beach Center

 The Canadian Juno Beach center was impressive, informative and sobering.

 The rooms were very similar to Federal museums in Canada: colorful, interactive and for all ages.

 This statement made me pause and reflect, "When the people are hungry democracy is in danger".

 Each room had a definitive flow. We planned on spending two hours here but three and a half went by before we knew it.

 One of the many propaganda posters made in Canada to support the war.

 This is the landing plan for D-Day. Click on it to see which Canadian regiments landed where. My Grandfather's regiment, the North Shore's, landed without him on the Eastern beach. He missed it due to pneumonia.

 A picture of the North Shore's in Alligators which were amphibious vehicles.

 Another picture of the North Shore's in battle for a town.

 A YMCA tea truck which served over a million soldiers. Recently we had a Tim Horten's in Afghanistan for the troops.

 German defense trenches.

 A First Nations Canadian soldier receiving a blessing.

10% of the total number of Canadian First Nations volunteered and fought in WW2. Here is one fellow receiving a medal.

 A very well made diorama.

 This hall was geared to showcase what Canada has to offer the world and also has immigrant stories. They were very touching. I have found that Canada is one nation made up of many people. Everyone is Canadian but also bring something more. That something is able to be proudly shared with others who, for the most part, want to experience it too. What was culturally inherent and unique is mirrored and amplified throughout its populace to be what I call Canada. Its not just a place...its not just my home...its a truly intangible multicultural assortment of awesomeness.

Another propaganda poster with the British Lion and the Canadian beaver.

France - Normandy Day 3 - Juno Beach

 On the beach nearby the Canadian Juno Beach Center we decided to look at the beach. There was this bunker that was taken by the Winnipeg Rifles. The demolitions charge that was laid by engeneers was pretty powerful.

 This is a bit of art that makes a somber and reflective pause.

 The beach here is very long when the tide is out.

 Here is another bunker, albeit smaller.

 My wife and I had to bend down to move through.

The German tank traps were scattered throughout.