Plans for European Invasion Progress

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Those of you who read your e-mails from the Great Class of 1969 will know that Dick and Marian Bott have been laboring mightily organizing a spectacular eight-day opportunity to visit some of the highlights of France with your classmates, including Paris, Monet's Giverny Gardens, the Normandy Invasion Beaches and Mont St. Michel. The trip, scheduled for September 17-25, 2010 takes advantage of several Class and University connections, but we owe a huge locomotive to Marian and Dick for having the vision and putting it all together. While more expensive than previous Class mini-reunions, we have done our best to keep costs under control. The group economies and generosity of the Forbes family in offering Chateau de Balleroy as our Normandy base of operations will make this a very attractive way to cover a lot of ground, literally and thematically. The theme, like Gaul, is divided into three parts – medieval France, the impressionist painters and World War II. Our arrival in Paris coincides with the once-yearly Patrimony Weekend, when French and other public buildings are open for visits. We will be assisted during our time in Paris by a noted art historian and French history expert, Professor Alice Jouve, who has led other Princeton groups visiting France. She will introduce us to historic walks through Paris and museums of particular interest. Honorary classmate André Maman has arranged for a visit and lunch at the French Sénat. Once we leave Paris will be lodged at Chateau de Balleroy, courtesy of Steve Forbes ’72 and Kip Forbes ’76. Colonel Kevin Weddle, who wrote his doctoral dissertation at Princeton under honorary classmate Jim McPherson, will lead our visit to the Normandy invasion beaches. Stunning medieval and impressionist sites and collections dot the itinerary from beginning to end. Watch for full details and registration procedures to be sent out by regular mail and e-mail in February.