Ottica Venturini D-Day Special Trials

An emotional edition across Normandy and the beaches whose names provide excitement: Utah beach, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

The protagonists of the D-Day Special Trials were top-quality glasses. The many models included Ray Ban Aviator, Serengeti Pisa, Rodenstock ProAct 2, Chanel 5076, Revo 2028, Porsche Design 8418 and 1024.

The climate was the real surprise given that the team had to test medium and photochromic filters suitable for changeable, windy weather with frequent showers. But the sky was clear and daytime temperatures were above 20°C. Fortunately, the team also had glasses for this 'Mediterranean' climate.

The following is a part of the D-Day Special Trials itinerary:
- Rouen: founded by the Romans (Rotomagus), it is the capital city in upper Normandy famous for its cathedral and half-timbered buildings. It is where St Joan of Arc was burned at the stake;
- Honfleur:a picturesque fishing village where the Seine meets the sea;
- Trouville: the destination of romantic artists and with interesting fishermen's stalls, it still holds a certain fascination, ;
- Deauville: a tourist resort renowned for luxury shopping, the casino and the film festival;
- Arromanches-les-bain: the Allies created an enormous artificial harbour here for landing heavy vehicles. The landings museum and 360° cinema are not to be missed;
- Sword beach, Gold beach, Juno beach, Omaha beach, Utah beach: the five beachheads used for the simultaneous Allied landings. The German military emplacements can be seen: the emotions that such important places arouse are difficult to describe;
- Sainte-Mere-Eglise: it owes its importance to two hours before the landings. At 4.30am on June 6, 1944, thousands of US paratroopers were dropped here. One of them got caught in the village bell tower and escaped from the Germans by pretending to be dead, but the bells made him permanently deaf;
- Mont-Saint-Michel: the tides always make the island different and the narrow streets are packed with tourists from all over the world. Visiting the abbey is a unique experience.

The D-Day special trials in Normandy ended at Mont-Saint-Michel and then continued in Brittany.