The first week of May, I took a three-day trip to Fréjus in southern France to visit the Troupes de marine. It was a cool trip and we were able to avoid the first three days of an exercise back at school!
This is where we checked in and for some reason the building was very appealing to me. I think because we were in southern France and it looked very relaxing. Like it could have been a resort with a pool. And I love Cyprus trees - they always look cool.
Our first night we visited downtown Fréjus and as you can see above, it has some great spots alone the sea. This is pretty close to where we ate - which was a great time. It was initially just for beer but we ended up staying.
Our second night we drove to Cannes, walked around and had supper. Above left is Jack Nicholson's hand print the Walk of Stars and on the right is where the theater of the film festival turns into a casino. Cool building.
Above left, we got a ride in their BvS-10 or Bv-206 (I forget which). They're nice vehicles and new but I think they could be a maintenance nightmare. They connection between the two is way complicated. There is a drive shaft and three separate hydraulic pistons. On the right is a screen shot of their shooting range simulator, the SITTAL NG by GAVAP. This thing was awesome! You could see where your weapon was pointing and all your shots! And then there were different scenarios. I loved it. Two of the weapons were the FAMAS and the FR1. I liked the FR1 because it had a scope.
On our last day we visited the Musée des Troupes de Marine. It was a pretty nice place and there was plenty to look at. Above is a panoramic of museum just as you walk in. And there was a second floor, too. Below is the building's exterior. It was such a nice morning I think it made the picture seem better. And those trees are cool!
Some shoulder rank on an old uniform (was trying to take a picture
with a blurred foreground and it worked out pretty well).
Above left is a lantern is on the first car of General Joseph Gallieni and on the right
is just one of about 100 models showing the evolution of their uniforms.
Above are two nice paintings. They also had some great artwork on promotional/recruitment posters.
Above left is the Nouveau Casque F2 used by the French in NATO ops,
and above right is a great watercolor, Le Bibane.
Above is the insignia for the 21st (adding the dolphin the anchor which is for the troupe de marine as a whole). It was in the dining room in their mess (above right) and they gave us a terrific farewell lunch! We also went kayaking on the ocean but I don't have a pic. It was a great trip!
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