THE D-DAY BEACHES
In the Manche
La batterie d'Azeville Built by the Todt Organisation from 1941 to 1944 close to Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the Azeville battery is an important element in the Atlantic Wall. Provided with an impressive underground complex and a complete defence system, it was one of the Allies’ main objectives on 6 June 1944. It participated in the combats as of the first moment of the Landing and bombarded the entire Utah Beach sector for more than three days. It was captured on 9 June after an intense battle.
Contact:
la rue d'azeville
50310 AZEVILLE
02 33 40 63 05
http://www.patrimoine.manche.fr
Musée de la libération de Cherbourg (The Cherbourg Liberation Museum)
At the peak of the "Roule Mountain" rises a fort from the Second Empire with a beautiful view of Cherbourg and its square. A Mecca for the French Resistance in light of the German advance, the Roule fort was the theatre for heroic combats in 1940 and 1944. In the hands of the Germans at the time of the Landing and up until 25 June 1944, the town of Cherbourg, once liberated, would become the chief European port, playing a determining role by enabling the Allied troops on the front to obtain supplies.
Contact:
Montée des Résistants
50100 CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
02 33 20 14 12
http://www.ville-cherbourg.fr
Musée du débarquement Sainte-Marie du Mont Created in 1962 on the same spot where the American troops landed on 6 June 1944, the Utah Beach museum pays homage to all the men who risked and gave their lives for our freedom. After a year of work, the new museum welcomes you to 3,000 m² of exhibition space. In 10 chronological sequences, the museum evokes the German occupation, the opposing forces on the day before D-Day, the allied strategy and the sequence of events on 6 June 1944 in the Utah Beach sector. The star of the new museum, an authentic B26 bomber plane, is exhibited in the hall that was built for it, along with two flight simulators. When they leave the site visitors understand the strategic choice of this Normandy beach and the reason for the military and technological success of Utah Beach.
Contact:
Musée du Débarquement
Utah Beach
50480 Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont
02 33 71 53 55
http://www.utah-beach.com
Musée airborne Sainte-Mère-Eglise
The Airborne museum has been established since 1962 in the middle of the village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. This commemorative museum will immerse you in the heart of combats in which the parachutists of the 82nd and 101st American airborne division participated on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944.
Contact:
Musée Airborne
14 rue Eisenhower
50480 SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE
02 33 41 41 35
http://www.airborne-museum.org
In Calvados
Pointe du Hoc Criqueville-en-Bessin
Pointe du Hoc was a strategic point for the German fortifications on the Normandy coast. The mission to seize the Promontory was entrusted to the 2nd battalion of Rangers commanded by colonel J. E. Rudder. They succeeded in this incredible feat of reaching the top in only a few minutes despite the slippery wall, ropes made heavy by the sea water and the defensive fire.
In a lunar landscape marked by deep craters, the ascension itself started. A huge surprise was waiting for the Rangers. In fact, they discovered that thick wooden beams had been installed in the bunkers instead of canons.
Contact:
Poite du Hoc
14450 CRICQUEVILLE-EN-BESSIN
02 31 51 90 70
http://www.cc-isigny-grandcamp-intercom.fr/
Batteries de Longues-sur-Mer
Longue-sur-Mer is the only battery of defence on the coast that is classified as a "Historical Monument" among the Landing beaches. A major work on the Atlantic Wall, this battery includes a firing command post and four casemates each sheltering a 150 mm piece of artillery, which are still in place.
Located in the heart of the allied assault sector, on the top of the cliff overlooking the English Channel, it played a strategic role during the Landing of the allied forces on 6 June 1944.
Contact:
Site de la batterie
14400 LONGUES-SUR-MER
02 31 21 46 87
Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie (The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum)
The Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie addresses the military events immediately following the Landing in the most comprehensive manner possible. After a brief presentation of the strategic situation prior to the Landing, the events that occurred during this battle (from 7 June to 29 August 1944) are shown through illustrated texts, original maps and 3D "model plans" which make it possible to follow the Allies' advance. Five themed sectors are also presented with video shows, dedicated respectively to the work of General de Gaulle from 1935 to 1946, artificial ports, the capture of Cherbourg, the role of aviation during the Battle, and finally, the "Battle of the Hedgerows". A grand presentation of heavy equipment, weapons, uniforms and miscellaneous objects as well as a film from the archives illustrate the subject.
Contact:
Boulevard Fabian Ware
14400 BAYEUX
02 31 51 46 90
http://www.mairie-bayeux.fr
Mémorial de Caen
The entire history is at the Caen Memorial
The extraordinary success of the Memorial is initially due to the will of its inspector, M. Jean-Marie Girault. Caen, which was bombed during summer 1944, was a martyred town of the liberation and in fact deserved a tribute that measured up to its suffering. This was done but in a spirit which remains the main theme of the building of the Memorial; that of reconciliation. This spirit, specific to the Caen Memorial, will guide you through the different phases of the museum which will immerse you in the heart of the History of the 20th Century.
Contact:
Esplanade Général Eisenhower
BP 55026
14050 CAEN Cedex 4
02 31 06 01 66
http://www.memorial-caen.fr
Musée du Débarquement l'Arromanches
Built at the same place as the artificial British port, the vestiges of which can still be seen a few metres from the shore, this museum recounts the history of this incredible feat of the construction and operation of this port, a key to the victory of the Allies in Normandy. Besides the explanation of how the artificial port functions, a collection of some 2,000 objects helps to evoke the homage paid to the soldiers of the different nations who participated in the Landing.
Contact:
Place du 6 juin
14117 ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS
02 31 22 34 31
http://www.arromanches-museum.com
Arromanches 360
Created by the regional council of Lower Normandy on the 50th anniversary of the Landing and located on the hills above Arromanches, Arromanches 360 presents a film projected onto nine screens in a circular room. The purpose of this film is to pay homage to the Veterans and to create a 360° past-present parallel on the main sites of the Landing.
With a 360° projection you will be immersed in the action among these D-Day combatants and you might feel the intensity of the great moment of the Landing of the allied forces in Normandy.
Contact:
Chemin du Calvaire -BP 9
14117 ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS
02 31 22 30 30
http://www.arromanches360.com
The Military Cemeteries
Almost 100,000 soldiers (approximately 40,000 allies and 60,000 Germans) died in Normandy during the combats of summer 1944. Some of them (essentially Americans) were repatriated to their home country. But the vast majority were buried in the Normandy earth, in 27 cemeteries: 16 British, 2 Canadian, 2 American, 1 French and 5 German.
The American Cemeteries
Colleville-sur-mer, 9,387 graves
Between Arromanches and Grandcamp
14710 Colleville-sur-Mer
02 31 51 62 09
Saint James 4,410 graves
Between Avranche and Fougère
68 rue 19 janvier - 92380 Garches
01 47 01 19 76
The Canadian Cemeteries
Cintheaux, 2,958 graves
At the town exit, by RN 158 between Caen and Falaise
open every day.
Bény-sur-Mer
Reviers, 2,049 graves
Near to Courseulles
7 rue Angèle Richard - 62217 Beaurains
03 21 21 77 00
British Cemeteries
Bayeux, 4,648 graves
Banneville-sannerville, 2,175 graves
Between Caen and Troarn
Bazenville-ryes, 979 graves
Between Bayeux and Arromanches
Brouay, 377 graves
Between Caen and Bayeux
Cambes-en-Plaine, 224 graves
Between Caen and Courseulles
Chouain, 47 graves
Between Bayeux and Tilly-sur-Seulles
Douvres-la-délivrande, 1,123 graves
Between Caen and Luc-sur-Mer
Fontenay-le-Pesnel, 520 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Hermanville-sur-Mer, 1,005 graves
On the coast
Hottot-les-Bagues, 1,137 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Ranvilles, 2,562 graves
Near to Pegasus Bridge
Saint-Manvieu-Norrey, 2,183 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Secqueville-en-bessin, 117 graves
Between Caen and Balleroy
Tilly-sur-Seuilles, 1,222 graves
Between Caen and Balleroy
St-Charles-De-Percy, 789 graves
Near to Bény-Bocage
St-Désir-De-Lisieux, 598 graves
Near to Lisieux
The German Cemeteries
La cambe, 21,222 graves
Between Bayeux and Isigny
Huisnes-sur-Mer, 11,956 graves
Near to Mont Saint-Michel
Marigny, 11,169 graves
Between Saint Lô and Coutances
Orglandes, 10,152 graves
In the south of Valognes
St-Désir-De-Lisieux, 3,735 graves
Near to Lisieux
Musée du Débarquement
Utah Beach
50480 Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont
02 33 71 53 55
http://www.utah-beach.com
Musée airborne Sainte-Mère-Eglise The Airborne museum has been established since 1962 in the middle of the village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. This commemorative museum will immerse you in the heart of combats in which the parachutists of the 82nd and 101st American airborne division participated on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944.
Contact:
Musée Airborne
14 rue Eisenhower
50480 SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE
02 33 41 41 35
http://www.airborne-museum.org
In Calvados
Pointe du Hoc Criqueville-en-BessinPointe du Hoc was a strategic point for the German fortifications on the Normandy coast. The mission to seize the Promontory was entrusted to the 2nd battalion of Rangers commanded by colonel J. E. Rudder. They succeeded in this incredible feat of reaching the top in only a few minutes despite the slippery wall, ropes made heavy by the sea water and the defensive fire.
In a lunar landscape marked by deep craters, the ascension itself started. A huge surprise was waiting for the Rangers. In fact, they discovered that thick wooden beams had been installed in the bunkers instead of canons.
Contact:
Poite du Hoc
14450 CRICQUEVILLE-EN-BESSIN
02 31 51 90 70
http://www.cc-isigny-grandcamp-intercom.fr/
Batteries de Longues-sur-MerLongue-sur-Mer is the only battery of defence on the coast that is classified as a "Historical Monument" among the Landing beaches. A major work on the Atlantic Wall, this battery includes a firing command post and four casemates each sheltering a 150 mm piece of artillery, which are still in place.
Located in the heart of the allied assault sector, on the top of the cliff overlooking the English Channel, it played a strategic role during the Landing of the allied forces on 6 June 1944.
Contact:
Site de la batterie
14400 LONGUES-SUR-MER
02 31 21 46 87
Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie (The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum)
The Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie addresses the military events immediately following the Landing in the most comprehensive manner possible. After a brief presentation of the strategic situation prior to the Landing, the events that occurred during this battle (from 7 June to 29 August 1944) are shown through illustrated texts, original maps and 3D "model plans" which make it possible to follow the Allies' advance. Five themed sectors are also presented with video shows, dedicated respectively to the work of General de Gaulle from 1935 to 1946, artificial ports, the capture of Cherbourg, the role of aviation during the Battle, and finally, the "Battle of the Hedgerows". A grand presentation of heavy equipment, weapons, uniforms and miscellaneous objects as well as a film from the archives illustrate the subject.Contact:
Boulevard Fabian Ware
14400 BAYEUX
02 31 51 46 90
http://www.mairie-bayeux.fr
Mémorial de Caen The entire history is at the Caen Memorial
The extraordinary success of the Memorial is initially due to the will of its inspector, M. Jean-Marie Girault. Caen, which was bombed during summer 1944, was a martyred town of the liberation and in fact deserved a tribute that measured up to its suffering. This was done but in a spirit which remains the main theme of the building of the Memorial; that of reconciliation. This spirit, specific to the Caen Memorial, will guide you through the different phases of the museum which will immerse you in the heart of the History of the 20th Century.
Contact:
Esplanade Général Eisenhower
BP 55026
14050 CAEN Cedex 4
02 31 06 01 66
http://www.memorial-caen.fr
Musée du Débarquement l'Arromanches Built at the same place as the artificial British port, the vestiges of which can still be seen a few metres from the shore, this museum recounts the history of this incredible feat of the construction and operation of this port, a key to the victory of the Allies in Normandy. Besides the explanation of how the artificial port functions, a collection of some 2,000 objects helps to evoke the homage paid to the soldiers of the different nations who participated in the Landing.
Contact:
Place du 6 juin
14117 ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS
02 31 22 34 31
http://www.arromanches-museum.com
Arromanches 360
Created by the regional council of Lower Normandy on the 50th anniversary of the Landing and located on the hills above Arromanches, Arromanches 360 presents a film projected onto nine screens in a circular room. The purpose of this film is to pay homage to the Veterans and to create a 360° past-present parallel on the main sites of the Landing.With a 360° projection you will be immersed in the action among these D-Day combatants and you might feel the intensity of the great moment of the Landing of the allied forces in Normandy.
Contact:
Chemin du Calvaire -BP 9
14117 ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS
02 31 22 30 30
http://www.arromanches360.com
The Military Cemeteries
Almost 100,000 soldiers (approximately 40,000 allies and 60,000 Germans) died in Normandy during the combats of summer 1944. Some of them (essentially Americans) were repatriated to their home country. But the vast majority were buried in the Normandy earth, in 27 cemeteries: 16 British, 2 Canadian, 2 American, 1 French and 5 German.
The American Cemeteries
Colleville-sur-mer, 9,387 graves
Between Arromanches and Grandcamp
14710 Colleville-sur-Mer
02 31 51 62 09
Saint James 4,410 graves
Between Avranche and Fougère
68 rue 19 janvier - 92380 Garches
01 47 01 19 76
The Canadian Cemeteries
Cintheaux, 2,958 graves
At the town exit, by RN 158 between Caen and Falaise
open every day.
Bény-sur-Mer
Reviers, 2,049 graves
Near to Courseulles
7 rue Angèle Richard - 62217 Beaurains
03 21 21 77 00
British CemeteriesBayeux, 4,648 graves
Banneville-sannerville, 2,175 graves
Between Caen and Troarn
Bazenville-ryes, 979 graves
Between Bayeux and Arromanches
Brouay, 377 graves
Between Caen and Bayeux
Cambes-en-Plaine, 224 graves
Between Caen and Courseulles
Chouain, 47 graves
Between Bayeux and Tilly-sur-Seulles
Douvres-la-délivrande, 1,123 graves
Between Caen and Luc-sur-Mer
Fontenay-le-Pesnel, 520 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Hermanville-sur-Mer, 1,005 graves
On the coast
Hottot-les-Bagues, 1,137 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Ranvilles, 2,562 graves
Near to Pegasus Bridge
Saint-Manvieu-Norrey, 2,183 graves
Between Caen and Caumont-l'Eventé
Secqueville-en-bessin, 117 graves
Between Caen and Balleroy
Tilly-sur-Seuilles, 1,222 graves
Between Caen and Balleroy
St-Charles-De-Percy, 789 graves
Near to Bény-Bocage
St-Désir-De-Lisieux, 598 graves
Near to Lisieux
The German Cemeteries
La cambe, 21,222 graves Between Bayeux and Isigny
Huisnes-sur-Mer, 11,956 graves
Near to Mont Saint-Michel
Marigny, 11,169 graves
Between Saint Lô and Coutances
Orglandes, 10,152 graves
In the south of Valognes
St-Désir-De-Lisieux, 3,735 graves
Near to Lisieux
The Polish Cemetery
Urville-Langennerie, 615 graves
Between Caen and Falaise
The French Cemetery
Gateys French Military Cemetery, 19 graves
In the north of Alençon