The Normandy Beaches :

It was in 1943, at the Quebec Conference, that the final decision was taken to attempt a major landing operation on the French coast in order to open up a second front and reduce the number of German divisions fighting the Russians. Its code name was Overlord. The choice fell on Normandy, for several reasons: firstly the Brittany coast was too remote to be approached, Holland was flooded and the currents along the Belgian coast were too strong, but above all because the Germans were expecting the Allies in the Pas de Calais region because of its proximity to the English coast.

It was on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944 that three American and British airborne divisions were dropped into the Sainte Mère l’Eglise and Ranville area to take various strategic positions, followed between 6.30 and 7.30 am, to the great surprise of the Germans, by 135,000 men and 20,000 vehicles landing on the five beaches held by the Allies (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword).

The violent combat that ensued earned Omaha Beach the nickname of Bloody Omaha; by the time it was over the troops had created an 80 km front all along the five beaches, which allowed the Allied forces to bring in their equipment and thus push forward on two major fronts; on one side the British and Canadians, to take Bayeux, Caen and the sea, and on the other the Americans, to take Cherbourg (which was a strategic position in so far as it was the only deep-water port in the region).

Today we invite you to visit a number of different places to explore the museums and historic sites in three departments (Calvados, Orne and Manche). This will help you understand the unfolding of the huge battle that ultimately determined the outcome of the Second World War.

The Caen Memorial

History as the key to understanding the world. The Memorial continues its historic journey through the 20th century, recounting the major events from World War II up to the thick of the Cold War. It offers a chance to reflect on the future of the planet, Hope and Peace through documents, first-hand accounts and objects from that period.

Find out more: www.memorial-caen.fr

ARROMANCHES

The American Cemetery in Normandy

Located on the coast between Arromanches and Grancamp, overlooking Omaha Beach and covering an area of 70 ha, the cemetery is home to 9,387 crosses of white Lasa marble, all perfectly aligned with each other. A chapel and a memorial dedicated to youth complete the cemetery.

Find out more: www.normandie44lamemoire.com

Arromanches 360

This 360-degree circular cinema shows an exceptional film: The Price of Freedom. Projected onto 9 screens, the film draws you into the heart of the event with a mixture of images of the landings filmed by war correspondents and pictures of Normandy today.

Find out more: www.arromanches360.com

Musée du débarquement (Landing museum) d’Arromanches

This museum about the Normandy landings was built on the site where the world’s largest artificial harbour was constructed. Mulberry, the harbour’s code name, was an enormous structure based on an idea by Winston Churchill. Its role was to ensure that supplies could reach the troops during the Battle of Normandy.

Find out more: www.normandy1944.com

La pointe du Hoc

Located in Cricqueville en Bessin, La Pointe du Hoc symbolises young American soldiers and was one of the strongholds of the German fortifications. It was stormed by Colonel Rudder and was made up of an artillery battery with a firing position, bunkers and blockhouses.

Find out more: www.normandiememoire.com

Longue Sur Mer Battery

This German battery, located between the British and American beaches, was made up of four bunkers and a command position. It is the only battery on the Atlantic Wall to have retained its guns.

Find out more: www.normandie44lamemoire.com

German military cemetery

Located between Bayeux and Isigny, this impressive cemetery is home to 21,300 tombs of German soldiers killed during the fighting in 1944. Simple square plaques on the ground mark their graves over an area of over 7 ha and there is a memorial chapel at the entrance.

Find out more: www.volksbund.de

PEGASUS MEMORIAL IN RANVILLE

The Pegasus Memorial tells the story of the arrival of the first liberators who landed on Normandy soil on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944. The museum has an important collection of objects and documents from the period as well as a replica of a glider from the landings.

Find out more: www.normandy1944.com

BRITISH MILITARY CEMENTERY IN RANVILLE

Located close to Pegasus Bridge, the cemetery houses 2,151 tombs of British soldiers who were killed during the fighting in 1944.

Find out more: http//www.ranville.fr

PEGASUS BRIDGE IN BENOUVILLE

This was the first bridge in France taken in the early hours of the night of 5 to 6 June 1944 by British soldiers from the 5th Parachute Brigade; their emblem was Pegasus, and the bridge was named Pegasus Bridge in memory of them.

Find out more: www.normandy1944.com

The Normandy Beaches : nearby Relais & Chateaux properties