D-Day Beaches
-
On 6 June 1944, Nazi-occupied France was invaded by British, American, Commonwealth and Canadian troops, resulting in the country’s liberation. The Allied landings on the beaches of the Seine Bay (still known by their wartime codenames) and the ferocious Battle of Normandy that followed are commemorated today through a moving mixture of museums, memorials and cemeteries. Beautifully maintained and presented with great clarity, they give visitors a fascinating insight into the events of that momentous summer.
-
1. Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Eglise
Over 13,000 US para-troops were dropped into the Cotentin marshland; the US 4th Division came ashore on Utah and linked up with them.
-
2. La Pointe du Hoc
2. La Pointe du HocPreserved as it was at the end of fighting, this bleak headland was stormed by elite US Rangers using ropes and ladders to scale the cliff, with heavy casualties.
-
3. Omaha Beach
“Bloody Omaha” saw terrible losses among the 1st and 29th US Divisions. A viewing table, two museums, 11 monuments and the American Cemetery tell the story.
-
4. American Cemetery
4. American CemeteryFormal yet serene, the American Cemetery, containing 9,386 graves, receives many thousands of visitors each year.
-
5. Batteries de Longues
Near Arromanches, this is the only German battery still to have its guns. Its observation post, on the edge of the cliff, can also be visited.
-
6. Arromanches
6. ArromanchesThe remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour make a startling sight – a testament to the ingenuity of Winston Churchill, who realized that if the troops wanted to land, they would have to bring their harbours with them.
-
7. Gold Beach
Soon after they landed here, the British 50th Division took Arromanches, enabling the Mulberry Harbour to be put in place.
-
8. Juno Beach
Several small seaside resorts line the beach assigned to the 3rd Canadian Division. A huge cross of Lorraine commemorates the triumphant return of General de Gaulle, who landed here on 14 June.
-
9. Sword Beach
Though the Allies established the beachhead with relative ease, the vital objective of Caen was thwarted, and the inhabitants had to wait another 34 days for their city to be liberated.
-
10. Pegasus Bridge
The first Allies to land in France were the men of the British 6th Airborne Division, who seized this strategic bridge, renamed after their insignia.
Advertisement
-
-
lg6789's Las Vegas guide
lg6789
-
Dosdoce's Dublin guide
Dosdoc
-
Paris guide
sherlo
-
-
Lucy Tagg's Sicily guide
Lucy T
-
Juliewaldman's Boston guide
Juliew
-
Paris
pengui
-
John Mayall & the BluesbreakersLegendary blues guitarist John Mayall plays at the Zenith in Caen with his band the Bluebreakers, featuring guitarist Buddy Whittington, bass player Hank Van Sickle and drummer Joe Yuele. Read more
-
Monet's Garden at GivernyClaude Monet loved flowers and they were the inspiration for much of his work. He designed his garden at Giverny with the eye of a painter, highly aware of colour combinations and the effect of... Read more
-
Russian Film FestivalThe old harbour town of Honfleur makes a charming setting for this Russian film festival, which invites literary, cinema and press personalities to judge films which range from documentaries to... Read more
-
Documentary Film MonthCinemas, arthouses, schools and libraries across the whole of France and the French-speaking world participate each year in November's Documentary Film Month (Le Mois du Film Documentaire). Read more
![[+]](/images/button-addtoguide.gif)
symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.