Small town of Calvados, Normandy, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain takes place about forty kilometers from Caen, on the banks of the Sea Channel. It lies at the heart of the country Bessin, near Bayeux and Trévières.
Occupied since Protohistory, as evidenced by some remains found there, the territory of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain developed over centuries its maritime activity, including hosting part shipyard of William the Conqueror. Classified port of refuge in the nineteenth century, the town later became the first Normandy fishing port with the creation of its fish market in the 1970s.
Today, the city continues to attract visitors with the charm of its coast and its architectural heritage.
Built at the end of the 19th century, the Saint-André church takes place on the remains of an old 12th century sanctuary. Inside, it is possible to discover many ex-votos in the form of model ships offered by sailors who escaped shipwrecks. Several statues and capitals present on site are classified as Historical Monuments.
Former dependency of the abbey of Cerisy-la-Forêt, the church of Saint-Pierre de Huppain dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is also the object of a classification with the Historical Monuments.
While strolling in the seaside resort, you will be able to appreciate the Vauban tower from the end of the 17th century. Built by Benjamin de Combes to watch over privateers, it was once associated with another identical tower destroyed during World War II. It is now classified as a Historic Monument.
During your walk, let yourself be seduced by the old 19th century fishermen's quarter with its typical houses, the Maison des Feux from the mid-19th century or the remains of the casemates of the famous Atlantic Wall. You will not miss either the castle of Villiers-le-Port of the 13th century and listed in the Historic Monuments and will enjoy browsing the rooms of the D-Day wrecks museum which presents various objects and vehicles found in the seabed following the events of the 6th June 1944.
The heritage circuit of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain allows visitors to discover the history and the landscape of this charming fishing port while crossing its quays and its alleys. Guided tours are also offered by the Léopold Sédar Senghor cultural center on different themes: fishing and its men, the landing, the port in June 1944, the shipyard...
The weekly market is held every Sunday morning and a fish market is organized from Tuesday to Sunday in the morning. A night market is offered on Friday evenings in July and August.
The Vauban tower fireworks are organized by the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office every Friday evening, in July and August.
The Port Festival is held every year in August.
Every five years, in August, the municipality organizes its blessing of the sea, seeing the House of Fires decorated in memory of the missing sailors.
At the beginning of November, let yourself be seduced by the Taste of the Sea festival which pays homage to the scallop and other seafood products.
La Grande Refonte des Deux Amis
- From 17 to 19 may 2024
- Quai Baron Gérard
- Boats can have many lives, but this sailing heritage is fragile. - Les Deux Amis, the one and only trawler barque in Calvados, needs to live again and sail the Normandy coast. - We'd like to tell you the story of this ship, to talk to you about our future voyages, and to open your eyes to the sea. Join us in bringing this boat back to life !
EXPOSITION - N'Oublions Jamais
- From 27 may to 2 june 2024
- Galerie du Quai, Quai Baron Gérard
- As part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the association Généalogie ma Passion is paying tribute to the resistance fighters of Port en Bessin. This exhibition tells the story of Port en Bessin during the Second World War, the beginnings of the Resistance in France and the networks in the Bessin region. By studying the Alliance network and the Mouvement Libération Nord, it presents the portraits and destinies of Porters who took part in the Resistance, and in particular that of Georges Thomine, who was executed along with 86 Resistance fighters on the morning of June 6,1944, in Caen prison.
CONFÉRENCE - Sur les pas des Résistants du Calvados et de la Manche en Relation Avec les Services Secrets à Londres Pour Préparer le Débarquement
- On 28 may 2024
- Quai Baron Gérard, Salle des fêtes
- This talk, led by Ghislain Quétel, son of a Resistance member of the Louvel group, answers the question : is the Normandy Resistance, with its links to the London-based Secret Service, fiction or reality ? He draws on authentic plans for the Atlantic Wall found in an attic in Caen in 2017, which reveal the relationship between the resistance leaders of Colonel Rémy's OCM-Centurie and the London secret services.
Dans les pas du 47 Commando des Royal Marines
- On 6 june 2024
- Parking principal, à côté du blockhaus, rue 231 Brigade Britannique
- On D-Day, the men of 47 Commando landed on Gold beach, near Asnelles, then set off on a 20 km march behind enemy lines, with the aim of liberating Port-en-Bessin. - Accompanied by the current 47 Commando, we'll follow in their footsteps and tell the story (in English and French) of their epic mission and the courageous actions of the French community who helped them. We'll start with a memorial service in Asnelles and make several stops along the way, including one for a picnic in the grounds of the magnificent Abbaye Sainte Marie de Longues. - Transport from Port-en-Bessin to Asnelles is provided before and after the walk. Places are limited, so booking is essential.
The Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach
- On 6 june 2024
- Place Georges Seurat, Quai Baron Gérard
- As part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 30 musicians from the Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach (Florida, USA) will perform pieces for brass band.
Grand Défilé de Véhicules Pour la Libération de Port en Bessin-Huppain
- On 7 june 2024
- Autour des bassins, Quai Baron Gérard
- Starting at 4pm, historic military vehicles, both light and heavy, will parade around the Port en Bessin-Huppain basins. At the end of the parade, the vehicles will be displayed on Place Georges Seurat. The re-enactors will be on hand to chat with visitors until 6pm.
Port-en-Bessin Liber'tea Party
- On 9 june 2024
- Quai de Gaulle
- As part of British D-Day Week, static display of around 100 historic D-Day vehicles, in the heart of the first oil port of D-Day. - Musical stages : Jazz band, Pipe band, French songs.
Balade à la Découverte du Mont Castel
- On 11 july 2024
- Carrefour entre rue René Hommet et chemin des Artilleurs
- Come and discover the richness of the landscape and the fauna and flora. - (1-2 km/2h) - Level 2