The beaches of Manche and Calvados are dotted with the remains of the Allied landings which took place on that memorable day of 6 June 1944 to liberate France and Europe from the occupying forces. The blockhouses, bomb craters and concrete blocks are now part of the landscape and bear witness to this extraordinary military operation.
Countless sites, museums and commemorative monuments make up a mosaic of places of remembrance where the emotion is always palpable. In Manche, the Utah Beach Landing Museum was built on the exact spot where the American troops landed. In Calvados, many buildings tell the story of D-Day and pay tribute to all the soldiers who died for the liberation of France: the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, the America Gold Beach Museum in Ver-sur-Mer, the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, and the No. 4 Commando Museum in Ouistreham about the events of Sword Beach. The Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église, located opposite the bell tower where the famous soldier John Steele hung for several hours, is dedicated to the American paratroopers.
In Arromanches-les-Bains, you can see the remains of the incredible floating artificial harbour, considered to be the most significant technical feat of the Second World War. There is a D-Day Museum in Arromanches, while the Arromanches 360 circular cinema, in the heights of the town, screens a film about the 100 days of the Battle of Normandy.
Nearly 130,000 soldiers of different nationalities gave their lives in Normandy, and were laid to rest in the 27 military cemeteries. One of the most visited is the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, where 9,387 white tombstones stand overlooking Omaha Beach. The Pointe du Hoc, a strategic point in the Atlantic Wall, was the scene of one of D-Day's toughest battles. The site has been transformed into a place of remembrance, with many signs describing the offensive and its protagonists.
Many other museums have been established throughout Normandy, such as the Liberation Museum in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or the Cobra Memorial in Marigny-le-Lozon. Those in Calvados include the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux, the Pegasus Memorial Museum in Ranville, the D-Day Omaha Museum in Vierville-sur-Mer and the unmissable Caen Memorial Museum, which presents this period within the context of the turbulent history of the 20th century.
Guide of NormandyUnmissable places and recommendations in Normandy
Guide of Arromanches-les-BainsTourism, breaks and holidays around Arromanches-les-Bains
Municipality of Arromanches-les-BainsDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Arromanches-les-Bains
Guide of BayeuxTourism, breaks and holidays around Bayeux
Municipality of BayeuxDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Bayeux
Guide of CaenTourism, breaks and holidays around Caen
Municipality of CaenDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Caen
Guide of Colleville-sur-MerTourism, breaks and holidays around Colleville-sur-Mer
Municipality of Colleville-sur-MerDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Colleville-sur-Mer
Guide of Courseulles-sur-MerTourism, breaks and holidays around Courseulles-sur-Mer
Municipality of Courseulles-sur-MerDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Courseulles-sur-Mer
Guide of OuistrehamTourism, breaks and holidays around Ouistreham
Municipality of OuistrehamDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Ouistreham
Guide of RanvilleTourism, breaks and holidays around Ranville
Municipality of RanvilleDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Ranville
Guide of Saint-Laurent-sur-MerTourism, breaks and holidays around Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
Municipality of Saint-Laurent-sur-MerDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
Guide of Ver-sur-MerTourism, breaks and holidays around Ver-sur-Mer
Municipality of Ver-sur-MerDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Ver-sur-Mer
Guide of Vierville-sur-MerTourism, breaks and holidays around Vierville-sur-Mer
Municipality of Vierville-sur-MerDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Vierville-sur-Mer
Guide of Cherbourg-en-CotentinTourism, breaks and holidays around Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Municipality of Cherbourg-en-CotentinDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Guide of Marigny-Le-LozonTourism, breaks and holidays around Marigny-Le-Lozon
Municipality of Marigny-Le-LozonDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Marigny-Le-Lozon
Guide of Sainte-Mère-ÉgliseTourism, breaks and holidays around Sainte-Mère-Église
Municipality of Sainte-Mère-ÉgliseDetailed tourist information about the municipality of Sainte-Mère-Église
Historic Sites in FranceMajor places of interest for French history, from prehistory to today
Outings in NormandyIdeas for walks and hikes in Normandy
Photos Sword BeachPhotos of category "Sword Beach" to view and download
Photos Colleville-sur-Mer American cemeteryPhotos of category "Colleville-sur-Mer American cemetery" to view and download
Photos Hoc headlandPhotos of category "Hoc headland" to view and download
Photos Omaha BeachPhotos of category "Omaha Beach" to view and download
Photos D-Day Landing BeachesPhotos of category "D-Day Landing Beaches" to view and download
Photos Utah BeachPhotos of category "Utah Beach" to view and download
Photos of NormandyPhotos of Normandy to view and download
Hotels in NormandyA wide choice of hotels with reductions of up to 70%.
Vacation rentals in NormandySelf-catering holiday homes, gîtes and apartments.
Bed & breakfasts in NormandyRooms from local hosts offering a personal welcome.
Campsites in NormandyOpen-air accommodation.
Restaurants in NormandyRegional and international cuisine, style of restaurant and menus.
Leisure activities in NormandyA great selection of activities including sports, well-being, gourmet food and entertainment.