Around here

People come here to understand, to remember, to give thanks… 9,388 bodies lie in this American military cemetery, granted to the United States as a perpetual concession. It is one of 25 American burial sites located on foreign soil. Opened in 1956, the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer welcomes over a million visitors every year. At the entrance to the cemetery, a ‘visitor centre’ offers a deeper understanding of the events of June 1944 – a must-see! What a moving experience it is then to discover, overlooking the blood-stained yet magnificent Omaha Beach, these thousands of perfectly aligned and well-maintained graves! All adorned with a cross or a Star of David in white marble, they face west, towards the American homeland. Early in the day, you can watch the American flag being raised. It’s a deeply moving experience…

The great thing about Deauville-Trouville is that you don’t have to visit in summer to fall under its spell! Come rain or shine, whether you’re with your partner, family or friends, these two twin yet distinctly different seaside resorts are simply irresistible! Sometimes referred to as the ‘21st arrondissement of Paris’ – due to the large number of Parisians who own a second home there or pop over at the slightest opportunity, such as a bank holiday – Deauville has a real character of its own! To get there, it’s best to take the train, as the A13 motorway is almost always gridlocked at the weekend! Start by exploring its long, stunning sandy beach and take the opportunity to hire one of Deauville’s famous parasols for the day – undoubtedly the most photographed in the world and found nowhere else! Stroll along the beach on the famous Promenade des Planches – it’s a bit like our very own Sunset Boulevard!

I’m willing to bet that even a primary school child could name the thing for which Bayeux is most famous: its tapestry, embroidered in honour of William the Conqueror and inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Walking through the streets of this charming episcopal town, one would never guess that hordes of looters ransacked it over the centuries. The capital of the Bessin region under the Ancien Régime, it is best remembered as the first town in Normandy to be liberated by Operation Overlord in the early hours of 7 June 1944. Bayeux was miraculously spared the fighting of the Battle of Normandy: its medieval walls and cathedral, its half-timbered houses and mansions, vividly bring past centuries to life.

This coastal defence battery was one of the main structures of the Atlantic Wall. Above all, it is one of the few sections that remain intact! Visitors can see the fire control post and four casemates, each housing a 150mm artillery piece.

Located in Arromanches, opposite the remains of the artificial harbour, this museum traces the entire history of its construction. As well as the numerous scale models and the diorama, be sure not to miss the archive film produced by the British Admiralty.

Situated next to the Caen Memorial, this 17-hectare landscaped park will immerse you in the heart of nature. With a rose garden, a maze, a mini farm, children’s play areas and educational activities on environmentally friendly gardening (natural mulching, ladybirds)… this place has everything to delight visitors, starting with the magnificent view of Caen from the top of the garden. And to top it all off, it’s free!

A moving and very comprehensive museum that explains the causes and course of the Second World War in a highly educational way. The chronological exhibition takes visitors on a journey from 1918 to the present day, shedding light on the sequence of events and encouraging reflection. ‘A City of History for Peace’ – highly recommended for everyone (children aged 9–10 and over).