Normandy attractions

Utah Beach was the westernmost landing point on D-Day. The main attraction at the site of the landing is the Utah Beach D-Day Museum (Musée du Débarquement), which focuses on the extraordinary battle. The museum also holds exhibits that offer a deep dive into French life under German occupation.

As the largest German WWII cemetery in France, the La Cambe German War Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost on both sides of the war. It’s a moving site, with its grey schist crosses and dark, flat headstones offering a more somber atmosphere than that of the American and Commonwealth cemeteries nearby.Although initially serving as a temporary American cemetery, today 21,222 soldiers from the German Armed Forces are buried at La Cambe. At the center of the cemetery, a 6-meter-high grassy hillock is capped with a single cross and serves as a mass grave for 296 soldiers, many of which are unknown. Just outside of the cemetery, the La Cambe Peace Garden opened in 1996, and is home to 1,200 maple trees, each planted by an individual or organization to symbolize reconciliation and lasting peace. A visitor center is also located at the entrance to the cemetery and offers further insight into the soldiers buried on-site.

The Juno Beach Centre (Centre Juno Beach) is a museum dedicated to the heroism of Canadian troops in the D-Day landings and the entirety of the Second World War. Located in Normandy, the center draws visitors from Canada and across the world wanting to remember their fallen patriots and learn more about France’s role in the Allied victory.

With its grand Gothic façade overlooking the central Place François Mitterrand, it’s impossible to miss the Lisieux Cathedral, or Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. Built on the site of a former Roman church, the cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is one of the earliest examples of Gothic design in France, now preserved as a National Monument.Along with its notable architecture, Lisieux Cathedral is also famous as the resting place of Bishop Cauchon, who famously oversaw the prosecution of Joan of Arc.

Located on the coast of Normandy, Cherbourg is both a seaside retreat and a bustling port. Immortalized by Catherine Deneuve in the classic 1964 filmThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the city has deep connections with French naval history.

With an impressive 18 underground bunkers linked by trenches and reinforced by barbed wire fences and minefields, the Hillman Fortress was once an important German WWII command post and the headquarters of the German 736th Regiment. Known as Hill 61 by the Germans and codenamed ‘Hillman’ by the British, the strategic bunker complex was attacked on 6 June 1944 as part of the D-Day Allied invasion and finally liberated by the Suffolk Regiment the following day.Today, the hilltop bunkers have been preserved as an open-air museum, run by volunteers, and visitors are free to explore the 24-hectare site, including the kitchen, bunkers, command posts and well. A memorial museum is also located on-site, where visitors can learn more about the Hillman Bunkers and the Suffolk Regiment.

Nestled in the village of Ranville near Caen, Ranville War Cemetery contains the graves of 2,235 World War II Commonwealth soldiers killed on D-Day on June 6 1944, when the Allies landed on Normandy’s beaches. The cemetery is open to those wishing to pay their respects and is a stop on several WWII battlefield tours.

Set on France’s western coast at the mouth of the English Channel and the Seine River, the Le Havre Cruise Port (Terminal Croisières Le Havre) serves as a popular stop for European cruise liners and is considered the “gateway to Paris.” Once on shore, explore the UNESCO-listed Le Havre’s World War II history and take advantage of its proximity to Normandy.

Merville Battery (Batterie de Merville) was a coastal fortification built by the Nazis in Merville-Franceville as part of the Atlantic Wall during World War II. Because this particular battery was much more better fortified than other similar installations, it was one of the first to be attacked by the Allies on D-Day.Indeed, it was successfully captured by British paratroopers on June 6, 1944, because they mistakenly believed the battery contained heavy-caliber weapons that could threaten the nearby beach landings. They discovered, however, that what it contained, essentially, was inoffensive World War I vintage guns. The battery also comprised four six-foot-thick, steel-reinforced concrete gun casemates, designed to protect mountain guns, as well as a command bunker, dorms and ammunition magazines. After the British left the battery to liberate a nearby village, Merville was once again taken over by the Germans until they withdrew France in the following month of August.

More than 2,000 Canadian soldiers who died on Normandy beaches and battlefields are buried in this Second World War Cemetery. Lines of white headstones stretch across manicured grounds, here, and memorials repose in the shade of leafy, mature trees. Veterans Affairs Canada manages the grounds, which France has granted to Canada.

The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux) might be almost 1,000 years old, but it’s still one of the top tourist attractions in northern France. Housed in a purpose-built museum and depicting the infamous Norman invasion of England, its detailed needlework and impressive size draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world every year.

Founded by William the Conqueror, this former Benedictine monastery is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Normandy, inspiring many churches on the other side of the Channel to adopt its style. Also known as Abbey of Saint-Étienne, the Abbaye aux Hommes (Men’s Abbey) is now the city hall (Hôtel de Ville).

The Normandy town of Honfleur is home to St. Catherine’s Church (Eglise Sainte-Catherine), the largest surviving wooden chapel in France. Built after the Hundred Years’ War by local 15th-century shipbuilders, the “Axe Masters” managed to create the impressive nave without using one saw. A century later, the chapel’s patronage had grown so much that it was decided St. Catherine’s Church should be doubled in size. A second identical nave was built to match the first, giving the chapel an interesting “twin” architecture, so when you head inside the church look up at the ceiling—you’ll see it looks just like two upturned boats, which makes sense considering the naval background of its builders.Dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the church is partially covered in chestnut shingles, while the interior pillars are decorated in colorful flags from around the world. You’ll see light streaming in through the 19th-century stained glass windows, and look out for the church’s classical organ from the parish St Vincent of Rouen, too.

At the D-Day Experience, uncover the events that took place in Normandy on June 6, 1944. Explore the site’s two museums, including Dead Man’s Corner Museum. Then, find artillery equipment as you wander the grounds and follow in the steps of the 101st Airborne Division along a historical trail.

The Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy is the largest of 18 cemeteries dedicated to soldiers from the Commonwealth. It’s a peaceful place, and visitors come to remember those who died in the Second World War. For many, the cemetery is a stop on a tour of important WWII sites in northern France.

The chic seaside town of Trouville-sur-Mer is a popular getaway among Parisians seeking respite from the city. Twinned with the even ritzier town of Deauville next door, Trouville maintains its traditional roots as a glamorous beach resort and working fishing port, with Trouville fishermen still seeking out shrimp, mackerel, scallops and sole today.Less touristy than Deauville, Trouville has long been a hotspot for bohemians, and in the 19th century, writers like Flaubert and famous French artists including Mozin and Boudin came here to be inspired and enjoy the laid-back vibe. Trouville still has a flavor of the Belle Epoque about it, and a real authenticity can be felt in this maritime town, especially at the lively Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons).Along with Deauville, Trouville is the closest beach to Paris, making it a popular weekend destination. In summer, the town really heats up, especially on the boardwalk that stretches along its golden sands stuffed with colorful parasols and sunbathers. Connected to Deauville by the pont des Belges bridge, it’s also possible to get to Deauville via a footpath at the mouth of the river during low tide.

Often regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats of World War Two, the Mulberry Harbour was a portable and temporary structure developed by the British to facilitate speedy discharging of cargo onto the beaches on D-Day. It was, in fact, two different artificial harbors, which were towed across the English Channel and assembled just off the coast of Normandy on that infamous morning. Once fully operational, Mulberry Harbour was capable of moving 7,000 tons of vehicles and goods each day. The harbors provided the Allies with landing ramps, necessary for the invasion of an otherwise unprotected coast. Violent storms shook the English Channel between June 19 and 22, 1944, effectively wrecking the better part of both harbors. Remains are, however, still visible a few hundred yards from Arromanches’ shoreline, continuing to remind visitors of the sheer engineering genius that emanated from the D-Day landings. The remains are best visible during low tide. The D-Day Museum nearby provides invaluable knowledge on the historical background and technical challenges that the harbors presented.

American paratroopers descended, and their scattered arrival sent the Germans running to defend their hold, a move which ultimately was one of the many factors in the Allies' victory. Most of the action from this event, code-named Operation Neptune, centered on the small village of Sainte-Mère-Église, which hosts the Airborne Museum, one of the most fascinating WWII sites in Normandy.

Abbaye aux Dames in Caen (also known as the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, or the Holy Trinity Abbey) is a Benedictine convent nearly one thousand years old. A bit worse for the wear, the abbey survived the Hundred Years War, during which it lost its original spires, and is now home to the Regional offices for Lower Normandy.

The easternmost beach of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion of World War II, Sword Beach in Ouistreham was assaulted on D-Day by units of the British 3rd Division, with French and British commandos attached. In and around town, visit myriad monuments, museums, and remnants from the war including the essential Musée No. 4 Command.

A National Monument of France and one of Bayeaux’s most eye-catching monuments, the Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is best known as the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry (now a UNESCO ‘Memory of the World’ and displayed at the nearby Bayeux Tapestry Museum). Originally built in the 11th century, the cathedral’s Gothic façade was reconstructed in the 12th century, but much of the Romanesque-style interiors remain intact, shown off by atmospheric lighting during the evening hours.Consecrated in 1077 by Bishop Odo of Conteville in the presence of his brother and King of England, William the Conqueror, the cathedral’s strong English ties are portrayed in its vibrant frescos, which depict the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and of course, the iconic Bayeux Tapestry, said to have been commissioned by the Bishop to decorate its nave.

A memorial at this historic church pays tribute to Canadian soldiers killed at the Ardenne Abbey massacre in 1944. Founded in the 12th century, the French Gothic abbey is now on the trail of Second World War sites in Normandy. In addition to the Canadian flag that adorns the small memorial, visitors leave flowers and notes in memoriam.

Designated as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, the Normandy village of Beuvron-en-Auge is officially one of the most beautiful villages in the country. From the main square decked in flowers of every color, you’ll see 17th-century half-timbered houses lining the main street.Once a stronghold of the Harcourt family, the 15th-century Vieux Manoir is a must-see while here. Classified as a “monument historique,” look closely at the manor’s woodwork, carved with patterns and faces.Lying on the famous Normandy Cider Route, Beuvron-en-Auge is especially popular in October when the annual cider festival comes to town and Calvados and Pommeau are drunk all round. In May, look out for the local flower festival, which sets the whole village in bloom with geraniums everywhere. The postcard-worthy town hosts its own antiques shop as well as a creperie, and you can also buy your own cider straight from the grower.

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, dragging the USA into World War II. By summer 1944, Allied leaders were preparing for Operation Overlord on the beaches of northern France, and on June 6th, 1944, the D-Day landings from the sea were launched. Among the five beaches earmarked by the Allies, Omaha Beach was the US’s responsibility, an eight-km (five mile) span of beach that American troops were tasked with invading and securing. By nightfall on one of the darkest days in US military history, Omaha Beach was held for the Allies, but at the expense of 3,881 dead and wounded from the 1st, 2nd and 29th US Divisions, who encountered appalling weather, strong tides in the English Channel and fierce bombardment from Nazi forces.The Omaha Beach Memorial Museum (Musée Mémorial d’Omaha Beach) tells the story of the D-Day Landings on Omaha Beach, backed up with displays of vehicles and weapons that took part in the action as well as dioramas illustrated with graphic black-and-white images, a selection of uniforms, personal objects, maps and military charts. The exhibition culminates with a film of hard-hitting personal testaments from American soldiers who survived the maneuvers. Among the tanks and armaments ranged outside the museum stands the marble American Memorial, peering over the beach and backed by the flags of the Allied nations. The Normandy American Cemetery also overlooks the beach, containing the remains of 9,387 American military servicemen who died in France during World War II.

One of the largest medieval enclosures in Europe, the massive walls of William the Conqueror's 11th-century Caen Castle thwarted invaders until the French swept in and recaptured not only the castle but the whole of Normandy in the mid-13th century. On a hill in what is now the city center, castle houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Normandy.

The Falaise Memorial (Mémorial de Falaise)—also known as the Civilians in Wartime Memorial (Mémorial des Civils dans la Guerre)—offers exhibits about the lives of French civilians during World War II. Artifacts, videos, and other powerful objects and testimonials tell the story of life during the war and under occupation.

With interactive exhibitions, simulators, and an assault course, the Normandy Victory Museum is one of the region’s most engaging museums. Dedicated to telling the story of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy, the museum opened its doors in 2017 on the site of a former American airfield.

A worthy rival to England’s famous White Cliffs of Dover, France’s Côte d'Albâtre (Alabaster Coast) is an equally dramatic sight – a spectacular stretch of white chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Running for around 80 miles (130km) along the north coast of Normandy, the striking cliffs and pebbly coves have long inspired artists, composers and photographers, appearing in the works of impressionist artists like Monet, Pissarro and Renoir.Classified as a Natura 2000 site in 2009, the protected coastline is also a popular recreational area with winds perfect for sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing. A network of hiking and cycling trails also follow the cliff top, including the long-distance GR21 hiking route, which runs all the way from Le Havre to Le Tréport.

One of Rouen’s most distinctive and captivating tourist attractions, Panorama XXL is an exhibition hall displaying some of the world’s largest 360-degree panoramic works. Established in 2014, the space features a variety of exhibitions; past works have included scenes from the Amazon, the Titanic, the Great Barrier Reef, and beyond.

Founded by Napoleon’s half-brother on the Normandy coast in 1861, the chic seaside town of Deauville (pronounced “Dovil”) has been a summer playground for the French elite, including Yves Saint Laurent, ever since the late 19th century. Full of designer boutiques and five-star hotels, manicured gardens and ritzy restaurants, Deauville is the place for Parisians to see and be seen in the summer.Known in France for its starring part in Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time,” Deauville is in the heart of the Parisian Riviera and boasts the Grand Casino, Deauville-La Touques racetrack and the American Film Festival in the first week of September every year. Unlike at Cannes’, public admission is available for many of the previews at Deauville.Very much a resort town, Deauville’s population of 4,100 heavily depends on tourism. Twinned with the town of Trouville right next door, visitors often hop over to Trouville by simply wandering over the pont des Belges bridge, which is just east of the train and bus stations in Deauville.