NORMANDY - D-DAY BEACHES - TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Bayeux

Situated about 6 miles from the D-Day beaches, Bayeux was the first city liberated after the D-Day landing. It's also the closest city to the landing site not destroyed in the war. It is home to the famous Bayeux medieval tapestry, but other charms include its picturesque town center with cobbled streets, half timbered houses and the towering Norman-Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame.

The famous tapestry depicts the events of the Norman conquest of England and remnants of WWII that are found throughout the city. Similar to a picture book, it shows through successive images the Norman Conquest, displayed in a museum in the town center. The beautiful work of this embroidery through its numerous details and veracity is a true revelation.

Tracy-sur-Mer

The quaint village of Tracy-sur-Mer is home to about 365 inhabitants situated on the rocky coast of the Channel. The village of the early 18th-century, is today a small resort that welcomes travelers for its authentic charm and historic value. It is indeed located on the beach in Gold Beach, a privileged witness during the Allied landings June 6, 1944. The village is perfectly situated to explore the major historical sites on Normandy and it's small size gives it a special ambience.

Arromanches-les-Bains

This lovely coastal town is found in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Arromanches-les-Bains is famous for the part it played in the D-day landings on June 6 1944. The town was in the forefront of the Normandy landings. It is really quite a small town, more of a village in fact, although summertime visitors increase the population substantially. Most visitors visit Arromanches for the historical importance of the town. The beach here offers a lively atmosphere and there are plenty of bars, hotels and restaurants to make this town a great base for the area, although the landing sites remain one of the key attractions to this area.

Colleville-sur-Mer

Town of Calvados, Normandy, Colleville-sur-Mer owes its tourist reputation to its many vestiges related to World War II. Located on the shores of the sea of ??the Channel, the village is about a mile from Bayeux. Since 2010, it forms a group of tourist towns with Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and Vierville-sur-Mer, its neighbors.

Full of charm, the village has a charming atmosphere, including terraces of cafes and restaurants. Colleville-sur-Mer is also home to Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery, one of the most important stops on the Normandy D-Day tour. The cemetery honors the more than 9,000 servicemen who died during the campaign to liberate Normandy in the summer of 1944. Omaha beach was the codename for the main U.S. landing beach during the Normandy D-Day invasion. Securing the five mile stretch of Omaha was crucial in order to link up the British landings to the east of Gold Beach with the American landing to the west at Utah Beach.

Audrieu

The tiny town of Audrieu is the home of Chateau d'Audrieu, a massive mansion-turned-hotel and a must-see for anyone looking to explore and relax. Discover the town, comprised of a few Gallo Roman houses and the Gothic Church of Notre Dame D'Audrieu. The church is surrounded by a cemetery with some of the most beautiful and interesting gravestones. The Chateau survived WWII since the 12th SS German command unit commandeered it for their headquarters. Sadly, the Chateau did play a role in a sad event during the D-Day operations and a lovely tribute monument to 45 brave Canadians that were prosecuted stands in the center of Audrieu.

Sully

There are plenty of places to see and visit around Sully, including its countryside, spas, and beaches, such as Centre Equestre de Sully. Whether you love hiking or cycling, Sully is a region where many hidden gems are waiting to be explored. Make sure to check out the castle hotel of Chateau de Sully, a charming 18th-century castle turned hotel surrounded by sprawling formal gardens and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Vaux-sur-Aure

Vaux-sur-Aure is a quaint village in Normandy boasting several UNESCO world heritage sites nearby. At the beginning of 1944, the commune of Vaux-sur-Aure included a fortified point comprising a horse-drawn battery armed by the 7th Battery of the Artillery-Regiment 1716. Today, the village has a population of just over 300 inhabitants giving it a quaint atmosphere. Make sure to check out Ferme de la Haizerie, Le Manoir d'Argouges, and Eglise saint-Aubin.

Courseulles-sur-Mer

The small seaside resort of Courseulles-sur-Mer is situated in the heart of the Côte de Nacre, about 12-miles from Caen, and not far from Bernières-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer or Fontaine-Henry and its castle. The city is known for its history during WWII and the D-Day event. Today, it has been rebuilt and welcomes visitors for its charm, its beaches, and also for its beautiful architectural and historical heritage. This is an excellent base for discovering the most beautiful sites on the department or the neighboring Channel.

Port-en-Bessin-Huppain

The small town of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain sits on the banks of the Sea Channel in the heart of the country Bessin, near Bayeux and Trévières. The territory has developed its maritime activity over centuries, including hosting part shipyard of William the Conqueror. Classified port of refuge in the 19th-century, the town later became the first Normandy fishing port with the creation of its fish market in the 1970's. Today, the city continues to attract visitors with the charm of its coast and its architectural heritage.