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In the dark hours of the Second World War, a project that is preparing in the shadows for some time will explode in broad daylight, the D-Day, or D-Day, June 6, 1944. Omaha Beach is one of the beaches of the landing which is infamous for the heavy losses that American troops have suffered. Also, the nickname Bloody Omaha, "Omaha the bloody", has been attributed to him.
To visit also: The Point of the Hoc, to see to realize the effort provided by these American soldiers to climb it and the Normandy American Cemetry.
Step into this contemporary history of our time to understand the stakes of this event that has cost the lives of many people. In Colleville-sur-Mer, near Omaha Beach, the Overlord Museum exhibits more than 10,000 collector's items as well as a full-scale staging to explain the stages of the landing.
The visit lasts an average of 1 hour and an uncovered picnic area is available.
Steeped in history, this seaside resort has been a prime target for its strategic positioning. During the Second World War, the Allies saw it as a useful means of landing ammunition and weapons to supply soldiers. The Allies built two artificial ports: one at Arromanche and another at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer - the latter was destroyed on June 19, 1944 by a storm and became irreparable. Remains on the beaches testify to this strategic choice, which was considered by some as the most insane project in military history but which was finally recognized as a technical feat.
There are two must-see sites for World War II lovers: Arromanche 360 ° Circular Cinema, which shows a film about the Battle of Normandy in chronological order and the D-Day Museum with the famous artificial harbor.
However, the history of this city does not begin in the 20th century. People have succeeded on these lands: Celts, Gauls then Vikings had noticed the advantageous positioning of this place in case of enemy invasion. Formerly, at the foot of the cliff, Arremanche provided himself with a fort in order to repel the maritime landings.
The largest British cemetery in France, its location was given by France to the United Kingdom to show its gratitude for the support given during the Second World War.
In this cemetery, located southwest of Bayeux in Calvados, there are some 4,648 soldiers of different nationalities who rest there including 3935 British soldiers. Headstones lined up next to each other, it is as if these soldiers, motionless, often young dead, stood at attention while waiting for the relief. Opposite the cemetery is the Memorial for the 2,092 Commonwealth soldiers who fell during the Battle of Normandy and whose bodies could not be identified. Well maintained and flowery, this cemetery of soldiers imposes silence and brings to reflection on one of the most dramatic periods of history.
The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy is near the military cemetery.
The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux is dedicated to the exhibition of what happened during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944. 2,300 m² are devoted to this event to help visitors discover and understand the military operations that were carried out during these few crucial weeks in the history of the Second World War. This museum is also a place to remember, remember, so as not to forget. The exhibition traces the military operations, described one after the other, for the period from June 7 to August 29, 1944. Obviously, D-Day is also mentioned.
To dive into the context of this era, a diorama reconstituting the pocket of Falaise - with the junction of some forces allied to Chambois - as well as a film of archive images of 25 minutes called "Normandy 44, decisive victory in West "are exposed.