Second World War remembered  Normandy was selected by the allies as the landing point from which to start the assault that eventually led to the end of the Second World War in Europe.  Even though the German army was expecting an attack further north in the Pas de Calais, this area was still heavily defended and there was an inevitable loss of life that is difficult to imagine.  There are many places one could visit in this area on the the coastline of the Calvados département, here is a small selection.

The Atlantic Wall Museum

Location: Ave du 6 juin, 14150, Ouistreham – to the north of the town, a couple of roads in from the seafront.
General Info: The bunker is open all year from Feb-mid November. It is slightly dearer than other D-Day museums with children over 12 paying the full adult fare of approx €6.50. Visit their website for further information or tel: 00 33 0(2) 31 97 28 69.
Description: A private museum, which today looks incongruous, sited as it is in the middle of a residential area. The bunker was a concrete tower that had commanding views in both directions along the coast particularly across the mouth of the River Orne into Caen. It was thus of extreme importance to the allies who captured it with relative ease early on after D-Day. The many floors have lots of showcases full of information and mock up rooms. A ladder attached to an interior wall leads up to the roof for great views (take care with young children). Outside are WW11 craft including  a reconstructed landing craft that featured in the film ‘Saving Private Ryan’.
Our Recommendations: Our eldest son rates this as the best D-Day museum. Good for a rainy day.
For the Children: Dare we say it – but another one for the ‘lads’

    - American Cemetry (Omaha)
    - Arromanches 360
    - Atlantic Wall Museum
    - Caen Memorial
    - Canadian Museum (Juno)
    - Merville-Franceville Battery
    - Pegasus Bridge
    - Pointe du Hoc
    - Tour of the Battlegrounds

If you know of any other historic attractions in Normandy which are worthy of inclusion in this website, please send us your feedback.

For more pictures of the area visit the schools history website here.

And an excellent D Day site that is full of useful information.