Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Batteries de
Longues
Near Arromanches,
this is the only
German battery
still to have its
guns. Its obser-
vation post, on
the edge of the
cliff, can also be
visited.
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Longues-sur-Mer
Arromanches
The remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour make a
startling sight
(above)
- a testament to the ingenuity of
Winston Churchill, who realized that if the troops wanted to
land, they would have to bring their harbours with them.
Gold Beach
Soon after they
landed here, the British
50th Division took
Arromanches, enabling
the Mulberry Harbour to
be put in place.
Juno Beach
Several small seaside
resorts line the beach
assigned to the 3rd
Canadian Division. A
huge cross of Lorraine
(above)
commemorates
the triumphant return of
General de Gaulle, who
landed here on 14 June.
Touring the
Beaches
Drivers can follow two
themed and signposted
routes, “Overlord-
L'Assaut” and “D-Day-
Le Choc , which are
backed up by information
“totems” at each place
of interest (look for the
dove symbol). The
accompanying booklet
(including a total of
eight routes around
Normandy),
The D-Day
Landings and Battle of
Normandy
, is available
from local tourist
offices, where you will
also find details of
recommended bus and
taxi tour operators.
Sword Beach
Though the Allies
established the beach-
head with relative ease,
the vital objective of
Caen was thwarted, and
the inhabitants had to
wait another 34 days for
their city to be liberated.
Pegasus Bridge
The first Allies to
land in France were the
men of the British 6th
Airborne Division, who
seized this strategic
bridge
(below)
, renamed
after their insignia.
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Bénouville/Ranville
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