Colleville-sur-Mer is a village on the coast of Normandy, in northern France, looking out over the English Channel. It is best known as the home of the American Cemetery and Memorial, which commemorates the D-Day landings at nearby Omaha Beach. For many visitors, the village is the starting point for a day spent with that history.
What the visit offers
- The American Cemetery and Memorial, a place of quiet reflection set above the coast, honouring those who died in the landings and the campaign that followed.
- Omaha Beach, close by, where the landings took place and where the shoreline can be walked and seen in its setting.
- The surrounding countryside, with open views across the water and the calm of a small Norman village away from larger towns.
Who it suits
Colleville-sur-Mer suits visitors interested in the Second World War, and those who want a reflective visit rather than a busy one. The village is small and peaceful, so it is best approached slowly, with time to walk along the coast and to take in the memorial's grounds. Families, history readers and travellers touring the Normandy beaches will find it a natural stop.
Because the village is modest in size, most visitors plan their time around the memorial and the beach rather than around a long list of town attractions. Checking current visiting arrangements before you travel is sensible, as they can change.
