The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is located on the site of the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The site contains 9,387 graves of American military casualties, most of whom lost their lives during the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. The monument consists of a semicircular colonnade containing maps, narratives of the battles and a bronze statue at its center called "Spirit of American Youth." A large tablet overlooking the beach depicts the landings in Normandy and, to the west, there is a reflecting pool, the burial area, a chapel and two granite statues representing the United States and France.
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
14710 Colleville sur Mer
Normandy, France
+02-31-51-6200
abmc.gov
Mont Saint-Michel is Normandy's most popular monument, located on a small island off the coast of the town of Le Mont-Saint-Michel. The Gothic-style Benedictine abbey and surrounding buildings were constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries and stand on an island at the mouth of the Couesnon River. The island is known for its characteristic shell-like shape, with all the buildings on the mount leading up the tall spires of the church. Tidal flats used to make the site inaccessible during high tide, but efforts to increase tourism led to the construction of a causeway from the mainland. Visitors to Mont Saint-Michel can rent bicycles to ride the causeway to the monument, venture on foot or enter via shuttle bus.
Mont Saint-Michel
50116 Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Normandy, France
+02-33-89-80-00
ot-montsaintmichel.com
The invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was one of the decisive battles of World War II, and yet for nearly 60 years there was no monument at Normandy dedicated to the U.S. Navy and their role in the battle. On Sept. 27, 1998, through the efforts of private donors and dedicated supporters, the U.S. Navy Monument in Normandy was dedicated. The site stands above Omaha Beach, on land donated by the town of Sainte Marie du Mont. The monument depicts three, 8-foot tall bronze figures from different ranks of the Navy: a Navy captain, a sailor and a Navy explosive munitions expert, which express both the cooperative effort that the Normandy battles required and the steadfast nature of those who fought--and died--on the beach.
U.S. Navy Monument in Normandy
Omaha Beach
Saint Marie du Mont
Normandy, France
normandymonument.org
The Castle of William the Conqueror dominates the skyline of Falaise, France. Apart from the historic value of the site, it also demonstrates a rare blend of military and residential architecture not often seen in medieval buildings. The castle was the birthplace of William the Conqueror, who lived and ruled as Duke of Normandy from the site until waging the Battle of Hastings in England, at which point he was crowned king of his new domain. The castle is the largest historical monument in Falaise, with a statue memorializing William at its gates.
The Castle of William the Conqueror
Place Guillaume le Conquérant
14700 Falaise, Normandy
France
+02-31-41-61-44
chateau-guillaume-leconquerant.fr
