Nestled between two cliffs on the Bessin coast in Normandy, Arromanches-les-Bains is a seaside resort where life is good. Located on the D-Day beaches, it was on this beach that, during the Battle of Normandy, immediately after D-Day, the Allies established the "Mulberry B" port, a temporary artificial harbor to allow the landing of heavy equipment, without waiting for the conquest of deep water ports, such as those of Le Havre or Cherbourg. The British built huge floating reinforced concrete caissons, called "Phoenix", which, assembled side by side, formed a dike of floating pontoons that followed the tides and were connected to the land by real floating causeways. Today, some of the "Phoenix" caissons can still be seen in the open sea, remnants of a technical feat that allowed the landing of 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles, and 4 million tons of equipment. Fascinating, when you think about the context and the means of the time!
The D-Day Museum, a pioneer
It is on the esplanade next to the artificial harbor that the D-Day Museum was built in the aftermath of the war, on the initiative of the D-Day Committee. As the first museum built to commemorate the Normandy Landing, it was inaugurated on June 5, 1954 by René Coty, President of the Republic at the time. A real event here!
Since then, the museum commemorates the Battle of Normandy and more particularly the construction of the artificial harbor "Mulberry B", the remains of which can be seen from the large windows of the building. Until its closure, the former Arromanches Museum will have welcomed more than 20 million visitors! Designed for 30,000 visitors a year, it has been receiving 300,000 in recent times, hence the need to modernize it. Better conservation of the collections was also a major problem in the old building.
The new museum will retain most of the elements present in the old one, including its famous model of the artificial harbor, built for the permanent exhibition in 1954! It explains the construction, routing and operation of the "Mulberry B", and will now be completed with 3D mapping to visualize the port in operation, in its entirety.
A playful visit
The museum will be divided into seven areas: after picking up an audioguide (available in ten languages as well as in LSF, audio-description, FALC and with a magnetic loop for the blind or visually impaired), count on a 1.5 hour visit. You will begin with an 8-minute introductory film before entering the first room of the museum, which is devoted to the history of the German occupation of Arromanches and the daily life of the people of Arromanches during this period. The rest of the visit will take you to the heart of "The Rift", a space where you can watch a projection of the events of the night of June 5-6, 1944. Pilot and paratrooper outfits will be on display in this part of the museum.
Numerous uniforms and equipment that belonged to the units that landed in 1944 will also be presented in the next room, "The Assault", a space dedicated to the D-Day landings and the conduct of Operation Neptune. Then it's time to see our famous model, and to understand the construction and installation of the prefabricated harbors in "The Model Gallery".
In the next room, "The working port", a monumental projection in virtual reality will be superimposed on the remains of the artificial port on a 25 m² model, a first in Europe! This 15-minute sequence will show you how the "Mulberry B" functioned, with its remains as a backdrop, as well as its primary use in the logistics of the Battle of Normandy. This space will truly be the heart of the museum! The last room, "The Battle of Normandy", will be a link between the D-Day landings and the events that followed, with the aim of creating a link with the museums dealing with this subject as well.
The new museum, with a surface area of 2,200 m², will be inaugurated in June 2024, with the opening of a rooftop terrace, offering a unique and masterful view of the remains of the port "Mulberry B", in the summer of 2024. An educational tour will be available for 6-12 year olds, who will be able to follow Pierre thanks to a specific audioguide, with fewer listening points than the adult version. A good argument to discover the museum with the family!
Other must-see visits
Once your visit to the museum is over, it will be time to enjoy the city! If you are interested in the World War II theme, you are in the right place.
Start by visiting the relics you've heard so much about in the D-Day Museum. Just behind the square, you can see a pontoon exposed in the Neptune hold, a piece of history that you can touch with your fingertips. Take advantage of the low tide to walk on the beach, in the middle of the remains of the port still present on the sand. The contrast between the calm and serenity of the beach and the evocation of so many memories conveyed by the concrete floats, in reality and fiction, makes this beach a place full of emotions. An incredible moment, out of time, that plunges us almost 80 years back in time. If you are in Arromanches, and even if you are not a WWII aficionado, this visit is a must and will leave an indelible mark.
You can then walk up the cliff to another museum related to the D-Day landings, the Cinéma circulaire 360, an immersive film unique in France, which immerses you in the Battle of Normandy and pays tribute to the combatants of all nations and to the 20,000 civilians killed during the 100 days of the terrible fighting. Next door is the D-Day 75 Garden, a memorial garden full of poetry and nostalgia, with its seven steel statues immortalizing British soldiers on the morning of June 6, 1944, on Gold Beach. The centerpiece is a stone statue of a veteran stricken in contemplation of his 19th birthday. As this garden is located on the heights of Arromanches, you will be able to contemplate the sculptures, the town and the beach at the same time, all these elements blending together to give a surprisingly accurate and serene painting. On the way back down to the town, you can admire an authentic M4 Sherman tank overlooking the village.
It was part of the2nd armored division of Marshal Leclerc during the D-Day landings. Another piece of history within everyone's reach. A little more hidden is the Liberators Museum - Normandy 1944, housing a collection of objects donated by veterans of the Battle of Normandy, a space dedicated to Allied veterans. A more personal and intimate museum, for those who want to know the personal story of the soldiers behind the great History. However, let's not forget that Arromanches has a history before the Second World War: the first traces of settlement date back to the Iron Age. Successively Celtic, Gallic and Viking, the ancient Arremancia, due to its strategic position, sheltered a fort at the foot of the cliff to protect itself from maritime incursions.
As you can see, Arromanches is steeped in vestiges of the past. You will see allusions to the Second World War at every corner, from the mascots drawn on a shop window to the names of restaurants. But Arromanches is also a seaside resort above all! Take the time to stroll down the rue du Maréchal-Joffre, very lively in high season, with its terraces and lively pubs. Take an ice cream before going to taste it on the beach, you will have the choice between a plethora of shops, and take the opportunity to walk on the dike and discover the villas with seaside architecture. Eat a crêpe (accompanied by a local cider) in the sun and enjoy the gentle Norman way of life... Arromanches is a place to live and visit, a symbol of a territory marked by history.
USEFUL INFORMATION
When to visit?
Given the history of the town, the month of June is always rich in historical re-enactments by World War II enthusiasts. Summer is very pleasant but less crowded... If you prefer a less crowded atmosphere, we recommend spring, which is mild and more airy.
Duration
Arromanches is full of bits of history at every corner. Going there for a weekend or 2 days will allow you to visit the museum and to enjoy a meal in one of the seaside restaurants, then to take the time to stroll in the narrow streets, to contemplate the vestiges of the war, to go up on the heights for the panoramic view and especially to enjoy the beach.
Budget
Off season, the city is very affordable. Count 60 € for a hotel room, more like a hundred in summer.
Public
If you are a history buff, Arromanches and the remains of the artificial port are a must! Families will appreciate the large beach, ideal for walks, surrounded by cliffs offering an exceptional panorama.
The most
Like all the D-Day beaches, Arromanches is a part of history, and the emotion is still palpable in every street.
There issomething for all tastes, all generations and all budgets on the World War II theme. Remains are visible in the city without paying a cent.
The minuses
The crowd in the middle of summer. Locals know: they avoid the D-Day beaches from late June to September.
You need a vehicle if you want to explore the area. The bus network is good but too sparse in low season.
Getting there
By car, Arromanches is 37 km from Caen and 13 km from Bayeux. Whether you take the national highway or the small roads, the time to reach your destination will be almost the same. By public transport, the nearest train station is Bayeux. The Nomad 121 line can then take you by bus to the site (beware, frequent schedule changes in summer).
Useful
ARROMANCHES TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the site
2, rue Maréchal Joffre - 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains
Tel : 02 31 22 36 45
Sleep
HÔTEL L'IDÉAL - More information on the site
http://www.hotelarromancheslideal.fr
20, boulevard Gilbert Longuet - 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains
Tel : 02 31 22 59 70
HÔTEL LA MARINE - More information on the website
http://www.hotel-de-la-marine.fr
Quai du Canada - 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains
Tel : 02 31 22 34 19
