Pointe du Hoc (Normandy): photos + access

Between the famous Normandy landing beaches of Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc lies on the English Channel. From the top of its imposing cliffs, we travelled through the history of the Second World War and admired a landscape where azure blends with the dark green of the cape.

Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Pointe du Hoc, an emblematic landmark on the Normandy coast.

BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS
HERE ARE OUR favorites

Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars

Must-See: Book your tickets for the Caen Memorial Museum
Excursion: Visit the D-Day landing beaches from Paris

Our favorite places to stay:
Hotel Domain de Bayeux, elegant and central – see photos and availability
Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach, for the north – see photos and availability
Hôtel Ferme de la Rançonnière, the charm of the countryside – view photos and availability

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

Is a visit to Pointe du Hoc worthwhile?

What you can see

Pointe du Hoc at Cricqueville-en-Bessin: how to get there

Tips for visiting Pointe du Hoc

Is a visit to Pointe du Hoc worthwhile?

Yes, Pointe du Hoc is well worth a visit! Situated between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, 2 of the 5 great D-Day beaches in Normandy, the site is striking for its beauty and history. Strolling along the wide grassy paths, we followed in the footsteps of soldiers from the end of the Second World War and gazed at the ruins of old bunkers. The landscape, grand and historic, is revealed to visitors. The contrast between the reinforced concrete of man’s buildings and the wilderness imbues the place with a strange poetry to which we were sensitive. This is one of the most beautiful sites to visit near the D-Day landing beaches.

What you can see

A windswept landscape

We enjoyed the beauty of the landscape, with its vast expanses of wind-swept green against a deep-blue seascape.

Commemorative plaques

At the start of the route, you’ll come across a square that pays tribute to Allied soldiers. We were moved by the commemorative plaques evoking the bravery of these men.

Bunkers lost on the moor

Scattered across the moor, ancient bunkers are a reminder of the site’s past, indelible traces of the 1939-1945 war.

A hiking trail

We walked the loop trail that winds its way down to the sea.

An observation post

As we rounded a bend in the road, we spotted a German observation post where we could watch for the arrival of the enemy.

A breathtaking panorama

The breathtaking views of the English Channel and the coastline were awe-inspiring. The sea changes color with the wind, bringing out the ochre of the cliffs.

An artillery casemate

At the far end of the point, an artillery casemate faces the open sea. Its imposing structure impressed us.

Ruins of reinforced concrete

Other concrete ruins dot the green grass in gray, footprints of the past that are gradually fading away.

Guns scorched by time

At the end of the circuit, before reaching the parking lot, you can admire an old cannon, barely rusted by the salt air, reminding us that this terrible history is not so distant.

Pointe du Hoc at Cricqueville-en-Bessin: how to get there

Where to find Pointe du Hoc

In Cricqueville-en-Bessin
30min from Bayeux
50min from Caen

Access by car and parking

Pointe du Hoc has its own parking lot.

OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See available cars

See all our tips

Public transport access

The region has an extensive public transport network. However, you may be constrained by schedules and distances. We recommend that you travel by car if you wish to visit several of Normandy’s most emblematic sites.

Are you looking for an itinerary to discover the treasures of this beautiful region? Read our article on the subject!

Access on organized tours

A breathtaking historical site, Pointe du Hoc is an important stopover that many tours offer:

From Bayeux, venture to the D-Day landing beaches and Pointe du Hoc with an expert guide!
Take a full-day tour of the D-Day landing beaches with this English-language tour!
Take an e-scooter or e-bike tour and have fun while learning about the Second World War!

Visiting difficulties

We advise you to bring walking shoes. The site is relatively flat but the ground can sometimes be difficult.

DISCOVER Bayeux

Best things to do in Bayeux
Where to sleep in Bayeux: our best hotels
Rent a car in Bayeux
Where to eat in Bayeux: our best restaurants
Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Visit the Baron Gérard Museum of Art and History
Visit the Battle of Normandy Museum
Discover the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Bayeux
Discover the British Military Cemetery

Tips for visiting Pointe du Hoc

Schedules and prices

The site is open all year round!

How long

Allow between 45min and 1h to visit the course.

Best moment

Pointe du Hoc is one of the key sites in the history of the 1944 landings. In fact, we’ve listed it among the 25 sites to visit in Normandy on this theme. It attracts crowds all year round, but particularly in fine weather. You’ll enjoy a more exclusive visit in the morning or at the end of the day during this period. This will also help you avoid the heat. The site remains pleasant to visit in winter or autumn. Caressed by winds and sea spray, the landscape changes color. Poetry for every season!

Direction of visit

You can follow the loop recommended by the map at the entrance to the site, as we did. First you’ll discover the commemorative plaques of fallen soldiers, then various bunkers. Then walk to the edge of the cliff, where we climbed up to the observation post and contemplated the panorama. Return to the parking lot. Along the way, take in the breathtaking scenery!

Visiting with children

The site is ideal for family walks. The impressive views and the imprint of history left by the concrete structures will appeal to young and old alike. Why not spice up your visit with some long runs along the path through the beautiful green expanses?

Eating out

Pointe du Hoc has no restaurant facilities. You can visit the surrounding villages, or decide to head for Bayeux, where you’ll find plenty of good restaurants. Get inspired by our selection and choose a restaurant that will awaken your taste buds!

Dish — Colorful dish from Restaurant Acte 2 in Bayeux

Hotels

Close to the site, you’ll find some charming accommodations. Here are the best-rated hotels nearby. Just a few kilometers away, Bayeux and the surrounding area are also home to some fine establishments! Find our suggestions here.

WHERE TO STAY IN Bayeux

Option 1: Central and close to downtown

Within 5 to 10 minutes’ walk of the historic center, you’ll find beautiful mansions transformed into welcoming hotels and B&Bs. We recommend..:

Hotel Domaine de Bayeux installed in an ^18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability.
Hôtel le Lion d’Or in a former 18th-century post office building – see prices, photos, availability.

Option 2: in the countryside

The Normandy countryside is very green and inspiring. At the bend in the forest or in the fields, pretty villages with beautiful buildings transport you to another world, or even another era.