The most visited German military cemetery is at La Cambe! Here you’ll discover the graves of over 21,000 soldiers who fell during the Normandy Landings . This cemetery is singular in its vastness and its beautiful granite crosses grouped here and there like comrades. We also loved the Peace Garden, where over 1,000 maple trees have been planted as a symbol of peace.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the La Cambe German Military Cemetery near Omaha Beach in Normandy.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the German military cemetery at La Cambe worthwhile?
La Cambe Cemetery was inaugurated in 1961. With over 21,000 headstones, it is one of the 5 main cemeteries of the Normandy landings. We enjoyed visiting it and paying tribute to the soldiers who died in WW2. Why not pay your respects on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, for example? It’s a peaceful place that will fill you with emotion.
Consult our guided tours of the D-Day Landings.
What you can see
Over 21,000 graves
If you’ve chosen to visit the major D-Day sites, you won’t want to miss this important cemetery. Many German soldiers are buried here. Most of them fell between June 6 and August 20, 1944.
The La Cambe cemetery contains 4 women’s graves and 2,100 men’s graves of the Waffen-SS. We learned that the youngest soldier buried here was only 16 years old and a member of the Hitler Youth. The oldest was 75.
Granite crosses
Here, war victims are grouped into 49 rectangular plots, each containing around 400 graves. On the vast lawn, each is marked by a row of 5 granite crosses. We learned that they symbolize the camaraderie of soldiers, and we really liked this idea. Around these stones, you’ll find commemorative plaques engraved with the names of the German soldiers who fell in Normandy.
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- 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.
The 1220 maples of reconciliation in the Garden of Peace
We also enjoyed visiting this memorial site for its adjacent garden. This 3-hectare area, known as the Jardin de la Paix, is home to 1,200 maple trees. These majestic trees were planted as a symbol of peace and financed by donors from various countries. At the foot of each tree, you’ll find a small plaque bearing the name of its sponsor (donor). This garden and the adjacent cemetery form a unique ensemble in the world.
The Tumulus
At the center of the cemetery is a tumulus. At its summit sits an imposing black cross of basalt lava. Its 5m height impressed us. We learned that the stone it’s made of was extracted from lava flows in the Eifel region of Germany. The tumulus houses 207 unknown soldiers and 89 identified soldiers. You can see their names engraved on the 25 bronze commemorative plaques, visible on the blue granite belt at the foot of the mound.
An exhibition about soldiers and war
In the cemetery’s information center, we were delighted to discover an exhibition. Available in 3 languages (French, English and German), it covers a wide range of topics. In particular, man in wartime, German graves, civilian life and the meaning of commemorations and the duty of remembrance. The complexity and tragedy of war are brought to light.
The exhibition also focuses on the design of the cemetery, covering the construction work, the arrival of the bodies, the building of the mausoleum and its inauguration in 1961.
In the second room, you’ll discover portraits of people of different nationalities who played a role in the conflict.
German military cemetery at La Cambe: access
Where is the cemetery?
- In the town of La Cambe
- Approx. 20min drive from Omaha Beach and Bayeux
- From Caen about 45min drive
- Along Route Nationale 13
Here’s a map of the 5 main D-Day cemeteries to visit, to help you find your way around:
Access by car and parking
The cemetery is easily accessible by car. Parking spaces are available at the entrance.
Public transport access
There is a bus network in the area, but you’ll be limited in terms of times and possibilities for reaching La Cambe Cemetery. We recommend renting a car to explore Normandy.
Access on organized tours
If you would like to discover the cemetery and several other D-Day sites in one day, opt for including La Cambe Cemetery. !
Visiting difficulties
No particular difficulties are to be expected. However, we advise you to be equipped against rain, as the Normandy sky is capricious! Of course, if you’re planning a visit in summer, don’t forget to bring a hat and sun cream if necessary.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
Visiting the German military cemetery at La Cambe: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Visits to the cemetery are free and open to all, every day.
Opening hours are 8:30am – 7pm weekdays and 9am – 7pm weekends.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow between 30min and 1h for your visit, depending on your interest in the cemetery and the information center’s exhibition.
Best moment
For a cool, quiet visit, we recommend weekday mornings.
Direction of visit
Of course, there’s no set route, but we recommend you start by visiting the cemetery, the burial mound and the Garden of Peace. Then round off your discovery by visiting the exhibition in the information center.
Eating out
There are no restaurants on site, but you’re not far from Bayeux, with its fine restaurants. Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Bayeux.
Hotels
For your visit to the D-Day landing sites, why not spend the night in Bayeux, the central point for navigating between all the sites? Here’s our selection of accommodation in and around the city:
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.
- Hotel Domaine de la Rançonnière, only 20 minutes from Bayeux – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 3: By the sea
The seaside is just 15 minutes drive from Bayeux. Breathe the sea air while enjoying easy access to Bayeux and the D-Day beaches.
- Hotel Villas d’Arromanches – see prices, photos and availability.
MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites
- The best landing sites to visit
- Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
- Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
- The best D-Day museums in Normandy
- German batteries to visit
- Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
- Visit Omaha Beach
- Visit Utah Beach
- Visit Gold Beach
- Visit Sword Beach
- Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
