Perched on a promontory overlooking the sea, support point WN62 dominates the beach at Colleville-sur-Mer, with a breathtaking view of Omaha Beach. This German defense post, a silent witness to the fierce fighting of June 6, 1944, offers a fascinating insight into the history of the D-Day landings. With its well-preserved bunkers, commemorative monuments and panoramic views over Sacrifice Beach, this site made a deep impression on us during our visit.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for visiting Bunker WN62.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit bunker WN62?
Is the WN62 bunker worth it? Our review
Yes. WN62 was one of the deadliest German defense points during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Its position on the promontory explains everything: you instantly understand why the American forces suffered such carnage.
Take a moment to reflect. As you stand facing the sea, turn towards the beach: you’ll get a real sense of what it was like for those men on the morning of June 6, 1944, advancing under fire from the beach to this promontory. This perspective makes the visit particularly poignant, and helps us to grasp the reality of this decisive battle for the liberation of Europe.
This tour is one of Omaha Beach’s must-do activities.
Why is WN62 famous?
WN62 (Widerstandsnest 62, literally “nest of resistance 62”) occupies a special place in the history of D-Day. This German strongpoint faced the Easy Red sector of Omaha beach, where the famous 1st American Infantry Division, the “Big Red One”, landed. At 6:30 am on June 6, 1944, the soldiers who landed opposite this promontory came under heavy fire from the heights, turning this area into one of the deadliest on Omaha Beach.
History in brief
The history of Bunker WN62 is closely linked to D-Day. Here’s what we’ve learned:
- 1942: Hitler orders the construction of the Atlantic Wall, a defensive system of bunkers, batteries and thousands of mines stretching from Norway to the French-Spanish border. The Todt Organization is in charge of production. WN 62 was one of the 15 strongpoints at Omaha Beach.
- April 30, 1944: Completion of the upper casemate. WN 62 became the most powerful strongpoint of the Omaha Beach 15, occupied by 35 men of the 352nd German Infantry Division.
- June 6, 1944: Landing of the Big Red One opposite WN 62. Heavy fire from the promontory halted the American advance at the water’s edge. At 10 a.m., the two Czech WN 62 guns are destroyed by American naval artillery. American troops begin to advance slowly towards the cliffs. At 3:30 pm, WN 62 is the last Omaha Beach strongpoint to be silenced. Private Severloh abandons his post after 9 hours of uninterrupted fighting.
STAYING NEAR THE D-Day beaches
Option 1: Bayeux
The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base ourselves in the town of Bayeux. We recommend..:
- Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
- see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux
Option 2: in the countryside
In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…
- Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: next to one of the beaches
If you’re looking for a seaside holiday or are fascinated by one of the beaches, you can choose a more specific hotel:
- Hotel Villas d’Arromanches in Gold Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel La Sapinière in Omaha Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
Access: Bunker WN62, Colleville-sur-Mer
Where is WN62?
Bunker WN62 is located in the commune of Colleville-sur-Mer, in the Calvados region of Normandy. It stands on a promontory overlooking the eastern part of Omaha Beach, between Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. The site is located:
- 20min walk from Omaha Beach
- about 2 km east of the Normandy American Cemetery
Here’s a map of the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy to help you find your way around:
How do I get there?
By car from Bayeux (approx. 20 km away), follow the D514 towards Colleville-sur-Mer. Drive along the coast along the Omaha Beach road. WN62 lies along this coastal road, well signposted. From Caen (45 km), take the N13 then the D514 towards Colleville-sur-Mer. The site can be reached by continuing along Omaha Beach towards Colleville-sur-Mer beach.
Parking
A small parking lot is provided directly adjacent to the site. It is free of charge and provides parking for a few vehicles. During the peak tourist season (May to September), it can be saturated. As the site is on the roadside, access is easy, even if the main parking lot is fully booked.
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.
Useful tips for visiting bunker WN62: duration, opening hours, prices
Best time to visit
We recommend that you visit WN62 early in the morning, as the calm atmosphere is more conducive to contemplation and reflection. However, as the site is freely accessible, you can plan your visit at any time. Check the weather forecast, as the sit is totally outdoors. Finally, avoid the D-Day commemoration periods, which attract many visitors.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 30min to observe the various remains and soak up the atmosphere.
If you wish to combine your visit with a walk on the beach below, allow a little more than 1 hour.
The terrain is relatively flat once on the promontory, but access from the parking lot may involve a few steps or a slight incline. The bunkers can’t be visited inside, but you can walk around them and observe their architecture. As the site is outdoors and exposed to the sea breeze, bring a jacket even in summer.
Advice on how to visit
Before your visit, take a look at the main explanatory panel showing a detailed plan of WN62. This document is invaluable for understanding the complete layout of the defensive system, including artillery positions, connecting trenches and the various beach obstacles (which you won’t see today). Take the time to study it before wandering freely around the site, as it greatly enhances your visit.
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 bunker WN62 with children
The site is suitable for families with children aged 7-8 and over, at which age they can begin to understand the history of D-Day. Concrete remains (bunkers, tobrouks) usually capture their attention, but be sure to explain the historical context in an age-appropriate way. The visit can be part of an educational program that includes Omaha Beach, the American cemetery and the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.
WN62 opening times and prices
The WN62 support point is freely accessible all year round, 24 hours a day. No ticket required. This free admission is part of our drive to make the D-Day landings memorial sites accessible to all.
Guided tours
There is no on-site mediation equipment to help you learn more about the history of D-Day. If you’re a history buff, we recommend you visit the official website of the Isigny Omaha tourist office here.
Where to eat near WN62?
Several restaurants are located close to the site, mainly in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. You’ll find crêperies, Normandy speciality restaurants and a few establishments with sea views. However, we have not tested them.
DISCOVER Caen
- What to do in Caen
- Where to stay in Caen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Caen: our best restaurants
- Caen’s best museums
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- Caen Castle
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Rent a car in Caen: our tips
What can you see at Omaha Beach strongpoint WN62?
Remnants of the German defense system
The heart of the site lies in the remains of the German fortification system. There are two main reinforced concrete bunkers, imposing grey structures dominating the promontory. These casemates served as shelters for the soldiers and housed artillery pieces facing the beach. Their concrete thickness, visible in places, testifies to the solidity of these constructions, designed to withstand bombardment.
Around the bunkers, several tobrouks are still visible. These circular concrete posts, named after the Libyan town where they were first used, housed machine guns and offered a 360-degree field of fire. They were strategically positioned to cover all angles of approach from the beach.
The site also includes the remains of secondary shelters that served as lookout posts and shelters for waiting soldiers. The organization of WN62 becomes clear as you walk around the site: each element was positioned to create criss-crossing lines of fire, leaving no dead zones on the beach. The elevated position of the strongpoint gave the German defenders a considerable tactical advantage, explaining the terrible difficulties encountered by the American soldiers on June 6, 1944.
American memorials
Two important monuments stand on the site in tribute to the American soldiers who fought here. The first is dedicated to the 5th Special Engineer Brigade, a unit that played a crucial role in neutralizing obstacles and mines on the beach under enemy fire, enabling the assault troops to advance. These engineers, often overlooked in accounts of the Landing, performed heroic work in appalling conditions.
The second monument, particularly moving, is that of the 1st US Infantry Division, the legendary “Big Red One”. This unit, recognizable by its red “1” badge, led the assault on this sector of Omaha Beach. The monument bears the names of 627 soldiers from the division who fell in this sector during the fighting. The motto of the Big Red One, engraved on the monument, resonates with particular force in the face of the names of the missing soldiers: “No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First”.
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Frequently asked questions
Omaha Beach worth a visit?
Absolutely, it’s a must-see D-Day beach! On June 6, 1944, Bloody Omaha was the scene of fierce confrontations that resulted in very heavy casualties on both sides. This was one of the deadliest beaches on D-Day. Walk along it and you’ll see bunkers and memorials.
Find out all there is to do at Omaha Beach in our beach article.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
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- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
