After the 2nd World War, many of the bodies of soldiers who took part in the Normandy Landings were repatriated to their families in their countries of origin. A total of 27 military cemeteries will be built by nationality. Now a must-see when visiting Normandy, we plunged into the heart of the Battle of Normandy.
In this article, we share our experience and photo tips for discovering 5 of these Cemeteries and Memorials. We’ve even added a few as bonuses!
BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS
HERE ARE OUR favorites
Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars
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.
Map of D-Day Cemeteries
History buffs? Just curious? Or enthusiastic about the idea of commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day to honor the memory of our elders? Visiting military cemeteries is a great idea! In Normandy, you’ll find many memorial sites in tribute to the soldiers of the Allied nations.
If you only need to do 5, we recommend it:
- Omaha Beach American Cemetery (Colleville-sur-Mer)
- Bayeux British Military Cemetery
- Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery
- La Cambe German Military Cemetery
- The Normandy British Memorial
Here’s a map of Normandy’s main military cemeteries to help you find your way around:
1. Omaha Beach American Cemetery (Colleville-sur-Mer)
Why visit it? Our review
Normandy American Cemetery’s reputation extends worldwide. This historic site is home to 9387 headstones of American soldiers who fell during the Normandy Landings in 1944, and the names of 1557 missing soldiers are engraved in the Garden of the Missing. Faced with the cemetery’s impeccably manicured paths, we became aware of our duty to remember. We stood among the rows of graves and in the memorial garden, and thanked the men who died to liberate Normandy.
Visiting this cemetery is both a moving and rewarding experience. It’s a solemn, poignant tribute to the sacrifices of the American soldiers who fell on D-Day. We were confronted with the terrible reality when we visited the site. By observing these thousands of tombs, we have humanized these individuals and established a connection with the deceased. It’s a place where we’ve reflected on the values of peace and gratitude to those who gave their lives for freedom. We highly recommend a visit to Normandy American Cemetery, as it will be one you’ll never forget.
To find out more, see our article dedicated to the Colleville-sur-Mer American Cemetery.
Useful tips
- Location: Normandy American Cemetery is located Route du Cimetière américain (14710) in Colleville-sur-Mer, Calvados, Normandy. It overlooks the Omaha Beach landing zone.
- Driving time:
from Rouen: 2h
from Caen: 45min
from Cherbourg: 1h - Length of visit: we recommend you allow at least 2 hours to visit Normandy American Cemetery.
- Opening hours: open from 9am to 6pm from April to September and from 9am to 5pm from October to March. Find out more here.
- Admission: admission to the cemetery is free for all.
Consult our guided tours of the D-Day Landings.
WHERE TO STAY IN Normandy
We particularly appreciate staying in Normandy:
- Bayeux – our hotels selection
- Honfleur – our hotel selection
For more ideas, take a look at our article on the best places to stay in Normandy.
And if you already have an idea, take a look at our selections:
2. Bayeux British War Cemetery
Why visit it? Our review
The Bayeux British Military Cemetery is clearly a must-see in Normandy if you want to learn more about the history of WW2. The town of Bayeux welcomes over 500,000 visitors every year, making it an ideal gateway to the major D-Day sites!
The Bayeux British Military Cemetery is the largest in France, with over 4,000 soldiers buried there. You’ll also find the Commonwealth Soldiers’ Memorial, an invitation to reflect. A memorable place of recollection where we really felt a lot of emotion!
To find out more, see our article dedicated to the Bayeux British Military Cemetery.
Useful tips
- Location: WW2 British Military Cemetery is located at 1945 boulevard Fabian Ware, Bayeux (14400).
The cemetery is also in the same area as the Musée de la Bataille de Normandie, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux and the Musée de la Tapisserie. - Driving time:
from Le Havre: 1h35min
from Caen: 30min
from Deauville: 1h10min - Length of visit: allow around 45 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour if you go through the entire cemetery and also visit the memorial.
- Opening hours: open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Find out more here.
- Admission: admission to the cemetery is free for all.
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.
3. Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery
Why visit it? Our review
The Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is a must-see if you opt for a WW2-themed Canadian tour. It houses the graves of Canadian soldiers who fell mainly during the Battle of Normandy and the operations that followed D-Day. This place of rest and remembrance has left a deep impression on us. We became aware of the commitment of these young foreign fighters, ready to sacrifice their lives for freedom.
More than 2,000 soldiers and airmen are buried in this military cemetery, the majority of them Canadian, including some of British and French nationality. You’ll see all these aligned graves, which have aroused a great deal of emotion in our country. Most of these soldiers were killed in June and July 1944 during the Battle of Caen and during the D-Day landings on the beach.
In the center of the cemetery, the imposing cross makes the place even more solemn. On all the headstones, you can see all the Canadian military chevron icons that fascinated us!
Discover our tour options including Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
Useful tips
- Location: Bény-sur-Mer Cemetery is located on the D35 departmental road, about 1km east of the village of Reviers (14470), in the Calvados region.
The cemetery is also in the same area as Juno Beach. - Driving time:
from Le Havre or Cherbourg: 1h30min
from Caen: 25min
from Bayeux: 25min - Length of visit: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour maximum.
- Opening hours: open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Admission: admission to the cemetery is free for all.
4. La Cambe German military cemetery
Why visit it? Our review
The German military cemetery at La Cambe was inaugurated in 1961. With over 21,000 headstones, it is very different from the Omaha Beach American Cemetery. We thought it would be interesting to compare these two sites, which ultimately share the same objective: to pay tribute to the soldiers who died in the Second World War. Even if they were enemies, they were all human beings first and foremost.
We recommend that you pay your respects here on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, for example!
Useful tips
- Location: La Cambe Cemetery is located at Les Noires Terres in La Cambe (14230).
The cemetery is also in the same area as Omaha Beach. - Driving time:
from Le Havre: 2h
from Caen: 40min
from Bayeux: 20min - Length of visit: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour maximum.
- Opening hours: open daily. Weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm from November to February and from 8am to 7pm from March to November. On weekends, we open at 9am.
- Admission: admission to the cemetery is free for all. Find out more here.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
5. The British Normandy Memorial
Why visit it? Our review
The Normandy British Memorial is a must-see if you’re a history buff. It pays tribute to the 22,442 Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives during the D-Day landings on June 6 1944 and the Battle of Normandy. Every stage of the operations led by British General Montgomery is recorded on this almost ceremonial site.
We were gripped by both the architecture and the soul of the place, borne by the more than 22,000 names of Commonwealth servicemen who died in the line of duty in 1944. During our visit, the flags fluttered in the wind and the sun shone through the memorial’s aisles, an image we won’t forget.
Useful tips
- Location: The British Normandy Memorial is located at 13 Avenue Paul Poret in Ver-sur-Mer (14114).
The cemetery is also in the same area as Gold Beach. - Driving time:
from Cherbourg: 1h30min
from Caen: 40min
from Rouen: 2h - Length of visit: allow around 30 minutes.
- Guided tours by prior arrangement at €5 per adult and €3 per child.
- Opening hours: open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Admission: admission to the cemetery is free for all. Find out more here.
Other cemeteries linked to the 2nd World War
Hermanville-sur-Mer British Cemetery
In the British Cemetery at Hermanville-sur-Mer, you can see rows of graves, the vast majority of which are of British soldiers. A small chapel overlooks the cemetery. We thought it brought a great deal of solemnity to the place.
Saint-James American Military Cemetery
The Saint-James American Military Cemetery houses the graves of over 9380 soldiers. We loved its impressive memorial chapel, adorned with gilded mosaics and stained glass windows. Don’t miss the Wall of the Missing, on which are inscribed the names of 332 soldiers reported missing.
Ranville British War Cemetery
The cemetery houses 2,564 soldiers’ graves, the vast majority of them British. Indeed, Ranville was the first village in France to be liberated by the British Army’s 6th Airborne Division. Here you can see the 6th Airborne Division Memorial. We were delighted to find the grave of dog handler Émile Cortell, who parachuted in with his dog Glenn.
Orglandes German military cemetery
The German military cemetery at Orglandes contains the graves of over 10,000 German soldiers. We liked its sober, uncluttered architecture. The crosses are in black stone. Unlike other American military cemeteries, the graves bear no individual names, just the words “A German soldier known only to God”.
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Frequently asked questions
Which cemetery to visit in Normandy?
If you only have one D-Day cemetery to visit in Normandy, we recommend the Omaha Beach American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. This historic site is home to 9387 headstones of American soldiers who fell during the Normandy Landings in 1944, and the names of 1557 missing soldiers are engraved in the Garden of the Missing.
Situated at the top of a cliff, the site overlooks Omaha Beach. It offered us a breathtaking view of the D-Day beach, which reinforced its symbolic character. If you’d like to find out more, we recommend you read our article dedicated to the Omaha American Cemetery.
Where are the soldiers of the 14-18 war buried?
Soldiers from the First World War (14-18) are buried in numerous military cemeteries in the regions where the fighting took place. In France, most are located in the north and east of the country. There’s the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette military cemetery in the Pas-de-Calais department, and the Maison Bleue national necropolis in the Somme department. There are also cemeteries at Verdun and Thiepval in France, and at Tyne Cot in Belgium.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- 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…
Who is buried at Colleville-sur-Mer American Cemetery?
The Colleville-sur-Mer American Cemetery, which we really enjoyed visiting, is home to the graves of American soldiers who died in WW2. Particularly during D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in 1944. Among those buried here is the eldest son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Where are the soldiers from the 39-45 war buried?
Soldiers from the 2nd World War (39-45) are buried in various military cemeteries around the world, depending on the theater of operations. In Normandy, many cemeteries pay tribute to the soldiers of the Allied nations. We’ve listed some of the most noteworthy in this article.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the 20th century, and in particular the 2nd World War, we recommend you read our article on the Caen Memorial.
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
