The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery is a moving place of remembrance. More than 2,000 soldiers and airmen, mainly Canadian, are buried here. They fell during the Normandy landings. These aligned graves, topped with military chevrons, bear witness to the immense sacrifices made for freedom. Among them, the graves of the Westlake brothers, buried side by side, symbolize the high price paid by the families. In the center, the imposing Cross of Sacrifice lends a poignant solemnity to this place of meditation.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, near Juno Beach.
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 Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery worthwhile?
Absolutely! The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery is a must-see! Especially if you opt for a World War II-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.
This is one of the most important sites in the Juno Beach area.
Visit this cemetery on a full-day tour of Normandy’s Canadian sites, departing from Bayeux!
What you can see
Over 2,000 graves
We learned that this cemetery contains the graves of 2044 Canadian soldiers. Most of them fell on D-Day, June 6, 1944. 3 British soldiers and a French civilian are also buried here. We noticed that the graves are aligned in an orderly fashion. Each headstone bears the soldier’s name, rank, unit and date of death.
The Cross of Sacrifice
In the center of the cemetery, we noticed the large Cross of Sacrifice. Planted among the headstones, it honors the Christians buried in the Bény-sur-Mer cemetery. This symbol, carved in Portland Stone, is common in Commonwealth war cemeteries. The Cross of Sacrifice pays tribute to the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. It is the centerpiece of this commemorative site.
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.
Norman-style towers
You’ll notice the 2 Anglo-Norman style towers positioned face-to-face in the cemetery. We recommend taking the stairs to get up there. You’ll enjoy a beautiful, peaceful view of the cemetery.
The Stone of Remembrance
The Stone of Remembrance, positioned between the 2 towers, honors all those who lie buried in the cemetery. The inscription ” Their name liveth for evermore ” means “their name lives forever”. This sentence reminds us of the duty of remembrance and underlines the courage of those who fought for Freedom.
The maples
We enjoyed strolling through this peaceful setting and admiring the 21 maple trees planted in memory of Canadian soldiers. Keep your eyes peeled! You can also see some 95 varieties of plants in the gardens!
These trees reminded us of the 1000 maple trees in the German military cemetery at La Cambe.
The refuge building
Located at the entrance to the cemetery, this is where you’ll find the cemetery register and visitors’ book. We learned that this register allows families, friends and historians to locate graves and consult detailed information about soldiers.
The graves of the Westlake brothers
The Westlakes are 3 brothers who fell during D-Day. George, Albert and Thomas. We have seen the location of their graves indicated on the explanatory panel in the cemetery. We then learned that their case is used to illustrate the personal tragedy of war. Some families have lost several members in a short space of time. We were touched by the fact that the Westlake brothers are buried side by side.
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
Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery at Reviers: access
Where is the Canadian Cemetery?
- Approx. 1km east of the village of Reviers (14470), Calvados,
- Along the D35 departmental road,
- Juno Beach to Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery = 9min drive,
- Bayeux to Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery = 25min drive.
Here’s a map to help you find your way around:
Access by car and parking
The cemetery is easily accessible by car. There are a few parking spaces 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 to reach Bény-sur-Mer Cemetery. We recommend renting a car to explore the D-Day landing sites.
Access on organized tours
You can discover this cemetery during a one-day visit on the theme of D-Day. Discover tour options including Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery.
Visiting difficulties
There are no particular difficulties to be expected, but we advise you to wear comfortable shoes. Make sure you’re equipped for the 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
Visit the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Visits to the cemetery are free and open to all, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
How long
We recommend that you allow between 45 minutes and 1 hour for your visit, depending on your interest in the cemetery’s various features.
Best moment
For a cool, quiet visit, we recommend that you visit the cemetery in the morning or early evening on weekdays.
Direction of visit
Of course, there’s no set direction, but we recommend you start by visiting the Stone of Remembrance and the Refuge Building. Then take an emotional stroll through the cemetery, passing by the Cross of Sacrifice and possibly the graves of the Westlake brothers.
Eating out
You can’t eat inside the cemetery. As soon as you feel hungry, we recommend taking the car to Bayeux. The town is home to some excellent restaurants. Here are our favorites:
- Salon de thé & petite cantine Les Volets Roses: in an Alice in Wonderland setting, you’ll enjoy a truly immersive taste experience you won’t soon forget! Located opposite Bayeux’s majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, this pretty spot, worthy of a novel from another era, is even open on Sundays.
- Restaurant L’Acte 2: tradition, authenticity, balance and indulgence – that’s the promise of this restaurant in the historic district of Bayeux. The card is provided, you will have the choice between Norman specialities and classic dishes revisited. You’ll be sure to eat a balanced, home-cooked meal made with seasonal produce!
- Restaurant Le Moulin de la Galette: The restaurant Le Moulin de la Galette is located in a building steeped in history, as the actual mill still turns and dates back to the Middle Ages. This establishment offers local and truly generous cuisine. It’s a crêperie like no other.
Find out more about the above establishments and our complete selection of the town’s best restaurants in our our article on where to eat in Bayeux.
Hotels
For your visit to the D-Day landing sites, why not spend the night in Bayeux? It’s a 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
