What to do and see in Calvados, Normandy: The Best Historic Sites

A memorial to the first British soldiers to arrive in Normandy who captured the Pegasus Bridge from the Nazis.

This historic beach was the primary point of landing on June 6, 1944, for the entry of American forces into World War II and saw some of the most intense fighting in the entire war.

The location of the site where a group of American soldiers undertook the nearly impossible task of climbing massive cliffs with little equipment during the American invasion of Normandy in 1944.

A recreation of the original bridge captured by the British from the Nazis towards the end of World War II, located on the grounds of the Pegasus Memorial.

The birthplace of William the Conqueror. Its restoration campaign now complete, this exceptional castle with its three keeps, walls and towers overlooks the city of Falaise. Discover this amazing fortification built by the first dukes of Normandy, later expanded by William's descendants and completed by King Philip-Augustus of France. Meet the great characters who shaped the Anglo-Norman territories and follow the epic stories that feature this mighty fortress. You will discover all the aspects of this ducal and royal castle through screenings of videos, recreated furniture, augmented reality and 3D objects on digital tablets. This is altogether a more complete, a more immersive and a more intense experience at the heart of the castle when dukes of Normandy and kings of England were rulers of the land. Prices: ADULTS: 8,50€ ADULT CONCESSIONS - STUDENTS: 6€ CHILDREN (6 to 16): 4€ (free under 6) FAMILY PASS: 21€ (2 adults and 1 child, all other children are free, 6 children max.)

We are now closed for the season. We will reopen in April 2020. The Maisy Battery is a huge German WW2 Headquarters and Gun Batteries that was left buried in the fields of Normandy for the past 60 years. Only re-opened in 2006 this site now stands as the largest in Normandy of its type with over 3km of trenches open for you to see along side personnel buildings, ammunition tunnels, Hospitals and many more buildings that you can walk through and explore! Private tours are available on request taken by the owners. This is really a unique site to see on this coast! Please note: last entry is 1 hour before closing.

Hillman was the Command Post for the coastal defence, commanded by Colonel Krug and Major Hoff, where infantry and artillery were stationed. In this complex of fortifications, about sixty soldiers from the 736 Grenadier Regiment lived and worked within the bunkers, buried under 3 meters (9 ft' 10ins) of concrete. Some of these bunkers consisted of armoured cupolas with a thickness of approximately 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches), used for observation and gun emplacements/tobruks, containing rotating machine guns to defend the site. The bunkers were well equipped, with mechanical ventilation systems and central heating. Outside, a complex network of trenches linked the different underground positions, consisting of the headquarters, signal center, radio room, mess rooms and bathrooms. Every position was connected with each other through a network of telephone lines buried 2 or 3m (6' - 10') deep in the ground. Built at 61m (200 feet) above sea level, the complex offered a strategic position, with direct views of the landing beaches, as well as the mouth of the river Orne. The field of fire or killing zone extended 600 m (2000 ft) and more in several directions. Hillman was therefore a fortress comparable with some parts of the Maginot Line.