80th anniversary of D-Day

The commemorations will culminate on June 6 on the very beaches where Allied troops landed just eighty years ago. Military parades, wreath-laying and speeches will mark this memorable day. Veterans will have the opportunity to pay their respects at the monuments erected in honor of their fallen comrades, while spectators will express their gratitude and respect. In addition to the official ceremonies, numerous cultural and educational events will be held throughout the region. Exhibitions, conferences and film screenings will give the public a better understanding of the scale and historical importance of the Normandy landings, and of the Manche region in particular.

Our département boasts numerous sites linked to D-Day, including Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église, Azeville and Carentan. Not to mention the many blockhouses dotting our coastline, a former German defensive line and an almost impassable obstacle for the Allied forces. What’s more, the English Channel was the scene of bloody confrontations and targeted bombing raids, particularly on the towns of Cherbourg and Saint-Lô, which were almost completely destroyed at the end of the Second World War.