Sword Beach
Sword Beach is a beach located between Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Ouistreham. British soldiers and French commandos landed here on June 6, 1944. The easternmost beach of the D-Day landings, you can visit Sword Beach during your camping vacation near the Normandy landing beaches.
D-Day at Sword Beach
In the Sword Beach sector, the operation began on the night of June 5-6, 1944. British paratroopers take the Merville battery and the Ranville and Bénouville bridges, known as Pegasus Bridge.
The first British regiments landed on the beach at around 7.25am and suffered heavy losses. But protected by 34 Sherman amphibious tanks, the troops made headway. The Scottish Lord Lovat’s brigade, accompanied by 177 French soldiers from Commander Philippe Kieffer ‘s Commando n°4, also landed. Among them is Bill Millin, Lord Lovat’s personal piper.
Amidst explosions and machine-gun fire, Bill Millin plays. The Germans, stunned, think he’s crazy and let him get on with it. After crossing Sword Beach, Lord Lovat and Commandant Philippe Kieffer’s troops recaptured Ouistreham in terrible street battles, then joined the paratroopers at Pegasus Bridge.
During the bridge crossing, Bill Millin plays again, surprising both Allied and German soldiers. By the end of the day, 630 British soldiers had been killed. The next day, they joined forces with Canadian troops at Juno Beach.
A page of history is turned. Sword Beach is available free of charge. You’ll see blockhouses, casemates and anti-tank defences.
What to see around Sword Beach?
The Great Bunker in Ouistreham
The Grand Bunker is the museum dedicated to the Atlantic Wall. We learn a great deal about the soldiers’ daily lives in the bunkers, how the D-Day landings unfolded and the liberation of Ouistreham. Housed in an authentic German blockhouse, this fascinating museum is a must for any visit to the D-Day landing beaches. Full price is €8, reduced price for children aged 6 to 12 €6. The museum is open daily from 9am to 7pm.
The Merville Battery at Merville-Franceville-Plage
Located 20 kilometers east of Sword Beach, the Merville Battery was an important D-Day objective, stormed by 150 British paratroopers on the night of June 5-6, 1944. You’ll be completely immersed in this museum, which helps you understand the importance of German forces along the French coast. An impressive sound and light show brings to life the capture of the battery by the Allies. Admission costs €8 per adult, €5 for children aged 5 to 14. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
No. 4 Commando Museum in Ouistreham
This museum is dedicated to the memory of Lord Lovat’s 1st Special Brigade and the 177 French fusiliers-marins of No. 4 Commando who recaptured Ouistreham. You’ll learn all about Bill Millin and his bagpipes! Prices are €5 for adults, €3 for minors over 10 and students. It is open daily from 10:30am to 1:00pm and from 1:30pm to 6:30pm, from early April to early November.
Also to be seen near Sword Beach
If you have the time, don’t hesitate to visit the Pegasus Memorial Museum in Ranville, the fortified Hillman site in Colleville-Montgomery and one of the British military cemeteries in Hermanville-sur-Mer, Ranville or Douvre-la-Délivrande, where you’ll also find the 1944 radar station.
From the 4-star L’Escapade campsite in Cahagnolles, allow around 50 minutes to cover the 49km to Sword Beach, which you can visit during your camping holiday in Calvados.
