The best walks and hikes around Vierville-Sur-Mer

The term "Spade" refers to Sword Beach, one of the five key sectors of the Normandy landings (June 6, 1944). Assigned to British troops and French commandos, it was the scene of a fundamental operation to protect the eastern flank of the Allies and liberate the city of Caen.

The main center dedicated to the landing is the Musée Mémorial d'Omaha Beach, located in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (France). Just 200 meters from the beach, it exhibits original artifacts, vehicles, and uniforms and screens a documentary. Nearby is the Overlord Museum, with a collection of over 10,000 objects and 40 armored vehicles.

In a brochure titled „Call for Peace, Because Peace is Possible“, Father Klaus Schäfer of the Pallottine religious community (Societas Apostolatus Catholici), founded in the mid-19th century by Saint Vincent Pallotti, writes: + „The great military cemeteries of the two World Wars, not only those located in France, clearly show that former enemies can become friends. After the double bloodbath of these nations, there were no accusations about who shot first, who bears the greater guilt, who was crueler, ... instead, a line was drawn with a genuine new beginning. For this reason, the great military cemeteries of the two World Wars are worthy of being declared World Heritage. This is not to elevate war to culture, but to show the world that peace is possible even after such a bloody past. Europe has shown the way: PEACE IS POSSIBLE. Former enemies can become friends, true friends.“ (P. Klaus Schäfer SAC)

The Monument to the 1st Infantry Division stands in Colleville-sur-Mer, directly above the former German stronghold WN62. This stone obelisk honors the fallen of the Big Red One. To learn more about the history of the landing and to plan your visit, consult the official Normandy tourism website.

"The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves" is the bronze statue located in the center of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. This extraordinary monument stands on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach, one of the five main beaches of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was created by the American artist Donald Harcourt De Lue. The statue is approximately 7 meters (22 feet) high. It stands in the center of a semicircular colonnade at the beginning of the military shrine, looking west towards the more than 9,300 white crosses of the fallen soldiers. The work depicts a young man soaring towards the sky, emerging from stylized waves. At the base of the statue is inscribed the phrase: "To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live"

The nature trail runs through a nature reserve. A side path first leads over a boardwalk and then climbs slightly towards the American military cemetery.

The monument of the 1st US Infantry Division commemorates the involvement of the famous 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One”, in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It is located above the beach in the Easy Red sector and marks the spot where the division broke through its section of the German defenses during the assault.

The memorial was erected in 1956 to honor the brave soldiers of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division, known as the "Big Red One," who fought in the Easy Red sector during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The memorial consists of an obelisk-like pillar of gray granite surrounded by a circular bench. Engraved on the obelisk are the names of 627 fallen soldiers who fell between June 6 and July 24, 1944. It stands on the site of the former German resistance position WN62, one of the strongest defensive positions in the area.