Omaha Beach - Colleville-sur-Mer
An American Battle Monument
“If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for a conquest it could be found in these cemeteries. Here was our conquest: all we asked…was enough…soil in which to bury our gallant dead.”
Walking in the footsteps of history
Battle map of the D-Day invasion at Normandy American Cemetery. Credits/Parisian Experience by Omnyview
On June 6, 1944, known as D-Day during World War II Allied forces made up of Americans, British, Canadians, and other countries touched down on the beaches of Normandy, France to carry out Operation Overlord - A mission to liberate Western Europe from the control of then Nazi Germany. On this day in history, over one hundred and sixty allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy by way of the English Channel on the Northern coast of France. The fifty-mile coastline was heavily fortified, but at 6:30am on June 6, 1944 the Allied forces used amphibious military strategy to storm the coastline. Omaha beach was a strategic location for the assault, the link between the American and British controlled beaches on the Cherbourg Peninsula, and the most defended beach. On Omaha beach two thousand American soldiers lost their lives, and over four thousand allied forces fell during the D-Day invasion.
Views from Omaha beach
View of Omaha Beach from an artillery bunker used by German soldiers. Credits/Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Visitors to Omaha beach will see vestiges of the war. On the beach during low tide, it is common to see old rusted metallic structures wedged deep in the sand, dotting the beach. Another relic of the war that can be seen from the beach, on the bluffs, are the military "pillboxes"; these are concrete guard stations with firing holes facing Omaha beach. Within the pillboxes, it is not uncommon to find names and ranks of soldiers scrawled on the walls, guide rails on the floor of the structure where a battering ram once stood, or other reminders of the people that were there. Visitors have a framed view of the beach from some of the pillboxes, providing a glimpse of into what the soldiers who risked everything for freedom, must have endured from the vantage point of the pillboxes.
Normandy American Cemetery
Resting place of1st Lt Lloyd J. Page Jr from Maryland at the Normandy American cemetery. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
The Normandy American cemetery is located in the town of Colleville-sur-Mer a small village with 193 inhabitants (2013); it is a three-hour drive from Paris.
The cemetery is part of a 172 acres (~70 hectares) historic site that overlooks Omaha beach. Nine thousand three hundred and eighty seven fallen American soldiers are buried at the cemetery; there are gardens, a chapel, and memorials where visitors can discover the people, events, and liberation of France from Nazi Germany during World War II. Visiting the cemetery and walking the grounds where soldiers fought for freedom is a very humbling experience; headstones provide vital information about each soldier, some soldiers never survived past D-Day. Americans of various ages, from different states, of different faiths fought side by side with Alliance forces from other nations for freedom. The Normandy American cemetery at Collerville-sur-Mer should be on the bucket list of history buffs, Americans, and anyone who wants to see and appreciate the site where D-Day occurred.
View of the English Channel from the Normandy American cemetery. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
To stand on the grounds where many soldiers lost their lives, is to be in awe of the events that culminated to the creation and preservation of a piece of history and the memories of those who paid heavily with their lives. At the Normandy American Cemetery and Omaha beach, visitors are walking in the footsteps of history, discovering the events of D-Day and World War II that happened on these grounds. The view of Omaha beach from the cemetery, makes it clear why Omaha beach sustained many casualties on D-Day. From the cemetery one gets a great view of the beach all the way to the horizon on the English channel. These brave Alliance soldiers fought for liberty and freedom, without regard for their lives, with one thought, to save the world from the terror that threatened to envelope France.
In the past, visitors could walk from the cemetery down to Omaha beach via a path, however due to security reasons the access path is closed to the public.
America's fallen heroes
Visitors can visit the resting place of Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith Jr., a member of the 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division, located at Plot I Row 20 Grave 12 at the Normandy American cemetery lost his life on D-Day. This brave soldier was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944..."read more.
Resting place of First Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith Jr., Medal of Honor recipient. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Soldiers from different walks of life, backgrounds, religious beliefs, and ages are buried at the Normandy American cemetery.
Resting place of an unknown American soldier. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Resting place of Technical Sergent Joseph Mindelsohn. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Monuments at the Normandy American cemetery
Guests lay wreaths at the reflecting pool at the Normandy American cemetery. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Monument at the Normandy American cemetery. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Monument - “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” at the Normandy American cemetery. Credits/ Parisian Experience by Omnyview
Parisian Experience
With Parisian Experience by Omnyview you will discover history, culture, food, and many aspects of France tailored to your tastes, requirements, and expectations. Our tours are limited to maximum number of six guests per guide, this allows us to provide each guest with personalized attention, the signature of our experiences.
Normandy American Cemetery
14710 Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Tourism Office, Omaha Beach
Ancienne RN13 14710 FORMIGNY, FRANCE
