A small fishing port in Normandy with a D-Day landing beach and fresh seafood market. The town's 19th-century lighthouse guides boats along the Channel coast.
Grandcamp-Maisy sits along Normandy’s coastline, where fishing boats unload their catch beside a marina filled with seafood restaurants. Explore the German artillery bunkers at the Maisy Battery, walk the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc where U.S. Rangers climbed in 1944, or watch scallops and lobsters sold at the morning fish market. Stone houses line streets leading to a waterfront framed by sea cliffs, with sailing schools and cycling paths connecting visitors to the English Channel’s gentle waves.
The Maisy Battery: A World War II Site Rediscovered
British historian Gary Sterne found this German artillery complex in 2004, buried under fields near Grandcamp-Maisy. The site spans 44 hectares and includes 2.5 miles of trenches, command bunkers, and gun positions built as part of the Atlantic Wall defenses. Walk through underground tunnels to see ammunition storage areas and living spaces, with signs explaining how the battery operated during the Normandy invasion. Allied forces bombed the site on D-Day, but its camouflaged design and lack of postwar records kept it hidden for years. Today, you can explore all areas of the site, which provides a direct look at wartime infrastructure.
Pointe du Hoc and the Ranger Museum
Four kilometers east of Grandcamp-Maisy, the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc reach 100 feet above the sea. On June 6, 1944, U.S. Army Rangers climbed these cliffs under gunfire to destroy German artillery aimed at Omaha Beach. The area still has bomb craters and bunkers, along with a memorial for the Rangers. In Grandcamp-Maisy, the Ranger Museum covers the unit’s training, missions, and the attack on Pointe du Hoc. Exhibits include uniforms, photographs, and firsthand stories that explain the battle’s significance.
Fishing Port and Marina: Daily Life and Visitor Facilities
Grandcamp-Maisy’s harbor supports 25 fishing boats that bring in over 2,000 tons of seafood each year, including scallops, sole, and lobster. Each morning at Quai Henri Cheron, you can buy fish directly from boats or watch auctions at the sales hall. The marina has 250 moorings, with 15 spots for visiting boats. Showers, electricity, and a nearby supermarket make it practical for short stays. In mid-August, the Fête de la Mer fills the port with music, seafood stalls, and fireworks over the water.
Local Food and Markets
Harbor restaurants serve dishes like haddock gratin and marmite de Grandcamp, a seafood stew made with cider. Menus adjust daily based on what the boats catch, with many chefs buying ingredients from the morning market. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, a market under the sales hall sells cheese, bread, and fresh produce. From July to August, a Sunday night market lines Quai Crampon with crepe stands, oyster vendors, and craft sellers until midnight.
Sailing, Cycling, and Coastal Paths
The local sailing school teaches catamaran sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking from the marina. Rent a paddleboard to glide around the harbor or join a guided walk on the VĂ©lomaritime cycling route, which links Grandcamp-Maisy to nearby coastal towns. For a shorter trip, follow the footpaths around Pointe du Hoc, where wartime craters and observation posts sit among wildflowers.
Getting Around and Key Tips
Grandcamp-Maisy is 21 km northeast of Carentan, reachable by car via the coastal road. Park near the harbor and rent bikes to move freely through the area. The tourist office supplies maps for self-guided tours of the Maisy Battery and Pointe du Hoc. Visit between October and May to see scallop fishing up close, or time your trip for the August FĂŞte de la Mer to experience local traditions.
