Located on the Normandy coast, this small town has preserved World War II German artillery battery bunkers and observation posts along its limestone cliffs.
Longues-sur-Mer sits on the Normandy coast between Bayeux and Arromanches. Walk through concrete WWII gun casemates with their original 150mm naval guns still in place, follow coastal paths past limestone cliffs, or visit the 12th-century Abbey of Longues. The village's position on the Channel coast makes it a strategic point for understanding the D-Day operations while exploring the Normandy countryside.
The WWII Battery Complex
Walk through four massive concrete casemates 1 kilometer north of the village center, where German forces installed 150mm naval guns during WWII. The guns still point toward the Channel from their original positions. A forward fire control post stands between the casemates and the cliff edge. You'll find metal walkways throughout the complex and information panels in French and English explaining how the battery operated during the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.
Getting to Longues-sur-Mer
Drive 7 kilometers north from Bayeux or 29 kilometers from Caen to reach the village. Most visitors take a ferry to Cherbourg or Caen first. The battery site includes a paved parking area for 50 vehicles. Tour companies run trips from Bayeux and nearby towns, with more frequent departures between April and September.
Nearby Sites
Walk 5 kilometers east to Arromanches to see the remaining concrete blocks and metal structures of the Mulberry Harbor. In Bayeux, 7 kilometers south, examine the 70-meter medieval tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest and step inside the Norman-Romanesque Notre-Dame Cathedral. Several marked paths connect these sites - the GR223 coastal trail runs through Longues-sur-Mer and links multiple WWII locations.
Local Geography and Climate
The village covers 12.29 square kilometers, with the land rising from sea level to 77 meters. Expect temperatures around 5°C in winter and 20°C in summer, with rain possible throughout the year. Strong winds often sweep across the battery site due to its exposed clifftop location. The landscape alternates between wheat fields and white limestone cliffs, with small valleys cutting through to the coast. Look for local wildflowers along the cliff paths during spring and summer.
