A coastal town in Normandy with a working fishing port, 17th-century lighthouse, and D-Day landing beaches. The ferry terminal connects to Portsmouth, England.
Ouistreham sits along Normandy's Calvados coast, where fishing boats unload their catch near a ferry terminal with routes to Portsmouth. You'll find 20th-century pastel houses once occupied by fishermen, a working lighthouse built in 1905, and beaches lined with wooden changing cabins from the 1930s. The town's role in World War II comes alive at Le Grand Bunker, a converted German command post, and the Musée du Débarquement No. 4 documenting French commando operations. Walk along the Canal de Caen to watch sailboats pass through locks, or join locals selecting scallops and sole at the morning fish auctions. Compact enough to explore on foot, the town invites you to discover its layers through coastal paths and quiet streets.
World War II Landmarks and Museums
Allied forces stormed Sword Beach at Ouistreham on June 6, 1944, with French commandos targeting German positions near the former casino site. The No. 4 Commando Museum displays original maps, field radios, and photographs taken during the beach assault. Drive 8 km southwest to see Pegasus Bridge, where British airborne troops secured a critical crossing within minutes of landing. Le Grand Bunker's five floors reveal how German soldiers monitored Allied movements through periscopes and radio equipment. Look for bullet marks still visible on the exterior walls of the town's post office, one of the first buildings liberated that morning.
Beaches and Coastal Paths
Riva-Bella Beach stretches over 3 km with fine sand and shallow waters favored by families. Wooden changing cabins painted in blue and white stripes date from the 1930s, when summer visitors arrived by train from Paris. A paved walkway follows the coast for 7 km between Lion-sur-Mer and Hermanville-sur-Mer, passing concrete WWII observation posts half-buried in dunes. Head east toward the Pointe du Siège wetlands at low tide to spot gray seals resting on sandbanks. Fishermen sell their daily catch near the ferry terminal each morning, including lobsters kept in seawater tanks.
Ouistreham Lighthouse and Port
The 38-meter lighthouse uses its original Fresnel lens to guide ships into the Caen-Ouistreham harbor. Climb 171 steps to the top platform for clear views of cargo ships navigating the Orne River and sailboats docking at nearby marinas. A memorial plaque at the base honors Bill Millin, the Scottish piper who played during the D-Day landings under heavy fire. Watch ferries depart for England from the jetty, or follow the canal towpath south to see barges transporting apples to Calvados distilleries.
Nearby Attractions and Transportation
Caen lies 15 km south, where the Château de Caen's 11th-century ramparts enclose museums and a botanical garden. Drive 18 km southeast to Beuvron-en-Auge, a village with half-timbered houses and farm stalls selling cider aged in oak barrels. Cabourg's 19th-century seafront promenade, 10 km east, provides a straight 3 km path popular with cyclists and rollerbladers. Brittany Ferries depart twice daily for Portsmouth from Ouistreham's terminal, with crossing times taking six hours. Rent bicycles at the tourist office to reach Hermanville-sur-Mer's beach cafés in 25 minutes via coastal trails.
Visiting Tips and Local Services
Hourly buses connect Ouistreham to Caen's train station, which has direct services to Paris. The tourist office loans waterproof audio guides with routes covering 12 WWII sites and architectural details like stained-glass windows in Saint-Samson Church. Wednesday and Saturday markets near the church square sell linen towels, local honey, and wheels of Pont-l'Évêque cheese. Arrive before 10 AM to secure parking near the beach during summer weekends, when day-trippers fill coastal lots.
