It is difficult to see Arromanches-les-Bains as a popular seaside resort only. Sure enough, here a vast, fine-grained, golden-yellow sandy beach spreads out in the shadow of 20-meter-high cliffs. There is also a beach promenade lined with charming restaurants and beautiful turn-of-the-century houses. But despite the colorful parasols and children's sandcastles, the beach's dark history rests heavily on the place. The history of the Second World War echoes across the sand and is constantly reminded here Mulberry Harbour and Golden Beach.
As we have no harbor at our disposal, we shall bring ours.
Winston Churchill and Lord Montbatten
Mulberry harbour, or Port Winston as it was also called, was created as a temporary port for only 8 days to facilitate the landings after D-Day, but the port became one of the most important ports for the Allied troops. During the eight months that the port was in use, a whopping 2,5 million soldiers, 500 vehicles and 000 million tons of material passed through here.
The harbor was built through ingenious engineering. Huge cement blocks, so-called Phoenix caissons, was shipped over from England and sunk in place in June 1944. Through the giant cement blocks, breakwaters and a sheltered harbor area were created and large warships could now easily dock and unload troops and provisions. Large floating bridges were connected from the cement harbor to the beach to facilitate trucks being able to drive out and collect the cargo. The entire port was a single large and advanced engineering project and one of the most important pieces of the puzzle to liberate Europe and end the war.
Although the port itself is no longer in use, many of the historic concrete structures remain on the beach and in the sea. Tangible and historical memorials of the invasion that after each autumn storm become a little more worn.
Despite the fact that everywhere it is written "Danger"And"Access prohibited” on the cement blocks, there are many tourists, mainly Americans, who don't seem to want to understand the text. Some climb into the cement blocks on the beach, others climb onto them.
Over 5 million tourists visit the World War II historic sites along the Normandy coast each year. Many of them have relatives who participated, survived or died in the war. Some relatives returned home, others are buried in one of the large war cemeteries here in Normandy. If you travel all the way to Normandy to learn about your family's history, don't you want to respect history? The places here in Normandy are more than a place for a cool photo, this is a place for reflection.
With each year and generation, the Second World War becomes more and more distant and those who took part will soon no longer be among us to tell their stories. Year 2024 marked 80 years ago Day D (D-day) and every year the veterans become fewer and fewer. The 80-year memorial ceremony in Deauville this year was attended by 48 American veterans who were flown in on a special flight by Delta Airlines. The youngest veteran to participate was this year 98 years old. Will any veterans at all be able to participate in the 90th anniversary celebration?
When we leave Arromanches we are filled with new knowledge and understanding of our history. The Normandy coast offers over 90 historic sites and monuments, each with its own World War II story. These are places that have to be experienced to be truly understood - places with a living history that no school book can ever convey.
How do I get to Arromanches-les-Bains?
Arromanches-les-Bains is located in Normandy just north of Bayeau, about three hours by car from Paris.
Here in Arromanches-les-Bains are two museums for those who want to know more about the Second World War and the people who shaped history: Musée D'Arromanches and Arromanches 360° (archive footage of D-Day in a circular cinema)
Read all articles from Normandy on my Normandy page.
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