Longues-sur-Mer Battery
Explore one of Normandy's best-preserved WWII German coastal batteries, featuring original cannons and commanding views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant weather
Longues-sur-Mer Battery
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant weather
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore one of Normandy's best-preserved WWII German coastal batteries, featuring original cannons and commanding views.
"A stunning step back in time — the Longues-sur-Mer battery offers powerful views and powerful history."
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Explore the entire site, including uneven terrain and cliff paths, with ease.
📸 Capture the History
The original guns and bunkers offer incredible photo opportunities.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Original WWII Cannons
Casemates
Four massive, authentic 150mm naval guns still in their concrete emplacements, a rare sight in Normandy.
Command Bunker
Cliff edge
The fire control bunker offers panoramic views and a glimpse into how the battery was directed.
Cliff-top Views
East of the battery
Stunning vistas of Gold Beach, Arromanches, and the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour.
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Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Exploring the Site
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Explore the entire site, including uneven terrain and cliff paths, with ease.
📸 Capture the History
The original guns and bunkers offer incredible photo opportunities.
🚶♂️ Explore the Complex
Don't just see the guns; wander through the casemates and bunkers for a full experience.
🗺️ Follow the Marked Trails
Informative boards detail the site's history, geology, and local flora.
The German coastal gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer. This imposing fortification was located between Omaha and Gold beaches. Despite a heavy aerial and naval bombardment, the battery was still in action on the afternoon of D-Day. Three of its four 152mm naval guns were knocked out by Allied warships.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Explore the entire site, including uneven terrain and cliff paths, with ease.
📸 Capture the History
The original guns and bunkers offer incredible photo opportunities.
🚶♂️ Explore the Complex
Don't just see the guns; wander through the casemates and bunkers for a full experience.
🗺️ Follow the Marked Trails
Informative boards detail the site's history, geology, and local flora.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Longues-sur-Mer Battery for its exceptional preservation, particularly the presence of original WWII cannons. The site offers a powerful historical experience with stunning coastal views, making it a highly recommended stop for D-Day tours. Some visitors noted disappointment if internal bunkers were closed, but the overall impression is one of awe and historical significance.
"Absolutely loved exploring this place. The site is very well preserved in a sympathetic way, but having the original guns in place is a really eye opening thing to see. Being able to explore the wider complex was also great, although the observation bunker was closed when we were there which was a shame."
Alex Thompson
"A stunning step back in time — the Longues-sur-Mer battery offers powerful views and powerful history. Well-preserved bunkers, sweeping cliffs, and a tangible connection to D-Day. A must-visit on the Normandy coast."
Serena Musil
"Easy place to go. It's like a park so it's always open. It is one of the best preserved batteries we could find."
Anthony M
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Longues-sur-Mer Battery is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. It's located on the D17 road between Arromanches and Port-en-Bessin. Public transport options are limited, so a car is recommended for visiting this historical site.
Yes, there is a large, well-maintained parking lot specifically for visitors to the battery, making it convenient for those arriving by car.
Absolutely! The Longues-sur-Mer Battery is a popular stop on many D-Day tours of the Normandy beaches, often included with visits to other key sites like Omaha Beach and Arromanches.
Many visitors opt for a rental car for flexibility, or join guided tours that handle transportation between sites like the Longues-sur-Mer Battery and other historical locations.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Longues-sur-Mer Battery is an open-air site and generally accessible without an entrance fee, functioning much like a historical park.
As an outdoor historical site, the Longues-sur-Mer Battery is typically open and accessible at all times. However, any visitor center or specific bunker access might have limited hours.
No, there is no admission fee to explore the grounds of the Longues-sur-Mer Battery, making it a free and valuable historical experience.
Yes, the battery is accessible year-round, though weather conditions can vary. Visiting during the spring or fall offers pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore four original German WWII gun casemates with their 150mm cannons, a command bunker, and enjoy panoramic views of the English Channel and Gold Beach.
Most visitors spend 1-2 hours exploring the battery, walking around the casemates, command bunker, and enjoying the coastal views.
While there isn't a formal guided tour service on-site, there are excellent information boards detailing the history and military significance of the battery. Many organized D-Day tours will include this site.
Yes, children can find the large guns and bunkers fascinating. It's an open-air site, so supervision is recommended, especially near the cliffs.
This battery was a key part of the Atlantic Wall, designed to defend against Allied invasion. Its surviving cannons are unique in Normandy and offer a powerful connection to D-Day history. +1
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the imposing scale of the original 150mm cannons within their casemates, the panoramic sea views from the command bunker, and the dramatic cliffside setting.
Absolutely. The well-preserved German WWII gun emplacements and bunkers provide an authentic and evocative backdrop for historical photography.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create dramatic shadows and highlight the textures of the concrete structures, enhancing photographic appeal.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While there aren't specific play areas, the sheer scale of the fortifications and the historical narrative provide an engaging educational experience. The informative panels can be a good starting point for discussions about the war and its impact. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the entire complex.
🏛️ History Buffs
Take your time to read the detailed information boards that cover the battery's construction, operational history, and its role in the D-Day landings. Understanding its strategic importance and the challenges faced by both sides will greatly enhance your visit. Don't miss the opportunity to walk along the cliffs for views of Gold Beach and Arromanches.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Atlantic Wall and Longues-sur-Mer
The battery's fire control bunker, situated on the cliff edge, was essential for directing the guns. It received targeting information and transmitted firing orders via armored telephone cables. However, during the D-Day landings, these cables were quickly severed, significantly limiting the battery's effectiveness in coordinating its defense. Despite this, the battery did fire approximately 115 shells towards Allied ships and beaches on D-Day, before incoming fire from Allied vessels damaged its guns.
Today, the Longues-sur-Mer Battery stands as one of the best-preserved German coastal batteries in Normandy, with all four original guns still in place. This makes it a powerful and poignant site for understanding the scale and nature of the German defenses and the challenges faced by the Allied forces.
Exploring the Battery Complex
Beyond the gun positions, the fire control bunker is a key area to explore. From its vantage point on the cliff, you can appreciate the strategic importance of the location and the panoramic views of the English Channel. Information boards scattered throughout the site provide detailed historical context, explaining the battery's construction, operation, and role during the D-Day landings. These boards cover not only military history but also the local geography, flora, and fauna, offering a well-rounded understanding of the area.
Walking the marked trails around the battery allows for a thorough exploration. You can also take a walk along the cliff-top to the east, which offers excellent views of the end of Gold Beach and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. This extended exploration provides a broader perspective on the D-Day operations and the landscape that was so crucial to the invasion.
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