A two-kilometre pedestrian promenade and small white beach cabins give Bernières-Sur-Mer’s beach a distinctive character. The area also features the history of the landing of Canadian troops, historic buildings, and landscapes with palaeontological and ecological features. When deciding what to focus on during your trip, you can consider whether you would like to spend most of your time on the coast, visiting historic sites, or exploring nature.
Beach and cycle path
At the beach, you can build sandcastles, swim, picnic and fish. Conditions for individual activities may vary depending on the season. The pedestrian promenade is two kilometres long, and small white beach cabins line the coast. As well as activities by the water, the promenade’s length gives you a specific distance to consider when planning a walk.
Bernières-Sur-Mer is also on the Vélomaritime cycle route. If you are planning a bike ride, check the latest route information before setting off, as the route details may change. The beach and cycle route offer different options for planning your trip, without requiring you to follow a set itinerary.
Architectural history and remembrance of the Landings
The Manoir de la Luzerne was built in the late 15th century and expanded in 1637, along with an Italian-style orangery. It is partially listed as a historic monument. Significant phases in the construction of Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité date from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Its interior features include a monumental high altar, a painting of the Crucifixion and ex-votos.
On 6 June 1944, the Maison des Canadiens was the first house liberated by sea. Visits may be possible by prior arrangement, subject to the owners’ availability. Plan your visit before travelling and contact them in advance. Two memorial trails in the town tell the story of the Landings.
The Blockhaus de la Cassine is also connected with this history: the defensive structure is linked to the Atlantic Wall and the landing of Canadian troops at Bernières-Sur-Mer. Together with the memorial trails and the Maison des Canadiens, it offers different ways to learn about the events of 6 June 1944. The buildings and trails each focus on a different aspect: a specific house, a defensive structure, and routes that tell the story of the events.
Marais du Platon and Cap Romain
The Marais du Platon formed behind the dune ridge around the former bed of the Seulles, after the river shifted its mouth from Bernières-Sur-Mer to Courseulles. Today, the area is home to a diverse range of plant life and abundant wildlife, including the natterjack toad and the seagrass Ruppia maritima. Several times a year, Les Amis du Platon and the CPIE organise guided or narrated outings there. Check the dates and organiser information before your trip.
Cap Romain is a palaeontological site featuring a cliff and a rocky plateau exposed at low tide. It contains fossil sponge colonies from the tropical conditions of the Jurassic, as well as traces of large mammals from the Quaternary. The rocky plateau offers a different focus on nature from the plant and animal life of the Marais du Platon. Fossils must not be collected at Cap Romain.
Getting there from Paris
From Paris, you can reach Bernières-Sur-Mer by train to Caen, followed by a bus from Caen station. The train journey to Caen takes 2 hours and 49 minutes; the bus journey adds another 35 minutes. Check the latest timetables before travelling so you can plan your arrival around the connections.
Discover more destinations: Louvigny, Heurtevent, Dozulé, La Chapelle-Yvon, Honfleur, Saint-Julien-De-Mailloc, Touffréville, Beaumesnil.
For the regional travel overview: Calvados.
