Fine sandy beaches, coastal villas and D-Day memorial sites give Hermanville-Sur-Mer several distinctive facets. The 1,800-metre-long beach is more than just a place to swim: sailing and windsurfing are possible there all year round. At the same time, architecture and history take centre stage—from La Bluette to the memorial sites of 1944.
Beach and coastal architecture
The beach has fine sand and is lined with remarkable villas from the 19th and early 20th centuries. A walk along the coast takes you past picturesque buildings that illustrate a century and a half of coastal architecture. This brings together the theme of the beach and a look at the coast’s architectural development. Sword Beach stretches across the municipalities of Hermanville-Sur-Mer and Colleville-Montgomery.
The beach is suitable for swimming; seasonal safety measures may vary. It also carries the Handiplage label and has facilities suitable for people with reduced mobility. Check the current facilities before your trip. Sailing and windsurfing are possible all year round—two more ways to experience this coastal town.
Architecture and building history
La Bluette was built in 1899 by Hector Guimard and is one of the surviving Art Nouveau works in Hermanville-Sur-Mer. The building is partially classified as a historic monument. Its construction date and connection to Guimard place it firmly within the history of Art Nouveau; the protected status applies to parts of the building.
The building history of Église Saint-Pierre goes back further. One of its oldest parts is a Romanesque nave dating from the 11th century. The Romanesque tower dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and is topped by a terrace with panoramic views. The different dates reveal several construction phases. Chapelle de la Brèche d’Hermanville-Sur-Mer has also received its own distinction: since 2004, it has held the “Patrimoine du XXe siècle” label.
Memorial sites of 1944
Église Saint-Pierre is also linked to the liberation: on 18 June 1944, the first Mass in liberated France was held there, broadcast worldwide by the BBC. Puits de la Mare Saint-Pierre tells a different story of events at the time. It supplied Allied troops with nearly seven million litres of water from 6 June to 1 July 1944.
The British Military Cemetery contains 1,005 graves, mostly of British soldiers. Three French soldiers from Commando Kieffer are also buried there. A guided walk with commentary, “Sur les pas des alliés”, takes visitors to key D-Day sites in Hermanville-Sur-Mer. Information panels along the route describe the Allied advance; the walk takes 2.5 hours. Check in advance whether guided tours are currently available.
For your itinerary, the walk offers a clearly defined 2.5-hour historical activity. The coastal stroll focuses on something different: the villas and the development of coastal architecture. You can choose between an in-depth, guided look at the D-Day events and a glimpse into the history of seaside architecture.
Discover more destinations: Courseulles-Sur-Mer, Mittois, Ouistreham, La Hoguette, Anguerny, Cordebugle, Colleville-Sur-Mer, Saonnet
For the broader travel overview: Calvados.
