Hundreds of authentic objects and documents at Memorial Pegasus bring the story of the Normandy landings to life in Ranville. Other points of interest include Ranville War Cemetery, a churchyard with Brotheridge’s grave, and earlier traces of the town’s history in the bell tower and Grange aux Dîmes. Together, these themes span the events of the Second World War, the medieval church and the town’s agricultural history.
The landings and their memorial sites
Memorial Pegasus is dedicated to the men of the 6th Airborne Division who fought in the Battle of Normandy from June to September 1944. The objects and documents on display offer a tangible way to explore this period. Another historical perspective is provided by the mission to capture the bridge over the Orne at Ranville and the bridge over the Caen Canal at Bénouville. It is considered the Airborne Division’s most famous mission.
Ranville War Cemetery brings the human dimension of remembrance into focus. It is the resting place of 2,564 soldiers: 2,152 British, 76 Canadian, 3 New Zealanders, 2 Australians, 5 French, 1 Polish, 1 Belgian, 322 German and 2 unidentified soldiers. These figures may be updated by the responsible administration. Ranville churchyard is also home to Brotheridge’s grave; he was the first English soldier to be killed on Norman soil.
A footpath connects Memorial Pegasus with the military cemetery. If you plan to visit both sites, check before your visit whether the path and access are available: maintenance and access arrangements may change. The guided tour “D-DAY: objectif Ranville” covers the events of 6 June 1944 and the Normandy landings. Dates have been announced for 2026; check their availability before travelling.
Churchyard, bell tower and Grange aux Dîmes
Ranville’s bell tower is the last surviving remnant of a medieval church and stands on a hill. The town’s history therefore extends far beyond the events of 1944. The tower points to the history of the medieval church, while the Grange aux Dîmes offers insight into another aspect of community life in the past.
Until the French Revolution, the Grange aux Dîmes was used to store the tithe. This levy was imposed mainly on agricultural produce and collected by the Catholic Church. The building formed part of a group of two large farms that survived over the centuries. They are believed to be among the oldest buildings in the commune of Ranville. In Ranville, different historical themes thus sit side by side: church history, agriculture and remembrance of the war.
Hamlets, the Orne and limestone
Ranville’s tourist walking route invites visitors to explore the commune’s different hamlets. Its focus is therefore on the settlements, while the “L’écho des pierres” trail turns to landscape and geology. This distinction can help you choose: would you like to discover the hamlets or learn more about the stone associated with Ranville?
“L’écho des pierres” runs along the Orne to the quarries. The trail describes Ranville stone as Middle Jurassic limestone, formed around 162 million years ago. This approximate date places the rock’s origins on a very different timescale from the town’s more recent wartime history. The route therefore brings landscape and local history together without treating them as if they belonged to the same period or had the same focus.
Discover more destinations: Maltot, Balleroy, Jurques, Branville, Courson, Englesqueville-La-Percée, Le Breuil-en-Auge, Bayeux
For the broader travel guide: Calvados.
