Beyond the famous sites, discover the little-known treasures of Colleville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach, like a shared secret.
Discover Colleville-sur-Mer and visit Omaha Beach with your family: historic beaches, American cemetery, walks, D-Day 2026 events and the best local places to eat and stay. A complete guide to making the most of this emblematic corner of Europe. Landing on 6 June 1944. This little corner perched just above Omaha Beach... where the sea whispers, history shivers and the Normandy calm envelops everyone - even the most stressed 😉
🌅 Why stay in Colleville-sur-Mer?
This beautiful village, in the heart of the Bessin region and opposite Omaha Beach, is the ideal destination for a family holiday in Normandy. With its historic beaches, hiking trails and local activities, this village combines discovery, relaxation and learning for young and old alike.
Colleville-sur-Mer is ideal if you're looking for :
- Beaches and nature activities for children: Omaha Beach and the surrounding beaches offer family-friendly seaside walks where you can breathe in the sea air and enjoy unique views of the D-Day coastline.
- Discover the story : Visiting the Normandy American Cemetery and the Overlord Museum gives children a chance to understand D-Day 1944 through objects, uniforms and immersive displays.
- Easy walks and spectacular views : The "History & Nature" loop combines a family hike with immersion in the heritage of the D-Day landings.
- Gourmet workshops and local experiences: Local cheese dairies and farms, such as Ferme de la Sapinière, offer educational workshops and tastings suitable for children.
- Unique, friendly events: From the Christmas gala to summer activities, Colleville-sur-Mer and the surrounding area offer interactive events for young and old.
- Peace and comfort for families: The village is quiet and safe, with family-friendly accommodation in gîtes, holiday homes, B&Bs and campsites close to the beach. Convenient parking and easy access to the footpaths mean you can enjoy your holiday stress-free.
Colleville-sur-Mer is the ideal starting point for exploring Omaha Beach and the Normandy coastline with children. Nature, history, local gastronomy and fun activities make every day an unforgettable family adventure. With your boots on, your scarf around your neck and your eyes wide open, Normandy is a family experience.
🎖️Les Not to be missed in Colleville-sur-Mer
Normandy American Cemetery
The cemetery overlooks the beach and contains the graves of 9,387 American soldiers who fell during the D-Day landings.
Don't miss: chapel, memorial, "Wall of the Missing", gardens and Visitor Centre.
2026 Timetable:
- October-March: 9am-5pm
- April-September: 9am-6pm
Free admission.
💡 Arrive at 9am when the light is soft and the site is still deserted.
This is THE moment when emotion takes over.
Overlord Museum
Just 500 m from the cemetery, the museum presents 10,000 historical objectsThe Battle of Normandy, with its vehicles, uniforms and immersive displays.
2026 Timetable:
- February/March/October-December: 10am-5.30pm
- April/May/September: 10am-6.30pm
- June/July/August: 9.30am-7pm
Allow 1h to 1h30 for a full visit.
Omaha Beach
A compulsory stop at the legendary beach in all its splendour. Here you can walk, meditate, fish and play.
The secrets the locals only half-tell:
- 7pm in summer → golden light, perfect photos
- High tide in autumn → powerful waves, guaranteed spectacle
- Low tide in spring → razor clams and cockles (10 cm minimum, we respect nature 😉 )
💡 brushing time: 10 seconds ...
🚶♂️ What to see in Colleville-sur-mer
History & Nature" loop
There is an official trail Omaha Beach walk, loop of approximately 9 km (≈ 3 h) - the coastline, the D-Day landing beaches, the cliffs, the dunes and the natural environment all blend together to take us back in time. D-DAY where fierce fighting took place on 6 June 1944 during the landing of American troops. Along the way, there are superb panoramic views of the Bessin coastline and passages through the protected natural areas of the Conservatoire du Littoral.
An example of an accessible vestige:
- WN62 bunker: German remains on a promontory
- Outside view of the American cemetery
- Omaha Beach and panels explaining the Atlantic Wall
💡 yes, take a windbreaker. Always 😅
Family activities in Colleville-sur-Mer
- Ferme de la Sapinière in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.
The guided tour takes you on a journey of discovery from apples to Calvados, with a tasting at the end of the trail.
- Educational workshops and child-friendly games on the beach.
Local gastronomy in and around Colleville-sur-Mer
- Chez François A fast, quality restaurant near the cemetery and the Overlord Museum.
- L'Embusqué (Vierville-sur-Mer): burgers, salads, vintage terrace.
- Omaha seafood and local specialities
🎉 Events in Colleville-sur-Mer
D-DAY festival Normandy (30 May → 14 June 2026)
If you're looking for a historic trip to Omaha Beach, the annual D-Day Landings Beaches event is for you!
Colleville participates every year via :
- Parades of vintage vehicles
- Parachuting
- Official ceremonies
- Fireworks on the coast
- Omaha Village (demos, exhibitors, re-enactors)
Other events
- European Heritage Days → special visits to the Cemetery
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026
Don't forget to book early, as the car park is likely to fill up quickly!
- Collecting litter on the beach → simple atmosphere, hot coffee, small talk
💡No official event has been announced for 2026.
You can follow the programme as soon as it is published.
It will be available on the Colleville-sur-Mer commune website and on those of environmental associations such as Surfrider Foundation Europe.
- Shore fishing & surfcasting competition → very user-friendly
💡There is no official 2026 schedule for the competition yet. In previous years, it was held in October.
- Summer events → concerts, markets, refreshment stands
Every summer around July and August, the Omaha Festiv' festival brings together a number of coastal communities (Colleville-sur-Mer, Laurent-sur-Mer, Vierville-sur-Mer) to enjoy concerts and local music by the sea, along with other fun activities.
- Greenways Festival
In early September, the Calvados department is organising). Events, rides and local discoveries, highlighting the cycle paths along the coast (including the one at Omaha Beach / Colleville-sur-Mer.
🧭 Explore the surrounding area
Colleville-sur-Mer is a Norman jewel, and the surrounding villages are just as worth a visit. Each has its own personality, flavours and little secrets. Here's an overview of the must-sees:
- Vierville-sur-Mer A lively, bustling little village, ideal for combining beach, history and walks. Local markets and footpaths allow children to run and adults to breathe in the fresh sea air.
- Isigny-sur-Mer A gourmet paradise with butter, caramel and PDO cheeses. The picturesque port and educational workshops for children make this village the perfect place to combine discovery and tasting.
- Port-en-Bessin an authentic fishing port where you can admire the ballet of illuminated trawlersThe museum is a delight for young and old alike.
- Bayeux a medieval town not to be missed, with its cathedral, its picturesque streets and the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
To make your visit even simpler and more visual, here's a summary table from the surrounding area :
| Village / Town | Things to see and do | Family benefits | Practical information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vierville-sur-Mer | Historic Omaha Beach, local market, walking trails | Easy walks, seasonal events | 5 min from Colleville-sur-Mer, parking available, ideal for excursions on foot |
| Isigny-sur-Mer | Cheese dairies, chocolate factories, educational workshops, picturesque port | Local tastings, children's workshops, walks along the canal | 15 min from Colleville, easy access by car, daily market, PDO specialities |
| Port-en-Bessin | Harbour market, seafood restaurants, maritime museum, trawler ballet | Show of illuminated trawlers, discovery of local fishing, museum visit adapted for children | 10 min from Colleville, public car parks, family restaurants |
| Bayeux | Cathedral, medieval old town, Bayeux Tapestry, craft markets | Pedestrian streets, cafés and hot chocolate, a cultural tour suitable for children | 20 min from Colleville, easy parking, seasonal entertainment, shops and restaurants |
🏡 Accommodation Colleville-sur-Mer
Colleville-sur-Mer is a small, unspoilt village, making its accommodation quiet and sought-after. There are a number of options to suit families and travellers:
- Holiday homes & gîtes - like those offered by Omaha Home 😉 warm, spacious accommodation ideally located for enjoying the beach and historic trails.
- Family guest rooms - comfortable and friendly, perfect for an intimate stay.
- Local camping on Omaha Beach - for lovers of nature and outdoor holidays.
💡 Practical tip: Book early, especially for June and July, as demand is strong throughout the Omaha area.
📍How do I get there?
Colleville-sur-Mer is peaceful... and still very accessible.
- Car 20 minutes from Bayeux, 1? hours from Caen and 3 hours from Paris via the A13 and A84 motorways.
- Train : Railway station Bayeux and bus/taxi (30 min)
- Bus : NOMAD network (seasonal services to Omaha Beach and Colleville)
💡 Parking: No worries... Several public car parks exist, paying near the port and beaches in high season, free in some streets away from the seafront, well located.
Watch out for D-Day, plan to disembark early!
🌟 We conclude
Colleville-sur-Mer is a place that touches, soothes and tells stories.
Come and walk, discover and feel!
Normandy awaits you - luminous, wild and deeply human.
Now you know why Colleville-sur-Mer is the perfect holiday base.
- You have everything at your fingertips sea, beach, nature, history, entertainment - without having to travel far
- The atmosphere is intimate, authentic, peaceful
- Promising summers concerts, evenings, meetings and events regular - perfect for all ages
- Colleville is True Normandy light, wind, sand, memories, simplicity
You'll leave with images, smells and a unique energy!
Enjoy your visit, and now it's up to you to choose the next stage of your stay:
➡️ Vierville ? Isigny ? Port en Bessin ? Bayeux ?
Let's get on with the adventure!
❓ FAQ - Preparing for your stay in Colleville-sur-Mer
What to see in Colleville-sur-Mer
Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Visitor Centre and historic walking trails.
What activities can you do with children in Colleville-sur-Mer?
Beach walks, easy hikes, nearby gourmet workshops, wildlife spotting and adapted cultural visits.
When should you visit Colleville-sur-Mer?
May to September for pleasant weather and D-Day events. Winter offers a peaceful setting and magnificent landscapes.
Getting around Colleville-sur-Mer
Car to explore the surrounding area, bike for the greenways, or seasonal bus from Bayeux for easy access to the sites.
Are the sites in Colleville-sur-Mer free?
Yes, the American Cemetery and beaches are accessible free of charge. Museums and certain events may be subject to a charge.
