Autumn 2022

There are fabulous views from Ouistreham
Lighthouse if you climb the 171 granite steps
to the top. Look over Ouistreham’s bijou ferry
port and on a clear day you can see as far as
Mont-Saint-Michel. You’ll also have panoramic
views over the coastline and historic Sword
Beach, the most easterly of the D-Day landing
beaches and the only beach where French
forces took part on 6 June 1944, forces, led by
Commando Philippe Keifer, took part on
4 June 1944. .
Traces of the past can be seen in many places
in and around Ouistreham, with the famous
Pegasus Bridge just 10 minutes away by car.
Memorials abound, including one in honour
of Piper Bill Millin, the soldier who landed on
Sword Beach playing the bagpipes. Le Grand
Bunker, a former German command post is
now a fascinating museum and listed historic
monument. The Musée du Debarquement no.
4 (No. 4 Commando Museum) preserves the
memory of the 1st Battalion of Naval Fusiliers,
set up by Commander Philippe Kieffer which,
incorporated in the British No 4 Commando,
was the only French unit to take part in the
Normandy landings. The Hillman Site was one
of the biggest German command posts during
WWII and in the summer months, ‘Friends of
the Suffolk Regiment’ Association are on site
to tell stories of the past.
Take an audio guided tour called La Délicate
– Ouistreham an unusual format as the guide
is contained in an umbrella! The tour takes in
the beaches and streets of Ouistreham and
tells the history of the town through stories
and memories of those who lived here. Or
take a bike ride! There are several cycle routes
including along the canal to Caen, and the
route of the Vélo Francette which begins in La
Rochelle and ends in Ouistreham.
A daily fish market is held in Ouistreham.
Friendly stall holders pile up the day's haul
including the most delicious scallops – which
this area is famous for. Enjoy the freshest fish
dishes in the many restaurants and brasseries,
washed down with local cider and finish with
salted caramel. Try La Table d’Hôtes where
Chef Yoann serves creative, seasonal dishes,
or push the boat out at La Voile Blanche
overlooking the sea.
This is also a great area for nature lovers.
To the east of Ouistreham Riva-Bella, is the
Pointe du Siège and Orne estuary, the largest
nature area in Calvados. Dunes, marshes, salt
meadows and forests are home to many wild
birds and seals.
Info: Tourist office website
How to get there: Caen ferry port is in
Ouistreham (15km from Caen) and ferries
run from/to Portsmouth. The nearest train
station is Caen and buses run regularly
between the two towns.
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