‘You’d surely have to be crazy to try and take out the Pointe du Hoc from the sea?’ one tourist asked himself – as did the commander, Colonel Rudder in 1954. At the Pointe du Hoc, you become aware of the violence of battle. Taken by direct clifftop assault in the morning by the Rangers, the mission was to silence one of the German gun batteries along the coast. The landscape still bears the marks of devastating and repeated bombardments from the air, and on D-Day, by sea as well, and is therefore very instructive about the war, and the courage of the men who fought there. The site is however fragile and risky, and may only be visited along the designated, fenced path, making it now safer for children. An excellent short film at the entrance is great for adults and children alike. The earlier you can get there the better. A radical way to escape the crowds is to take a kayak out of Grandcamp-Maisy. Note for parents: kayaking in the open sea is unsuitable for children without training.