A Family Weekend in Arromanches exploring the D-Day Landing Beaches

You don’t need a car to have a great day out in history. Exploring Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches with the kids was always high on our bucket list so we decided to plan a getaway from Paris to unveil some of the secrets of the Second World War. With excellent rail connections, train travel proved to be an ideal option to discover Normandy without draining our travel funds at the pump.
We sat back and relaxed as our train rumbled through the beautiful countryside until we reached Bayeux, then jumped on a bus to Arromanches – this notoriously famous coastal town with such an eventful history!

• Why visit Arromanches on a family holiday?
• Finding family-friendly accommodation in the centre of Arromanches
• Things to See & Do with kids in Arromanches
• Finding a restaurant in the centre of Arromanches

Why visit Arromanches on a family holiday?

Normandy made the short list of destination ideas because the kids were learning about WWII in school and asking loads of questions. Nothing beats traveling to historic landmarks to understand history in an accurate way! As you can imagine, very few other places evoke the kind of historical fascination that battlegrounds and memorials of Normandy do. Today the scenic beaches are peaceful, they offer endless opportunities for discovery, exploration and imagination! A family trip we will never, ever forget.

Finding family-friendly accommodation in the centre of Arromanches

Enjoy a stress-free family break in the town centre of Arromanches at La Maison du 6 and its villa, where rooms are designed with families in mind. Accommodating up to 7 people, interconnecting rooms ensure a desirable degree of separation and privacy. If you request reduced occupancy (along with the reduced rate) unoccupied rooms will be closed.

Bonus: a fitted kitchen and 2 bathrooms!  The family room N°5 on the 3^rd floor offers a wonderful sea view and allows plenty of space to relax for a family of 4.

Things to See & Do in Arromanches with children

Arriving in Arromanches-les-Bains at low tide is impressive. The beach nearly doubles in size and the tidal currents create an ever-changing backdrop for the remains of the Phoenix caissons of Mulberry Harbour, the artificial port constructed by the British to facilitate the unloading of supply ships on D-Day, June 6, 1944. At low tide you can even walk out to the caissons from the beach for a close up of these structures eroded by the sea.

On the agenda for this short trip : memorials, museums and haunting landmarks. On top of our list sits the D-Day Museum, better known as the Musée du Débarquement in prime position on the waterfront of Arromanches. Featuring 3D animations, animated models, archive films and more, this interactive museum is key to understanding the astounding piece of engineering still dominating the seascape today.

Before walking up to the east cliffs where the Arromanches 360 cinema is located, we snap a little selfie in front of the mural “Please, no more war, Love“. We then enter the cinema showing a 360° documentary about D-Day and the first 100 days of the Battle of Normandy. After this emotional experience, we decide to walk the Heritage Trail (1,5 km) which takes approximately 45 minutes.  

As the afternoon kicks off, we cycle the 6 km secured itinerary to reach the German battery of Longues-sur-Mer, part of the Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications. We had arranged with Loc Vélo, the bicycle hire company, to drop off the bikes directly at our accommodation so everything was easy and convenient!

The next morning, we are thrilled to try out a family activity for the very first time on the nearby beach of Asnelles, also know as Gold Beach. Land yachting, also known as sand yachting or land sailing, is the ideal combination of sailing and motor racing, using a wheeled yacht that is powered by the wind. Run by fully qualified instructors, this 2 hour course on wide-open stretches of sand is an amazing initiation to a fun and sensational local sport!

Shopping in Arromanches

• D-Day and WWII related books available at the museum boutique of Arromanches 360°
• Overlord Souvenir shop, located 17 Place du Six Juin in the town centre
• Paintings and local craft await at La Galerie (some featuring the famous Normandy black and white cows beloved by the artist)

FINDING a restaurant in Arromanches town centre

If you’ve never indulged in the joyful bliss that is a crêpe, then quite frankly you’ve been missing out! One of the first things that visitors to France have on their bucket list is to try an authentic French crêpe. Often called “galettes”, they originate from neighboring Brittany. Whether you fancy something sweet or something savoury, you’ve got to head to one of the best crêperies in Normandy: la Crêperie de la plage. Alternatively, if you fancy mussels and fries, you’re at the right place!