Hotel De Rouen

Pegasus Bridge near Caen

by Beausoleil

The Benouville-Pegusus Bridge is a must-see if you are visiting World War II sites. Pegasus, the flying horse, was the emblem of the 6th British Airborne Division and they captured the bridge on June 6, 1944 thus maintaining a vital transportation link for the Allies.

It's a drawbridge and it's fun to see it go up and down. It is also on the beautiful river Orne. It is a very peaceful place today and you wll see ducks swimming on the river and men fishing there.

There is a Memorial on one side of the river that is worth a visit. It is not open in January. Check the web site listed below for hours at other times.

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Museum of Normandy, to know everything

by Pavlik_NL

Inside the castle walls there are two museums of which one is extremely interesting for the visitors to Normandy. This is the Musee de Normandie, or the Normandian museum, telling you everything about the history and every day life in this acceptional part of France with many English traditions and roots as well as Viking heritage.

Caen -- Sword & Juno Beaches

by Ewingjr98

The city of Caen sits just south of the Normandy invasion beaches codenamed Sword and Juno. This city is the gateway to all of Normandy, but especially these westernmost beaches.

In the weeks following D-Day, Caen became a German stronghold and a critical junction preventing the Allied advance deeper into France. Weeks and weeks of bombings destroyed the city, and it ultimately fell in July 1944, opening the road to Paris.

The city of Caen is the largest in the region of Normandy. It has ancient roots going back prior to William the Conqueror establishing his headquarters here in 1060. Le Château de Caen is a great castle-fortress which is now home to a large museum covering the Normandy Invasion. Other famous locations in Caen are Abbaye-aux-Hommes and Abbaye-aux-Dames built in the 1060s by William the Conqueror and his wife (& cousin) Mathilde.