German Battery at Longues-sur-Mer

What it is

The Longues-sur-Mer battery is one of the best-preserved pieces of the Atlantic Wall, the line of defences that the Germans built along the coast. It is at the top of the cliff, between Arromanches and Port-en-Bessin, and was built from 1943. It consists of four concrete casemates in a row facing the sea, most of which keep their 150 mm guns, and further on, at the cliff edge, the observation and fire-control post. On 6 June 1944 it went into action against the Allied fleet; afterwards the British took it.

It is one of the few places on the coast where you see the guns in place, and that makes it very easy to understand, for teenagers too.

What you see

• The four casemates. You look into them and see the guns up close.
• The fire-control post. The bunker at the cliff edge from which fire was directed. Its interior is closed for safety; it is seen from outside.
• The coast. From the cliff edge you see the coastline towards Arromanches and Gold Beach to the east, and towards Omaha to the west.

Independent visit

Entry is free all year. The tourist office at the entrance gives out a map and suggests a 1 km heritage trail with eight panels. Allow half an hour to three-quarters of an hour.

Guided visit

Guided visits are run by the interpreter-guides who work with the Bayeux Intercom tourist office: they go round the casemates and the observation post and tell the story of the battery, from its construction to its capture. They leave from in front of the site's reception building.

• Price: €10 adults, €7 under-16s.
• Hours: according to the seasonal visit calendar published by the Bayeux Bessin tourist office on its website.

Getting there and parking

The battery is at Longues-sur-Mer, between Arromanches and Port-en-Bessin, north of Bayeux. Park where the site's signs indicate. By bike, the Vélomaritime, the coastal greenway, links Arromanches with Longues-sur-Mer.

Without a car, see the minibus tours from Bayeux.

With children

The route is outdoors, over grass and paths, and works well with children: the guns impress them more than any display case. Keep an eye on them near the cliff. With a pushchair, expect grass and mud if it has rained.

When to go

It is open all year. In summer, early or at the end of the afternoon is calmer. On windy and rainy days, the cliff edge is very exposed: bring a waterproof and footwear for wet grass.

Combine it

It goes very well with Arromanches and the artificial harbour, a little further east, and with Omaha Beach and the American cemetery, to the west. If you sleep in Bayeux, it is handy for a morning.