Pointe du Hoc

What it is

Pointe du Hoc is the headland between Utah and Omaha that the American Rangers scaled on 6 June 1944. The Germans had 155 mm artillery pieces there, capable of hitting both American beaches. Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder's 2nd Ranger Battalion was to land at 6:30, climb about 30 metres of cliff and destroy them. They arrived late, lost two landing craft and climbed under fire; at the top they found the guns had been moved inland, tracked them down and put them out of action. After two days of fighting, when relief arrived from Omaha, only about 90 Rangers were still standing.

The terrain remains almost as they left it: full of bomb craters and shattered bunkers. On one of them, a granite pillar with plaques in French and English commemorates the Rangers. It has been run by the ABMC since 1979 and entry is free.

Works until mid-2027

The site has been undergoing full restoration since February 2026, to protect the cliff from erosion and renew the paths, car park, welcome area, visitor centre and memorial esplanade. While the works last:

• The visitor centre is closed since 9 March 2026. There is a staffed welcome point next to the temporary car park.
• The main car park (P1) is closed until early 2027. There are alternative car parks, limited in number: follow the signs.
• Part of the historic site is closed since mid-May 2026. You can only walk the west trail, which is well signposted.

ABMC guides walk around the site to answer questions, and in season there are talks and tours announced on their social media and on the information panels.

Hours and price

Open every day, including French public holidays, from 9:00 to 17:00. The ABMC visiting page says that from October to March it closes at midday, from 12:30 to 13:30; the works page speaks of continuous hours. If you go in winter, avoid that slot. Entry is free and no reservation is needed.

Getting there and parking

Pointe du Hoc is in Cricqueville-en-Bessin, about 11 km west of the American cemetery. From Bayeux, follow the N13, then the D517 to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and turn left onto the D514; at a roundabout about 10 km west of Saint-Laurent, a sign points to La Pointe du Hoc. Park where the staff direct you.

Without a car, the ABMC points out that public transport is scarce: the practical option is the minibus tours from Bayeux.

How long and when to go

Three quarters of an hour is enough for the west trail while the works last. The site is outdoors and very exposed to the wind: bring a waterproof. In summer, first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon there are usually fewer people.

With children and teenagers

Teenagers find it more impressive than any museum: you see the craters and bunkers up close. With small children, hold their hands at all times: the cliff edges and the craters are dangerous. With a pushchair, the grass and dirt path becomes difficult after rain.

On the route

Pointe du Hoc lies between Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, to the west, and Omaha Beach and the American cemetery, to the east.