The Bay of Cotentin is an area laden with history. At the heart of the Battle, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Utah Beach and Carentan witnessed the landings and the first airborne assaults. On D-Day 1944, 150 000 soldiers crossed the Channel to land in the Bay of Cotentin, a strategic place in order to reach Cherbourg and its harbour.
In the area you can discover the history of Carentan, where the first American assaults took place, and **Saint-Mère-Eglise, the first town to be liberated by the Allies,** as well as learn about the airborne operations and the amphibious landings on Utah Beach…
Utah Beach was the code name given by the Allies to the beach of la Madeleine in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. This beach was the first landing zone, chosen by the English General Montgomery. Utah Beach is the most westerly of the five landing beaches and includes part of the coast of la Manche, from St Germain de Varreville to the left bank of the Vire estuary. It was expected that the Allies would arrive there at the same time as those who had landed on Omaha beach, situated 15 km to the east. Read more.
In addition to its rich WWII history, the region has numerous castles, monasteries, churches, viking boats, tapestries and other historical secrets to share with visitors.
Bayeux boasts a stunning historic center as well as its world-famous, UNESCO-listed tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The city had the good fortune to be swiftly liberated by the Allies in June 1944, but its war museum and British cemetery recall the sacrifices made in these parts.
The Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island about 1h30 from Château Coliving, famous for the difference of up to 15 meters between low and high tides. Located in a strategic area, it was constantly disputed and the island remained unconquered during the Hundred Years’ War. Today, you can visit the village, ramparts, museums and the abbey, a masterpiece of architecture. Its bay is listed as UNESCO world heritage site. The second most visited landmark in France, after the Eiffel tower is stunning at any season and we definitely recommend it!