Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Normandy D-Day. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type monument
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Normandy D-Day Normandy D-Day guide
About Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
On a bluff above Omaha Beach at Colleville-sur-Mer, the American cemetery holds war dead of the Normandy campaign beneath rows of white marble markers, with a memorial and reflecting pool.
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial sits on a bluff above Omaha Beach at Colleville-sur-Mer, on ground that France has granted to the United States free of charge for an unlimited term. It covers about 172 acres and holds 9,389 graves of American war dead, most of whom died in the Normandy landings and the operations that followed; the figure is commonly rounded to about 9,388. The white marble headstones, 9,238 Latin crosses and 151 Stars of David, are aligned in long rows across the lawns.
The Walls of the Missing, set in a semicircular garden, carry 1,557 names, with rosettes marking those since recovered. At the memorial, a colonnade holds maps of the campaign around Donald De Lue's bronze statue 'Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves'. A visitor centre, opened in 2007, tells the personal stories of the fallen. The cemetery was dedicated in 1956.
How long is a visit to Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial worth your time?
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Normandy D-Day, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Normandy D-Day
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial and read more:
Day 2 of the Normandy D-Day in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
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