Between the town and its historical buildings, the moving history of the landing of June 6, 1944 and a beautiful sandy beach, the town of Colleville-Montgomery has everything of a quiet and secret seaside resort, in the heart of the Côte de Nacre.
Top 3 places to visit in Colleville-Montgomery
Hillman site
The fortified Hillman site south of Colleville-Montgomery was the command post of the German coastal defences between 1942 and 1944. Now run by an association, the exterior of the site is visible all year round and can be visited in the summer by volunteers from the Memorial Museum of the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment.
The Statue of Bill Millin
Bill Millin was the personal piper of Major Lord Lovat who landed on Sword Beach on 6 June 1944. He is known for having the courage to play the bagpipes while his fellow soldiers were landing. He was 21 years old at the time. Every year around the 6th of June a concert of pipers is held in memory of the soldiers who fell for our freedom.
In 1946, the commune of Colleville changed its name. Called Colleville-sur-Orne, it became Colleville-Montgomery in reference to the commander who directed the landing operations on these beaches: Bernard Montgomery. This also differentiates it from another town linked to the D-Day landings: Colleville-sur-mer and its Omaha beach.
Le Bois du Caprice
This 73-hectare natural area invites you to go for a nice walk with your family. The wetland is home to a diverse and surprising fauna and flora, such as the spotted salamander. Digital trails and information panels on the spot allow a playful discovery of the wood.
Major events in Colleville-Montgomery
- Pipers concerts around 06 June
