Arromanches-les-Bains Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Arromanches-les-Bains

Commune

Arromanches, with the remains of the Mulberry harbour in its bay

Coat of arms

Arromanches-les-Bains

Location in France

Arromanches-les-Bains

Location in Normandy

Country

Courseulles-sur-Mer

Bessin, Seulles et Mer

Area

13.7 km² (5.3 sq mi)

Population

(2010)

587

• Density

42.85/km² (111.0/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+01:00 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+02:00 (CEST)

INSEE/Postal code

14021 /14117

Elevation

0–55 m (0–180 ft)
(avg. 15 m or 49 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Arromanches-les-Bains is a small town in France. It is located in the Calvados department, which is part of the Normandy region in the northwest of the country. This charming seaside place is famous for its important role in World War II.

Discover Arromanches-les-Bains
- Location and Landscape
History of Arromanches
- The Mulberry Harbour
  - How the Harbour Worked
Arromanches Today
- Museums and Memorials
- Things to See
Images for kids
See also

Discover Arromanches-les-Bains

Arromanches-les-Bains is a commune, which is like a small local government area in France. It is a popular spot for tourists, especially those interested in history. The town is known for its beautiful beaches and cliffs along the coast.

Location and Landscape

Arromanches is right on the coast of the English Channel. It is surrounded by green hills and has lovely sandy beaches. The town is quite small, with about 587 people living there as of 2010.

A wide view of Arromanches-les-Bains and its bay.

History of Arromanches

Arromanches has a long history, but it is most famous for an amazing event during World War II. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy. Arromanches was a key location for this huge operation.

The Mulberry Harbour

After the D-Day landings, the Allies needed a way to bring lots of supplies and equipment to France. They couldn't capture a big port quickly enough. So, they decided to build their own temporary harbours! These were called Mulberry Harbours.

Arromanches was chosen as the site for one of these incredible artificial ports, named Port Winston. This harbour was built using huge concrete blocks and floating roadways. These parts were made in Britain and then towed across the English Channel.

The Mulberry Harbour in operation during 1944.

How the Harbour Worked

The Mulberry Harbour allowed thousands of tons of supplies to be brought ashore every day. This included tanks, vehicles, food, and ammunition. It was a vital part of the D-Day invasion's success. Without it, the Allied armies might not have been able to push forward.

Even today, you can still see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour in the bay of Arromanches. These concrete blocks stand as a powerful reminder of this incredible engineering feat. They show how people worked together to overcome huge challenges during the war.

Remains of the Mulberry harbour on the beach today.

Arromanches Today

Today, Arromanches-les-Bains is a peaceful town. It welcomes many visitors who come to learn about its history and enjoy the coast.

Museums and Memorials

The town has a special museum called the Musée du Débarquement (Museum of the Landings). This museum tells the story of the D-Day landings and the Mulberry Harbour. It has models, films, and real objects from that time.

There are also memorials around the town. These remember the soldiers who fought and sacrificed during the war. Visiting these places helps people understand the importance of peace.