Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
Reviers, Normandy
More than 2,000 Canadian soldiers who died on Normandy beaches and battlefields are buried in this Second World War Cemetery. Lines of white headstones stretch across manicured grounds, here, and memorials repose in the shade of leafy, mature trees. Veterans Affairs Canada manages the grounds, which France has granted to Canada.
This historic cemetery is one of a handful of Canadian Second World War sites in Normandy, where more than 14,000 Canadian soldiers arrived for D-Day alone. It’s an included stop on some tours of D-Day sites in the area, which range from half-day trips to full-day excursions. On these tours, the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is frequently combined with other Canadian-specific sites, which include Ardenne Abbey, Juno Beach, and Canada House.
- If you’re visiting Normandy war sites at a busy time, this is a great place to avoid crowds, as the cemetery tends to be quiet.
- This isn’t the only Canadian war cemetery in Normandy; the other is located at Bretteville-Sur-Laize, roughly 30 minutes away by car.
- Most of the memorials are open-air, so plan to bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.
The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is located on D35, .6 miles (1 kilometer) east of Reviers, Normandy. Most visitors come as part of a tour or with their own vehicle, as public transit is limited. To reach the cemetery from Bayeux, a 14.3-mile (23-kilometer) trip, follow D613 southeast from the city, then turn north onto D35 through Creully, Amblie, and Reviers. From Caen, it’s 11.2 miles (18 kilometers): Follow D7 to D404 and D35.
Normandy is a popular destination in the sunny months between June and August, when warm weather brings crowds to beautiful beaches. But while the D-Day sites in Normandy can be visited year round, it’s a moving experience to travel here in early June, when D-Day memorial celebrations are held at the cemetery and across the region.
Though the cemetery is in a less-visited part of Normandy, there’s plenty to explore within half an hour. On the Caen Canal is the Pegasus Memorial, which marks the first objective of airborne troops arriving on D-Day. In Caen itself, find the atmospheric ruins of Caen Castle, plus the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Caen, whose holdings go from 16th-century paintings to sculpture. The city is also home to Ardenne Abbey, another important Canadian Second World War landmark and the site of a wartime tragedy.
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