Sword Beach at Ouistreham was the easternmost D-Day beach, where British and Free French forces landed on 6 June 1944. Just inland, Pegasus Bridge (Bénouville) was the first Allied objective of D-Day, captured in a daring glider assault by British paratroopers just after midnight on June 6. The Mémorial Pegasus museum beside the original bridge tells the story with extraordinary personal accounts.
Sword Beach, at Ouistreham on the Calvados coast of Normandy, France, was the easternmost of the five Allied landing beaches on 6 June 1944. British troops of the 3rd Infantry Division and a Commando brigade of Free French forces came ashore here with the objective of linking up with British airborne troops who had landed inland overnight. The key airborne objective was Pegasus Bridge (Bénouville Bridge), the crossing of the Caen Canal between Ouistreham and Caen. At approximately 0016 on 6 June, three Horsa gliders landed within metres of the bridge in the most precise glider assault of the war; the bridge was captured in under 10 minutes by Major John Howard's company of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry — the first Allied objective taken on D-Day. The original Pegasus Bridge was replaced in 1994; it stands preserved beside the Mémorial Pegasus museum at avenue du Major Howard in Ranville. The museum, opened in 2000, tells the story of the 6th Airborne Division's D-Day operations through personal accounts, original equipment, dioramas, and a Horsa glider on display inside the building. Café Gondrée at the canal bridge — the first house liberated in France — is still owned by the founding family and serves as a café and small museum. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Ranville, holding the graves of many airborne troops, is three minutes' walk from the museum. A complete visit to the museum, canal, café, and cemetery takes two to three hours.
| Admission | Mémorial Pegasus €7; beach free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Apr–Sep 9:30–18:30, Oct–Mar 10:00–17:00 |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Morning |
| Address | Avenue du Major Howard, 14970 Ranville (Mémorial Pegasus) |
Location
Avenue du Major Howard, 14970 Ranville (Mémorial Pegasus)
Highlights
- The original Pegasus Bridge preserved and displayed beside the Mémorial Pegasus museum
- Horsa glider on display inside the museum — the type used in the precision landing on D-Day
- Café Gondrée: the first house liberated in France, still owned by the founding family
- Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Ranville, three minutes from the memorial
- Sword Beach at Ouistreham with the site of the 1944 Free French Commando landing
Tips for visiting
- The original Pegasus Bridge is beside the museum on the canal
- Café Gondrée (the first house liberated in France) is still open
- The British Airborne Cemetery is nearby at Ranville
When to visit
Morning visits are ideal, combining the museum, canal, and Ranville cemetery before the largest tour groups arrive mid-morning. June 6 sees commemorations at the bridge with a formal ceremony. The site is open year-round and rarely overwhelmingly crowded outside June and July.
Accessibility
The Mémorial Pegasus museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users, with ramp access and lifts within the building. The canal towpath is flat and accessible. The Ranville cemetery has level grass paths. Sword Beach at Ouistreham has a flat sand and shingle beach. Disabled parking is available at the museum.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a charge to visit the Mémorial Pegasus?
The Mémorial Pegasus museum charges €7 for adults. The original bridge, the canal towpath, and Café Gondrée are free to visit. The Ranville cemetery is free and open year-round.
How long does a visit to Pegasus Bridge and the museum take?
Allow two to three hours to visit the museum, walk the canal towpath past the original bridge, stop at Café Gondrée, and visit the Ranville cemetery. Adding Sword Beach at Ouistreham (10 minutes by car) extends this to a half-day.
What is Café Gondrée's connection to D-Day?
Café Gondrée was the first house reached by Major Howard's glider troops in the opening minutes of D-Day. Owner Georges Gondrée reportedly opened 97 bottles of champagne to celebrate liberation. The café is still run by his descendants.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes — the Horsa glider, dioramas, and personal stories are engaging for children. The museum has multilingual explanatory panels and the exterior grounds include the preserved original bridge structure.