La Vélomaritime : Voie verte de Ouistreham à Merville-Franceville

In Ouistreham Riva-Bella, on the long fine sandy beach, bathers rub shoulders with water sports enthusiasts (sailing, seakayaking, land yachting, stand-up paddling) in specially reserved sectors, a range of activities are on offer to all.

The wind whistles through the poplars as ducks and swans rub shoulders with the seagulls. Making fast in Ouistreham rimes with stopping over in a marina with a truly bucolic atmosphere. The marina is calm, spacious and well-equipped. As you arrive, you will encounter ferries and local fishing boats. Nestling on the banks of the canal that leads to Caen, just a stone’s throw from the famous Pegasus Bridge, the marina is an excellent departure point for visiting William the Conqueror’s city, the beaches and casinos of the Côte de Nacre coast, or even the birds in Sallenelles bay.

The Nature and Estuary Visitor Centre is the property of the Calvados Council and is managed by the CPIE Vallée de l’Orne. It is a genuine gateway towards nature for one of the vastest natural protected areas in Calvados: the Orne estuary. This interpretation centre offers a fascinating insight into this preserved and highly diverse natural environment. It also organises temporary exhibitions associated with the coast and/or our region’s biodiversity, together with a programme of events, offering visitors a fun way to improve their understanding of nature! A certified ‘Family +’ attraction. Come and get back to nature over a breath of Normandy’s fresh sea air!

The Pegasus Memorial Museum, located between Caen and the sea, tells the story of when the very first liberators from the British 6th Airborne Division landed on Norman soil on the night of the 5th to the 6th of June 1944. Period documents, films and objects. Guided tours of the museum, of Pegasus Bridge and of the reproduction of a WWII glider. Guided tour in French or English lasts: 1h30. Novelty: you can now access all museum information on your smartphone via QR Codes on the panels inside the museum grounds. Available in 10 languages: French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish and Czech.

The Merville redoubt, known as the 'Redoute de Vauban', is located in the dunes of the mouth of the River Orne. Its role was to protect the bay. Built on the orders of Louis XVI, it was equipped with three 24 pound cannons and a 3.5 kg mortar. Inside, the redoubt could accommodate up to thirty men. it is currently under restoration by the Association de Défense de l'Environnement et du Patrimoine de Merville-Franceville (Association for the Presevation of Merville-Franceville's Environment and Heritage).

One of the Allied high command’s key targets on D-Day, the Merville Artillery Battery was put out of action by the British 9th Parachute Battalion. Within a preserved site covering several hectares, an educational trail takes you past 6 bunkers, now converted into museums. An example of the legendary Douglas C-47 that took part in the Normandy Landings is on display in the museum grounds.

The beach is accessible: - From the main parking lot - From Kite-r Evolution - From the playground - From Avenue Jean Mermoz - From the Avenue de la côte Fleurie - From the Parking des Mouettes -From the Magniez parking lot 3 first aid posts are open in July and August every day from 12:00 to 18:30 (02 31 24 22 39). A Tiralo is available for people with reduced mobility at the N1 first aid post at the same times. Toilets and showers as well as baby changing facilities are also available at this same station. To know the supervised and unsupervised areas, please refer to the attached document In July and August, you have the possibility to rent beach baskets directly on the spot, next to the first aid post N1 : - 6€ for half a day - 10€ for one day - 50€ for a week - 150€ for one month Unless special arrangements are made, dogs are allowed all year round on the beach but must be kept on a leash. However, from 1 July to 31 August, they are prohibited in the area between the western end of the bathing area of the N3 aid post and the eastern end of the bathing area of the N2 aid post between 9 am and 8 pm. They remain authorised all day long to the East of the N2 station. Horses are allowed on the beach under the following conditions: - From 16 June to 30 September from 5am to 9am and after 8pm: only between the eastern end of the town and the parking des Mouettes and between the Orne Estuary and the Kite-Surf marked out area and this only 2 hours before and 2 hours after the official low tide time. - The rest of the year: every day except Saturdays, Sundays, bridges and public holidays where they are only allowed before 10am and after 7pm on the whole beach. The main part is bordered by a pleasant promenade. The two extremities are wilder with the appearance of some dunes.