La Capricieuse greenway: from Luc-sur-Mer to Douvres-la-Délivrande

On the east side of the seawall, the fishermen’s pier is an extension to the Brèche Marais Street. It was brought from Ouistreham’s outer harbour in 1971. It has become a popular fishing spot for anglers.

On the night of 14 to 15 January 1885, a 40-tonne, 19-metre whale washed up on the shores of the Côte de Nacre at a place known as the "Brèche du Moulin". Today, the whale is the pride of Luc-sur-mer, where we are lucky enough to be able to approach its immense skeleton in the municipal park, much to the delight of young and old alike. In the same place, come and discover the Maison de la Baleine (Whale House), which tells the incredible story of the whale that washed up in Normandy, as well as the history of this species of cetacean. Inside you'll find an area devoted to stories and anecdotes about whales, a memorandum on whale hunting and protection, a scientific area containing anatomical and physiological data on these mammals, a video room showing a film retracing the history of the Luc whale, a retrospective on the beaching of the elfin whale with documents from the period, and a shop selling souvenirs, postcards, books, etc. The Maison de la Baleine houses the tourist office.

Listed on the Historic Monument's supplementary inventory on the 7th of April 1975, the shop was built by Georges Lesage in 1901, following plans drawn up by the Caen-based architect Rouvray, one of Hector Guimard's former pupils. It is a three floor Baroque style house in the early 20th century composite style. The entrance is the most picturesque feature with a floral grid, petal-shaped window arch and an impressively high and narrow door. Visits of the outside only.

Its comprises two buildings in a three-hectare park. The entrance gate dates back to the 15 th century and was consolidated in the 19th century. The main building dates from 14 th and 15th centuries. Douvres became a barony in 1072 when Thomas of Dover ( 1st Archbishop of York, companion of William the Conqueror), it was then turned into a manor house and became the Bishop of Bayeux's country house. During the 18th century, it was rented to farmers and became a national property during the French Revolution. It has been renovated by the town of Douvres-la Délivrande and children can now enjoy a nice garden and a playground. Only french spoken Lectures, usually of a historical nature, on the last Thursday of January, February, March, May, October and November. Guided tours for groups, schools, etc. by appointment.

It was completed on the south side of Douvres-la-Délivrande on grounds that belong to the French State. It has been given to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which is in charge of its maintenance. It is one of the 17 British war cemeteries in Calvados. The cemetery contains 923 British graves, 180 German graves, 11 Canadian graves, 3 Australian graves, 1 Polish grave of an unknown soldier.

The only radar station kept in its originals state of the D-Day Landing beaches. It is located in an authentic German radar station built between 1942 and 1944, which was one of the most important air defence stations of the Atlantic Wall with its five radars that could detect targets 400 km away.