6 June 1944 marked the start of an amphibious and airborne operation on the Normandy coast on an incredible scale: the Normandy landings. For 75 years, millions of visitors have visited Normandy to remember and to pay homage to all those who took part in this fight for freedom for France, Europe and the world. Soon, these D-Day beaches will be the only witnesses to this unforgettable day.


The D-Day beaches span some 50 miles of coastline, divided up into 5 areas, established by the Allies during the war with its corresponding code name: Utah - Omaha - Gold - Juno - Sword.

Omaha Beach

 

The nomination of the beaches for UNESCO World Heritage status

The Normandy Region has developed a partnership-based approach to promote the recognition of the D-Day beaches of Normandy 1944 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Heritage inventory work has been carried within an area of 50 miles to identify any trace of the Allied landings, the ruins of the defensive wall, the remains of the Allied offensive and the artificial harbours, the shipwrecks in the Baie de Seine and local memories of and after the event. With the support of the International Scientific Council, the Normandy Region prepared an application which was submitted by France to UNESCO in January 2018.

The benefits of this process will be as follows:

  1. The identification and preservations of this heritage so that it can be passed on to future generations.
  2. The strengthening of the symbolic dimension, the universal values of freedom and peace, the message for our world of today and tomorrow.
  3. The development of excellent, sustainable tourism, to be able to welcome over 2 million visitors annually to the sites with due respect for the origins of such places

The site’s “outstanding universal value”, a fundamental concept which is required for any World Heritage Site application, is shown as follows:

 

he D-Day beaches of Normandy 1944 bear the scars and honour the memories of a battle for freedom and peace. They have become the setting for a global gathering, bearing a universal message about freedom and peace.

    Many public figures from around the world have lent their support to the nomination of the D-Day beaches of Normandy 1944 to become a World Heritage Site.
     

    More information on the nomination of the D-Day beaches for UNESCO World Heritage status.

     

    SUPPORT THE APPLICATION

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