American Cemetery, France

There many places listed in a France travel guide as France tourist attractions. Nevertheless, in sightseeing in France some places stand out for their quiet, serene presence. The Normandy American Cemetery in France is one such place.

The American Cemetery and Memorial at Normandy in France was the first American cemetery of World War II in Europe. The American Cemetery in France site covers 172 acres and laid at rest here are 9387 American military personnel. These personnel lost their lives in the D-Day landings on the treacherous Omaha and Utah beach. These beaches end in steep cliffs and many lives were lost when they were captured. In the Garden of the Missing, 1557 names are inscribed with rosettes marking the names of those who have since then been recovered and identified.

The American Cemetery is on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on 8th June 1944. Normandy American Cemetery in France is located on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. The memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with loggia at both ends, each end containing huge maps with summaries of the military operations; at the center is the bronze statue, "Spirit of American Youth."

The Normandy American Cemetery in France is open daily to public from 9 am to 5 pm except on 25th December and 1st January. It is open on French holidays also. The Normandy American Cemetery is 272 kilometers to the west of Paris and is easily accessible by road and rail.