Bayeux War Cemetery

Bayeux, France

The Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France. The cemetery contains 4,648 burials, mostly of the Invasion of Normandy. Opposite this cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial which commemorates 1,808 casualties of the Commonwealth forces who died in Normandy and have no known grave.

The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by France in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defense and liberation of France during the war. In addition to the Commonwealth burials, there are 466 graves of German soldiers.

The cemetery contains the Cross of Sacrifice or War Cross, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Queen Elizabeth II and President of France Jacques Chirac attended ceremonies at the cemetery on June 6, 2004, marking the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

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Founded: 1944
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in France

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Steve Carter (6 months ago)
Another beautifully kept cemetery full of brave souls from WWII. Sit and pay your respects.
John Whiting (6 months ago)
An incredibly moving place to visit. It manages to convey both the scale of the losses suffered by British and Commonwealth forces, but it is also intensely personal due to the personal messages from family members on all the headstones. The grounds and graves are immaculately kept with each grave also having plants and flowers from the UK growing just in front. It brings tears to my eyes just writing this review.
Paul (11 months ago)
Visited on a rainy and bleak weather day. The cemetery is so well kept. A credit to CWGC staff. Whilst there we spoke with the ground’s staff who were so detailed and careful in their work. Cutting sharp edges to each headstone, clearing leaves and debris. Carefully Polishing the bright work of plaques and records vaults. One particular story had me choked up. (I’m ex Para) 9th Battalion, Private Emile Corteil a young 19yrs Paratrooper who accompanied by his beautiful dog Glen landed on 6th July 1944. Both safe landing but later both were killed. They are buried together. So sad. So young but have each other in life and death. The inscription broke me. It says, Had you known our boy you would have loved him too.
Eleonora Marchello (13 months ago)
Worth a visit. Made me realise and understand even more the importance of D-day for European freedom.
Jeska Pepermans (4 years ago)
Well maintained cemetery. Worth visiting to think about all those who had to die to bring peace to the world. Lest we forget.
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