Colleville-Montgomery (; formerly ''Colleville-sur-Orne'') is a
commune
A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to:
Administrative-territorial entities
* Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township
** Communes of ...
in the
Calvados
Calvados (, , ) is a brandy from Normandy in France, made from apples or pears, or from apples with pears.
History In France
Apple orchards and brewers are mentioned as far back as the 8th century by Charlemagne. The first known record of Nor ...
department in the
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...
in northern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
. It was known as Colleville-sur-Orne until 13 June 1946 to distinguish it from another town in the department, also in a coastal location,
Colleville-sur-Mer
Colleville-sur-Mer (, literally ''Colleville on Sea'') is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandie region in northwestern France.
History
It was originally a farm owned by a certain ''Koli'', a Scandinavian settler in the Middle Ag ...
. The new name honoured
Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, the senior-ranking British military commander who commanded the
invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. There are two neighbouring towns in Calvados called
Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery and
Saint-Germain-de-Montgommery
Saint-Germain-de-Montgommery () is a former commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Val-de-Vie.William the Conqueror
William I; ang, WillelmI (Bates ''William the Conqueror'' p. 33– 9 September 1087), usually known as William the Conqueror and sometimes William the Bastard, was the first House of Normandy, Norman List of English monarchs#House of Norman ...
's
invading army in 1066 and settled in England. The town was featured in the 1962 film, ''
The Longest Day'', detailing the
French Resistance
The French Resistance (french: La Résistance) was a collection of organisations that fought the German occupation of France during World War II, Nazi occupation of France and the Collaborationism, collaborationist Vichy France, Vichy régim ...
and their efforts on
D-Day.
Sights
* The Church
Built by Saint-Vigor, Bishop of the city of Bayeux (511-531), during the 11th and 12th centuries, it has two choirs and a Romanesque nave.
The first bay consists in
barrel vaults. The other vaults are more recent, built at the same time as the
arches which lead to the second choir, from the thirteenth century.
The side tower from the twelfth century for the lower part is of
Romanesque design, and from the fifteenth century for the upper part with a terrace on top surrounded by a parapet, and contains three bells. The bell tower, partially destroyed during the liberation of the area, was reconstructed.
The windows were designed in the style of
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture (or pointed architecture) is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It ...
and their
stained glass were restored after
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
.
*
Hillman Fortress
Built by the German army in 1942, it consists of a complex of bunkers which are being restored since 1990 by an association called "Les Amis du
Suffolk Régiment".
Free guided visits are organised during the summer.
* La Redoute
Located at the end of Vauban street, this fortification was built in 1779 according to a design by
Vauban. Half of it still remains visible.
Tourism
There is a camping place located about 200 m from the beach.
Population
International relations
Colleville-Montgomery is twinned with:
*
Kleinrinderfeld,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
See also
*
Colleville-sur-Mer
Colleville-sur-Mer (, literally ''Colleville on Sea'') is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandie region in northwestern France.
History
It was originally a farm owned by a certain ''Koli'', a Scandinavian settler in the Middle Ag ...
*
Communes of the Calvados department
References
External links
Official WebsiteWebsite of "Les Amis du Suffolk Régiment"
Image:Colleville Mgry Hillman.jpg, Hillman Batterie Memorial
Image:Colleville Mgry Redoute.jpg, Aspect of the fortification La Redoute
Communes of Calvados (department)
Seaside resorts in France
Calvados communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia
{{Calvados-geo-stub