Lion-sur-Mer (French pronunciation: [ljɔ̃ syʁ mɛʁ] , literally Lion on Sea) is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.
Geography
Lion-sur-Mer is located on the edge of the English Channel, more precisely on the Côte de Nacre (Mother of Pearl Coast), about 15 km (9.3 mi) North of Caen.
The beach is made of fine sand and is bordered, to the west, by middle-sized cliffs.
The town is served by 2 bus services : line No. 1 of the Bus Verts du Calvados and line No. 62 of Twisto. A ferry of Brittany Ferries links Ouistreham (5 km from Lion-sur-Mer) to Portsmouth in England.
History
- 6 June 1944 : The D-Day of the Battle of Normandy during World War II. British soldiers landed on the beach of Lion-sur-Mer which was a part of the Sword Beach sector.
Population
Sights
- The beach, its promenade (La digue) and its villas from the beginning of the 20th century
- Saint-Pierre church (Tower from the 1st half of the 12th century)
- Lion-sur-Mer castle (Closed to the public)
- The "le Castel Louis" or "la Villa Louis" house (listed building), ancient casino built in 1866–1868 and then transformed in the Art Nouveau style.
The town is crossed by the EuroVelo 4 track.
Events
- "Les terrasses de l'été" ("The summer terraces") : about 40 free animations and concerts in July and August.
- Flea markets several times per year.
Sport
- Hermanville sporting club (8 tennis clay courts)
- Municipal sailing school
- Sport complex (Gymnasium, tennis courts and soccer field)
International relations
Lion-sur-Mer is twinned with:
- Kiebingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
See also
- Communes of the Calvados department
References
Bibliography
- (in French) Villas de Lion-sur-Mer et Hermanville-sur-Mer, Coll. Itinéraires du patrimoine, n°125
External links
- (in French) Lion sur Mer...Autrefois (Blog featuring old postcards of Lion-sur-Mer)
