Plage de Ouistreham, Sand beach in Ouistreham, France
Ouistreham plage is a 3-kilometer stretch of sand beach along the English Channel with fine grain and a gentle slope into the water. The shore has multiple access points, showers, and changing facilities spread across different sections.
The beach formed part of Sword Beach in 1944 when Allied forces landed here during the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. This pivotal moment remains central to how people understand the place today.
Fishing boats come and go with the tides, and locals stop by in the early hours to buy fresh catch directly from the fishermen. This maritime connection shapes both the regional food and the way residents spend their days.
Lifeguards watch over the beach during the summer season, and parking areas sit nearby at several points along the shore. Morning hours tend to offer the calmest conditions and fewer visitors for a more relaxed visit.
At low tide, the water pulls back as far as 2 kilometers from the shoreline, exposing vast sand flats and pools left behind by the ocean. Visitors can walk far out into areas normally covered by water and spot marine life up close.
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