Plage de Riva Bella, Sandy beach in Ouistreham, France.
Riva Bella is a sandy beach stretching about 2.5 kilometers along the Normandy coast between Ouistreham marina and Colleville-Montgomery. The shore features fine sand and wide open areas suitable for swimming and beach activities.
Riva Bella lies on the Normandy coast at Ouistreham, at the mouth of the Orne and the Caen canal. On 6 June 1944 the area formed part of the eastern flank of the Normandy landings, in the sector held by the 3rd British Infantry Division and the commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade. The nearby Grand Bunker, a concrete fire-control post, is preserved as a museum.
Riva Bella sits beside the ferry port of Ouistreham, where boats cross to Portsmouth, and the seafront is lined with the villas and hotels of the resort laid out in the late 19th century. The name Riva Bella, Italian for "beautiful shore", was given by the resort's promoters.
The beach provides rescue stations, showers, parking areas, and specially adapted facilities for people with mobility needs. These amenities make visiting comfortable and accessible for different visitors.
Riva Bella sits about 190 km west of Paris, on the Channel coast where the Orne meets the sea. The beach faces north across the water toward England, and ferries from Ouistreham cross to Portsmouth. The local climate is mild and wet, with October rain reaching about 125 mm and August temperatures averaging 18 °C.
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