Courseulles

Courseulles, resort town and marina, Normandy région, northwestern France. It is situated on the English Channel and on the right bank of the Seulles River, some 12 miles (19 km) north-northwest of Caen and 8 miles (13 km) east of Arromanches by road.

On D-Day (June 6, 1944) during the Normandy Invasion of World War II, Courseulles lay in the middle of Juno Beach, a landing area assaulted by Canadian troops, who suffered severe losses while attacking German positions in the town. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Monument stands on the coast in memory of the event; other reminders of the war include a monument to Charles de Gaulle and a Sherman tank salvaged from the channel waters. Near the town is a Canadian war cemetery containing more than 2,000 graves.

(Read Sir John Keegan’s Britannica entry on the Normandy Invasion.)

In the vicinity of Courseulles are the three châteaus of Creully, Fontaine-Henry, and Brecy and the abbey of Saint Gabriel, all popular attractions. In addition to tourism, oyster farming and fishing are important sources of income. Pop. (1999) 3,923; (2014 est.) 4,165.