Lion-sur-Mer is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northern France.

Its inhabitants are called the lionnais (and lionnaise(s) for women).

Geography

The beach is made of fine sand and is bordered, to the West, by middle-sized cliffes.

The town is served by 2 bus services : line #1 of the Bus Verts du Calvados and line #62 of Twisto. A ferry of Brittany Ferries links Ouistreham (5 km from Lion-sur-Mer) to Portsmouth in England.

History

• June 6, 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.

Places and landmarks

• The beach, its promenade (La digue) and its villas from the beginning of the 20^th century
• Saint-Pierre church (Tower from the 1^st half of the 12^th century)
• Lion-sur-Mer castle (Closed to the public)
• The "le Castel Louis" house (listed building), ancient casino built in 1866-1868 and then transformed in the art nouveau style.

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.

Museums

• "Maison du fossile" ("House of the Fossil").

Sport

• Hermanville sporting club (8 tennis clay courts)
• Municipal sailing school
• Sport complex (Gymnasium, tennis courts and soccer field)

Twin towns

• Kiebingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

See also

• Communes of the Calvados department

References

Bibliography

• Villas de Lion-sur-Mer et Hermanville-sur-Mer, Coll. Itinéraires du patrimoine, n°125

External links

• Lion sur Mer...Autrefois (Blog featuring old postcards of Lion-sur-Mer)