Pegasus Bridge

Pegasus Bridge Review

Early on June 6, 1944, the British 6th Airborne Division landed by glider and captured Pegasus Bridge (named for the division's emblem, showing Bellerophon astride his winged horse, Pegasus). This proved the first step toward the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. To see this symbol of the Allied invasion, from Caen take D514 north and turn right at Bénouville. The original bridge—erected in 1935—has been replaced by a similar but slightly wider bridge; but the actual original can still be seen at the adjacent Mémorial Pegasus visitor center (€6 Feb.-Nov., daily). Café Gondrée by the bridge—the first building recaptured on French soil—is still standing, still serving coffee, and houses a small museum. A 40-minute son-et-lumière show lights up the bridge and the café at nightfall between June and September.