Brittany American Cemetery Reception Room closed for renovations until March 20, 2025.
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Brittany American Cemetery Reception Room closed for renovations until March 20, 2025.
Along the retaining wall of the memorial terrace are inscribed the names of 500 of the missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.
The gray granite memorial, containing the chapel as well as two large operations maps with narratives and flags of our military services, overlooks the burial area. Stained glass and sculpture embellish the structure. The cemetery is located on the site of the temporary American St. James Cemetery, established on August 4, 1944 by the U.S. Third Army. It marks the point where the American forces made their breakthrough from the hedgerow country of Normandy into the plains of Brittany during the offensive around Avranches, France.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the visitor building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
It may be reached by car from Paris in about three and a half hours via toll highway A-13 to Caen. Then travel on the A-84 in the direction of Rennes. Take exit 32 for St. James.
By train from Paris, take the TGV to Rennes from either the CDG2 station at Charles de Gaulle Airport (just less than three hours) or the Paris Montparnasse station (two hours), and then a local train from Rennes to Pontorson (45 minutes).
Paris is about 225 miles from the cemetery.Rennes also offers an airport, which has rail connections to Pontorson. The cemetery is a 45 minute drive from Pontorson.
Taxis are available at Pontorson station.
Hotels are available in St. James, Avranches, Pontorson and Mont St. Michel.
More than 200,000 fallen service members are honored at an ABMC site. Search the burial database.
Vintage posters convey the beauty, tranquility, and solemnity of the place as a sign of respect for those who fought so that we can live free today.
A vintage poster was created by French artist DOZ for all ABMC cemeteries and five monuments and memorials to mark ABMC’s centennial. Inspired by the famous photographers from the 1950’s who made a point of capturing joyful, light hearted moments of life, these posters represent the most symbolic and iconic elements of each site.
At this time, we are not offering printed versions of the posters, but the high-resolution printing file for each poster is available here for personal use. Please note that the posters are copyrighted and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes. Please contact ABMC Public Affairs at publicaffairs@abmc.gov with any questions.
Etiquette, FAQs, and other trip planning resources
Please remember that ABMC cemeteries are sacred burial grounds, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We ask that you conduct yourself with the utmost respect and solemnity during your visit. Kindly refrain from any behavior that might disturb the peace and dignity of this hallowed place. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.