The name of Ouistreham is quite curious for a normand town. It comes from a settlement of Saxon soldiers of fortune that was established there. It is believed to mean village of oysters.
Ouistreham was part of the D Day beach of Sword. The town is bordered on its eastern side by the Canal from Caen to the sea. Huge ferries going from Portsmouth, cargo ships, fishermen boats and sailing ships meet in the waters near the exit of the canal, not far from a large lighthouse.
