D-Day landing beaches added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The D-Day landing beaches in Normandy were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List on Sunday, completing a project that began nearly two decades ago.

The listed area stretches for more than 80 kilometres, or 50 miles, along the coast of northwestern France. It includes the five D-Day beaches known by their wartime code names: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

Allied forces landed on the beaches on June 6, 1944. The source described the landings as the scene of a decisive battle to liberate Europe from Nazism and help bring an end to World War II.

Herve Morin, president of the Normandy Region, said the decision placed a responsibility on authorities. He said it required them to preserve and protect the property, cherish it further and promote its value.

The D-Day beaches join more than 50 French sites already on the UNESCO list, including Mont Saint Michel in Normandy and the Palace of Versailles. The source said recognition of a site's outstanding universal value brings international renown and commits authorities to work toward its preservation.