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To awaken your senses in Normandy - Claire et Manu’s Blog

25 D-Day Normandy Battle sites (to visit)

by Claire ROBINSON , Region Lovers | November 1, 2023 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

The D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy have left a lasting impression on the region and the world. It can be difficult to plan a trip with the amount of beaches, museums, batteries and other places to visit. Here is our selection of the best D-Day Nomandy battle sites and tips to help you plan.

D-Day Normandy battle sites to visit

Top 10 d-day landing sites in normandy to visit : map.

In Normandy, the choice of beaches, museums, memorials, cemeteries, batteries of the second world war to visit can impress. Where to start? Here is a map with our top 10 that you will find in more detail in this article. Of course, this is a general choice, but depending on your family history, there are other choices to make.

OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy

• Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
• Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
• Think of the complete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
• There is a lot of demand, book it early .

Some tips to keep in mind

• Where to sleep? The most convenient cities to stay and visit all the landing sites are : Bayeux inland (see the best hotel deals ) Arromanches-les-bains by the sea (see the best hotel offers ) And Caen is the largest city in the area (see the best hotel deals )
• Getting around You can find organized tours from Paris, Caen or Bayeux – see options However, I advise you to rent a car to be able to adapt your itinerary to your desires – see our favorite platform to find the best deals
• How long It is possible to have a snapshot in 1 day but to be able to see all the major sites, count 3 days and to really dig into the subject 5 days to a week.

More tips after the list of places.

STAYING NEAR THE D-Day beaches

Option 1: Bayeux

The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base ourselves in the town of Bayeux. We recommend..:

• Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
• see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux

Option 2: in the countryside

In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…

• Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach – prices, pictures and availability
• Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – prices, pictures and availability

Option 3: next to one of the beaches

If you’re looking for a seaside holiday or are fascinated by one of the beaches, you can choose a more specific hotel:

• Hotel Villas d’Arromanches in Gold Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
• Hotel La Sapinière in Omaha Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability

See all our advice on where to stay to visit the beaches

5 D Day landing beaches in Normandy

Let’s start with the 5 landing beaches of the Normandy coast. A must-see. Find more practical information on our article dedicated to the landing beaches .

#1. Utah Beach

The landing zone known as Utah Beach stretches from Sainte Marie du Mont to Quineville on the east coast of the Cotentin peninsula. It was one of the American landing zones along with Omaha. On June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord was launched and paratroopers arrived on the beach. The sandy beach and sand dunes are home to memorials, statues and a museum.

• Driving time from Caen : 1h
• Driving time from Bayeux : 50min
• See the best hotel and accommodation offers in the area

#2. Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach is a long sandy beach. You can go down through several villages. This beach was a trap for the Allies. There were many casualties here In the middle, you can find a memorial in the sand. The Overlord Museum is located a little further on.

• Driving time from Caen : 40 min
• Driving time from Bayeux : 25 min

#3. Gold Beach (Arromanches)

Gold Beach is located on the beach at Arromanches-les-Bains. It was the landing zone for the British who were to liberate Bayeux. This is the place where you can better realize what it could have been because, at low tide structures appear. This is where the Mulberry Harbor was towed from Britain in June 1944. It became known as Port Winston. Today, you can still see large concrete blocks around the beach and in the water, which is quite impressive. Arromanches also has a 360° cinema on the landing and a museum.

• Driving time from Bayeux : 20 min

#4. Juno Beach

As far as nature is concerned, Juno Beach is a long sandy beach with sand dunes at the back. Concerning the Second World War, you can discover some tanks and bunkers as well as the cross of Lorraine, commemorating the place where General de Gaulle set foot in France after 4 years of exile. It is also home to the Juno Beach Center, a museum dedicated to Canada’s contribution to the liberation.

• Driving time from Caen : 30 min
• Driving time from Bayeux : 30 min

#5. Sword Beach

The Sword Beach area stretched 8 km from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to Ouistreham. The British landed there and were joined by French commandos to liberate several strategic bridges. The beach of Lion-sur-mer The beach of Ouistreham is very large and flat. Few things on the beach indicate its past but in the city you can visit the museums of the Atlantic Wall and the museum No. 4 commando.

• Driving time from Caen : 20min
• Driving time from Bayeux : 40min

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A DREAM TRIP TO Normandy

All the information you need for your trip:

• 8 maps that make planning easier
• 160+ pre-selected locations
• Practical advice
• 300+ photos to help you choose

9 best D-Day museums in Normandy

Here is a selection of 9 D-Day museums to consider visiting. There are of course more. These are the most important. For a full list and even more practical information, see our article on D-Day museums .

#6. Caen Memorial

The Caen Memorial Museum is considered the best World War II museum in France. You can spend a whole day there, so rich in information and elements. It covers the landing but also the second world war as a whole. In this huge museum, you will find a German bunker, historical objects, vehicles, sound and video recordings…

• On the outskirts of the city of Caen
• Open every day – Closed in January and on Mondays in December

Read our article

#7. Museum of the Atlantic Wall

The Atlantic Wall Museum is also known as the Great Bunker. It is located at Sword Beach (Ouistreham), at the easternmost point. This museum is worth a visit, not only for its connection of artifacts and information about the Atlantic Wall, but also for its unique structure. It is installed in a huge blockhouse which served as a center for the German command. From this place, they controlled all the batteries. It was taken by the Allied forces on June 9, 1944 (by British Lieutenant Bob Orrell and his men). The 5 floors show all the rooms and how the operations were organized inside the bunker.

#8. Juno Beach Museum

The large Juno Beach Museum is located on the actual landing beach. It focuses on the contribution of Canadian troops during the D-Day landings and the entire Second World War. You will also learn about life in Canada before, during and after the war. See our article to plan your visit .

#9. Overlord Museum

The Overlord Museum is not on the beach, but is located only a few minutes drive from Omaha Beach, in Colleville-sur-Mer. Its name refers to Operation Overlord, the code name for the Allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy. The museum covers the D-Day landings and the liberation of Paris. The collection was founded by a local who witnessed the war as a teenager. This museum is known for its tanks and armored vehicles and its impressive collection of artifacts showing the life of soldiers and not only the firearms aspect (documents, souvenirs, personal effects…).

#10. D-Day Museum at Utah Beach

Located on Utah Bach Beach, the Utah Beach Landing Museum is built over a German bunker. It is organized chronologically with the strategy, the preparations, the history of D-Day (route, connections between divisions…) and the outcome of the landing. You will see a lot of objects and vehicles (including a B26 bomber), as well as a very well made movie.

#11. Bayeux Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum

Many of the museums focus solely on the D-Day landings, but at Bayeux you can learn about the entire Battle of Normandy. For those interested in strategic details, this is a good choice: the museum describes in detail the military operations from June 7 to August 29, 1944, day by day, and sometimes hour by hour.

• In the city of Bayeux
• Driving time from Caen : 30min

#12. Airborne Museum of Sainte-Mère-Église

The Normandy Airborne Museum is dedicated to the American paratroopers who arrived just as D-Day began. The museum faces the church, which many will recognize because parachutist John Steele became famous for hanging from its steeple. The museum has 3 buildings: WACO which focuses on gliders, C-47 which explains the preparations for D-Day and Operation Neptune to give you the experience of a night jump with their “hyper-realistic museography”.

• Driving time from Bayeux : 45 min

#13. D-Day Museum in Arromanches

The D-Day Museum in Arromanches was the first museum built to commemorate the D-Day landings. It brings a very different vision from other museums because it focuses on the creation of Mulberry Harbors, or artificial harbors. Due to lack of space to unload military vehicles, the Allied forces built temporary ports (developed by the United Kingdom). Thanks to this technique they were able to unload and transport 9,000 tons of material per day. You will see models, information about the construction and a film.

#14. Normandy Victory Museum (Carentan-les-Marais)

The Normandy Victory Museum is one of the most recent. It focuses on the Battle of the Hedges, one of the lesser-known periods of the Second World War: what happened in the days and months following D-Day. You will find more than 10000 objects and 20 military vehicles (a barge, a P47…).

• Driving time from Bayeux : 40 min

4 impressive war batteries

All along the Normandy coast, you can discover bunkers and important German war batteries. In the landing area, we recommend visiting these 4 batteries. For a more complete list, see our article on the best German batteries in Normandy .

#15. Pointe du Hoc

The Pointe du Hoc was one of the key elements of the German fortifications. The battery was captured on the morning of June 6, 1944. Today, you can see how the artillery battery was organized (command post, casemates, shelters). In addition, the site offers a magnificent view of the cliffs and the ocean.

• Driving time from Caen : 50 min
• Driving time from Bayeux : 35 min

#16. Battery of Longues-sur-Mer

The battery was a key element of the Atlantic Wall. Today, it is one of the best preserved sites with its original cannons. Despite the air raids of June 5, 1944, the artillery was still operational on the 6th. It was deactivated by the bombs sent by the warships. The free walking path takes you to the various buildings with sea views.

• Driving time from Caen : 40min
• Driving time from Bayeux : 15min
• See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Bayeux

#17. Merville Battery

Merville was one of the main fortifications of the Atlantic Wall. It was neutralized by the 9th British Parachute Battalion on June 7, 1944. Today, it has been transformed into a museum and each bunker is equipped with videos, equipment and scenes. One of the highlights is the impressive C47 aircraft.

#18. Azeville battery

Located in the commune of Azeville, 4km from the beach, this battery was invisible from the sea. Its cannons covered the east coast of the English Channel. This complex battery took 2 years to build, and went into action on June 6, 1944. On June 9, the Azeville garrison surrendered to the American soldiers of the 4th Division.

We found this battery very impressive. It comprises four reinforced concrete casemates. 2 anti-aircraft guns can still be seen. But what sets this battery apart from the others we visited is its network of concrete galleries and covered trenches. Measuring 800m, it provided shelter for ammunition and 170 soldiers.

• audio tour available in 7 languages €8 (€4 for children)
• official website here
• northern part of Utah Beach , 15min drive from the beach museum

4 cemeteries and memorials

Nearly 130,000 soldiers, both Allied and German, lost their lives in Normandy in 1944. Driving through the area, you will unfortunately see many cemeteries with soldiers’ graves. Here are the 4 best known.

#19. Colleville-sur-mer American Cemetery

The Normandy American Cemetery contains 9,385 graves. The beautiful park overlooks the sea. It is organized around a central memorial in the form of a semi-circular colonnade and a reflecting pool. It was established on the site of the temporary St. Laurent American Cemetery beginning in 1944.

#20. British cemetery in Bayeux

Next to the museum, the British military cemetery has 4648 graves of soldiers killed during the Second World War (338 unidentified and 500 of another nationality, mostly German). There is a memorial to the fighters and rows of elegantly lined up headstones.

#21. Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery

Not far from Juno Beach, at Beny-sur-Mer, you will see 2049 graves including 1694 Canadian soldiers. With its white tombstones, it is further inland than the beach where they landed. The other equally important Canadian cemetery is at Bretteville-sur-Laize south of Cane.

• Driving time from Caen : 25 min

#22. German cemetery in La Cambe

The German cemeteries are much less well known than the American, Canadian and English ones. The most visited is that of La Cambe. More than 21,000 German soldiers are buried there with their names engraved on the ground. This cemetery is recognizable by its vastness with only a few granite crosses grouped here and there. All around the cemetery you will see maple trees, planted for the reconciliation of peoples.

• Driving time from Caen : 50min
• Driving time from Bayeux: 25 min

Other sites of the Second World War

#23. pegasus bridge.

The Ranville and Bénouville bridges were retaken at dawn on the night of June 5-6, 1944. It was a British brigade, whose emblem is Pegasus, that succeeded in this strategic action. That’s why the bridge over the canal was renamed Pegasus Bridge.

#24. Montormel

Located between Chambois and Vimoutiers, the monument is surrounded by tanks in memory of the battles of Normandy. This is the site of the strategic battle in Normandy that was the beginning of the end of the war.

#25. Dover-la-Délivrande, the 2 towers and the radio stations

Where to sleep to visit the landing beaches

The main landing sites extend from Utah Beach to Ouistreham. You can read our full article on where to sleep to visit the beaches .

Option 1 – Bayeux

You a central city with a lot of charms and a lot of restaurants, Bayeux is a good option. And you can combine it with the discovery of its cathedral and its tapestry.

See the best hotel and accommodation offers

Option 2 – Near the sea or in the countryside

Arromanches has the advantage of combining sea views with a central location for most of the landing sites. In addition, we find it one of the most spectacular sites with the pieces of the harbor that appear completely at low tide.

And in the countryside around the beaches, you’ll find magnificent manor houses converted into hotels, like the Hôtel Ferme de la Rançonnière: – see prices, photos and availability

Option 3 – Road trip to D-Day landing sites in 5 days

If you’re willing to change hotels every night, a road trip allows you to drive less each day. For example, from Caen

• Day 1 Memorial of Caen, road to Sword Beach (Ouistreham) Night in Ouistreham – see the best offers
• Day 2 Atlantic Wall Museum, route to Juno Beach Juno Beach and Museum Route to Gold Beach (Arromanches) Night in Arromanches – see the best offers
• Day 3 Arromanches Museum and beaches at low tide Road to Omaha Beach Battery of Longues sur Mer Bayeux Museum Night in Bayeux – see the best offers
• Day 4 Road to Omaha Omaha Beach, American Cemetery and Overlord Museum Pointe ou Hoc and Maisy batteries Nuis in Sainte Mère Église – see the best offers
• Day 5 Sainte-Mère-Église and Utah Beach

Option 4 – Caen

From Caen, you will have to drive a little more each time to reach the different sites. But if you prefer, the bigger cities with a wide choice of restaurants and hotels is the best option.

Other options

And of course if your points of interest are specific:

• Omaha Beach – see the best deals around Colleville-sur_mer
• Utah Beach – see the best deals around Sainte-Mère-Église
• Juno Beach – see the best deals around Courseulles-sur-Mer

Frequently asked questions and tips for visiting the landing sites

How to visit the landing sites.

The easiest way is to rent a car from one of the airports in Paris or from the train station in Caen. This will give you the freedom to choose your places of interest and spend as much time as you want in the museums. Find deals on our favorite platform

How much time to allow

You can get an overview in one day, but for a more complete view and to immerse yourself in the history we recommend 3 to 5 days. See our 5-day itinerary above.

Organized tours

If you do not want to plan or have little time, you can also find organized tours

• From Paris, Omaha Beach, American cemetery and Juno Beach See program and availability
• From Paris, in a small and varied group: Omaha Beach, Overlord Museum, batteries of Longues-sur-mer and Pointe de Hoc, American cemetery see program and availability
• From Paris, private excursion to adapt your program to your wishes. see program and availability

See more options, including from Bayeux and Caen

How to visit the landing sites with children

Our advice if you want to visit sites with children is to choose those with a lot of big vehicles and not to go to too many museums. Our favorite landing sites for a visit with children are :

• Visit the battery at Longues sur Mer or Pointe de Hoc – children will love discovering the different shapes of bunkers and they can let off steam in between
• The Normandy Victory Museum and its D-Day Experience as if you were flying in the plane on the day of the bombing (to be decided according to the sensitivity of your children)
• In terms of beaches, Juno Beach and Utah Beach are the most suitable with room to run but also machines and stages set on the beaches

Books to read / movies to see before or after traveling

Films on the landing:

• The Longest Day (1962)
• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• Ike. Countdown to D-Day (2004)

Books on the landing

• History – Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
• Novel – Dans la nuit du débarquement de Genevière Dubosq
• For children – D-Day June 6, 44 by Patricia Cété

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy

Inspiration destinations

• Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
• Our weekend ideas: best-of , romantic , unusual , seaside , luxury , family
• 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
• The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy

• Best things to do in Normandy
• Best cities in Normandy
• Most beautiful beaches of Normandy
• Most beautiful villages of Normandy
• Best castles of Normandy
• Best abbeys of Normandy
• Read our complete guide to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel
• Discover the D-Day sites

• Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
• See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport , Orly airport , Beauvais airport , Caen , Rouen , Bayeux …

SHE MADE THE TRIP AND WROTE THE ARTICLE Claire

Region lovers' 10 commitments.

• Visit all the places we tell you about.
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• For each city, eat in at least one restaurant, visit the ones we select.
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• Periodically update our articles, with the help of our readers.
• Enrich our articles with our first-hand experiences.
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• Provide information on the traveler/writer pairing that gave rise to the article.
• Tell you what we do, and do what we tell you!

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Top 10 Must See D-Day Sites in Normandy (Updated for 2023)

From Allied and German war cemeteries to fortifications, memorials and museums Normandy has such a wide range of D-Day sites to explore, it can be a challenging task to decide where to visit first. To help give you some ideas and inspiration we've listed ten of our favourite spots below.

Longues-sur-Mer Battery

Longues-sur-Mer Battery is located between Omaha and Gold Beach and consisted of four 152mm naval guns housed in concrete castmates.

The batteries fire was directed by a fire control post which was featured in the film The Longest Day its location on the cliff edge provided a clear view over the English channel although its communication line to the gun casemates was damaged by Allied bombing on the morning of D-Day.

Today the battery is open to the public all year round, including access to the fire control post bunker and concrete casemates which still house their original guns and damage from their artillery dual with allied ships on D-Day.

Normandy American Cemetery Memorial

The Normandy American Cemetery is located in Colleville-Sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach and contains more than 9,000 burials, most of whom were killed during the Normandy Landings and the following military operations.

The Walls of the Missing, a semi-circular colonnade is a memorial listing the names of 1,557 who lost their lives during the Normandy campaign and could not be found or identified.

From the cemetery there is a path leading down to the beach passing remnants of the German defences, including concrete casemates one of which has a memorial to the soldiers who fought during the landings on top.

Bayeux War Cemetery

Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery is the largest commonwealth cemetery in France for Second World War Commonwealth Soldiers with 4,144 Commonwealth burials and 500 burials of other nationalities.

Opposite the cemetery is the Bayeux Memorial to the Missing, which is engraved with the names of 1,808 men who died in the Battle of Normandy and have no known grave.

A short walk from the cemetery is The Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie, a museum which covers the preparations for D-Day through to the Battle of Normandy from 7th June till the 29th August 1944.

Arromanches Artificial Harbour

Arromanches Artificial Harbour was created as the Allies knew that after the invasion they would need a port to facilitate the rapid offloading of supplies to support the push inland. As the ports in occupied Europe were heavily fortified it was decided to create prefabricated ports in Britain and tow them across the English Channel following the invasion to be used until a French port could be captured and brought back into service.

Arromanches was chosen to be the site for one of these ports, Port Wilson, named after the British prime minister Winston Churchill. Another port was also assembled off Omaha beach but was destroyed by a storm.

Despite being designed to only last three months, the harbour was in use for ten months landing over 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles, and 4 million tonnes of supplies. Arromanches also has several good museums including Musée Débarquement (currently closed for refurbishment until March 2023) and Arromanches 360 .

Today the remains of the harbour can be seen on the beach and coast surrounding Arromanches.

Point du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc is a prominent cliff between Utah and Omaha Beach. The site was a gun battery, fortified with concrete casemates and gun pits, forming part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defences.

The site was assaulted on D-Day by the US Rangers who were brought ashore by landing craft below the sheer cliffs before climbing and fighting inland.

Today the site remains cratered from the aerial and naval bombardment prior to the Rangers assault, demonstrating how fierce the bombardment was along the coast. Many of the original fortifications and bunkers remain on the site and are open to the public, including the fire control casemate, on top of which there is a monument to the 2nd Ranger Battalion.

WN60 (Widerstandsneste 60)

WN60 (Widerstandsneste 60) was one of the German coastal defence strong points in Normandy, located on a cliff on the Eastern edge of Omaha Beach giving it a view Westwards along the length of the beach.

Armed with 75mm guns, mortars and machine guns the site inflicted many casualties on the troops landing at Omaha Beach before it was finally silenced.

Today the site contains many of the concrete Tobruks and other fortifications linked by a zigzag trench system which is still visible today.

Pegasus Bridge and Musée Memorial Pegasus

Pegasus Bridge was the site of a dramatic glider-borne coup de main assault when three gliders carrying troops of the British 6th Airborne Division landed in the opening minutes of D-Day on the 6th of June 1944. Capturing the bridge intact after a short battle and holding it until reinforcements from the beach landings arrived.

The original bridge was replaced by a larger similar-looking bridge when the canal was widened but the original is close by at Musée Memorial Pegasus Bridge . The site also has three monuments marking the locations where each of the gliders landed, a bust of Major John Howard and a German gun.

Merville Battery

Merville Gun Battery consisted of four six-foot-thick steel-reinforced concrete casemates, each containing a 100mm gun that could threaten the British troops landing at Sword Beach 8 miles away.

Today the site houses the Merville Battery Museum, which covers the battery’s role in the German Atlantic Wall Defences and the lives of the soldiers who were stationed there, as well as the story of the Allied soldiers who captured it.

Juno Beach Centre and surrounding memorials

Located immediately behind the beach where on D-Day thousands of Canadian soldiers landed, Juno Beach Centre not only covers the D-Day landings but also the contributions made by Canada's military and civilians to the war effort.

Located along the beach in front of the museum, you can see some of the remaining German fortifications as well as memorials to the Canadian Infantry , 1st Polish Armoured Division , North Nova Scotia Highlanders and a Churchill AVRE Tank “Charlie” that landed on D-Day.

Le Cambe War Cemetery

La Cambe War Cemetery was originally the site of an American battlefield cemetery where American and German personnel were buried in two adjacent fields. After the war, most of the American remains were transferred back to the United States and the remainder were reinterred at the Normandy American Cemetery.

The graves at La Cambe War Cemetery are marked by small dark brown stone crosses or plaques on the ground in contrast to the white grave markers at allied cemeteries.

The site is now under the German War Graves Commission (Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge) and more than 21,000 German soldiers are buried in the cemetery.

More DDay sites in Normandy

I hope the list has been able to give you some ideas and inspiration for your next trip, for hundreds more museums, fortifications and memorials to visit in Normandy check out our explore page .

Normandy Battle Tours

Contact us to book a tour!

Professionally guided battlefield tours for small groups

2004-2024 : 20 YEARS OF PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY BATTLEFIELD TOURS OF NORMANDY

As we enter our third decade, award winning normandy battle tours is well and truly established amongst the most respected companies offering professionally guided tours of the d-day battlefields. we rank alongside the very highest rated tour operators listed on tripadvisor and we are the longest continously listed company to be recommended by the rick steves travel guide., having lived and worked in normandy since 2004, your guide, an academically trained historian and best selling author, has experienced the priviledge and honour of having met and toured the battlefields of normandy with hundreds of veterans of the campaign which raged in this region in 1944. with the intimate knowledge of the ground which only a resident of the region could possess, our aim is to share with you the stories of those veterans which have been personally inherited by your guide through such cherished encounters., whether you are following in the footsteps of a family member who fought in normandy in 1944, or just curious to learn more about one of the most incredible military feats mankind has ever set themselves to, normandy battle tours is here to gaurantee you achieve the ultimate experience from your visit to our remarkable region. .

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If you're ever going to take a private tour, this is the place in France to do so. No matter how good my description is in my guidebook, there's no way I can do justice to it like a guide like Stuart Robertson does. Steve Smith (author of the Rick Steves France guidebook)

D-Day in Normandy

On 6 June 1944, 150 000 men landed on the Normandy beaches from the sea or the air. The Battle of Normandy had begun. During that night and the following weeks, la Manche faced its darkest hours, and is now a place of remembrance.

In la Manche, d-day beach and numerous sites and museums pay tribute to this key episode of the Second World War.

Landing beaches, sites and places of remembrance in la Manche : powerful stories

• Visit Sainte-Mère-Eglise , the first French town to be liberated by the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.
• Walk on Utah Beach , one of the five landing beaches, along with Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.
• Follow the Voie de la Liberté (Liberty Road), the 1 145 km route travelled by the liberators from Normandy to Bastogne in Belgium.
• Explore the Azeville and Crisbecq batteries , which were key parts of the Atlantic Wall, the defence system built during the German occupation.
• Climb up to the Fort du Roule to better understand the importance of the deep water port in Cherbourg.
• Take time to remember in the German and American military cemeteries .
• Walk through Saint-Lô , a town that was completely destroyed, and imagine the life of the people living there during the occupation.

Must-see sites and museums connected to D-Day

These poignant places tell the story of D-Day . The museums, remains of the Atlantic Wall and military cemeteries tell of the fierce fighting here and invite people to remember .

D-Day sites for the whole family

To help your children discover the history of the Battle of Normandy, why not go for a jeep tour, try educational activities or a flight simulator? A fun way to pass on the history of la Manche.

Unusual D-Day activities

Jeep tours, parachute jumps, escape games, thematic tours, and so on. There are many ways to find out about D-Day in the sites of la Manche.

What to do at Utah Beach, the D-day beach ?

On 6 June 1944, the Allies landed at Utah Beach. Now a place of memory, but also of leisure, here are our recommendations close to this D-Day beach.

Utah Beach: our suggestions 

D-Day commemorations

Every year, in June, la Manche commemorates the anniversary of D-Day. Ceremonies, convoys of vintage vehicles, militaria fairs, parachute drops, reenactments of military camps, and so on. Normandy celebrates its liberation!

The anniversary of D-Day in Normandy

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D-Day Landings 80th Anniversary Tour

Tour Dates: June 4 to 8, 2024

Mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with our outstanding commemorative tour to Normandy. We go back to the beaches, the drop zones and strategic battle points. We'll take part in the official ceremonies and pay our respects at the cemeteries and memorials. We'll visit famous landmarks and fascinating museums. Lead by our expert battlefield tour guide, we guarantee a tour you'll never forget.

Depart Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at 10:00 hrs. View SWORD beach. Visit Pegasus Bridge and the Pegasus Memorial Museum and the British Airborne Cemetery in Ranville. Lunch on own. Drive to Normandy hotel. DBB.

Pointe du Hoc, captured by the U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion. Vierville Draw and 29th Infantry Division sector of OMAHA Beach. Drive up 'Les Moulins' Draw to the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Laurent sur Mer. Box lunch. DBB

We take part in the American ceremony at the US Normandy Cemetery and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Box lunch. DBB.

The German military cemetery at La Cambe and see the famous Ste Mere Eglise church with its Airborne stained-glass windows and the Airborne museum. Visit La Fiere bridgehead and its 'Iron Mike' U.S. Airborne statue. Drive through the 101st Airborne drop zones. Pass Brecourt Manor, captured by The Band of Brothers Company E of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. UTAH beach. Lunch on own. DBB.

Visit the Normandy Memorial. GOLD and UTAH Beach. Lunch on your own. Drive to Paris, arrive Gare du Nord station at approximately 18:00 hrs.

Picture Gallery

What Our Clients Say

I was very fortunate to be on their 70th and 75th D-Day celebration tours. The service and attention to details was exceptional. It was very moving to go back.

As a Jane Austen enthusiast, this tour was perfect - and the Jane Austen Festival in Bath was just fabulous to see!

Words fail me...The Downton Abbey was a perfectly wonderful travel experience! We did not know we would be the ONLY guests at the Abbey. When we realised how truly exclusive our tour was we were speechless! Surreal being there and actually meeting Lady Carnarvon.

What is the difference between a twin and a double room?

A twin room has 2 separate beds and a double room has 1 large bed for 2 people to share. 

As part of the tour will we be attending any special events?

On June 6 you will attend the commemoration ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy. Further details will be released closer to the date. 

Where is the meeting place for the tour?

The meeting place will be at Charles de Gaulle airport, in Paris. Exact location will be communicated closer to the date. Meeting time will be 9:30am and the coach will depart at 10am. 

What time will we return to Paris on the last day?

The arrival back into Paris is estimated to be at 6pm. This will be dependant on traffic conditions. The tour will finish at Gare du Nord train station.

Are children welcome on the tour?

Absolutely! We have both adults and children booked on this tour. 

NORMANDY BATTLEFIELD TOURS – BATTLE SITE MAP

Most of the black and white pictures that will appear when you click on a battle site below were photographed by Major J.C. Hatlem in the late 40s. They were referenced by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Carlton Joyce when they authored their books: “Crusade in Europe” and “Stand Where They Fought” respectively. Notations on some of the photos were made by General Eisenhower. For additional photo/battle details, read the chapter in “Stand Where They Fought.”

La Roche Guyon – Looking East Today

Forty miles north of Paris on the Seine River’s eastern bank. La Roche’s 67 citizens were occupied by 937 Germans as this was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Army Group B Headquarters. His office was behind the three windows above the lamp post to the right. The chateau entrance is to the right of the photo. The lower buildings to the left are the horse stalls and carriage house. Rommel rushed back on June 6 from his wife’s birthday party arriving late that evening. He was returning from the battlefield south of Caen July 17 when his Horsch car was strafed and he was wounded.

Cherbourg – Looking North August 13, 1947

Napoleon designed the port and its defenses to be the Gibraltar of the English Channel. It was captured by Major General Erwin Rommel June 19. 1940. In anticipation of the 1944 invasion and to deny the port’s use by the Allies, Rommel had the defenses expanded around the circumference. Fort Roule, mid-photo, is a dominating honeycombed mountain with little accessibility. Although the city and port were captured June 26 (D-day + 19) German demolition of the port facilities denied its use for several months thereafter.

Maupertus Airfield- Looking North August 3, 1947

The airfield, five miles east of Cherbourg, was an integral part of Cherbourg’s land-side defenses. Cherbourg’s outer port breakwater can be seen in the top left. The airport, Strongpoints Osteck and Seadler and the Hamburg Battery are in the center. The three battalions of the 22nd Regiment started their attack from the south and east D-day + 19. It fell the following day. The airfield, designated ALG (Advanced Landing Ground) A-15 became operational D-day +21 although beside the runway stood a pile of bombs, shells, duds and 600 mines lifted from the airfield. Prime Minister Churchill landed here July 20 as did General Charles de Gaulle August 20.

Quineville sur Mer – Looking West July 6, 1948

Strong beach defenses (strongpoint on beach shoreline mid-photo and along top of seawall). The chateau, bottom left, the 88mm casemate, mid-photo, near the ascending road and the church further up the hill witnessed strong German resistance on D-day +6 when attacked by the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Regiment. The attackers came across the fields from the top left in the photo, descending upon the church and chateau 300 yards south. After subduing the Germans, K Company descended the road, battled the cement casemate gun crew but were stopped at the farm at the sharp corner. The capture of the seaside town was hard fought.

Utah Beach Looking West D-Day Morning June 6, 1944

The aircraft engine nacelle and propeller are top right. Dark patches are cloud shadows. German flooding of the low pasturelands immediately west of the beach was planned to limit American accessibility to the higher ground. Further west along the top of the photo can be seen the flooded Merderet River valley, also a defensive tactic that caused grievous losses to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. On the beach, landing craft are bringing in General Barton’s 4th Infantry Division. Two causeways carry vehicles and men westbound to relieve the paratroopers holding the causeways western exits. Over the following months ships off loaded supplies and men across the beach in volumes comparable to the port of Philadelphia.

Ste Mere Eglise – Looking Southeast Today

American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division erroneously parachuted into the town square in the early hours of D-day. M. Hairon’s burning barn, top mid-photo, illuminated the scene making it easy for the Germans in the square to shoot the descending troopers. Private John Steele’s parachute caught on the steeple. He survived by feigning death until the town was occupied in the daylight hours. His parachute effigy still hangs on the steeple. The airborne museum stands on the site of Hairon’s barn. The town has been a gathering point for returning veterans of all divisions.

la Fiere Causeway – Looking West August 13, 1947

The low land over which the causeway passes was flooded in 1944. Many American paratroopers drowned here. Others were shot by snipers as they waded across the marsh. The road was important as the Utah invasion forces pushed west across the Cotentin Peninsula Peninsula. Captured intact without losses on D-day it was left unguarded to be occupied later that day by Germans recognizing its strategic value. The defenses occupying the farm buildings to the east end, foxholes along the causeway, and the western bank took a very heavy toll on the 82nd Airborne over a three day period. General “Jumping Jim” Gavin’s wartime foxhole is preserved along the road in the foreground. The “Iron Mike” airborne memorial is in the field across from the Leroux Manoir [foreground] overlooking the Merderd River valley.

Chef du Pont Causeway – Looking North August 13, 1947

This is one of two most southerly causeways crossing the flooded marshlands of the Merderet River. The other, la Fiere Causeway, is two miles north towards the top right in the photo. The elevated roads crossing the marsh were flanked by German manned foxholes. Attempts by the 75 paratroopers of the 505th Regiment were stopped at the bridge as the men left the town of Chef du Pont. American snipers took up positions around the smoke stacked factory picking off Germans lining the road. Other paratroopers who had landed in the fields west of the marsh (top of photo) attacked the Couffey farm (center left) successfully. The causeway was cleared by D-day +3 allowing the Utah landed troops and tanks to move west to cut off the Cotentin Peninsula.

Vierville Road – Looking East June 14, 1948

The road connects a major north-south highway to Utah Beach four miles east. Germans held the hedgerows and farm buildings adjacent to this tactically valuable roadway. This winding, narrow two miles is one of the most bloodied roads in the annals of the 101st Airborne Division’s Normandy history. Paratroopers of Colonel Robert Sink’s 506th Regiment landed outside the top of the photo. The subsequent battles to seize the road and open it up to traffic from Utah fills many pages. The converging roads at the bottom meet at the Liberte’ Expressway. A 2001 TV mini series, “Band of Brothers” will depict the Vierville Road battle in an early episode.

Deadman’s Corner – Looking North June 14, 1948

The road entering from the right is from Utah Beach, 4 miles northeast. On D-day, resistance along the road and adjacent fields were costly to Colonel Robert Sinks’s 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. German Colonel van der Heydte, commander of the 6th Parachute Regiment was headquartered in Ste Come du Mont half a mile north of the intersection. Fighting around the important corner lasted several days until the Germans were forced to withdraw westward, their only line of retreat. From here the Americans pushed south to Carentan and north to Ste Mere d’Englise opening up the advance from the Utah beachhead.

Carentan Causeway- Looking North August 13, 1947

To link the Omaha and Utah forces the capture of Carentan was essential. It’s northern side buildings are seen to the bottom. The low land was under three feet of water in June 1944. Colonel Robert Cole’s 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Regiment moved south from Deadman’s Corner, seen at the top right, on D-day+ 4. The German 6th Parachute Regiment had withdrawn along the elevated railroad line, seen on the left side, and deployed at the farm and along the road connecting the highway and the railroad. Snipers hidden in the marshes flanking the highway picked off Cole’s men moving south. By dawn the following day Cole and 265 men were at the south end of the causeway. They launched a bayonet attack westward along the connecting road axis clearing out the farm and orchards and then moved to the railroad overpass. The few remaining German paratroopers withdrew into Carentan.

la Barquette Lock- Looking North August 13, 1947

German control of back flooding the lowlands behind Utah Beach and the Douve and Merderet River valleys was accomplished by opening and closing the lock gates at the appropriate times over a two year period. Colonel “Skeets” Johnson, commander of the 501st Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, attacked from the north early D-day morning with 150 men. The Germans withdrew south several hundred feet to prepared positions. US Navy counter fire against two German 88s in Carentan silenced the Germans. On D-day +1 German paratroopers of the 1st Battalion, 6th Parachute Regiment attacked from the top right towards the T-junction. Although out-manned the Americans bluffed the Germans into surrendering. In error German artillery killed many of their comrades as the POWs were being marched into captivity. Today, the Liberte’ Expressway across these lowlands near Carentan passes very close to the lock.

Gefosse Fontenay – Looking North – June 14, 1948 A hamlet southwest of Grandcamp-les-Bains

On D-day +2 German troops boarded a bullet riddled American landing craft that drifted onto this beach. Aboard were six dead naval officers, one slumped across his water soaked briefcase containing the invasion plans and the follow-up ninety-day timetable. Copies were sent to German headquarters however, skepticism treated the information cautiously. Although this information confirmed there were no other invasion planned in the Calais area no German divisions were shifted into this area to strengthen the German positions.

Pointe du Hoc – Looking South Today

The guns housed in cement casements were a major threat to the invasion forces off Omaha and Utah Beaches. Bombing had not destroyed the positions. Companies D, E and F of Colonel James Rudder’s 2nd Ranger Battalion landed at the base of the cliffs at 7:00 AM. Hand grenades and machine gun bullets thwarted the Rangers climbing ropes to the top. Of the 225 in the assault only 120 made it to the plateau. The casements were empty with only camouflaged telephone poles as decoys. The Rangers moved south to the coast road intersection discovering a six howitzer field battery. Sergeants Leonard Lomell and Jack Kuhn using thermite grenades demolished the firing and sighting mechanisms. German counterattacks compressed the Rangers back to within 50 feet of the cliff face which they held until relieved by Omaha landed forces on D-day +2.

Omaha Beach- Vierville Looking East June 14, 1948

The valley road “the Vierville Draw” or code named D1 is at the top. Six German strongpoints defended the beach in this area. The movies “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan” depict the battle on these sands. C Company of the 2nd Ranger Battalion landed under the cliff immediately west of the draw. Their battle along the bluff greatly reduced the firepower on A Company, 116th Regiment assaulting the beach. Further west to the right is Pointe Percee from where a German officer observing the battle erroneously misjudged the American successes and redirected German reinforcements to another area. The German defenses around Vierville draw are visible and accessible.

Omaha Beach and Bluffs – Looking West February 22, 1949

The plateau is 150 feet above sea level. It is several hundred yards from the high tide line to the foot of the sloping bluffs. The beach obstructions were removed shortly after D-day. Five valleys (identified as D1, D3, E1, E3 and F1 not shown) run through the plateau down to the beach. German concrete pillboxes still abound along the bluffs and along the valley walls. The heaviest fighting with the highest casualties occurred when our troops landed at the mouth of these fortified valleys. The development of the US Normandy Cemetery can be seen in the center.

Longues Battery – Looking South Today

Four 155mm guns in thick concrete casements were positioned along the bluffs between Arromanches and Omaha Beach. A hard fought duel was fought between the guns and the battleship HMS Warspite. One of the 16-inch naval shells entered the gun embrasure exploding among the ammunition. The explosion vaporized the German crew blowing the casement apart like giant toy blocks. British troops captured the position late D-day. The site had changed little and is readily accessible by automobile including the observation and fire control bunker built into the cliff face.

Bayeux – Looking North July 2, 1948

The city was not bombed, shelled or fought in. The magnificent cathedral and site of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum were spared war’s destructive force. It was liberated by the British on D-day +1. Bayeux’s narrow, ancient streets prohibited the rapid flow of military traffic so the British engineers built bypass roads to the north and south. In the photo (lower left) is the British wartime cemetery containing 4018 British, 181 Canadian, 25 Polish and 466 German gravesites. All casualties of the battles to the south. The British do not permit exhumations and transfers of remains to other national cemeteries.

Port en Bessin- Looking North June 14, 1948

Captured by the 47th Royal Marine Commandos the morning of D-day +1 entering from the south along the main road. By D-day +6 the port was reopened with off loading of about 8,000 tons per day. In early July floating pipelines connected fuel and oil tankers to the large petrol dump immediately west of the town. The German pill boxes on the west and east headlands overlooking the harbor and its approaches are still present. The commandos cleared the town quickly and continued westward to link up with the American forces moving eastward from Omaha Beach. The four storied building on the east side of the port entrance was demolished in the making of the movie “The Longest Day”, 1963.

Creully – Looking South Today

Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery’s headquarters for two weeks in June 1944. His sleeping caravan was kept under the trees to the right. The front lines were two miles to the left. Winston Churchill spent a day here. A week later King George visited but upon his return to London the British press described the chateau’s location so completely that the Germans started shelling the area forcing Montgomery to abandon the site and move to Blay near Bayeux.

Chateau Adrieu – Today

The chateau was occupied by a regiment of the 12th SS Panzer Division D-day +1. The area saw much fighting with British and Canadian troops. POWs were brought here and twenty were shot by their guards along this wall. The officer responsible was later killed along with the perpetrators of the murders. The chateau has been rebuilt and is now a five star hotel with shrapnel in the ceiling of the higher rooms as evidence of the battle.

Le Hamel – Looking East June 14, 1948

The British Hampshire Battalion of the 50th Infantry Division assaulted Gold-Jig-Red-West Beach at 7:30 AM D-day at the sandy beach top left. Beach obstacles, minefields and enemy resistance took 200 casualties in the first hours. Only five of their sixteen tanks made it beyond the minefields. Moving west accompanied by one tank the Hampshires attacked a 75mm strongpoint codenamed “Dart”. C Company bypassed Dart to attack a 50mm strongpoint on the town’s west side. German resistance was completely overcome by 4:30 that afternoon. The battalion continued to Arromanches where the following day British engineers commenced building Port Churchill assembled with components floated across the English Channel.

Asnelles sure Mer – Looking North June 14, 1948

This is the British 30th Corp Gold-Jig Beach D-day assault area. Asnelles is the village in the center of the photo. Close support by the air force and navy subdued the beach defenses quickly causing relatively light casualties to the attacking British 50th Division. The 231 Brigade moving west however met stiffened resistance as they moved along the coast road towards le Hamel and Arromanches. The 56th and 151st Brigades supported by the 7th Armored Division moved rapidly south reaching the Bayeux outskirts D-day evening.

Courseulles sur Mer – Looking West June 14, 1948

The western end of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division D-day assault beach east of the breakwater was codenamed “Nan-Green beach”, attacked by the Regina Rifles Regiment. Note the concrete blockhouse on the shoulder of the coast road is still present as are several more in the dunes west of the breakwater. West of the river mouth Mike Green and Mike Red Beaches were assaulted by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Coordination of tans and infantry landing together overcame the German resistance quickly without heavy losses to the two Canadian regiments.

Pegasus Bridge – Looking East June 12, 1944

The lift bridge spanning the Orne Canal was captured by British 6th Airborne Division glider troops in the first few minutes of D-day. The three Horsa gliders, visible in the top right brought Major John Howard and his troopers in on time, accurately placing them in position to seize the bridge by rapid surprise. Lt. Den Brotheridge, the first allied death on D-day was killed where the Jeep is standing as he and his men rushed across the bridge from the eastern side. A Bedford 4×4 engineer’s truck is returning from the airborne headquarters area to secure supplies from Sword Beach. The drivers, although in Europe, are still driving on the left side as in England.

Abbey Ardennes – Today

The old Abbey of the 13th century was a farming commune in 1944. The German 12th SS Panzer Division occupied it D-day afternoon. Its tall turreted chapel afforded excellent observation of the southerly advancing Canadians. The following afternoon the SS men attacked the exposed Canadian flank at Authie. Canadian POWs were shot on site. Eighteen were brought singly into this garden, shot in the back of the head and buried in shallow graves. Colonel Kurt Meyer, the officer in charge, was held accountable, tried and condemned to be shot. The authorities diminished his sentence. He was released and after a beer salesman career selling to the allied army clubs, died of a heart attack at age 63.

Hedgerow Country Today

The battles for St. Lo were fought in the bocage area of Normandy. In the area of a football field there are 100 small farmed fields surrounded by impenetrable 1000-year-old hedges growing on thick foundations of stone, rock, earth and roots. Tree limbs meet covering the dirt farm track. German covered foxholes were established during the occupation. Burrowing through the hedgerow foundations the defenders could fire down the road and scurry back through their tunnel to the safety of their foxhole in the field. Mortar air burst shells impacting in the overhanging branches scattered deadly shrapnel onto the advancing Americans.

Marigny – Looking North July 3, 1948

On July 25 (D-day + 49) General Omar Bradley launched Operation Cobra with 15 divisions and 750 tanks from their positions a few miles north of Marigny (top center). The 2nd SS Panzer Division rushed north to the town. The American forces counterattacked from the fields to the right and left of the road being used by the panzers. The enemies’ resistance was strong. Two days later the American 3rd Armored Division reached the intersection sending half its strength west to Coustances while the remainder continued south at full speed. This north-south road was the principle thrust line for the famous Patton Breakout.

Mortain – Looking North July 3, 1948

Patton’s Breakout and Breakthrough brought the American 30th Division and a few tank squadrons of the 3rd Armored Division into Mortain August 3 (D-day + 58). The Germans launched a major counterattack westward five days later by passing Mortain to the north and south. Roadblocks at the towns’ entrances slowed the attack. On the rocky prominence (top right) called Hill 317 the 2nd Battalion of he 120th Regiment held out for five days. Ammo, food and medical supplies were shot onto the hill unsuccessfully. French citizens using little known paths kept the Americans supplied. This is one of the most historically outstanding unit achievements in the Western Europe Campaign.

Pontaubault – Looking North July 3, 1948

Patton’s Third Army rushed across these two bridges July 31. The Selune River bridges had not been destroyed. Pivoting west, Patton led his forces into Brittany and its large port at Brest. Those forces pivoting east rushed to Paris and the Seine River bridges. Patton defended these two lifelines coming from the north with hundreds of antiaircraft guns and an ever-present air umbrella over the corridor. German Colonel Rudolf Bacherer with a thousand men of the 77th Division attempted a brief but unsuccessful counterattack in the hours before the main American force entered the scene.

Mont St. Michel

The thousand year old church and village are located on an island half a mile off the coast connected by an elevated causeway. On the mainland a short distance away is the German Mont de Huisenes Cemetery, an ossuary of 11,956 remains from the battle casualties in Brittany.

St. Lambert sur Dives – Looking East July 1948

On August 19, a German Tiger tank occupied the town intersection facing north holding open one of three escape routes for the defeated and surrounded German army in Normandy. As the Germans fled eastward along the road and neighboring fields and orchards the Allied air force incessantly bombed and strafed. Canadian artillery added to the inferno. With the road from the north as its axis of advance B Company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Canadian infantry) and C Squadron of the South Albert regiment (armored) took six hours to fight their way to the intersection and knocked out the Tiger tank. Canadian Commander Major David Currie (awarded the Victoria Cross) renewed the artillery fire to further help close the escape route successfully. The town was pulverized, the roadways were littered with hundreds of abandoned and destroyed vehicles and equipment. Hundreds of horses and thousands of German soldiers lay dead within the limits of this photograph.

Chambois – Looking Northwest July 6, 1948

The road running from bottom left to top right was one of three German escape roads from the “Cauldron” in mid-August. American units of the 90th Infantry Division moved towards the town intersection from the bottom of the photo. Elements of the Polish 10th Armored Rifle Regiment moved towards the intersection from the top of the photo. American Captain L. E. Waters and Polish Major Zgorzelski met and shook hands at the intersection at 7:20 PM August 19. Although closing this route the retreating Germans continued to flee eastwards across the fields and orchards. The allied linkup was tenuous.

The Escape Corridor – Looking East Today

This August 4, 1944 photo (top right) shows this road, one of three used for German retreat from the Falaise Pocket, littered with destroyed tanks, vehicles, wagons, slaughtered horses and slain soldiers. Two Polish Sherman tanks are seen standing on the grassy slope to the left, their guns aimed towards the road. The Polish Armored Division moving from the north fought up to this hilltop overlooking the German eastbound retreat route between Chambois and Vimoutiers. The Polish firepower combined with artillery support and fighter bombers decimated the trapped Germans. Attacks to dislodge the Poles from their positions were costly to both sides.

The Vimoutiers Tiger Today

This Tiger tank monument facing west is on the eastern exit road at Vimoutiers. Panzers were used to keep open the German escape corridor from the Falaise Pocket (the “cauldron”) in late August. The tank facing west is symbolic of its action. There are many Tigers in museums but only one or two are outdoor monuments in France.

Rommel Strafed – Looking North Today

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, returning from the Bourguebus Ridge battlefield on July 17 at 6:30 PM, was strafed by a British Spitfire here. Racing quickly, Rommel’s driver came over the hill attempting to turn into the factory driveway by the gatehouse. Under machine gun fire the car careened into the ditch in the right-hand foreground. Rommel lay in the middle of the road at the 6th white line with head injuries. He was rushed to the Bernay hospital.

Normandy Battlefield Tours

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TOUR #1 Omaha Beach – Half Day Tour

TOUR #2 Omaha Beach / Utah Beach – Full Day Tour

TOUR #2B The Battle of The Hedgerows Tour – Full Day Tour

TOUR #2FS Omaha / Utah – Full Day Tour

TOUR #3 Omaha / Band of Brothers – Full Day Tour

TOUR #4 British / Canadian Sectors Tour – Full Day Tour

TOUR #5 101st Airborne Tour – Full Day Tour

TOUR #6 Neptune Tour – Two Days Tour

TOUR #7 Bradley’s Tour – Two Days Tour

TOUR #7B Beyond The Beachead Tour

Private Tours #8 – Specialized Tours

Private Tours #9 from Cruise Ports in Van

Group Tours #9B from Cruise Ports

Private TOUR #10 Pick Up Paris – Two Days Tour

Tour #11 Mont-Saint-Michel Tour

Tour #12 – Normandy Jeep Experience – Specialized Tours

TOUR #13 Omaha-Utah / Mont-Saint-Michel – Two Days Tour

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Revisit History With Us

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in normandy with overlordtour and take advantage of our 30 years of experience guiding the d-day battlefields of normandy . our shuttles from bayeux offer you the best tours of the normandy d-day beaches ..

On June 6 1944, 135,000 men and 20,000 vehicles were brought onto the shores of Normandy during the night via five landing beaches . Come and re-live the Normandy invasion with a guided tour and discover: the D-Day landing beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah), Point du Hoc, the Airborne sectors, the D-day battlefields and the D-day museums. Take a fascinating and informative battle site tour led by our expert guides. We are recommended by veterans!

Don’t delay! Depart for all your tour destinations with Overlordtour in our luxury air conditioned vehicles:

“Thanks to the most experienced and professional guides , you will take the best guided tours of Omaha and Utah and also of Sword, Juno and Gold beaches.”

“Discover the exciting history of the scattered paratrooper landings of “Easy Company” with Overlordtour. We will take you to the authentic Norman Battlefields where the 506th, Colonel Sink, and Lt Dick Winters fought – including, Drop Zones, Battlefields, D-Day beaches, Headquarters, and remote private locations.”

“The Longest Day” – Twentieth Century Fox, F. Zarruck Productions: All rights reserved. “Saving Private Ryan” – Paramount Pictures: All rights reserved. “Band of Brothers” – HBO (A Divsion of Time Warner Entertainment Company): All rights reserved.

Overlordtour’s Normandy Group Tours are waiting to explore Omaha and Utah with you!

Enjoy a tour with our 1944’s vehicles.

Jeeptours.fr

No better place to die.

Captain Dale Adam Dye Jr., USMC (Ret.) (born October 8, 1944) is an American actor, technical advisor, radio personality and writer. A decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, Dye has also offered his expertise to television, such as the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers and The Pacific , and video games, including the Medal of Honor

His next film “No better place to die” tells of the fierce battle of La Fiere.

The battle at La Fiere was an epic engagement for the 82nd Airborne in Normandy. La Fiere takes its importance from being a crossing for the Merderet River near St. Mere Eglise. As the Merderet River was a significant obstacle in the invasion, securing the river crossings was a major objective of the 82nd Airborne on D-Day in order to anchor the right flank of the invasion.

Exclusive access granted to Overlordtour

Overlordtour has now an official contract with the owner of Brecourt, Mr Devalavielle, who grants us the exclusive access to the Brecourt field.

OVERLORDTOUR provide interactive maps for your convenience

After you have selected or created your own tour with us, Overlordtour will provide you with detailed interactive maps to assist you with orientation and a birds-eye view of the history and excitement that awaits your arrival!

Let Overlordtour take you on a Normandy WWII beaches tour

Passing Thru Travel

Normandy’s Battlefield Odyssey: A 10-Part Journey Through History

Posted: February 27, 2024 | Last updated: February 27, 2024

Normandy, a region steeped in history, is most renowned for its role in World War II, particularly the D-Day landings of 1944. This guide takes you through the historic battlefields of Normandy, offering a profound insight into one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.

From the iconic beaches where the Allied forces landed to the memorials and museums that narrate the tales of bravery and sacrifice, each site in Normandy tells a story of its own. This journey is not just about revisiting the past; it’s about understanding the magnitude of what occurred here and its lasting impact on the world.

1. Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery

As you stand on the sands of Omaha Beach, the gravity of history envelops you. This beach, a five-mile stretch of the Normandy coastline, was one of the primary landing sites for American troops during the D-Day invasion. Today, it’s a place of quiet reflection, where the only sounds are often the waves and the distant calls of seabirds. Walking along the beach, it’s hard not to be moved by what occurred here – the chaos, the bravery, the losses. The beach is wide and open, starkly contrasting the images of that fateful day in 1944.

A short distance away, the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives. The cemetery, spread over 172 acres, is a serene and meticulously maintained space overlooking the beach where many soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Row upon row of white marble headstones – more than 9,000 in total – mark the resting place of these young men, each stone a poignant reminder of the cost of war. The visitor center provides a comprehensive and deeply moving account of the Normandy campaign, with personal stories, photographs, and artifacts that bring the history to life.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the cemetery during the late afternoon when the crowds have thinned and the setting sun casts a serene glow over the site.

2. Pointe du Hoc

Your visit to Pointe du Hoc will take you to a dramatic cliff-top setting where the most heroic actions of D-Day took place. This promontory, jutting out into the English Channel, was a fortified German position and a key target for the American Rangers. They aimed to scale the 100-foot cliffs under heavy enemy fire and neutralize the artillery pieces that threatened the landing beaches.

Today, the site is a maze of bomb craters, shattered concrete, and rusting iron, showcasing the ferocity of the battle. A monument in the form of a simple granite dagger thrust into the ground is a tribute to the Rangers’ bravery.

As you walk through the bunkers and gun emplacements, it’s easy to imagine the intensity and danger of the assault. The visitor center offers a detailed account of the Rangers’ mission, complete with maps, photographs, and models. The panoramic view from the cliff top, overlooking the beaches and the vast expanse of the English Channel, is both breathtaking and sobering, a stark reminder of the strategic importance of this point.

Insider’s Tip: Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain is uneven and slippery, especially after rain.

3. Juno Beach Centre

Juno Beach, where Canadian forces landed, now hosts the Juno Beach Centre, a museum dedicated to Canada’s role in World War II. This modern facility commemorates the Canadian soldiers’ valor and educates visitors about Canada’s broader wartime efforts and sacrifices.

The Centre’s exhibits are thoughtfully curated, featuring interactive displays, wartime artifacts, and personal stories that vividly depict the Canadian experience during the war. The beach itself, now a tranquil stretch of sand, stands in contrast to its history, making it a reflective space to ponder the events of D-Day.

The Centre also focuses on educating younger generations, ensuring that the lessons and legacy of WWII are not forgotten. Outside, you can stroll along the same shoreline where Canadian troops once landed, a powerful experience that connects you directly to history. The Centre’s location also offers a beautiful coast view, adding a serene backdrop to your visit.

Insider’s Tip: Participate in a guided tour of the beach and the remnants of the Atlantic Wall fortifications for a more immersive experience.

4. Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbour

In the small town of Arromanches, remnants of the Mulberry Harbour, an extraordinary feat of military engineering, still lie off the coast. These massive concrete structures were part of a temporary harbor built by the Allies to facilitate the rapid offloading of troops and supplies.

The town’s museum, Musée du Débarquement, provides an in-depth look at the construction and significance of this artificial harbor. Models, dioramas, and films within the museum illustrate the ingenuity and effort that went into creating this temporary port, crucial for the success of the landings.

Walking along the beach, you can see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour, partially submerged, a stark reminder of the scale of the D-Day operation. The town of Arromanches is charming, with its war memorials and informative plaques adding historical context to its picturesque streets and seaside ambiance. The 360 Circular Cinema, located on the cliffs above the town, offers a unique cinematic experience, with archival footage providing a 360-degree view of the Battle of Normandy.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the museum first to understand the significance of the harbor remains you’ll see on the beach.

5. The Caen Memorial Museum

When you visit the Caen Memorial Museum, you’re entering a space dedicated to understanding and reflecting on one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history. Known as the Peace Museum, it’s a place that not only chronicles the events of World War II but also delves into the causes and consequences of the conflict.

The museum’s extensive exhibits take you on a journey from the interwar period to the D-Day landings and beyond, highlighting the importance of peace in a world that once teetered on the brink of destruction. The narrative is enhanced by interactive displays, personal stories, and a wealth of artifacts that bring the history to life.

The museum also explores the Cold War era and the search for peace, making it a comprehensive resource for understanding 20th-century history. The beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the museum provide a space for contemplation and reflection on the themes of war and peace.

Insider’s Tip: Allocate at least half a day for your visit, as the museum covers a vast array of exhibits and information.

6. Utah Beach and Museum

Utah Beach, with its expansive sands and gentle dunes, belies the intense historical significance of this location. The Utah Beach Museum, situated at the very site of the D-Day landings, offers a poignant reminder of this beach’s pivotal role in World War II.

The museum’s collection is comprehensive, featuring an array of military vehicles, personal artifacts, and immersive dioramas that vividly recount the events of June 6, 1944. As you explore the exhibits, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the planning and execution of the landings and the immense challenges faced by the Allied forces.

The museum also pays tribute to the airborne operations crucial to the success of the landings with detailed accounts and displays. Stepping outside onto Utah Beach, the contrast between the peaceful present and its turbulent past becomes strikingly evident, offering a moment for reflection on the sacrifices made on these shores.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for the original B-26 Marauder aircraft displayed at the museum, a rare piece of history.

7. Pegasus Bridge and Museum

Pegasus Bridge, a site synonymous with one of the most daring operations of the D-Day landings, holds a special place in the annals of military history. The capture of this bridge by British airborne troops was a feat of extraordinary bravery and strategic importance.

The Pegasus Bridge Museum not only tells the story of this daring assault but also pays homage to the men who carried it out. As you explore the museum, you’ll encounter a full-size replica of a Horsa glider, similar to those used in the operation, and various artifacts that bring the story to life.

The original bridge, now replaced and displayed on the museum grounds, is a tangible link to history. The museum’s detailed exhibits and multimedia presentations provide a comprehensive understanding of the operation’s significance in the context of the Normandy landings.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the café nearby, Café Gondrée, the first house in France to be liberated during the D-Day landings.

8. The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum in Bayeux

The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum in Bayeux offers a compelling narrative of the 100-day campaign that followed the D-Day landings. As you walk through the museum, you’ll be taken on a chronological journey that details the military strategies and operations and delves into the conflict’s human experiences.

The museum’s extensive collection of military equipment, uniforms, and personal accounts vividly portrays the battle’s intensity and complexity. The detailed maps and models help visualize the scale and scope of the operations, while personal stories and artifacts add a deeply human dimension to the events. This museum is essential for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of the Battle of Normandy beyond the initial landings.

Insider’s Tip: Combine your visit with a trip to the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the Bayeux War Cemetery for a full day of historical exploration.

9. Sainte-Mere-Eglise and the Airborne Museum

In the small town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the Airborne Museum is a tribute to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions’ crucial role in the D-Day landings. This museum brings to life the story of the paratroopers who played a pivotal role in the liberation of the town, one of the first to be freed by the Allies.

The museum’s exhibits, including a C-47 aircraft and a WACO glider, vividly portray the airborne operations. Personal items and memorabilia displayed throughout the museum offer a poignant glimpse into the lives of the soldiers who fought here.

The town of Sainte-Mère-Église itself holds a special place in history, with its iconic church where a dummy paratrooper hangs from the spire, commemorating the paratrooper who became entangled there during the landings. This visual representation adds a unique and personal dimension to the town’s liberation story. Together, the museum and the town create a comprehensive narrative of the airborne operations, their challenges, and their successes.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the church to see the stained glass window that honors the paratroopers and their sacrifice.

10. The Merville Battery and Museum

The Merville Battery, a formidable German coastal fortification, played a significant role in the events of D-Day. The museum on-site offers an insightful look into the assault on the battery by British airborne troops, a key operation for protecting the eastern flank of the landings.

The museum has preserved the battery and its bunkers, allowing you to step into history and experience the conditions of the battlefield. Displays include a Dakota aircraft, artillery pieces, and detailed accounts of the assault, providing a comprehensive understanding of the strategic importance of this site.

Walking through the bunkers and examining the artillery pieces, you can almost feel the intensity of the battle that took place here. The museum does an excellent job of conveying the significance of the Merville Battery in the context of the Normandy landings, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in military history.

Insider’s Tip: Explore the bunkers to understand soldiers’ conditions during the assault.

The Bottom Line

Your journey through the historic battlefields of Normandy is more than a trip through picturesque landscapes; it’s a walk through history, a tribute to courage and sacrifice. Each site, from the solemn beaches to the informative museums, offers a unique perspective on the events of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

As you explore these hallowed grounds, take a moment to reflect on the lessons of the past and the enduring importance of peace. Your visit honors the memory of those who fought and deepens your understanding of the significant events that shaped our world. Remember, you’re not just a visitor but a witness to history.

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The post Normandy’s Battlefield Odyssey: A 10-Part Journey Through History republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Pierre Colsenet Visual.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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THE 10 BEST Normandy Battlefields

Battlefields in normandy.

• Churches & Cathedrals
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Historic Sites
• Battlefields
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Adventurous
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Omaha Beach

2. Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach

3. Maisy Battery

4. D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie)

5. Around Europe Battlefields Tours Day Tours

6. Memorial 1st US Infantry Division Omaha Beach

7. Pointe Du Hoc Memorial

8. Künstlicher Hafen

9. Croix de Guerre 5th Engineer Special Brigade

10. Mémoire d'Albatre

11. Monument Major John E. Tucker

12. Poteau de Montauban

13. Memorial Hill 112

14. Typhon Pilots Memorial

15. Cimetière Militaire Britannique

What travellers are saying.

• D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie)
• Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach
• Omaha Beach
• Maisy Battery
• Memorial 1st US Infantry Division Omaha Beach

Normandy Battlefields Tour - American Sites (A3)

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Visit the American D-Day sites where the greatest amphibious landing in history took place during World War II, on this 9-hour Normandy Battlefields Tour from Bayeux. See famous sites with a guide including Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, the German and American cemeteries, the Airborne Museum of Sainte-Mère-Eglise and much more. Your minivan holds a maximum of eight passengers, and a small-group tour is the perfect way to get to out-of-the-way places in one day.

Ticket Options

2 Options Available

Normandy D-Day sites 8:30am: $112.83

Visit the famous American D-Day sites on this 9-hour tour from Bayeux. Departs at 8:30am. Possible hotel pickup from Bayeux ONLY.Pickup included

Normandy D-Day sites 9:30am: $112.83

Visit the famous American D-Day sites on this 8-hour tour from Bayeux. Departs at 9:30am from Bayeux station or Québec Square. Pickup included

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Professional guide
• Hotel drop off in Bayeux (for both options)
• Pickup in Bayeux (hotel pick up only for the 8:30 am option)

What's not Included

• Food and drinks, unless specified

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Additional Info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please note that the tour departs from Bayeux - Normandy. There is no hotel pickup from Paris, only from Bayeux.
• NST provides you with masks as well as hydroalcoholic gel. Our vehicles are disinfected after each use and the distance is respected.

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Custom Made Battlefield Tours

D-Day Your Way: Your way to discover the landing beaches of Normandy

Welcome to D-Day Your Way

Let us guide you over the landing beaches of Normandy, France ! Discover the history of the beginning of the Liberation of Europe.

The first 24 hours would be decisive for the further course of the Second World War, friend and foe agreed. “D-Day – Your Way” offers tours to all these locations where history has been written, since June 6, 1944 ! Let us show you the American and British Airborne objectives, the American landing beaches Omaha and Utah Beach, and the British and Canadian landing beaches Gold, Juno and Sword Beach.

If you come to Normandy for a special reason, please share it with us and we will offer you an unforgettable Custom Made Battlefield Tour. Let us welcome you in and guide you through historic Normandy.

I look forward meeting you soon ! D-Day, Your Way

Willem Braam

Looking for an unforgettable travel experience that combines history, adventure, and breathtaking scenery? Look no further than our battlefield tours in Normandy, France.

At DDayYourWay.com we specialize in providing immersive tours of the sites and landmarks that played a pivotal role in World War II, with a particular focus on the D-Day landings. With our expert guides and carefully curated itineraries, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the beaches, battlefields, and monuments that bear witness to one of the most significant moments in modern history.

Our tours are designed to be both educational and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and delve deeper into the fascinating history of the region. From the museums and memorials of Pegasus Bridge near Ranville and the Airborne Museum in Sainte Mère Eglise, to the rugged terrain of Pointe du Hoc and the American Cemetary in Colville sur Mer, you’ll get a firsthand look at the challenges and triumphs of the Allied forces as they fought to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind travel experience, our Normandy battlefield tours are sure to leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for our freedom.

So why wait? Book your tour today and join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of World War II history.

Meet your tour guide

Willem Braam, Member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guide; speaks English, French, German and Dutch.

My name is Willem Braam, born in 1965 in the Netherlands.

As a young kid, I was touched by the war-stories of my parents and grandparents, regarding World War II  in general, and the Nazi-occupation of Western Europe in particular. 

Apart from my working career, as CEO of my interior decorating company, I started to visit the battlefields in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. 

The knowledge I gained during these visits, and the stories told by the veterans (and civilians)  I met, I’d like to share with people who are interested in this part of our history. 

After 25 years I handed over my business to the younger generation, so that I can fully focus on what I like doing most: guiding interested people around the various European battlefields, and especially Normandy (Operation Overlord),  starting 06/06/1944 and the South of France / Riviera (Operation Dragoon), starting 15/08/1944.

Private Tours offers

D-Day Your Way offers three separate tours. Below you can find some more details on those tours by clicking the “more info” button.

Discover the American and British Airborne targets like Carentan, Sainte Mère Eglise, la Fière Bridge and la Barquette locks, Pegasus Bridge and the Merville Battery and learn about the battle of the hedgerows and offers brought by these paratroopers. Walk over the grounds where the American Rangers tried so hard to silence the big guns at Pointe du Hoc. Discover the American and British Airborne targets like Carentan, Sainte Mère Eglise, la Fière Bridge and la Barquette locks, Pegasus Bridge and the Merville Battery and learn about the battle of the hedgerows and offers brought by these paratroopers. Tour with us to the Artificial Port of Arromanches, the big guns of Longues sur Mer, the Petrol Port of Port-en-Bessin and the break-out from the beaches.

American Landing Beaches Standard Tour

• Sainte Mère Eglise
• Sainte Marie du Mont
• Dead Man’s Corner
• Purple Heart Lane
• Pointe du Hoc
• OMAHA beach
• Normandy American Cemetary

American Paratroopers in Normandy (101st & 82nd Airborne Division)

• (82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions)
• UTAH beach exit roads
• Brécourt Manor / Band of Brothers
• La Barquette locks
• Sainte Mère Eglise,
• Neuville au Plain crossroad
• Railwayline Caen – Cherbourg
• Chef du Pont Bridge and La Fière Bridge
• Battle of the Hedgerows

American Infantry in Normandy: Cutting the Contentin Peninsula

• 4th and 90th Infantry Divisions
• Neuville au Plain
• Gourbesville: monument 82 AB Div / 90th inf. Div
• Orglandes: German Cemetary
• Douve-bridges: Pont l’Abbé /St. Sauveur Vicomte
• Hill 116, Besneville
• Barneville Carteret – Guernsey
• Hill 145, bunker Battle of Britain
• Nehou – Camp Patton
• La Fière – Iron Mike / Sainte Mère Eglise

D-Day Your Way on Instagram

Ddayyourway.

A World War II historic guide to discover the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy

Travel normandy guide françois gauthron offers tours of the normandy landing beaches, world war ii battlefield. come and discover the most famous part of normandy where took place the landing and the battle of normandy in june 1944 to liberate france and europe. you will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches. visit the highlights of world war ii sites in normandy with an expert license guide, first the most important sites of the landing beaches., cool d-day american tour from paris.

• 5 D-Day Beaches Highlights from Paris

American Landing Sectors Highlights 1 Day

• British and Canadian Highlights 1 Day
• 5 D-Day Beaches Highlights 2 Days

American Landing Sectors 2 Days

American airborne battleground in normandy 2 days.

• British Landing Sectors 2 Days
• Canadian Battleground 2 Days
• Customized Tours
• The Loire Valley
• A Taste of Brittany
• Canadian Battlefields in Europe

Normandy Travel

Travel in normandy with francois gauthron, d-day tours on landing beaches - world war ii battlefield tours in normandy.

• All the Tours
• The Books on line
• Practical details

D-Day Tours: the American Sectors

D-day tours on utah beach, omaha beach and airborne battleground.

4 hours tour

9 hours tour

18 hours tour

Utah Beach, major sites of the american D-Day tours

The Church. The parachute and John Steele mannequin.

Sainte-Mère-Église

One of the most disastrous drops (in a night filled with disasters) occurred in Sainte-Mère-Église. Around midnight, a stray incendiary bomb had set fire to the house of Monsieur Harion, located to the east of the square.

Wakened by the mayor and the tolling of the church bell, the townspeople turned out in large numbers to form a bucket brigade supervised by members of the German garrison. (The hand pump used that night still sits on the east side of the square.) While the house continued to burn, the drone of planes could be heard over the tolling bell. The fire-fighters, looking skyward, saw ghostly silhouettes drifting down on them. Two sticks from the 1st and 2d battalions had gotten their green jump light directly over the village. Illuminated by light from the burning house and tracers from German AA guns, the paratroopers were easy targets for the Germans below. Few survived.

One who did was Private John Steele, whose parachute caught on the steeple of the church in front of you. The wounded paratrooper hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner.

The less fortunate hung from the trees all around the square where they had been shot. Once the fire in Monsieur Harion's house had burned itself out and the last of the paratroopers were killed or captured, the German garrison (a transportation company) quite inexplicably called it an evening and turned in.

A mile northeast of Sainte-Mère-Église, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Krause, commanding the 3d Battalion, assembled ninety men within an hour of landing and promptly ordered an advance on the village. Around dawn, the German garrison was again turned out, this time by the rattle of small-arms fire. Krause's men cleared the village in a rush, capturing thirty Germans and killing another eleven. With Sainte-Mère-Église in American hands, Krause ran a worn American flag to the top of the village flagpole, a flag that he had carried with him from Sicily.

Sainte-Mère-Église Stain glass signification dedicated to 82nd Airborne

This stain glass has been offered by the 505th Regiment to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.

American Airborne Museum

Inside of the glider displayed in the American Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mère-Église. I highly recommend the visit of this great Museum.

Merderet Bridge.

General Gavin's fox hole at La Fière.

La Fière Bridge and Merderet River

The 82nd airborne division astride the merderet.

One of the most confused fights took place west of the village at La Fière Bridge, over the Merderet River. Uncoordinated groups from the 505th, 507th, and 508th regiments hold the position and finally went over the bridge on the 7th. The Monument Iron Mike is overlooking the site, its twin statutes is at Fort Benning. Alongside the road is General Gavin's fox hole. The photo of flooded marshland, a common occurrence that Germans exploited, shows the conditions as they were in 1944.

A piece of cake

«general omar n. bradley called the assault landing on utah beach «a piece of cake», and it was, compared to that on omaha».

General Omar N. Bradley called the assault landing on Utah Beach «a piece of cake», and it was, compared to that on Omaha. The landing plan called for the 4th Infantry Division (Major General Raymond O. Barton) to land along 2,200 yards of sandy beach on a two-regiment front, two battalions abreast. Colonel James A. Van Fleet's 8th Infantry (including the 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry) was to land at 0630, followed by the 22d Infantry in eighty-five minutes and the 12th Infantry at 1030.

DD tanks were to lead the way in, preceded by an intense naval and air bombardment. Various engineer units were scheduled to land close behind the infantry to clear beach obstructions and to blow gaps in the low sea wall paralleling the beach.

The landing of the thirty-two DD tanks was delayed when one of the control ships was sunk by a mine. Four of the tanks were lost when the LCT carrying them sank before they could be launched. In contrast to the heavy losses off Omaha, twenty-eight DD's made it to the beach able to provide fire support for the infantry already ashore.

In proud memory of our dead

In addition to a D-Day museum, La Madeleine is the site of these monuments:

• an obelisk commemorating the D Day landing of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division,
• a stone commemorating the 90th U.S. Infantry Division.

The first (designated 00) of the 1182 cylindrical milestones marking the «Voie de la Liberté», the route that the U.S. Third Army followed from Normandy to Bastogne. All bear forty-eight stars and a symbolic torch of liberty patterned after that held aloft by «Liberty» in New York harbor. They are similar to the stones which line La Voie Sacrée (the Sacred Way), the road from Bar-le-Duc to Verdun along which hundreds of thousands of French soldiers moved in 1916. A monument to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade, raised in 1945 atop a blockhouse of the W5 strongpoint. This massive blockhouse, captured on D-Day and used as the Brigade HQ, contains a memorial crypt (protected by a locked iron grill) commemorating the members of the Brigade who died on Utah Beach. Another plaque commemorates Maj. General Eugene Mead Caffey and the achievements of the Brigade he commanded. Other plaques in French and English commemorate the assault on Utah Beach. An imposing stone plinth, unveiled by General J. Laughton Collins on 5 June 1984, commemorating «in humble tribute... its sons who lost their lives in the liberation of these beaches, June 6, 1944». A stone plaque marking the presence of the heads of state of the United States, France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands for the 40th anniversary of D-Day. A stone plaque commemorating General Dwight D. Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander. Some fifty-nine road signs named after members of the 1st Engineer Special Brigade who died in the fighting on Utah Beach.

Azeville, Casemates.

German Batteries

Crisbecq, german battery.

I highly recommend this visit. Take an hour or so to discover an amazing number of bunkers, which were buried for years after the war and finally exhumed by the landowner. This fortified complex contained casemates housing 210-mm guns which easily reached Utah Beach. Despite shelling from large-caliber guns and repeated infantry assaults, the battery held out until 12 June, all the while harassing landing operations. It was the one major battery in the lodgement area that actually became a factor in the post-D-Day battle.

Azeville, German Battery

The casemates, that housed four French 105-mm guns, flank the road just before you enter the village. The casemates are not open to visitors. After withstanding attacks from the 22d Infantry for two days, the battery surrendered after a flamethrower, triggered by Private Ralph G. Riley, set off ammunition inside one of the casemates. Riley was awarded the Silver Star for his single-handed attack.

Foucarville, Prisonners Camp No. 19

By the end of June a camp for 20,000 German prisoners was established, which finally was extended to 40,000 men including 18 Generals and 6 Admirals. The Camp was commanded by Lt. Col. Kennedy.

This CCE was almost a town, with hospital, prison, churches, theatre, pub, bakery etc... The total surface was 306 acres including 48 acres of garden, circumference 3.2 miles, roads and side walks 3.9 miles, barbe wired fences 180 miles, water pipe lines 24 miles, high voltage line 19 miles, communication lines 64 miles, phone installed 275, squad tents 1100, pyramidal tents 370, 50 kitchen...

Unfortunately nothing subsists today apart a barn made with field stones use as explosive storage and use as private living home today.

Les Dunes-de-Varreville, 2nd DB Memorial

Les Dunes-de-Varreville (WN 10), the original D-Day landing objective of the 4th Division.

In 1944, this area was strongly defended, and many of the original blockhouses still squat ominously amid the dunes.

Today, the site is marked by a monument, a Sherman tank with French insignia which commemorate the 1 August landing of the 2d French Armored Division, a half-track and an armored car M18.

The D-Day tours with Utah Beach

Cool-d-day-american-tour-from-paris, american-landing-sectors-highlights-1-day, american-landing-sectors-2-days, american-airborne-battleground-in-normandy-2-days, 5-d-day-beaches-highlights-from-paris, 5-d-day-beaches-highlights-2-days, the parts of my books about utah beach, battlefield guide book , chap. 1: tour a, utah sector, battlefield guide book , chap. 2: tour a/a, utah sector special, battlefield guide book , chap. 3: tour a/b, utah sector special historical 101st airborne & band of brothers tour, omaha beach, major sites of the american d-day tours.

Quentin Roosevelt grave.

American Cemetery

The garden of the missing.

Its semi-circular wall contains the name of 1.557 MIAs, they come from 49 of the 50 States. The tragic night of December 24th is engraved on that wall. German U-Boats were trying to prevent Allied reinforcements from reaching «The Battle of the Bulge». The 66th Infantry Division was not going to the Bulge, but Saint-Nazaire. At 6.00 pm on Christmas Eve, a torpedo exploded into the starboard aft hold of the transport ship «Leopoldville», packed with 2,235 G.I.'s from the Division. The ship remained afloat for 2-1/2 hours before sinking into the English Channel 5-1/2 miles north Cherbourg. Because of the holiday celebrations, rescue was slow in coming to the ship. When rescue ships arrived while the ship was taking on sea water, many different scenarios developed around victims and survivors. Approximately 516 G.I.'s were missing and presumably went down with the ship, and another 248 died from injuries, drowning, or hypothermia from the 48° sea water. The huge loss of lives proved embarrassing to the governments of France, England, Belgium, and the U.S.A. Wartime security kept the tragedy details buried for fifty years. Many families of the 764 victims and the 1,471 survivors still do not know details about the Christmas death of their sons.

The Memorial

The Memorial is centered by a 22 foot bronze statue, on both sides two enamel maps, representing the Battle of Normandy in South loggia till August 1st and the Battle of Europe in North loggia, notice the shingles on the ground, reminding the beach. The four scenes on the urns in the north loggia are the same in the south one. The Statues and the urns were made by De Lue.

Theodore J. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt

Theodore J. Roosevelt, President Theodore son's and President Franklin D. Roosevelt nephew's. Born: 9/13/1887. Medal of Honor. Dead from heart attack at Méautis on July 12th during the night. Plot D, Row 28, grave 45.

Quentin Roosevelt, President Theodore son's and President Franklin D. Roosevelt nephew's. Theodore's youngest brother. Born 11/19/1897.Dead in a Nieuport 28 fighter, was shot down behind German lines by Sgt. Thom, a German ace with 24 victories on Jul 14th 1918 WWI. Plot D, Row 28, grave 46.

Pointe du Hoc

To reach the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument, now maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, follow the direction signs west along D 514 to the car park outside the monument (6 m).

The Pointe du Hoc today retains much of its battlefield character because of the destruction left by the rain of bombs and shells the Allies unleashed to neutralize this rocky point. The much feared battery was bombed three times before D-Day, then hit from the air again that morning. 600 tones of bombs were dropped. The battleships Texas and Arkansas battered the area with their 14- and 12-inch guns just after dawn. The destroyer Satterlee saturated the position with her 5-inch guns in direct support of the Rangers.

This concentration of fire left craters and ruined casemates which over sixty years have yet to erase. From the barbed-wire fence along the cliff top, you can look down the hundred-foot cliff to the east beach where three companies of the 2d Ranger Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder, landed on D Day. Their mission was to scale the cliff, then silence the six 155-mm GPF thought to threaten the landing operations on both American beaches.

Omaha Sector First Wave

«every man who set foot on omaha beach that day was a hero», the american planning.

H-Hour was 6.30 am on June 6th 1944. The landing window had to consider the availabilities of landing craft, Navy and air support. Plus the combination of daylight, tide and moonlight. Low tide was at 05.30 am, sunrise was at 05.58 am. The D-Day planners decided to land at 06.30 for several reasons: LCA's could come closer to the bluff, minimizing the uncovered distance for the GIs, and all the obstacles would be exposed. The sunrise hour permitted the Navy and the Air Force to optimize their shelling and Bombardment.

In military times are discussed from the moment an operation begins thus: D-Day for the invasion of France in 1944 was June 6th. H-Hour is the beginning hour and minute of an operation. For the 29th, 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions H-Hour was 06.30 am, for the paratroopers 82nd and 101st H-Hour was 01.30 am on D-Day June 6th 1944.

«Two kinds of people are staying on this beach, the dead and those who are going to die now let's get the hell out of here» Col. George A. Taylor

Medal of honor in the cemetery and 1st id memorial, «we too born to freedom and believing in freedom are willing to fight to maintain freedom - we and all others who believe as deeply as we do would rather die on our feet than live on our knees» f.d. roosevelt 19 june 1941, ike head quarter on continent.

On April 27th 1944 was established the first Headquarter «SHARPENER» located at 0.8 mile from Southwick House, close by the huge SHAEF Camp «SHIPMATE». General Eisenhower stayed there from June 2nd to June 12th 1944.

Regarding the inland movement on the continent, it had been decided to establish an advance HQ in the village of Maison in-between Port-en-Bessin and Bayeux on D6 road. Maison was selected because of its immediate proximity with Longues Air Strip (B11) and Tour en Bessin Airstrip (A13) and also a midway position between Omaha and Gold Sectors. This CP will be operational from July 31st and will be referenced as CP12.

But it wasn't used by Eisenhower, only as a SHAEF transit camp in August 1944. It was decided to organize a new CP at Le Planitre near Molay Littry close by A9D, this camp will be use from August 5th but still not by Ike. Another one is activated on August 7th at Tournières, referenced as CP21 «SHELLBURST» where Ike welcomed Prime Minister Churchill, Gen. Montgommery, on August 20th Gen. De Gaulle with Gen. Koenig and many other celebrities. An airstrip was built in the next field. After the Saint-Lô breakthrough («Cobra» Operation) the SHAEF HQ was transferred near Grainville, on August 16th, Communication Service was established in the Hôtel Normandy, code-named «LIBERTY».

On September 15th the new Grand HQ was moved to Saint-Ouen at Jullouville. Almost 3000 people worked there, and on August 30th Ike stayed at Château Montgommery at Saint Jean le Thomas 4 miles away from Jullouville. On September 10th the Grand HQ was transferred to Versailles (Palace Trianon).

The D-Day tours with Omaha Beach

The parts of my books about omaha beach, battlefield guide book , chap. 4: tour a/c, omaha sector first wave, battlefield guide book , chap. 5: tour a, omaha sector, normandy travel: françois gauthron, wwii battlefields expert licensed guide.

François Gauthron is an official tour guide.

He has been guiding Battlefields for more than 15 years, Normandy is his region of birth.

More about François Gauthron

Read my books on line.

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Normandy Tourism, France

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1944 – 2024: 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

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1944 – 2024: 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

1 - 16 June 2024 (D-Day Festival)

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Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Giverny, Honfleur, Fécamp, Saint Lô and across all of Normandy

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8 - 12 May 2024

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More than just must-sees!

• 🧵 Alençon
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• ⛲ Bagnoles-de-l’Orne
• 🛡 Bayeux
• 👫 Cabourg
• 🤴 Caen
• ☂ Cherbourg
• ⛱ Deauville
• 🎏 Dieppe
• 🗝 Étretat
• 🏰 Falaise
• 🐟 Fécamp
• ⛱ Granville and the Chausey Islands
• 🎨 Giverny
• 🏙 Le Havre
• ⛵ Honfleur
• ⛪ Lisieux
• 👼 The Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
• 👟 The Nez de Jobourg
• 🌳 The Perche
• 🕰 Rouen
• 🏝 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou Island
• 🧗 The Suisse Normande
• 🎣 Trouville-sur-Mer
• 🌷 Normandy’s ‘most beautiful villages in France’

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Visiting the Normandy Battlefields: A Military History Travel Talk

Evening lecture/seminar, select your tickets.

Please Note: This program has a rescheduled date (originally October 18, 2023).

Journalist Kevin Dennehy , who co-authored The D-Day Visitor’s Handbook in 2019, provides an overview of what you need to know to plan and make the most of your visit to the site of the biggest seaborne invasion in history: the Normandy battlefields. While describing the most significant land invasion of World War II, he provides information on detailed battlefield maps and tours, identifies monuments and attractions, and locates museums and historical sites to make your planning easier and less stressful. He also shares highlights from his travel guide on where to stay, dine, and shop; the best D-Day museums; and how to find war relics still at the battlefield sites.

Dennehy is a retired Army National Guard colonel and Special Forces combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. His newest book, The D-Day Visitor's Handbook, 80th Anniversary Edition: Your Guide to the Normandy Battlefields and WWII Paris, Revised and Updated (Skyhorse Publishing), is available for purchase.

Book Sale Information

• Purchase your copy of The D-Day Visitor's Handbook, 80th Anniversary Edition: Your Guide to the Normandy Battlefields and WWII Paris, Revised and Updated by Kevin Dennehy here .
• SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” or “Comments” section on Politics and Prose's check-out page.

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Tours of Normandy

D-day with our in-depth tour.

Discover the most iconic sites involved in D-Day with our in-depth tour. We take you across the channel and onto the iconic beaches of Normandy, exploring the local areas and the pivotal roles they played in WW2.

You will stand on the iconic beaches  Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword. Visit and see where the British and US  airborn  operations took place.

The Tour in Detail

• We start our trip with a drive to Folkstone to take the Eurotunnel train 
• Under the channel to Calais (the train takes 35 minutes)
• We then drive through northern France across the great bridges over the river seine at le harve and down into Normandy
• We stop for comfort breaks, most of the route 3 hours is on the motorway
• Our first stop is Merville battery and the night assault story by the British 9th airborne on the night of the 6th of June. The museum and bunker complex are a story of British airborne spirit to capture an important strategic objective against terrible odds. Entry is approx 8 euros each
• Onto the Orne river bridge and the assault and capture and then the holding of this vital bridge until relieved
• Visit the museum here is 8 euros each, then a break at the café Grandide the first place liberated on D-Day
• We then visit the airborne cemetery at Ranville
• Hotel in Normandy - Dinner + Breakfast
• We go to and see the grand bunker just back from Sword beach and the landing on D-Day story
• Onto the D-Day beach coast road, past the Canadian Juno beach sector 
• Then down to the great gun battery at Longues Sur Mer and go into these great gun bunkers
• We then go on down into Arromanches, gold beach to see the Mulberry harbour and visit the 360 degrees day cinema with its unique d day British Memorial
• Lunch in Arromanches
• We move on then into the US zone, the great cemetery at Coleville onto Omaha beach and its memorials and bunkers
• We finish our day at the scene of one of the great assaults by the US rangers at Pointe du Hoc
• We then pass the bunker complex at grand camps Maisy and its incredible story
• Hotel in St. Mere-realise, where we have dinner and then at night we experience Church Square and the US airborne story of tragedy and victory. The paratrooper on the steeple is still there! 
• We start with the incredible story at the bridge over the Merderet River at la frere, where the legend of iron mike was born
• Onto the story of the medics and the church at Angloville, which is truly amazing. In the midst of a battle between the US paratroopers of the 101st and the german paratroopers, 2 amazing young medics make history
• The go through saint Marie du mont and pass the scene of easy company's battle at Brecourt Manor
• We move onto Utah beach and the great museum
• Grainger is a story to be told at this little church on a strategic hill where a group of the 82nd paratroopers held off a division of SS for 2 days. the price those civilians left behind paid
• (if time permits, we can stop at the D-Day experience museum at dead man's corner where the d day Dakota simulator gives a unique experience) 
• We arrive at the beautiful medieval city of Bayeux
• Hotel - Those that wish can venture into Bayeux to visit and see the Bayeux tapestry
• Dinner + Breakfast in Bayeux 
• Then a short drive to the commonwealth war cemetery at Bayeux 
• Then into the Bayeux D-Day museum
• Depart 11.30 
• Drive to Calais  
• Eurotunnel - UK - Home

Customer Briefing

Welcome to the briefing note on the four-day trip to Normandy and Battle of the Bulge with D Day story and experiences.

The objective is to give a bespoke experience. We meet and depart on day 1; we travel to the Eurotunnel at Folkstone.

Please be advised that, prior to the crossing, I will require your passport details for the compulsory checks made.

A Personal Note

I have been doing my tours now ever since 2005, everybody has found it a relaxing and interesting experience, above all be comfortable and enjoy our company as I take you to the Normandy experience.

In 4 days will we see it all, no, there is too much to show you. But I do promise you that you will see some places that the usual tourist groups never experience.

Advanced Passenger Information

• The dress code throughout is entirely casual
• Please feel free to bring any drinks, water or snacks you want
• We will stop on our journey for comfort breaks as requested
• Once we have crossed the channel, we go via the main motorway for approx
• 3 hours to get to the Normandy area. We will cross the great bridges at le harve - a great spectacle in itself
• There is no heavy walking at all, the whole trip is on the flat
• It is the custom for the group to dine at the local French restaurants in the evenings, a great way to unwind and enjoy glorious French food
• If you would like to dine another way then please feel free, this is a casual no-pressure experience
• Normandy, in my opinion, is very like Devon and is very affluent
• If you wish to sample the main local drink, its Calvados, an apple brandy. 
• The 3 nominated hotels are very comfortable, and you can breakfast at each if you wish, breakfast is approx 8 euros. 
• Entry to the museums is approx 8 euros each we stop at 4 in all
• All museums and restaurants accept debit/credit cards
• Bring euros if you wish (when we reach Bayeux, you may wish to visit and see the Bayeux tapestry, this may cost approx 10 euros)
• It is a courtesy to meet at the appointed times, not to be late as it upsets the schedule
• Take as many pictures as you like and enjoy my tour
• Using your mobile in France is the same as the UK

D DAY PRIVATE TOURS OF THE NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES & BATTLEFIELDS

D day private tours of the normandy beaches and battlefields.

Tours are conducted in our comfortable company vehicle, with air conditioning, for 1-4 persons.

Your guide,  Allan Bryson , is a historian who is passionate, experienced and professional.  He is fully licensed and insured to tour with guests. He has been researching the landings of June 6th, 1944, and the battles inland to the end of the Normandy campaign, for over 35 years.  He has also been providing quality, guided tours since 2007.

Tours of the American, British & Canadian sectors

We offer a full range of  battlefield tours  which include an overview of Operations Overlord and Neptune. From the planning and deception 

right through to the assault by Allied Navy, Air Force, Airborne, Infantry, Rangers and Commandos.

You will visit the most important locations pertinent to the relevant sector:

American - Ste Mere Eglise, Utah beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha beach and the US Cemetery.

British - Pegasus bridge, Merville battery, Ranville Cemetery, Sword beach, Gold beach and the Mulberry harbour.

Canadian - Juno beach, Beny sur mer Cemetery and the Abbey d’Ardenne.

Whether you have a general interest or an indepth knowledge of D Day and the Normandy invasion, your individual knowledge level will be catered for.   

If your knowledge level only stems from having watched ‘The Longest Day’, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ or the ‘Band Of Brothers’ you will gain a lot from the experience.

See our excellent customer reviews on Rick Steves and TripAdvisor.

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First normandy battlefield tours, 11 rue du bois pennier, cretteville, 50250 picauville, france.

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11 Day Battlefield Tour of UK, Belgium and France

11 days, 3 countries and 11 cities

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10 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

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Travel to the front lines of Europe, where brave soldiers once fought for freedom. On this epic battlefield tour through the countryside of Britain, Belgium and France, you’ll explore the tragedy and triumph of two World Wars.

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11 days itinerary trip from London to Paris visiting 3 countries and 11 cities

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Sightseeing highlights.

Explore London and Paris with a Local Specialist

Discover Normandy, Amiens, the Somme Region, Ypres, Brussels and Rouen

Visit the Imperial War Museum in London, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Saint-Sulpice church in Paris, Amiens Cathedral, military cemeteries throughout northern France and Belgium, the Australian National Memorial, the Caen Memorial, WWI & WWII Battlefields, the Dunkirk War Museum and evacuation beaches, and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele

View Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Menin Gate

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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

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Eurostar high-speed train from London to Brussels

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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D-day 80th anniversary: your guide to commemorative events in normandy.

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80 years ago—a Landing Craft approaching Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, 6th June 1944.

There are many reasons to head to France in 2024—the Olympic Games in Paris, the Euro 2024 football competition or an Impressionist festival—but many will be heading to Normandy to commemorate the 160,000 Allied troops who landed on its beaches in World War II in the biggest military seaborne invasion in history.

The festival for the 80th anniversary of D-Day will take place from Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mère-Eglise—it's a stretch of almost 100 km of coastline (about 60 miles) that takes in the towns of Ouistreham and Arromanches-les-Bains (the latter was where Allied forces built Winston Harbor, to bring in supplies).

From 1-16 June 2024, there will be commemoration ceremonies as well as festivities (parades, picnics, reenactments and fireworks) along the same stretch of coastline, including across all five landing areas for the Allied troops in 1944—Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach.

The program has something for everyone (book fairs, jives), but there are several must-see events including a 30-minute light and sound show across all five landing beaches simultaneously on 31st May, an International Peace March (Utah Beach to Carentan) on 1 June and the parachuting in of hundreds of international soldiers above Sainte-Mère-Eglise.

The official state commemoration takes place on 6 June 2024 at Omaha Beach, in the town of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (Calvados) where 2,500 American soldiers died. It will be attended by President Emmanuel Macron and other global heads of state, as well as veterans, but it isn't a public event. There will be a giant public picnic afterwards though, on Omaha Beach, followed by a concert with fireworks.

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The U.S. will hold its own ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer that commemorates the 9,386 American soldiers who were killed in total. It will be open to 5,000 people but tickets must be secured in advance here (the site is currently closed due to high demand, but promises to reopen soon). It is expected to begin around midday.

Secretary Charles Djou of the American Battle Monuments Commission said of the American event, "we have a solemn duty to honor the courageous service of those who gave their all on June 6, 1944, and to reflect on the profound impact their sacrifices had on turning the tide of World War II. The anticipated gathering of over 10,000 visitors from around the globe underscores the indelible mark that D-Day has left on our shared history."

6th June 1944: Reinforcements disembarking from a landing barge at Normandy during the Allied ... [+] Invasion of France on D-Day. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The British Normandy Memorial in France at Ver-sur-Mer commemorates the 22,442 people who died under British command on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy. It too will hold a memorial service on 6 June 2024 (time to be confirmed) that will be broadcast live on U.K. television. Likewise, Canada will be holding its own commemoration ceremonies, as will other countries at memorials across the region.

Incidentally, two of France's biggest tourist draws of the summer collide on the morning of Thursday 30 May 2024 as the Olympic Flame passes across Omaha Beach.

For anyone planning a trip to the area to visit the D-Day landings, the official French tourist board has a 48-hour program of unmissable spots here and the D-Day commemoration program can be found in both French and English here .

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80 th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy: Mandatory Public Registration and Media Accreditation for Signature Ceremony in France

From: Veterans Affairs Canada

Media advisory

An official Government of Canada delegation will participate in a series of events in Normandy, France, from June 4-9 to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

Ottawa, ON – An official Government of Canada delegation will participate in a series of events in Normandy, France, from June 4-9 to mark the 80 th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. The delegation, led by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will include Veterans, representatives from Indigenous and Veterans organizations, and parliamentarians. A contingent of the Canadian Armed Forces, including units and branches involved in D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, will also participate in ceremonies and events.

Veterans Affairs Canada will host a Signature Ceremony, which is open to media and the public, on Thursday, June 6 at the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.

Members of the Media who wish to cover the ceremony, and members of the public who wish to attend must register  online . The deadline for registration is Friday, May 10,2024.

Notes for media:

A pool feed of the ceremony will be available for television broadcasters. Accredited members of the media will be provided with a designated area for the ceremony. There may be photo and interview opportunities with delegation members.

Location:         Voie des Français Libres, BP 104                          14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer, France

Date:               Thursday, 6 June 2024

Time:               11:00 CET *Time subject to change

For more information on the 80 th  anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy events in Canada and France, please visit this  page .

Media Relations Veterans Affairs Canada 613-992-7468 [email protected]

Isabelle Arseneau Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs [email protected]

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