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The 10 Best Local D-Day Tours in Normandy for 2024: Beaches, Battlefields, & Beyond

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 //  by  Ashley Smith 4 Comments

While many travelers can only squeeze in a day trip to Normandy from Paris , just as many others dedicate a couple of days here to take advantage of the many available Normandy D-Day tours. Booking a local day tour of the many worthwhile D-Day sites is the best way to get the most out of your visit.

Table of Contents

Why book one of the Normandy D-Day tours?

Day tours in Normandy are great for many reasons, for instance:

• Transportation – There’s not a lot of reliable public transportation here, so booking a tour will ensure you can get to all the sites you want to see without having to rent a car.
• Expertise – The Normandy tour guides are experts in their field and can provide loads of historical background on the sites you’ll visit.
• Planning – Or really, the lack thereof. Book yourself on a tour and you won’t have to deal with any of the logistical planning.
• Like-minded travelers – On tours like these you get to meet like-minded travelers excited to discuss the topics at hand and share these experiences. This is especially great if you’re traveling solo.

This post only covers D-Day tours originating in Normandy . You have to already be here to join them, or be able to easily get here before the start time. With the exception of two, all the rest start and end in the town of Bayeux . If you’re looking for Normandy day tours starting and ending in Paris, check out my post on Normandy day tours from Paris .

Choosing the best Normandy D-Day tours

But which of the many available tours out there are the best ones? Which ones go to the best places and cover the most ground? Luckily, you have a World War II travel expert at your disposal to scrutinize them all and help you choose!

I haven’t taken all the tours on this list, but I do have a keen sense of what the average Normandy visitor wants from a tour of the D-Day sites . To create this list, I’ve compared the many available tours against my stringent set of criteria. I’ve taken into account things like:

• Customer rating and reviews
• Length of the tour and start/end times
• Overall benefit (Is it worth your valuable time?)
• Topic/focus of the tour
• Ease of logistics

…and much more. All so you can be sure which of these Normandy D-Day tours are the most deserving of your precious time and money. All the tours in this post are English-language tours and all prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

So how do I go about choosing which tours are the “best?” Well, I’m extremely particular when it comes to booking travel. I’ll never recommend anything that’s rated lower than 4 out of 5 stars, anything with no reviews, or anything that’s offered by a company that looks less than reputable. As always, I only recommend the things I would personally book for myself. (And I’m a hard sell.)

And if you do find yourself in Paris, be sure to check out the many interesting WWII sites in Paris . There are some great museums and memorials here not to miss.

My favorite day tour companies

The two companies I always go to for day tours (anywhere I go) are Viator and Get Your Guide . I’ve booked many tours through them and have always been satisfied. They’re both well-known in the travel industry; Viator is owned by TripAdvisor. They’re both super easy to book with; most tours offer free cancelation; and they always have competitive prices.

I also like Tours By Locals for great private options. You can find some amazing guides here who are fully licensed, with history degrees, years of experience, and unique local perspectives.

So, let’s get to it! All things considered, these are my choices for the best D-Day tours in Normandy for 2024.

For more information on each of the sites and museums mentioned in this post, check out my articles on what to see at each of the five Allied landing beach sectors: Utah , Omaha , Gold , Juno , & Sword Beaches.

Best D-Day tours in Normandy: at a glance

In this post, I’ll dig into what makes these the best D-Day tours to take in Normandy. I’ll tell you why I picked them, what makes them stand out among the others, what they include (and what they don’t), and more. But first, here’s the quick list of my picks for the 10 best Normandy D-Day tours:

• Best overall : Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best half-day tour : American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour
• Best private tour : American D-Day Private Tour with a Licensed Guide
• Best shore excursion : D-Day Landing Beaches Shore Excursion from Le Havre
• Best Band of Brothers tour : Omaha and Band of Brothers Full Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best tour for Canadian visitors : Full-Day Canadian Battlefields and Sites of Normandy Tour
• Most unique Normandy D-Day tour : Half-Day Sidecar Excursion to the Landing Beaches
• Best tour from Caen : Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum
• Best D-Day tour for British visitors : British D-Day World War II Normandy Private Tour
• Best bonus D-Day sites tou r: Utah & Omaha Beaches D-Day Group Tour from Bayeux

That’s the simple list; now let’s dig deeper into which of these Normandy D-Day tours is going to be the best for you .

Also check out: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Normandy’s D-Day Sites

1. Best overall Normandy D-Day tour from Bayeux

My pick for best overall: Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux

Without a doubt, my pick for the absolute best D-Day tour in Normandy is this one, for 3 main reasons: it’s a small group tour (maximum 8 people); it has a 5-star rating after almost 1,000 reviews; and it stops at all the right places.

What you’ll see on this tour

This tour includes stops at:

• Omaha Beach
• St-Mère-Église
• Pointe du Hoc
• Utah Beach and the Utah Beach Museum
• Normandy American Cemetery
• La Cambe German Cemetery*

*This stop isn’t listed in the tour description, but many recent reviews say they also stopped here. If you read my post on the best D-Day sites to visit , you’ll know why I recommend a stop at the German cemetery as well.

Why it’s the best

This tour includes all sites I absolutely recommend visiting and no unnecessary fluff. This tour is also ideal for American visitors since it focuses on the American landing zones of Utah and Omaha Beaches. If you have to choose just one day tour for Normandy, this is your best option!

I also love small-group tours because of the individual attention each visitor receives and it’s just a more enjoyable experience overall . (No being herded or not being able to ask questions, etc.) Plus, this tour has a 5-star rating and almost a thousand rave reviews ! Reviewers’ favorite aspects of this tour have been the knowledgeable tour guides and the choice of stops.

What to expect on this tour:

This is a full-day (9-hour) tour that starts and ends in Bayeux . It includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux
• Your own knowledgeable guide
• Air conditioned private transportation
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your tour’s start time

It does not include lunch, optional gratuities, or other personal expenses.

How much this tour costs

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs just $139 per person . All things considered, I feel this is a fantastic value for such a highly-rated tour that visits many of the best sites. I would absolutely book this tour myself.

A similar option

There’s another tour that’s similar to this one but that trades in the Utah Beach Museum and La Cambe Germany Cemetery for a visit to the small village of Angoville-au-Plain . If you’d like to visit a small local village where a lot of fighting took place (by the 101 st Airborne), check out: Utah & Omaha Beach D-Day Tour from Bayeux Station .

This tour also has a 5-star rating and tons of rave reviews and is also a small-group tour with a maximum of 8 people.

2. Best half-day Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for best half-day Normandy D-Day tour: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour from Bayeux

If you find yourself on a time budget here in Normandy but still want to see some of the top D-Day sites, this is the tour for you. This 4-hour tour visits the key American locations, has a maximum of 8 passengers, and has a 5-star review rating.

This half-day Normandy tour includes stops at:

If you have limited time for a D-Day tour , these are three sites you shouldn’t miss . It caps the tour at 8 people for a more personalized experience, and it has a 5-star rating after hundreds of rave reviews . All the best reviews go to the tour guide Matt!

Another thing I love about this tour is that you can choose between morning or afternoon start times . Because it’s just a half-day tour, you can opt for either a 9:00 am start or a 2:00 pm start.

What to expect on this tour

This is a half-day tour (4 hours) that starts and ends in Bayeux . It includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux city center
• Private, air conditioned transportation
• Your own knowledgeable tour guide
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your tour

It does not include lunch, optional gratuities, or your own personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week, two times per day, and costs $95 per person . For a small group tour that visits the three main American D-Day sites with a passionate and knowledgeable guide, this is a great deal.

3. Best private D-Day Normandy tour

My pick for best private D-Day tour in Normandy: American D-Day Private Tour with a Licensed Guide (Pierre)

There was some stiff competition here for best private tour, but ultimately I chose this one offered by Pierre, a local who lives in Bayeux.

The greatest thing about hiring a private tour guide for Normandy is you get to choose which sites you visit . Most guides have a list of sites they think are the best, but all are open to amending your tour to your preferences. For instance, for this tour, Pierre plans to take you to:

• Utah & Omaha Beach (the two American landing beaches)
• Pointe du Hoc (American battleground)
• Sainte-Mère-Église

But again, he’s happy to work with you to choose which sites to visit in order to create the D-Day tour you’ve always wanted.

I chose this particular tour for the best private option for a few reasons. First, the guide Pierre has been a licensed D-Day tour guide for over 8 years. Not only that, his background is in political science with a master’s degree in American history . And because he was born in France and lives in Bayeux, you’ll be able to get a unique perspective on D-Day. You can read his bio here .

Additionally, this tour is available for groups up to 7 people (whereas many of the others can only accommodate 4) and as such is a much better value than many others

This is a full-day (8.5-hour) private tour that starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Fully customizable itinerary of sites that you choose (or go with the pre-planned ones)
• Your own private expert local guide with political and historical background

It does not include lunch and other personal expenses, optional gratuities, or museum admission if you choose to visit an extra museum.

As of January 2024, this tour costs $1034 for a group up to 7 people , for everything mentioned above. This is a great option for larger groups or families, but just as awesome for couples looking for a personalized experience.

Honorable mentions

In case this one doesn’t work for you or Pierre isn’t available on your required date, the other private options I considered are:

• American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux for up to 4 people, with Karine , licensed Normandy tour guide for over 30 years
• American D-Day Beaches Tour for 8-16 people with Sabrina , national tour guide and lecturer
• Landing Beaches, Normandy, D-Day Full Day Private tour from either Caen or Bayeux with Jonathan , licensed tour guide with a master’s degree in French history. This tour costs much less than the other ones, and the caveat is that you pick him up and visit these sites in your own car. You’re booking the guide only here, no driver.

4. Best shore excursion Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for best shore excursion to Normandy’s D-Day sites: D-Day Landing Beaches Shore Excursion from Le Havre

If you’re planning to arrive to the area via cruise ship and are looking to spend a day exploring Normandy’s historic sites, this is the best D-Day tour for you, tailor-made for cruise ship passengers.

This full-day Normandy D-Day tour includes visits to:

If you’re visiting Normandy via cruise ship, you’ll most likely dock at the port in Le Havre. But seeing as how most Normandy D-Day tours leave from Bayeux, your options are limited. This particular tour is tailor-made for cruise ship passengers like you.

You’ll get picked up and dropped off right there at the port near your ship by a guide who understands your particular needs as a cruise ship passenger on a shore excursion . The three sites it includes are my top 3 recommendations for anyone visiting Normandy for any amount of time. And most importantly, it has a 5-star rating and rave reviews .

This full-day (10-hour) shore excursion starts and ends at the cruise port in Le Havre. It includes:

• Expert guide to tell you all about the sites you’ll visit plus the relevant history of Le Havre as well
• Round trip transportation to and from your cruise port
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your scheduled tour

As of January 2024, this tour ranges in cost depending on which month of the year you book, but starting rates are $209 per person (in the summer). When rates are higher (like in the spring), the price goes down the more people you have in your group. Take a look at their availability calendar to see the different prices.

5. Best Band of Brothers tour

My pick for the best Band of Brothers -inspired tour: Omaha and Band of Brothers Full Day Tour from Bayeux

There’s a good chance that if you’re here looking at Normandy D-Day tours then you’ve either read the book by Stephen Ambrose or watched the Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks miniseries Band of Brothers . (And if you haven’t, go do that… NOW.) If you’re as big a fan of the story as I am, you’ll love this tour.

This full-day tour of Normandy’s D-Day sites includes visits to:

• Airborne Museum
• Plane crash site at Beuzeville-au-Plain
• Marmion’s Farm
• Brecourt Manor
• Angoville-au-Plain
• Drop Zone D

This tour is specifically tailored to intrigue fans of the show Band of Brothers so you’ll visit many lesser-known sites and learn more about the history.

You can watch Band of Brothers here on Amazon and it’s also currently available on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.

This tour is operated by Overlord Tour, a leading tour company in the area specifically dedicated to D-Day history. Its itinerary and guides have rave reviews and it’s a favorite among Band of Brothers fans and WWII buffs in general.

I like that it visits the top sites, but also many more obscure sites that the majority of visitors don’t get to see or learn about . You’re sure to make some good friends on this group tour. I also really like the price point—good value here for sure.

This full-day (9-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Round trip transportation
• Small-group limited to 16 people
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your start time

It does not include the cost of lunch, any optional gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $158 per person . Something I’d like to note about the cost: When you book this tour directly with Overlord Tours instead of through Viator, the cost is slightly lower (€130 which, as of Jan 2024, is about $141 US ).

While this may be tempting, consider this: when you book through Viator , you get the benefit of a full refund if you need to cancel anytime up to 24 hours before the start of your scheduled tour.

When you book directly with Overlord, if you should need to cancel or you simply change your mind, you’ll be subject to a 6% cancelation fee no matter what. If you need to cancel within 14 days of your tour, you now owe a 50% cancelation fee . And if you should want to cancel within a week of your tour, you lose 100% of your booking cost .

That’s just something to think about. Don’t always be so quick to choose the lowest price without digging a little deeper. (Personally, I’d be happy to pay the $17 more for the peace of mind because I know how unpredictable travel planning can be.) By booking with Viator, you still get the highly-rated Overlord tour, but you also get a little bit more freedom and forgiveness.

6. Best D-Day tour for Canadian visitors

My pick for the best D-Day tour for Canadian visitors: Full-Day Canadian Battlefields and Sites of Normandy Tour

You’ve probably noticed that most of these tours center around the American D-Day achievements, but Canada and Great Britain also participated in this monumental invasion. Canadian visitors, this tour focuses on the struggles and achievements of your fellow countrymen.

This full-day tour of Normandy D-Day sites includes stops at:

• Juno Beach and the Juno Beach Center
• Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
• The communes of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Bernieres-sur-Mer, Authie, Abbey d’Ardenne, and Carpiquet to follow the Canadian advance

As far as Normandy D-Day tours go, there are very few that specifically focus on the battles and achievements of Canadian troops . This tour does not only that, but it also maxes out at 8 passengers , has a 5-star rating , and tons of rave reviews about the tour guides. Plus, the price tag makes this a fantastic value.

This full-day (8-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Your own expert tour guide
• Small-group tour of 8 passengers or less
• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux as well as transportation between the sites
• Juno Beach Center admission costs

It does not include lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses. For a full refund, you must cancel within one week of your chosen tour’s start time.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $148 per person . This is a great deal, especially considering this is one of the only tours of its kind dedicated to Canadian-only D-Day sites.

7. Most unique Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for the most unique Normandy D-Day tour: Half-Day Sidecar Excursion to the Landing Beaches

For something quite different than all the other Normandy D-Day tours out there, check out this tour of the D-Day sites via fully restored vintage sidecars!

This half-day D-Day sites tour includes visits to:

• Arromanches-les-Bains (one of my favorite spots)
• Longues-sur-Mer
• The commune of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain

And all of your travel between the sites will take place aboard some awesome vintage sidecars. What a unique way to explore Normandy!

I love this tour because it’s something totally different from the rest. Rather than drive between the sites in a sedan or multi-passenger van (or worse, a giant tour bus), you get to see Normandy from a totally unique (and fun!) perspective .

Beyond that, this is one of the few Normandy day tours that visits Arromanches-les-Bains and the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer . The commune of Arromanches is located in the Gold Beach sector and is famous for being the location of the artificial harbors that helped the Allies win the war (which you can still see out in the ocean today).

The Longues-sur-Mer battery is another great site I recommend visiting. Here, you’ll find the most intact German battery that still exists and it really helps to put German defense of the “Atlantic Wall” into perspective.

This tour also has a 5-star rating and nothing but rave reviews . I also love how hard they work to make visiting these somber locations fun and interesting.

This half-day (4-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Private, round-trip transportation
• Use of vintage helmets, gloves, glasses, and jackets for some fun photo ops
• Fully licensed and insured professional tour guides
• Maximum of 8 people on this tour
• Full refund if canceled up to 24 hours before your tour’s starting time

It does not include the cost of lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $244 per person (through April) and then increases to $271 per person from May 1st onwards. For such a unique and fun tour, and one of your only chances to visit Arromanches and Longues-sur-Mer, this price point makes sense, even if it is just a half-day tour. This will definitely be an experience you’ll never forget.

8. Best Normandy D-Day tour from Caen

My pick for the best Normandy tour from Caen: Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum

It’s true that most of the best Normandy D-Day tours start and end in Bayeux, but what if you’re staying in Caen? Rather than having to make your way to Bayeux to start your tour, check out this one that starts and ends in Caen.

This full-day tour includes visits to:

• Caen Memorial Museum

This is one of the only available Normandy D-Day tours that includes a self-guided visit to the Caen Memorial Museum, widely believed to be the best World War II museum in France . I personally consider this museum a must-visit, so I love that this tour includes it. I also like that the museum portion of the tour is self-guided since everyone visits museums in their own way.

This is another small-group tour (capped at 7 people) and it has tons of rave reviews, especially of the guides (5/5).

This full-day (7-hour) tour starts and ends in Caen. It includes:

• Admission to the Caen Memorial Museum
• Maximum of 7 people total
• Full refund if canceled within 2 days of your tour

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $129 per person all year long. Since this includes museum admission (about $22 US), that makes this tour one great value to visit these top locations.

9. Best tour for British visitors

My pick for best D-Day tour for British visitors: British D-Day World War II Normandy Private Tour

Despite the fact that Great Britain was a massive participant in the D-Day landings, landing at two of the five beaches, there are shockingly few tours that focus on the British sectors. However, if you’re willing and able to opt for a private tour, this one is a great option.

• Pegasus Bridge and Memorial
• Main British airborne sites in Ranville
• Ranville War Cemetery
• Sword Beach landing sites and German headquarters
• Juno and Gold Beaches (pass by)

But since this is a private option, you have the ability to customize it to your preferences. Care to also visit Arromanches-les-Bains? Talk to your guide about it!

So few Normandy D-Day tours visit the British sectors and this one is great because you can customize it with the sites you most want to visit. You also have Eric as your guide, a fabulous Scottish tour guide who has lived and tour-guided in Normandy for the past 20 years.

Also, because you can fit up to 8 people on this tour, that makes this one of the best-priced private tours out there!

This full-day (8.5-hour) tour starts and ends in beautiful Bayeux. It includes:

• Pick-up, drop-off, and round-trip transportation between all sites
• Private transportation
• The ability to customize the tour the way you want

It does not include lunch or other personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $899 per group up to 8 people . This is the best per-person rate of all the private Normandy tours I’ve seen.

10. Best bonus D-Day sites tour

My pick for best bonus D-Day sites tour: Utah & Omaha Beaches D-Day Group Tour from Bayeux

This tour visits many of the same sites as the others, but I’m calling this a “bonus” tour because it passes by a number of additional sites you might not otherwise see. Even though these are just “pass-by” stops, they still might interest you.

• Commune of Angoville-au-Plain, drop zone of the 101 st Airborne
• Site of the hedgerows battle (pass by)
• Major Richard Winters Memorial (pass by)
• Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (pass by)

On this tour, even in between stops you’ll get to see interesting things like the famous hedgerows (“bocage”) and the monument to Maj. Dick Winters whom you may know from Band of Brothers .

This tour also has a 5-star rating and is one of the most popular Normandy D-Day tours on Viator (with over 1,100 rave reviews).

This full-day (8.5-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Admission to the Airborne Museum
• Round-trip transportation
• Air conditioned minivan
• Professional tour guide

This isn’t necessarily a small-group tour since it has a maximum of 20 passengers (if it fills up). It does not include lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $159 per person . This price point is par for the course and you get to see so much.

Other Normandy D-Day tours

If you have questions about other Normandy D-Day tours that I didn’t cover in this post, let me know! I’ve examined nearly all of them. So if you find one you’re curious about, leave a comment below and  I’ll tell you why it didn’t make the list .

More info for your Normandy D-Day trip

• Hotels:  Read reviews and find great places to stay  here on Booking.com  (my personal favorite).  Hotels.com  and  Expedia  usually have good deals too though.
• Save lots of money and time  by getting some  Paris GoCity passes .
• Rental cars:  Check out the  best local rental car deals here.
• For more Normandy D-Day tours,  check out all the options from  Viator  and  Get Your Guide .
• Don’t forget a   France guidebook  and this must-have  France customs and culture guide !

Have a great time on your tour of Normandy! I hope I’ve made planning your trip a little easier.

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a World War II historian and travel expert who has visited 33 countries. She specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas with a focus on World War II museums, memorials, battlefields, and other sites of interest. Originally from Memphis, TN, she currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline commanders.

Reader Interactions

April 28, 2024 at 1:30 pm

what itinerary would you recommend if you have a day and half to visit the area. I’ll be staying in Bayeux.

April 29, 2024 at 4:55 am

Hi Ray! I would definitely check out the sites in this post , and then add in another museum or two according to your interests. Check out this post to see which area you might want to focus on.

April 29, 2024 at 12:48 pm

Thanks Ashley. Can you recommend a private tour for my second day?

April 30, 2024 at 2:33 am

Yes – take a look at the many options here on Tours By Locals . They always have great reviews and are usually customizable.

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Normandie Lovers

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

Visiting the 5 D-Day landing beaches (in Normandy)

by Claire ROBINSON , Region Lovers | September 7, 2023 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

Sand, dunes, cliffs… but also bunkers, sculptures and museums. The 5 D-Day landing beaches are a must for any trip to Normandy. Their story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Each of these beaches now has memorials and museums to remember. Here is our complete guide to prepare your visit with:

• Omaha Beach
• Sword Beach

BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS HERE ARE OUR favorites

Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars

Must-See : Book your tickets for the Caen Memorial Museum Excursion : Visit the D-Day landing beaches from Paris

Our favorite places to stay: Hotel Domain de Bayeux , elegant and central – see photos and availability Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach , for the north – see photos and availability Hôtel Ferme de la Rançonnière , the charm of the countryside – view photos and availability

This guide is completely independent , based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.

Visit the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy : Map + tips

The 5 landing beaches – map and introduction.

Operation Overlord, a.k.a. the Normandy invasion, began on June 6, 1944. 5 main areas were strategically chosen by the Allies on the Normandy coast. They cover a section of more than 80km (50 miles). Code names have been given:

• Utah Beach, the easternmost beach where the American troops landed
• Omaha Beach where the American troops landed
• Gold Beach where the British troops landed
• Juno Beach where the Canadian troops landed
• Sword Beach where the British troops landed

Here is a short introduction video of each track:

The Battle of Normandy that followed lasted until the end of August.

Here is a map to help you locate them:

Which D-Day beach to visit?

Around these 5 beaches, you will find cemeteries, batteries, memorials and museums. They are all fascinating to discover. Depending on your family history, you can choose the one that interests you the most. And if you don’t know about special family ties, here are our opinions to help you choose:

• Utah Beach is the most fun : an open air museum, a battery and the new D-Day Experience not far away
• Omaha Beach is the most emotional : the magnificent sculpture on the beach, the intensity of the American cemetery. We didn’t expect to feel so many overwhelming emotions as we stood in front of all these crosses lined up.
• Gold Beach is the most fascinating visually: the remains of the temporary harbor that appear at low tide, the view from the cliffs…
• Juno Beach is the quickest to visit – if you’re short on time, the beach and museum are right next to each other
• Sword Beach is the most strategy oriented – no beach experience here, but the Antaltic Wall Museum in the Bunker is a unique experience and the Pegasus Memorial tells us more about this critical victory.

How to visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy?

We do not recommend public transportation to visit the landing beaches. There are some local buses, but not very frequent and with many stops for the locals. Your best options are:

• By car Visiting by car gives you a lot of flexibility in choosing where to go and how much time to spend at each place. You can rent at CDG or Orly airports, or Caen (see our tips ) or your point of arrival in France – note that Bayeux has very few choices (read more ).

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 .

How long to visit the landing beaches

Let’s start by discussing a little bit about the driving times between locations. This will give you an idea of what is feasible:

• From Caen to Bayeux = 30 min drive
• From Bayeux to Utah Beach = 50 min
• From Utah Beach to Omaha Beach Beach = 45 min
• From Omaha Beach to Gold Beach = 45 min
• Gold Beach to Juno Beach Beach = 15 min
• From Juno Beach to Sword Beach Beach = 30 min
• From Sword Beach to Caen = 20 min
• Paris to Omaha Beach = 3h30

You can get an overview in one day. But for a more complete vision and to immerse yourself in the history we recommend 3 to 5 days, or even a week if you are passionate.

Which city is the most convenient to visit?

The most convenient cities to stay and visit all the landing beaches are :

• Bayeux, a charming little town inland see the best hotel offers
• Arromanches-les-bains, central and at the seaside, it is at the level of Gold Beach see the best hotel offers
• Caen is the largest city in the area see the best hotel offers

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

1. Utah Beach

The landing at utah beach – facts and figures.

Utah was the westernmost beach of the landing. It covered the section between Pouppeville and La Madeleine with the sub-areas Tare Green, Uncle Red and Victor. The section is 3 miles long (about 5km). 23,000 American troops landed here. Casualties were the lowest with 187 men killed or wounded.

Visit to the beach

The beach is easy to visit with a small dune, viewpoints and a large stretch of sand at low tide.

Barges and mannequins are installed not far from the museum, which allows to visualize a little better what the landing was like. But it’s hard to imagine this peaceful view with the sounds of gunfire, explosions and all the warships in the sea.

A little further down the beach, there are also some bunkers.

Museums around Sainte-Mère-l’Église

The main museum is the Utah Beach Landing Museum right on the beach. It tells in 10 sequences the events of D-Day. It is a chronological journey from preparation to victory. Open all year round

But the region is full of other museums and sites:

• The Airbone Museum with a superb scenography to understand the experience of the parachutists on the day of the landing Closed in December and January except during school vacations
• The D-Day Experience : an immersive museum with flight simulator Open all year round
• The Azeville Battery with an impressive underground complex Open from April to November 11
• The Normandy Victory Museum , about the Battle of the Hedges Open from April to October and partially in winter (weekends and vacations)

See more activities at Utah Beach .

Practical information to visit

Utah Beach is the most remote and scattered of the beaches. The museums are along the beach, in Sainte-Mère-l’église and in Carentan. You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places. We stayed at the Domaine Utah Beach – Le Grand Hard hotel: a beautiful 17th century farmhouse turned charming hotel, with a restaurant known for its quality meat. A great time surrounded by nature! See photos, prices and availability Otherwise, there are hotels all around Sainte-Mère-l’église – see the best rated hotels aroundUtah Beach

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2. Omaha Beach

The landing at omaha beach – facts and figures.

Omaha, the largest, is probably the best known of the D-Day beaches. It covered the section between Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and Vierville-sur-Mer, with the sub-areas Charlie, Dog, Easy and Fox. The section is 6 miles long (about 10 km). 34,000 American troops landed here. Losses were highest, with 2,400 killed.

Omaha Beach is the most difficult to visualize. The beach has a promenade right on the edge and is very touristy with bathers. It is still one of the most photographed with the sculpture “The Braves”. It is composed of 3 elements: “Wings of Hope”, “Stand Up for Freedom” and “Wings of Brotherhood”. Created by Anilore Banon, it was installed in 2004, for the 60th commemoration.

The only signs of the war are the memorials and some bunker ruins.

Museums near Colleville-sur-Mer

• American Cemetery: 9387 perfectly aligned tombstones, garden, chapel, memorial, and a small museum giving the content of Operation Overlord. Open all year round
• Overlord Museum: near the American cemetery, one of the richest in terms of artifacts of the landing and the war. With a museography adapted to children. Closed in January and early February.
• The Pointe du Hoc: a strategic place of the German fortifications. The walk around the point takes you to see different bunkers above the cliffs. Open all year round
• Big Red One Assault Museum : museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army nicknamed “The Big Red One Open from March to November
• Maisy Battery : Battery rediscovered in 2006 with many underground passages. Open from April to September
• D-Day Omaha Museum – open from April to September
• Liberation House – open from May to September
• Omaha Beach Memorial Museum – open from June to September

Find out more about activities around Omaha Beach .

Omaha Beach is less remote but still requires a bit of a drive from Caen. The beach and the museums are grouped together, but to visit the Pointe de Hoc and the Maisy battery, you have to drive a little. You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places. We stayed in Bayeux (25 min drive) at the Domaine de Bayeux: a charming hotel in the center of Bayeux surrounded by a French-style park. See photos, prices and availability Otherwise, there are hotels all around Colleville-sur-Mer – see the top rated hotels aroundOmaha Beach

MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites

• The best landing sites to visit
• Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
• Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
• The best D-Day museums in Normandy
• German batteries to visit
• Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
• Visit Omaha Beach
• Visit Utah Beach
• Visit Gold Beach
• Visit Sword Beach
• Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)

The Arromanches part of Gold Beach is one of the most visually interesting of the D-Day landing beaches. At low tide, pieces of the artificial harbor (Mulberries) appear clearly and you can approach them.

The beach of Arromanches is surrounded by cliffs. This allows to have beautiful views from the top of them.

And at the entrance to the beach, near the museum, you can appreciate several pieces of equipment.

Museums in Arromanches

• The D-Day Museum : presentation of the history of the British artificial harbor with the challenge of its construction and its key role in the victory. Closed in January
• The circular cinema Arromanches 360 : with 9 circular screens, the film “100 days of Normandy” plunges you during 19 minutes in the heart of the terrible battle. Closed in January
• The battery of Longues-Sur-Mer : a superb site on the cliffs with access to a fire command post, 4 reinforced concrete casemates and artillery pieces. Accessible all year round
• America Gold Beach Museum : dedicated to the first USA-France airmail link and the British landing in the “King” sector. Open from March to October
• Museum of underwater wrecks – open from June to September

Find out more about activities around Gold Beach .

The beach of Arromanches is very central. It is a good base to visit the landing beaches. The beach and the museums are grouped together. And the battery is only 15 minutes away. It is necessary to plan at least one day and to organize to visit the beach at low tide. We stayed at the hotel Les Villas d’Arromanches: a charming hotel in a 19th century villa on the heights of the city. A haven of peace with beautiful views of the sea. See photos, prices and availability Otherwise, there are hotels all around Arromanches – see the top rated hotels around Gold Beach

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4. Juno Beach

The landing at juno beach beach – facts and figures.

Juno Beach was the landing site for the Canadian Army. It covered the section between La Rivière and Saint Aubin-sur-Mer, with the Love, Mike and Nan sub-sectors. The section is 6 miles long (about 10 km). 21,400 Canadian and British troops landed here. Casualties amounted to 1,200 wounded or killed (including 359 Canadian dead).

To reach the beach, you have to climb a small dune of white sand. The beach extends as far as the eye can see, when it is low tide.

The Cross of Lorraine is clearly visible. It was installed here to commemorate the place where De Gaulle first landed, an important turning point in the Battle of Normandy.

On the beach, not far from the museum, you can also see bunkers, tanks and representations of soldiers.

Museums in Courseulles-sur-Mer

• The Juno Beach Centre which focuses on the role played by Canadians alongside the Allied forces. You will discover a film and 5 permanent exhibition rooms. Closed in January Read more
• Beny-sur-mer Canadia War Cemetery : not far away you can visit the Canadian cemetery where over 2000 men are buried. Accessible all year round

Juno Beach Beach is surrounded by a very nice resort. It is a good base for a stay in Normandy. The museum is on the beach. And the cemetery is only 10 minutes away. You should plan for a half to a full day. We stayed at the hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière: stones and beams, everything that makes the charm of a Norman farm. See photos, prices and availability Otherwise, there are hotels in Courseulles – see the top rated hotels around Juno Beach

5. Sword Beach

The landing at sword beach beach – facts and figures.

The Sword Beach Beach landing was one of the most strategic because it was one of the main routes to northern France. It covered the section between Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Ouistreham, with the Oboe, Peter, Queen and Roger sub-sectors. The section is 5 miles long (about 8 km). 29,000 British troops landed here. Casualties amounted to 630 killed and wounded.

On the beach of Ouistreham, few traces of the war. It is a very large sandy beach with beach huts. On the other hand, the city is rich in museums.

Museums in Ouistreham

• Atlantic Wall Museum – The Great Bunker : Explore the former German headquarters in this massive bunker. The interior rooms have been reconstructed on all 5 levels. Closed in January and early February
• Pegasus Memorial : museum that presents the different missions of the 6th British Airborne Division, including the capture of the bridge of Bénouville called Pegasus Bridge. Closed from December 16 to January 31
• Museum No. 4 Commando : the history of French commando who joined the British troops and participate in their missions Open from April to early November
• Merville Battery: a German battery transformed into a museum with an excellent museography around bunkers, tanks, planes… Open from mid-March to mid-November
• Radar 1944 Museum (in Douvres-la-Délivrande): installed in the former German detection station, the museum presents the life of German soldiers during the occupation of Normandy as well as the history of radar. Open from April to mid-November
• And several cemeteries : La Délivrande, Hermanville, Ranville

Find out more about activities around Sword Beach .

Sword Beach Beach is in Ousitreham, a seaside resort with a huge beach. The museums are close to the beach. The Merville battery is 20 minutes away. Douvres-la-Délivrande is 20 minutes away. You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places. There are many hotels and rentals in Ouistreham – see the top rated hotels around Sword Beach

Normandy beaches – D-Day in numbers

Just over 156,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy.

The allied troops arrived

• Paratroopers: over 23,000
• By sea: over 133,000

The soldiers disembarked by nationalities

• Americans: approximately 73,000
• British: approximately 62,000
• Canadian: approximately 21,000
• and also soldiers from Belgium, Norway, Poland, Luxembourg, Greece, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and Australia.
• And more than 170 French commandos

Casualty estimates – how many died on the beaches of Normandy

• Number of allied losses on June 6 at midnight (killed, wounded, prisoners…): more than 10 000
• Number of German losses on June 6 at midnight (killed, wounded, prisoners…): estimated between 4000 and 10000…

The equipment

• Support aircraft: over 11,000
• Combat ships: more than 1200
• Landing ships; over 4,000
• Merchant ships: over 800
• The ships were 80% British and 16% American

Frequently asked questions about beaches

Landing beach in 1 day.

If you only have one day to visit the D-Day landing beaches, it is best to choose one of the 5 beaches described in this article according to your interests:

• Omaha is the most emblematic of the beaches with the sculpture and the American cemetery
• Utah or Omaha for the Americans
• Juno for Canadians
• Gold Beach for the British
• Gold Beach for those interested in temporary port engineering
• Sword Beach and Utah Beach for the best museums (in our opinion)

What was the bloodiest beach on D-Day?

The losses on Omaha Beach were the worst on D-Day. American troops lost more than 2400 soldiers who were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

Are the beaches of Normandy still stained with blood?

No. Without the memorials, bunkers and cemeteries, it is impossible to imagine what happened on these beaches in 1944. These are now beautiful sandy beaches where people swim in the summer.

Can we take sand from the beaches of Normandy?

No. As in many other countries, it is illegal to take sand or pebbles from French beaches.

Visit the D-Day landing beaches in winter

You can visit the D-Day landing beaches in winter. The winter atmosphere is more conducive to introspection on their history than the summer crowds… Please note, however, that almost all museums close at least in January and early February. Closing times depend on the museum. See our article on museums . However, the beaches and many of the bunkers remain freely accessible.

Films on the D-Day beaches in Normandy

The Longest Day (1962) A very realistic account of the landing at Omaha Beach. Take a look at it before your visit, to better contextualize everything you are about to see.

Saving Private Ryan (1998) War movie directed by Steven Spielberg with Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. It is inspired by the real-life story of the Niland brothers, American soldiers killed during World War II. In this fiction, the hero goes in search of the last survivor to bring him back to his mother.

Overlord (1975) Black and white film by Stuart Cooper. Story of a young recruit and his training before D-Day.

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

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If you are looking for military historical tours in Europe, we are the best local experts you can find. In terms of World War II tours, no one comes even close to offering the quality you get from us. Our Tour Directors and local guides are professionals who have perfected their craft. All our hotels and restaurants are tried and true, and our local knowledge is evident and all of our staff speak fluent English. Our secure and guaranteed payment systems allow you to shop online with the utmost confidence. Once you book your trip, we will guide you through everything related to your tour, from what travel documents you need and what to pack to a recommended list of books to read and movies to watch before your departure. We are not an assembly line company focused on mass production – our goal is to give you a once in a lifetime experience.

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

This is an adventure designed for your bucket list and your pocket book. Feel the sands of the landing beaches between your toes, stand at the very foxholes where heroes fought for your freedom and breathe the Alpine air at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

The ultimate trip through the American WWII effort: our Band of Brothers Tour is an epic journey from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest via the battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company.

80th ANNIVERSARY BULGE TOUR

Remember the bloodiest battle for the American forces in World War II. On this tour you can see where the brave soldiers held their ground during the siege of Bastogne, and experience the citizens “throwing nuts” to commemorate their liberators.

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Numerous historical sites tell the tales of the rise, the fall and the aftermath of Hitler’s Third Reich on this tour. Join us at the epicentre of WWII, where the Führer rallied followers, commanded armies, held events and eventually met his demise.

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Hit all the essential sites on this streamlined 10-day tour combining the air war related sites with the iconic vehicles on display at the Bovington Tank Museum and finishing off with a cultural intake of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge.

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Our signature tour gives you an opportunity to thoroughly explore the beaches and the sites of Normandy connected to the D-Day landings. This tour is designed for people who want to enjoy military history and culture alike on their vacation in Normandy.

Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the Normandy beaches to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world. Band of Brothers Tour is a registered brand and protected trademark in the European Union by Beaches of Normandy Tours.

The first days of the tour dive into all five landing beaches, with a special focus on the American landing sectors. We then head east through the Ardennes to Belgium, where passengers can crouch in the foxholes of Bois Jacques and learn about the vehicles that defined the Allied war effort during the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. Our journey ends in Germany, where we learn about the context of the Nazi regime, a sobering visit to the very first concentration camp of Dachau and we top off the tour with a day trip to the Bavarian Alps, where we visit the famous Eagle's Nest on top of the Kehlstein mountain.

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Visiting the beaches of Normandy – WW2 guide

29 April 2024

Thinking of visiting the Normandy D-Day beaches? Here’s a handy guide on everything you need to know.

Normandy D-Day beaches to visit

With the Normandy 80th anniversary on its way, why not make a trip to see D-Day's landing beaches?

Where is Gold Beach?

Gold Beach was one of three Normandy landing beaches assigned to the Commonwealth forces on D-Day.

The landing zone stretched 8 kilometres from Port-en-Bessin in the west to La Rivière, Ver-sur-Mer in the East. The seaside resort of Arromanches lay in the west of the landing zone. Deeper inland from Gold sat the historic town of Bayeux.

History of Gold Beach    

Wehrmacht forces occupying Gold Beach were tucked away in houses along the coast, particularly at La Rivière and Le Hamel. The landing beach was also in range of a gun battery located a kilometre inland, directed from a clifftop observation post at Longues-sur-Mer.

Gold comprised three sectors, running west to east: How, Item, Jig, and King. It was to be assaulted by the 50th (Northumbria) Division.

The 50th Division’s objectives were to capture Arromanches, cut the Caen-Bayeux Highway, and link up with the Canadians from Juno Beach in the east and the Americans from Omaha to the west.

Landing craft from the 50th Division hit Gold Beach at 7:25 am on the morning of D-Day. German defences had been softened by RAF and Royal Navy bombardment before the assault. 

The infantry was supported by tanks and specialist Armoured Fighting Vehicles Royal Engineers (AVREs) to help clear beach obstacles and defences. 

Image: 47 Commando comes ashore on Gold Beach, 6 June 1944 (© IWM)

At the same time as the main infantry assault, special forces of 47 Commando came ashore too. Its target was to capture the small harbour at Port-en-Bassin at Gold Beach’s western edge.

No German tanks were present on Gold Beach. Infantry resistance was minimal compared with other D-Day landing beaches. The Royal Navy and Air Force bombardments had softened up defences enough.

German forces at La Rivière had been subdued by 10.00 am. By mid-afternoon, Le Hamel had been captured. 47 Commando had pushed towards its objective at Port-en-Bessin but was unable to take the small port on D-Day itself. 

One of the supporting Royal Navy vessels, HMS Ajax, had taken out the Longues-sur-Mer battery after a furious long-range duel.

By the evening of D-Day, the 50th Division had landed 25,000 men. The British had pushed 50 kilometres inland. They had also linked with the Canadians advancing from Juno Beach, but they had so far failed to cut the Caen-Bayeux highway.

The forces at Gold made a good start, securing an important beachhead for 400 casualties.

Bayeux War Cemetery

Bayeux War Cemetery , although started in 1952, has become one of the focal points for the commemoration of the Normandy campaign’s Commonwealth war dead. 

Over 4,500 war graves can be found in Bayeux War Cemetery. D-Day war graves total around 500 of the Commonwealth burials here. 

Within Bayeux War Cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial, commemorating fallen officers and enlisted men with no known war grave. 1,800 servicemen are commemorated by name on the memorial.

Ryes War Cemetery

Ryes War Cemetery lies close to Arromanches. 

The first burials at Ryes were made just two days after the landings on Gold Beach.

Today, it contains around 650 Commonwealth war graves, roughly a sixth of which were casualties killed on D-Day itself. Interestingly, there are around 330 German graves at Ryes War Cemetery .

Getting to Gold Beach

Gold Beach is accessible via public transport using Normandy’s transport network or by road.

For travellers from the UK, the fastest direct route to Normandy D-Day beaches is by ferry from Portsmouth. 

The vessel docks at Ouistreham, taking you directly into the heart of the D-Day battlefields and landing beaches.

From Ouistreham, Arromanches and Gold Beach is about a 40-minute drive. Depending on traffic, it takes but takes around four hours when driving from Calais.  Reaching Arromanches and Gold Beach from Cherbourg takes roughly an hour and a half.

Sword Beach

Where is sword beach.

Sword Beach was the most easterly of the Commonwealth Normandy landing beaches on D-Day.

It lies on an 8-kilometre of the Normandy coast between Lion-sur-Mer in the west and Ouisteham in the east. It is around 15 kilometres away from Caen.

Sword Beach was and is very sandy, turning into dunes. In 1944 It had only been lightly fortified with beach obstacles and emplacements, although German defences stretched inland.

An artillery battery at Merville, 8 km to the east, overlooked the beach. A range of mortars, 88m guns and machine guns were also built inland.

History of Sword Beach

Sword Beach was divided into four sectors for the D-Day assault. From west to east, they ran Oboe, Peter, Queen, and Roger.

Assaulting Sword were the men of the British 3rd Division, made up of regiments including the Suffolks, South Lancashires, and East Yorkshires to name a few. Accompanying the main assault were the special forces units from the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades.

3rd Division’s D-Day objectives were to land and push up the beaches to pass through Ouistreham. Caen, as the region’s major transport hub, was 3rd Division’s chief objective, however.

Image: 8.45am Sword Beach, 6 June 1944 (© IWM)

The special forces were to push inland toward the Orne River and Caen Canal Bridges and link up with Airborne forces already in Normandy.

Seaborne forces’ landing craft hit Sword Beach at around 7.25 am. Fighting on the beach was relatively light. Within 35 minutes, Sword had been cleared and combat moved inland.

In the early afternoon, the Commandos had managed to link up with the men of 6th Airborne. 

6th Airborne had been in Normandy for hours already, dropping in behind enemy lines around midnight. It was their job to the Orne and Caen bridges to provide exit routes for the forces assaulting Sword Beach. Other units were assigned to knock out the Merville battery.

Both airborne objectives had been achieved by the time the amphibious assault began, making it easier for the regular army units to come ashore.

By the end of June 6th, the British had landed some 29,000 men on Sword Beach. Taking the beach and subsequent fighting cost the British around 630 casualties.

Caen remained out of British hands until the end of July 1944. 

Hermanville War Cemetery

Hermanville War Cemetery contains many D-Day war graves , representing roughly a quarter of the 1,000 burials in the cemetery.

Hermanville is a small village that lies a short way behind Sword Beach. 

It was occupied early on D-Day by men of the South Lancashire. Later that day, the Shropshire Light Infantry and tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry managed to capture Bieville-Beniville, around 4 kms to Hermanville’s south.

La Deliverande War Cemetery, Douvre

La Deliverande is only a short distance from Sword Beach, situated to the west of Hermanville.

The war cemetery was started not long after D-Day, with casualties from Sword Beach buried here, drawn from the beach’s Oboe and Peter sectors. 

Over 1,020 personnel are buried at La Deliverande War Cemetery . 

Getting to Sword Beach

Ouistreham is the quickest way to get to Sword Beach and the quickest way for UK visitors is via Portsmouth. The ferry from Portsmouth docks at Ouistreham.

Sword Beach is around three and a half hours by car from Calais and roughly the same by car from Paris.

Where is Juno Beach?

Juno Beach lies between Gold Beach to the west and Sword Beach to the East.

The landing zone stretched across a 10-kilometre front, stretching along the small fishing port of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Several small conurbations and villages lay behind the beach’s sandy dunes or dotted the seafront. German forces occupied and fortified them with gun emplacements, fighting positions, and casemates.

Hidden beneath the sea on the approach to Juno were several natural obstacles, including reefs and shoals, making the approach tricky to navigate.

History of Juno Beach

Juno Beach was the third assigned to Commonwealth armies for Operation Overlord. The Canadian Army was tasked with taking Juno and forging inland, specifically the 3rd Canadian Division.

The Canadian D-Day objectives were to cut the Caen-Bayeux road, take the important Carpiquet airfield near Caen, and then link up with British troops making their way off Sword and Gold beaches.

Because of the natural hazards, Allied planners had to launch the Canadians later than desired so their landing craft could clear the reef on the rising tide.

The Canadians landed on Juno at 07.55 am on the morning of June 6th 1944. Not only were they 10 minutes behind schedule, but they were also three hours behind the optimal tide height.

Image: Canadian soldiers leave their landing craft on Juno Beach (© IWM)

This gave the Canadians a problem. Juno was littered in now partially submerged beach obstacles. The Royal Canadian Engineers were unable to clear an unobstructed path to the beach so landing craft pilots had to navigate by feel to get their men to shore.

Mines took a heavy toll on the Canadian landing craft. 30% of Juno landing craft were damaged or destroyed.

In contrast to Sword and Gold, the Canadians had a much tougher time getting off the beach. The German defences were more focussed on overlooking the coastline, rather than firing out to sea.

As the Canadian infantry made its way up Juno Beach, it came into enemy killing zones which reaped a terrible toll on the first wave. In the first hour of the assault, there was a 50/50 chance that each Canadian soldier become a casualty.

The Canadians never wavered, however, and by mid-morning they had captured the town of Berniéres and Saint-Aubin, getting off the beach. 

Progress into Normandy was good. Success infantry waves supported by Canadian armour meant that by the end of the day, the Canadians had made the most progress of any Allied army in Normandy.

But that progress was not without cost. Off the Commonwealth forces on D-Day, the Canadians took the highest casualties, suffering 1,200 casualties (340 killed) for 21,400 troops landed on Juno.

Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reivers

Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery contains over 2,000 Second World War graves .

As the name suggests, most of the war graves in Beny-sur-Mer are Canadian. 

Roughly 300 were killed on D-Day, either on Juno Beach or as the fighting turned inland.

How to get to Juno Beach

Most Canadians visiting Juno Beach will arrive in France via Charles de Gaulle Airport, around 25km north of Paris. From there, the quickest route would be a direct train to Caen or a three and hour drive from Paris.

Visitors from Britain are best to catch the ferry to Ouistreham as this will take you directly into the D-Day invasion area. Juno Beach is then a 25-minute drive, depending on traffic.

Reaching Juno Beach from Calais is roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes by car. From Paris, it can take up to 3 and a quarter hours, depending on traffic.

Omaha Beach

Where is Omaha Beach?

Omaha Beach was one of five landing beaches of the Normandy invasion. It was one of two assigned to the United States.

Omaha Beach stretched from Port-en-Bessin in the east to the mouth of the Vire River in the west, covering 10km.

The landing beach was overlooked by 30-metre-high cliffs. Some sections of the western beach were backed by a strong, 3-metre-high seawall as well.  German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had ordered Ohama Beach to be fortified as part of his Atlantic Wall. 

The waters were mined, and beach obstacles were laid. German machine gunners peaked out over the beach from vast concrete bunkers and redoubts. Up the cliffs, a trench network wound its way inland.

Even today, numerous concrete strong points can be seen in and around Omaha, showing the area’s lethality.

The history of Omaha Beach

Omaha was assaulted by the forces of the US 1st Infantry Division, aka the Big Red One. 

1st Division’s objectives were to capture the villages of Vierville, Saint-Laurent, and Coleville. It was to then push onwards toward the Bayuex-Isigny Road and continue heading west towards Pointe du Hoc.

The attack began at 06.30 on the morning of June 6, 1944. Choppy waters and strong winds drove landing craft off course.

Omaha turned into a killing field. American troops sought cover behind beach obstacles or wrecked vehicles, pondering whether to make the deadly run for the seawall. 

Image: "Into the Jaws of Death", Robert F. Sargent's famous photo of the US 1st Division's assault on Omaha Beach (public domain)

The carnage was so bad that by 08.30, all landings at Omaha had stopped. Men on the beach were left on their own. Slowly but surely, the US soldiers began to form groups and scale Omaha’s imposing cliffs.

To alleviate the pressure, US Navy destroyers sailed up to the beach and began bombarding German positions at point-blank range.

By midday, German fire noticeably decreased as defences were flanked and taken from the rear. Allied soldiers could now begin opening each of Omaha’s five beach exits one by one.

Elsewhere in the Omaha sector, the US Rangers were given the job of assaulting Pointe du Hoc. Pointe Du Hoc is a rock escarpment jutting out into the English Channel which gave fantastic views of the American landing beaches at Normandy.

Atop were gun emplacements and casemates zeroed in on Utah Beach. 

With rope ladders and grappling hooks, the Rangers scaled 100 sheer cliffs under heavy fire. 

They managed to reach the top when, to their horror, they found empty casemates. Where were the big guns? Sweeping nearby, the Rangers thankfully found the German artillery, hidden in a sunken road, and disabled it.

By nightfall on D-Day, the US held ground around Vierville, Saint-Laurent and Colleville. The advance was far behind schedule, but the resistance had been incredibly tough at Omaha. 

The US forces at Omaha had suffered 2,400 casualties but had managed to land 34,000 men.

How to get to Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach is around 40 minutes from Ouisreham, the disembarkation point of the Portsmouth-Caen Ferry. This would probably be the quickest way to reach Omaha Beach for UK visitors.

For those coming from Calais, the journey is roughly four hours by car.

American tourists paying a visit to the Normandy D-Day beaches are most likely to be arriving in France via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. By car, this will take between three and a half and four hours.

Where is Utah Beach?

Utah Beach was the most westerly of the five Normandy D-Day landing beaches. 

It lies at the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, at the top of which lies the great Atlantic port of Cherbourg.

Utah covered 5 kilometres, running northwest of the Carentan estuary, along a ribbon of sandy, duned beach.

Four causeways exited Utah Beach, leading to the important crossroads towns of Carentan and Sainte-Mére-Église. 

The land behind Utah is flat, open, and low-lying. To limit enemy movement, the Germans had flooded these areas and could control the flood levels with locks.

The history of Utah Beach

Of the Normandy landing beaches assaulted by US forces, Utah was the least heavily defended.

The assault began at 06.30 am, led by the IS 4th Infantry Division. 

Their goal was to capture the beach, take control of the coastal roads, link up with Airborne elements dropped earlier in the day, and get ready for a later attack on Cherbourg.

Image: US troops wade ashore on Utah Beach (public domain)

The Utah landings were met with confusion. Strong currents blew the landing craft off course while the beach was obscured by smoke from the preliminary Allied naval bombardment.

Three control craft, essentially for guiding troops transports to the beach, were lost to mines. 

Eventually, the Americans were able to land some 1,800 metres away from their designated area, leading commander Brigadier-General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. to declare “We’ll start the war from here!”.

This turned into a happy accident. The Americans had landed at a lightly defended section and within three hours had captured three of Utah’s four beach exits. By noon, they had linked up with paratroopers of the 101st Airborne.

By the end of D-Day, 20,000 Allied troops and 1,700 vehicles had landed at Utah.

How to get to Utah Beach

The closest ferry stop near Utah is Cherbourg, which is about 45 minutes away by car. 

American visitors to Normandy’s historic D-Day beaches are likely to arrive in France at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Then it is around a four-hour car journey to Utah Beach.

If driving from Calais, the journey to Utah takes around four and a half hours.

Normandy landing beaches map

Image: Map of the Commonwealth Normandy landing beaches with CWGC cemeteries and memorials highlighted.

Normandy beach tours

Guided tours are available where battlefield guys take visitors to the beaches. 

These extend from week-long package deals to coach and minibus trips to day excursions to Normandy’s varied remembrance sites.

Self-driving tours are a very popular way history enthusiasts experience the beaches of Normandy. Cycle tours are also very common, taking in the beaches and the bocage.

Normandy boasts a wide network of tour operators and battlefield guides but at present Commonwealth War Graves does not partner with any tour operators in the region.

Visiting Normandy landing beaches from the UK & France

Ferry or Eurotunnel are possibly the easiest ways to visit the Normandy landing beaches from the UK.

There are multiple ferry crossings with some sea routes landing in Ouistreham (Caen), Cherbourg and Le Havre, which are all within a reasonable driving distance from the beaches.

Calais is a short ferry crossing. The Eurotunnel crossing also ends in Calais. However, the drive to Normandy can take up to four hours, depending on which beach you are visiting.

Normandy is accessible to the of France by its extensive motorway and railway network.

How long does it take to visit Normandy beaches of WW2?

The D-Day landing beaches stretch over 70 kilometres of the Normandy coastline. It may be difficult to fit all of them in just one trip.

There is a lot to see and learn at these locations and landmarks. Rushing through the sites may not be the best way to experience everything the beaches of Normandy have to offer.

Reports from tourists on sites such as Tripadvisor suggest two days should be enough to visit Normandy D-Day beaches.

What’s the best Normandy landing beach to visit?

That depends entirely on your particular area of interest or connections to the D-Day story.

For Canadians, for example, Juno Beach and the museum there will likely be the first port of call on a Normandy beaches trip.

UK tourists may prefer to visit Sword and Gold Beaches. For US tourists, their first interaction with Second World War history may have been through the stories of Utah and Omaha Beaches, so they may be more drawn to them.

Each beach is a location steeped in history. There are museums, old bunkers and gun emplacements, and artefacts of the Normandy landings at each. 

In the case of the Commonwealth landing beaches, Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries and memorials are close by too, commemorating many of the men who were killed storming the beaches of Normandy.

What’s the best time to visit Normandy beaches?

Between April and October is considered by organisations such as Normandie Tourisme as the best time to visit the Normandy beaches.

Temperatures are generally mild through spring to autumn, averaging 15-28°C (55-85°F), so the weather should be pleasant.

The summer is when tourism will pick up, especially in June when D-Day anniversary events will be taking place across the beaches and at locations tied to the invasion. Normandy is likely to be very busy at times like this, so take that into account when planning a trip to Normandy.

For cooler weather and less crowds, try visiting in April/May or September/August.

What’s the best way to visit Normandy beaches?

Again, this is dependent on your circumstances, itinerary and how you like to engage with historical sites. You may wish to book a guided tour or visit at your own pace. There is no definitive “best” way to visit Normandy beaches.

Where to stay when visiting Normandy beaches?

The beaches are studded with many small villages and seaside towns, as well as larger places like Arromanches and Ouistreham.

Each is full of hotels, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts offering accommodation. 

According to Camping France, there are 36 campsites near the Normandy beaches.

Do I need a guide to visit Normandy beaches?

You do not need a guide to visit Normandy beaches.

Can you visit Normandy beaches without a tour?

Yes, Normandy’s D-Day beaches are easily accessible to the public without tour guides.

Are you allowed to go on a Normandy beach? Yes, these are public beaches and open for everyone to enjoy. 

At the height of tourist season, the beaches are covered in beachgoers enjoying their summer holidays with swimming and making sandcastles, intermingling poignantly with the reminders of the Atlantic Wall and D-Day landings all around them.

Other memorial sites to visit in Normandy

When it comes to Normandy memorial sites, you are spoiled for choice.

There are over 115 Commonwealth War Graves sites in the Calvados region of Normandy alone. They are reminders of the cost of D-Day and the Normandy Campaign.

Image: The Normandy American Cemetery (Public domain)

American troops are commemorated at the Normandy American Cemetery. It holds over 9,000 Second World War burials. A further 1,500 are commemorated on the Normandy American Memorial.

German casualties are buried at La Cambe German War Cemetery. Once an American war cemetery, La Cambe has been a German site since 1948 and holds 21,000 burials.

Lighting their Legacy

Across the UK, May & June

Discover our national programme of events and inspire the next generation.

The Great Vigil

Normandy, 5 June

Join the culmination of our D-Day events as we illuminate every CWGC grave in Normandy.

DISCOVER OUR 80TH ANNIVERSARY WW2 EVENTS

We're holding a number of events across the UK and in Normandy in the build up to the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Find out more about what we're planning and discover how you can get involved.

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Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Day Trip from Bayeux

• Normandy Landing Beaches
• Omaha Beach
• Pointe du Hoc
• The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
• Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches

• Immerse yourself in the rich history of the region during your full-day tour, hosted by an expert on WWII History
• Explore the key landmarks of Normandy, including sites such as Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach

• You want to learn more about the events of 1944 and their impact for European liberation.
• If you’re based in Paris, refer to our Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Tour from Paris
• Caen – A historically rich city in France, known for its impressive medieval architecture and the Memorial for Peace commemorating World War II.
• Pointe du Hoc – A stunning cliff on the Normandy coast, famous for its heroic D-Day assault during World War II.
• Omaha Beach – One of the most significant landing sites on D-Day, this sandy beach in Normandy witnessed brave Allied forces' sacrifice and triumph during the invasion.
• Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – A solemn and moving tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives in World War II, located in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach.
• Arromanches – A picturesque coastal town in Normandy, renowned for its artificial harbor created during the Allied invasion of Normandy, serving as a crucial logistical point in World War II.
• The exact meeting point and map are communicated in your confirmation email. This tour includes a car service that will pick you up in Bayeaux, will drive you to the different site visited, and will drop you off at the Bayeux train station at the end of the tour.
• The tour will take time for a lunch break, but you are responsible for the cost of your own lunch.
• If you are looking to learn more about Normandy prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning .
• Read more about Normandy in our Context Stories – full of tips and tricks from a local historian
• The itinerary is adaptable for clients with mobility issues, please let us know if you have mobility concerns
• Most of the sites are wheelchair accessible. 
• If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss the best tour option for you.

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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The Best Tours to the Normandy D-Day Beaches from Caen

Tours to the Normandy D-Day beaches from Caen, France, offer visitors a profound and immersive experience delving into one of the most pivotal moments in modern history. Departing from the city of Caen, these tours take participants on a journey through the poignant landscapes and historic sites associated with the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

These tours typically include visits to significant locations such as Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach, where Allied forces landed amidst fierce German resistance. At each beach, knowledgeable guides provide insights into the strategic importance of the landing sites, the challenges faced by the troops, and the ultimate triumph of the Allied forces.

Participants have the opportunity to walk along the same sands where history was made, visit key landmarks such as bunkers and gun emplacements, and pay their respects at memorials and cemeteries honoring the fallen soldiers. Highlights often include the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where thousands of American soldiers are laid to rest overlooking Omaha Beach.

Additionally, tours may include visits to museums and interpretive centers dedicated to preserving the memory of D-Day and the subsequent Battle of Normandy. These institutions offer exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that provide deeper insights into the events of the invasion and the experiences of those who participated.

Some tours from Caen also incorporate stops at other significant sites in the region, such as the Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers scaled cliffs to neutralize German artillery positions, and the historic town of Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated by Allied forces on D-Day.

These tours from Caen to the Normandy D-Day beaches offer a moving and educational experience, allowing visitors to connect with the past, honor the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought for freedom, and gain a deeper understanding of one of the most consequential moments of World War II.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Small Group Guided D-Day Tour and Mémorial de Caen Museum

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In Caen, Normandy Beach tours cost on average $759 based on our research of 31 different tours. Many of these tours offer varying activities, add extra services, and last different lengths of time, so it's not always possible to compare every option equally. Also, the highly rated options tend to cost a bit more on average.

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8 Top Things to See at the Normandy D-Day Beaches in 2024

Debra Thimmesch Last Updated: September 26, 2023

D-Day, June 6, 1944, was one of the most pivotal days in world history. That day, thousands of Allied troops began their liberation of “the oppressed peoples of Europe,” as then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower put it. Today, you can explore this important place in history from Omaha and Utah Beaches to the American Cemetery and Point du Hoc. In this article, I’ll tell you about the top must-see sites at the Normandy D-Day beaches.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to Paris? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to Paris  for more planning resources, our  top Normandy tours  for a memorable trip, and if a Normandy tour is worth it .

What You Have to See at the Normandy D-Day Beaches

“Your task will not be an easy one,” Eisenhower wrote to the Allied troops. Those words were part of his now-famous official order for the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion. Indeed, it was not easy. In fact, according to the US Department of Defense, 4,700 of the 35,000 soldiers who first went ashore that day were wounded, killed, or declared missing.

The huge D-Day operation included the invasion and the push through Normandy then southeast to Paris . The invasion architects who selected Normandy as the landing zone gave it the codename Operation Overlord.

Gaining a strategic foothold in northwest Europe was essential to turning the tides in the war. Allied troops landing in Normandy were extremely vulnerable. The Germans had established positions, including bunkers, along the coast. They had also occupied cities such as Caen, the capital of Normandy.

Eisenhower warned the troops , “Your enemy is well-trained…He will fight savagely.” Therefore, it was up to the Allied forces to liberate the land and the French people. The battle that turned the tides of World War II started in Normandy.

In this article, I will explain why 50 miles of coastline in Normandy—which includes specific areas you can visit—held the key to victory. Here are 8 important sites from the Caen Memorial Museum to La Pointe du Hoc you won’t want to miss.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a tour of Normandy’s D-Day beaches are worth it .

8. Caen Memorial Museum

I recommend starting your Normandy D-Day Beaches visit in Caen. Caen is about 10 miles inland from the English Channel. It is the largest city in Normandy and played a crucial role in the war as it has in days past, such as when William the Conqueror once used Caen as his capital. It was heavily bombed by the Germans during World War II, and the city lost numerous historical buildings entirely.

The Caen Memorial Museum provides visitors with a comprehensive picture of the war in this part of France. Different areas of the museum tell different stories, so be sure to allow plenty of time here.

For example, you’ll learn about how civilians coped with the German Occupation. You’ll see objects related to the French Resistance, which was extensive. Finally, you’ll hear the stories of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. The Caen Memorial Museum is the perfect place to get a full understanding of what you’ll see here at the Normandy D-Day Beaches before you head to Omaha Beach.

Address: Esp. Général Eisenhower, 14050 Caen Cost: starting at €17.50

7. Bayeux Battle of Normandy Museum

The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy is a top place to see at Normandy. Bayeux is around 20 miles west of Caen on the inland side. This ancient city also hosts the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Wondering what that is? Well, it’s not a tapestry at all but a famous embroidery that tells the story of the invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Thus, it seems apt that Bayeux would also tell the story of a more recent, historic invasion.

Bayeux’ museum focuses solely on the Battle of Normandy. Part of Operation Overlord, the Battle of Normandy took place over the summer of 1944. After the successful but bloody D-Day invasion, Allied troops pushed southeast across Normandy to the Seine river.

Their goal was to liberate Paris, and according to WWII historian Stephen Ambrose, Paris was liberated on August 25. The Germans retreated across the river to the east on August 30, 1994. That fateful event marked the end of Operation Overlord.

Address: Bd Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux Closed: Annually in January Cost: starting at €7.50 (buy in person only)

6. Artificial Harbor at Arromanches

You might wonder how the Allied forces moved their vehicles and cargo across the English Channel and onto the shores of France. A key piece of their success was the genius installation of two portable, temporary harbors.

They named the first harbor at Omaha Beach Mulberry A. Then they built Mulberry B at Arromanches-les-Bains on Gold Beach. Today, you can see remnants of Mulberry B in Arromanches—the very same harbor the Allies used for over 10 months after D-Day. Incredibly, 2.5 million troops and 4 million tons of supplies came through Mulberry B, notes historian Jonathan Falconer.

A 17-minute drive from Bayeux gets you to scenic Arromanches. You have a splendid view of the artificial harbor from above. While you cannot walk on the remaining constructions, at low tide you can get quite near them. If you arrive around lunchtime, I recommend having fresh seafood at Restaurant La Maison du 6 . It’s just a short walk from the main square on Cale Neptune.

Address: 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains Cost: FREE

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit the Normandy D-Day sites .

5. 360 ° Theater at Arromanches

The impressive 360 ° Circular Cinema lies on the ridge above the city. The view of the artificial harbor and beach is stunning. So is the 20-minute film you’ll see in this remarkable theater.

“The 100 Days of the Battle of Normandy” is a breathtaking movie montage of footage from multinational archives. The film begins with the D-Day landings. It is projected on nine different screens, which place you at the center of the action. The experience is intense and deeply moving.

Address: Rue du Calvaire, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains Cost: starting at €6

4. Omaha Beach

It goes without saying that Omaha Beach can’t be missed at the Normandy beaches. The Allied forces decided to call the beach landing part of the attack Operation Neptune. They designated five beaches as landing zones, and Canadian and British soldiers landed at Juno, Gold, and Sword beaches.

However, the Americans’ entry points were Omaha and Utah beaches, explains Ambrose. That’s just part of why these two beaches are the most recognized by Americans. But it’s also because the most intense fighting on D-Day took place on Omaha Beach .

The Germans had a superior position on the cliffs overlooking the beach, including concrete bunkers. In contrast, the invading troops had to enter the beach from the water—completely exposed. As a result, 2,400 lives were lost, according to the Department of Defense records. However, untold lives were saved by their heroic sacrifices. Today, Omaha Beach is peaceful—there is no sign of the violence and bloodshed of June 6, 1944, and the days that followed.

I recommend taking the D514 road parallel to the sea to get to Omaha Beach where visitors are free to explore. Whereas once you could walk down to the beach from the Normandy American Cemetery above, you must now arrive via Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Upon arrival, you’ll see the massive memorial sculpture titled Brave . It looks like gleaming silver swords and tongues of fire.

Address: Av. de la Libération, 14710 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer Museum Cost: starting at €5

3. Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Colleville-sur-Mer. According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Army constructed it on the site of a temporary cemetery for American soldiers in June of 1944. It was the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The 172.5 acre cemetery contains the graves of 9,386 dead. Most of the fallen died on D-Day and the days of battle that followed.

The Walls of the Missing on the east side of the memorial enclose a quiet, semicircular garden. The 1,557 names of the missing have been inscribed on those walls, and it’s worth taking some time to see it. Sculptures and large maps describe the military operations that took place in Normandy.

There is a beautiful reflecting pool and a small chapel. To the north, rising above the ocean, a table with a diagram of the beaches is available to help orient visitors. However, the lines of austere white crosses are by far the most poignant aspect of the cemetery and likely what you came to see here at the American Cemetery.

Address: Rte du Cimetiere Americain, 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer Cost: FREE

2. La Pointe du Hoc

Drive further west of Omaha Beach for 15 minutes and you’ll reach La Pointe du Hoc. As a cliff overlooking the English Channel, Pointe du Hoc was enormously strategic for the Germans.

They had fortified it and built concrete bunkers that seemed completely impregnable. It was their front-row seat for the invasion of Normandy. Thus, the Allies knew that its position would prove a dire threat to the success of the invasion and determined to conquer it at all cost.

The massive battle that took place there left scars that you can still see today. As you stand at Pointe du Hoc, you’ll see huge craters created by the awe-inspiring and deadly assault of the Allied forces. The site is unimaginably eerie. You can walk alongside the craters and even climb down into the bunkers to get a feel for what it might have been like to stand guard there.

Address: 14450 Cricqueville-en-Bessin Cost: FREE

1. Utah Beach and Landing Museum

If you drive about 35 or 40 minutes west of Pointe du Hoc, you will reach the Cotentin (or Cherbourg) Peninsula where Utah Beach is located. Utah was the furthest west of the D-Day beaches. The decision to attack this beach was a late addition to the planning stages, notes Ambrose. Yet, it proved to be strategically essential due to its close proximity to the deep water port at Cherbourg.

Utah Beach was the first place the Allies landed on June 6, 1944. According to the Department of Defense, they only lost 197 men of the 23,000 troops who deployed on there. However, they succeeded in taking the beach and establishing a beachhead.

The Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach, or the Utah Beach Landing Museum, is another top place to see when you visit the Normandy D-Day beaches. First, the architecture of the museum integrates with the beach thanks to the huge windows that provide an immense view. You can’t forget where you are.

Second, the museum’s extensive collection of vehicles, equipment, and objects really gives you important context to the tragedy and heroism that occurred here at these sacred sites. Your trip to the Normandy D-Day beaches, museums, and cemeteries will be one to remember.

Address: La Madeleine, 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Museum Cost: starting at €5

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About Debra Thimmesch

Debra Thimmesch is an art historian, researcher, independent scholar, editor, and visual artist. She mentors undergraduate and graduate students in the history of art and is a published author. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Brooklyn Rail, Art Papers, and Blind Field and a variety of exhibition catalogs. Her BA, MA, and PhD in art history have provided only part of the broader, global view of the history of art that she has acquired through the years. As a world traveler, she considers herself a sort of pilgrim of great art and architecture. As a teacher and tour guide, she has led private tours and student groups to numerous sites in the US, the UK, and Europe.

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TOUR #1 Omaha Beach – Half Day Tour

Half Day Tours:  Our Shuttle in Bayeux departs from Place de Quebec, Normandy – Near the Tapestry

Tour # 1 is intended for visitors having only half a day to visit the landing areas at Omaha Beach . This is our comprehensive Omaha Beach Tour

MORNING TOUR : perfect for those who have only a few hours left in Normandy before their holidays move on to another region or wish to spend their afternoon time discovering what else the area has to offer.

AFTERNOON TOUR : ideal for those who are coming from Paris in the morning and wish to visit the medieval town of Bayeux before boarding a guided tour to the D-Day sites . Also to be enjoyed by those already in Bayeux of course!

Beginning at the infamous Omaha Beach , on to the American cemetery and then to Pointe du Hoc. The detailed story of what was the deadliest part of the liberation of Europe will be described to you in this historical tour, which will be supplemented with maps and pictures of the area.

From the  German weapons  strong hold of “WN 62” with its unmistakable view of Easy and  Fox sectors  on  Omaha Beach , and the beach exit “D1” of  Vierville sur Mer , we will take you back 60 years ago and  relive the history again of our liberators .

This is a complete tour, giving you maximum information about the  Omaha sector , from  Omaha Beach  to  Pointe du Hoc  in a four hour tour segment. When you choose this tour, you will undoubtedly understand why Omaha is such a mystical place in the  Invasion landings , and will be remembered into eternity as “ Bloody Omaha ” on June 6th, 1944

This is an unmissable Normandy Beach Tour.

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