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Visiting the D-Day Landing Beaches

Normandy Tourism, France

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Updated on 18 July 2023

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D-Day and the Battle of Normandy were predominantly fought in the départements of Calvados, Manche and Orne, and it is here that you will find the many memorials, cemeteries and museums that commemorate what happened. The D-Day Landing Beaches extend over 70km from Sainte-Marie-du-Mont to Ouistreham, via Colleville-sur-Mer and Arromanches-les-Bains. Here’s our fully comprehensive D-Day map to help you plan where to visit.

REMEMBRANCE sites

Nearly 3,000 Allied servicemen, mostly soldiers, lost their lives on D-Day. Every year, millions come to see where and how the conflict took place. The D-Day Landing Beaches have since become a symbol of the price of peace across the world. Our fully comprehensive D-Day map below will help you work out which remembrance sites – museums, beaches, cemeteries and memorials – to visit during your stay.

GUIDED TOURS Of THE D-Day Landing BEACHES

On foot, or by minibus, bike or coach, there is a network of qualified English-speaking guides ( guides-conférenciers ) who specialise in showing visitors around Normandy’s many remembrance sites. We recommend if you book a tour to arrange for your guide to meet you at the train station or your hotel for a door-to-door service.

If you need to remind yourself of Normandy’s World War II history before your tour, here is a handy guide to the main phases of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy .

A Jeep ride in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division

Updated on 25 January 2023

Our weekend family tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches

Updated on 11 April 2023

The D-Day Landing Beaches with a dog

Updated on 19 July 2023

Don’t miss

D-Day and the Battle of Normandy Commemorating D-Day and the Battle of Normandy D-Day and the Battle of Normandy sites and museums Main phases of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy D-Day: 10 Unexplored Sites of Remembrance in Normandy

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D-Day: how to explore the Normandy beaches on the 75th anniversary

Jun 4, 2019 • 6 min read

The remains of a Mulberry Harbour (artificial port) at Arromanches-les-Bains in Normandy © Bertl123 / Shutterstock

6 June marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day beach landings, the largest seaborne invasion in history. Early on the morning of 6 June 1944, swarms of landing craft arrived on the beaches of northern Normandy in France , and 135,000 Allied soldiers started to pour onto French soil.

The 80km stretch of beaches, north of Bayeux , were code-named (from west to east) Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Here’s the story of the D-Day landings and how you can visit the beaches yourself.

Why did D-Day happen?

In early 1944, an Allied invasion of occupied France  seemed inevitable. Hitler’s disastrous campaign in Russia and inability to control the skies over Europe had left Germany vulnerable, and both sides knew a landing was coming. After long deliberation, it was decided that the beaches along Normandy 's northern coast – rather than the even more heavily fortified coastline further north around Calais , where Hitler was expecting an attack – would be a surprise spearhead into Europe. 

Code-named ‘Operation Overlord’, the invasion began on the night of 5 June 1944 when three paratroop divisions were dropped behind enemy lines. At about 6.30am on the morning of 6 June, six amphibious divisions stormed ashore at five beaches, backed up by 6000 sea craft and 13,000 aeroplanes.

What does the D in D-Day stand for?

The D in D-Day stands simply for ‘Day’, the designation given to the day of any significant military operation. The day before was known as D-1, the day after as D+1, and so on.  

Omaha Beach

The assault by the US infantry on Omaha Beach (the 7km stretch of coastline around Vierville-sur-Mer, St-Laurent-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer) was by far the bloodiest of the day. From the outset, the Allies’ best-laid plans were thrown into chaos. The beach was heavily defended by three battalions of heavily armed, highly trained Germans supported by mines, underwater obstacles and an extensive trench system. Strong winds blew many of the landing craft far from their carefully planned landing sectors. Some troops, overloaded with equipment, disembarked in deep water and almost immediately drowned; others were cut to pieces by machine-gun and mortar fire from the cliffs. Only two of the 29 tanks expected to support the troops made it to shore and it proved almost impossible to advance up the beach as planned.

Eventually, metre by metre, the GIs gained a precarious toehold on the beach. Assisted by naval bombardment, the US troops blew through a key German strongpoint and began to move off the beach. Of 2500 American casualties sustained at Omaha Beach on D-Day, over 1000 were fatalities, most of them killed within the first hour of the landings.

Nowadays, little evidence of the events of 1944 remain, except for the harrowing American cemetery and concrete German bunkers. At very low tide you can see remnants of the Mulberry Harbour, a huge temporary port set up off the coast.

Omaha is a tranquil spot, a gorgeous golden stretch with dunes and summer houses. Look out for the yellow stripes that mark the Circuit de la Plage d’Omaha, a self-guided tour along the beach.

Halfway between Bayeux and Cherbourg , Utah Beach – the Allies’ right (western) flank on D-Day – stretches for 5km near the village of La Madeleine.

The US soldiers who landed here fared much better than their comrades at Omaha. Most of the landing craft came ashore in a relatively lightly defended area, and by noon the beach had been cleared and soldiers had linked up with paratroopers. By nightfall, some 20,000 men and 1700 vehicles had arrived on French soil via Utah Beach. But during the three weeks it took to get from here to Cherbourg, US forces suffered one casualty for every 10m they advanced.

D-Day events are commemorated by a number of monuments and the impressive Musée du Débarquement de Utah Beach , a few kilometres inland in Ste-Marie du Mont.

Sword, Juno & Gold Beaches

Stretching for about 35km from Ouistreham to Arromanches , these three beaches were attacked by the British army, plus significant Canadian units and smaller groups of Commonwealth, Free French and Polish forces.

Sword Beach

At Sword Beach, initial German resistance was quickly overcome and the beach was secured within hours. Infantry pushed inland from Ouistreham to link up with paratroops, but they suffered heavy casualties as their supporting armour fell behind, trapped in a massive traffic jam on the narrow coastal roads. Despite this, they were within 5km of Caen by 4pm, but a heavy German counterattack forced them to dig in and Caen was not taken on the first day as planned.

Canadian battalions landed quickly at Dune-lined Juno Beach but had to clear the Germans trench by trench before moving inland. Mines took a heavy toll on the infantry, but by noon they were south and east of Creuilly.

A Cross of Lorraine marks the spot where General Charles de Gaulle came ashore after the landings. Winston Churchill followed him on 12 June and King George VI on 16 June. The Juno Beach Centre organise tours of the beach, which include an otherwise inaccessible bunker next door.

The attack by British forces at Gold Beach was at first chaotic, as unexpectedly high waters obscured Germ an underwater obstacles. By 9am, though, Allied armoured divisions were on the beach and several brigades pushed inland. By afternoon they’d linked up with the Juno forces and were only 3km from Bayeux.

A tour of the D-Day beaches

You can join a tour, but if you’ve got a car, check out our Normandy WWII sights road trip . Or follow the D514 along the D-Day coast or several signposted routes around the battle sites – look for ‘D-Day–Le Choc’ in the American sectors and ‘Overlord-L’Assaut’ in the British and Canadian sectors.

What happened after D-Day?

By the fourth day after D-Day, the Allies held a coastal strip about 100km long and 10km deep. The German armour were drawn towards Caen, where fierce fighting continued for more than a month and reduced the city to rubble.

The prized port of Cherbourg fell to the Allies on 27 June after a series of fierce battles and  by the end of July, US army units had smashed through to the border of Brittany. By mid-August, two German armies had been surrounded and destroyed and on 20 August US forces crossed the Seine at several points, around 40km north and south of Paris . Both Allied and Free French troops, led by General Charles de Gaulle, arrived on the streets of the capital on 25 August and by that afternoon the city had been liberated.

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A World War II Travel Blog

The Best D-Day Beach to Visit in Normandy (2024): Here’s How to Choose

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

While I’m sure you would love to visit them all, sometimes you have to concentrate on choosing only the best D-Day beach to visit in order to pack everything into your busy travel schedule. If you’ve done any research on D-Day landing beaches while planning your trip to Normandy , then you already know there are five to choose from:

• Omaha Beach
• Sword Beach

Each of these offers its own unique experiences, museums, relics, activities, and more. So, if you only have time to visit one , which is the best D-Day beach to visit? Well, that all depends. But this post is here to help you choose!

Table of Contents

Prefer someone else to pick for you? Check out my list of the 10 best local Normandy D-Day tours to take in 2024 or this list of Best Normandy Day Tours from Paris .

How to choose the best D-Day beach to visit

Which of the 5 Normandy landing beaches you will designate the best D-Day beach to visit will depend on several factors. Things like: your interests, your time limit, who’s visiting, and from where?

All five are worth a visit if you have the time (naturally), but choosing the best one for you can be narrowed down to a few criteria. However, if you only have one day to spend exploring World War II history in Normandy, I highly recommend you prioritize these 7 sites . (They’re spread across a few of the beach sectors.)

I do list just one beach in that post (which you should definitely check out… I’ll wait…) but read on and I’ll explain a little as to why and why that one may not be the best D-Day beach to visit for you .

Best D-Day beach to visit for Americans

If you’re an American visiting Normandy, you’ll likely find Omaha Beach to be the best D-Day beach for you. While the United States, Canada, and Great Britain all participated in the D-Day landings, Omaha Beach is one of the two American landing beaches.

In the Omaha Beach sector you’ll get to revisit one of the most significant locations in American history. As an American, when you think of “D-Day,” you’re probably thinking of the footage you’ve seen of troops storming Omaha Beach. In our minds, the two are synonymous.

You’ll get to visit the beach itself (that you’ve seen in so many movies), as well as other significant locations like Pointe du Hoc where the U.S. Army defeated the Germans by scaling cliffs using grappling hooks and ladders. (One of the most jaw-dropping sites to visit here, in my humble opinion.)

You’ll be able to visit museums like the D-Day Omaha Museum and the Overlord Museum and see the many memorials to American troops. Plus, you’ll also be able to spend some time at Normandy American Cemetery , arguably the most famous American war cemetery in the world.

Check out all there is to see and do at Omaha Beach here.

Where to stay near Omaha Beach

If you’re looking to concentrate your time in and around Omaha Beach, check out these popular places to stay:

• La Sapinière (in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer) – Right across the street from the beach itself, modest and budget-friendly, reviewers love the location, the hotel’s restaurant, and the friendly staff.
• La Ferme aux Chats (in Formigny) – Adorable B&B, rave reviews for its homemade breakfasts, the size and cleanliness of the rooms, and the welcoming staff.
• See all Omaha Beach area hotels here to find the best one for you .

Best D-Day beach to visit for Canadians

For Canadian visitors to Normandy, you might find Juno Beach is the best D-Day beach to visit . Juno Beach is where Canadian troops landed on D-Day and where you might find the most relatable history.

At Juno Beach, you can explore the Juno Beach Center —Normandy’s only museum dedicated to Canada’s D-Day contributions. You can also check out the Canada House —a historic home and the first to be liberated by Canadian troops—that has since become a memorial to Canadian troops.

It’s also here at Juno Beach where you’ll find the Canadian War Cemetery . This cemetery serves as the final resting place for Canadians who died on D-Day and in the Battle of Caen the following month.

Juno Beach itself also contains a number of memorials to Canada’s fighting forces like the Canadian Gunners, the Fourth Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the Royal Canadian Navy, and more. The Juno Beach Markers also explain the history of Canada’s D-Day beach landing with an hour-by-hour account, illustrations, and more.

Check out all there is to see and do at Juno Beach here.

Where to stay near Juno Beach

If you’re looking to concentrate your time in and around Omaha Beach, check out these well-reviewed hotels:

• Ferme de la Rançonnière (in Crépon) – Beautiful property in a relaxing location in the French countryside, reviewers love the location and property.
• Le Manoir de Mathan (also in Crépon) – Well-reviewed for its location, beautiful garden property, and the large, comfortable rooms.
• La Cremaillere (in Courseulles-sur-Mer) – Modern hotel directly on the beach, comfortable rooms, great views and staff.
• See all Juno Beach area hotels here in case there’s something you like better.

Best D-Day beach to visit for Brits

Like the U.S. and Canada, Great Britain has its own Normandy landing beaches as well. If you’re visiting from England, chances are you’ll find Gold or Sword beach to be the best D-Day beach to visit.

So yes, there are two British D-Day beaches (just like there are two American beaches) and they are not next to each other (Juno Beach is in between). So you may have to choose just one, but which one is the best? Well…

Also check out: WWII Sites in Paris : 20+ Fascinating Museums, Memorials, and More (+Tips!)

Gold Beach is the best D-Day beach to visit if:

• You want to see the remains of the artificial harbors used to bring troops and transports ashore
• You want to see the only fully intact remaining German gun installation
• You want to visit the largest Commonwealth cemetery in France
• You want to visit museums like Arromanches 360° and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy

However, Sword Beach is the best D-Day beach to visit if:

• You want to visit the Caen Museum , believed to be the best World War II museum in Europe
• You want to visit the Pegasus Memorial and Bridge (and have a drink at the Pegasus Café)
• You want to visit the Museum of the Atlantic Wall
• You want to learn about the D-Day landings from the angle of the Franco-British commandos at the French-British Museum

Check out all there is to see and do at Gold Beach here and Sword Beach here .

Where to stay near Gold Beach

If you’re looking to concentrate your time in and around Gold Beach, check out these popular places to stay:

• Hôtel De La Marine (in Arromanches-Les-Bains) – Right on the beach on a quiet street (pictured above), close to everything in town, ocean views.
• Le Petit Matin (in Bayeux) – Beautiful property with a little added luxury, short walk to Bayeux’s center, super friendly staff.
• See all Bayeux hotels here and all Arromanches-Les-Bains hotels here for all your options.

Where to stay near Sword Beach

If you’d prefer to spend your time in the Sword Beach sector, check out these popular places to stay:

• Hôtel La Fontaine Caen Centre (in Caen) – Right near the Caen Museum, super clean, excellent staff, a very popular hotel with reviewers!
• B&B HOTEL Ouistreham (in Ouistreham) – Simple and budget-friendly, good for a quick stay, but people love this place!
• See all Sword beach area hotels here to pick the perfect one.

If you’d like to check out both Gold and Sword Beach, you could always stay somewhere in the middle. In that case, check out the hotels near Juno Beach to be close to both.

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Best D-Day beach to visit for aviation enthusiasts

If you’re an aviation enthusiast like myself, Utah Beach is the best D-Day beach to visit for you. Here in the Utah Beach sector, you’ll get to experience some of the best aviation-centered D-Day museums.

Utah Beach is the other American landing beach and here you’ll find:

The D-Day Experience where you’ll be able to take a trip on the C-47 flight simulator aboard a genuine C-47 from World War II that’ll make you feel like you’re actually there on June 6, 1944.

The Airborne Museum – fully dedicated to the U.S. paratroopers from the 82 nd and 101 st Airborne Divisions. You’ll get to see actual WW2 aircraft and experience another C-47 simulator.

The Airship Hangar at Ecausseville that was actually used by the French Navy in 1917. Even though it was used for other purposes in WWII (by Germany), it’s still a neat structure with a lot of interesting history.

Where to stay near Utah Beach

If you’d like to explore D-Day’s top sites for aviation lovers at Utah Beach, check out these popular places to stay:

• Domaine Utah Beach – Le Grand Hard (in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont) – Gorgeous property where they serve meat from their own organic farms at their own restaurants, family-run hotel, close to Utah Beach, and lots of rave reviews.
• Ferme de Beauvais (in Sainte-Mère-Église) – An old farmhouse-turned-B&B, short walk to the Airborne Museum and Sainte-Mère-Église church, excellent hospitality.
• See all Utah Beach area hotels here to open up your choices.

Also check out: 14 Must-Visit Normandy Museums for WWII History Buffs

Best D-Day beach to visit with kids

While I don’t have children myself, I have done my research on the D-Day beaches parents most recommend visiting. In this case, the most popular recommendations revolve around sites where kids can see and explore actual remains from the war. Ergo, the best D-Day beaches to visit with kids are:

• Gold Beach – to explore the remains of the artificial mulberry harbors still on the beach and to check out the intact German battery
• Omaha Beach – to explore the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc (there’s also a lot of sheep here!) and for a large beach on which to spend the day (yes, people spend their beach days here like any other beach)

For more on visiting World War II sites with kids , check out my full guide here.

Best D-Day beach to visit for movie lovers

If you simply want to concentrate your time in Normandy on visiting the D-Day sites you know the most from movies and TV shows, that’s fine too! (I’m a big fan of visiting the real-life filming locations of my favorite movies and shows too.) In that case, if you love the movie:

Saving Private Ryan

…(and who doesn’t?), you’ll want to visit Omaha Beach . You can check out the actual beach where the biggest and most famous amphibious landing in history took place.

Plus, you can visit nearby Normandy American Cemetery which appeared at the beginning and end of the film when old man Ryan visits Captain Miller’s grave. Watch Saving Private Ryan here if you haven’t in a while.

Band of Brothers

…you’ll want to visit Utah Beach . Band of Brothers follows the American paratrooper unit known as Easy Company. So, most of the series’ D-Day focus centers on events around these two landing sectors.

In the Utah Beach sector you can visit a number of Easy Company memorials, the “Dick” Winters memorial, and even pop by Brécourt Manor (highlighted in Ep.2). You can also visit the town of Carentan as seen in Ep.3. You can watch Band of Brothers here or with either a Netflix or HBO Max subscription.

The Longest Day

…you’ll want to head to… well… all the beaches. The greatest thing about The Longest Day is that it covers many aspects of the Normandy invasions.

Therefore, you’ll want to visit Sword Beach , the invasion of which by the British is highlighted in the movie. As is the bagpiper of Normandy, to whom there is now a memorial on the shores of Sword Beach. You can also visit the Pegasus Bridge here.

However, you’ll also want to stop by the Utah Beach sector where you can stop by the church of Sainte-Mère-Église. The Longest Day shows the harrowing scene when paratrooper John Steele gets stuck hanging from the church’s tower. Today, you can see a memorial to him on the church—a sculpture of a paratrooper suspended by a parachute.

However again, you can also visit Omaha Beach , the invasion of which was also featured in the movie, as well as nearby Pointe du Hoc. If you have to choose between those three, well, just start back at the top of this page. You can watch The Longest Day here . (The Movieland app also has it but only without subtitles. And half the movie is in French and German.)

More info for your trip to Normandy’s beaches

• 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 .
• Need a rental car? Check out the best local deals here .
• Don’t forget to pick up a Normandy guidebook .
• And this priceless France customs and culture guide .
• Looking for local tours? Start here with Viator and Get Your Guide .

Whichever beach you deem to be the best D-Day beach to visit, know that you’re going to learn a lot, feel a lot, and be endlessly glad you made the decision to visit such a historically charged location.

And even if you feel drawn to the beaches that represent your own country, consider expanding your gratitude and knowledge to those who fought on the other beaches as well if time allows. Enjoy your time at Normandy’s landing beaches!

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a World War II historian and travel expert who has visited 32 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

September 11, 2023 at 4:16 pm

we are off a cruise ship for only one day at le havre oct.16 2023 we are looking at an excursion from le havre rt 7:30 -5:30 and it plans stops at north amerrican cemetry omaha beach and point du hoc. will that be worthwhile? are alternative is rt paris thanks

September 11, 2023 at 6:24 pm

Hi Bill, yes this is definitely a worthwhile cruise excursion! Those are 3 very important sites.

February 11, 2024 at 11:16 pm

We are driving to the Normandy beaches from Paris and we just have the day. Is that enough time? We want to make it a good experience for our 3 kids (ages 15, 13, & 10).

February 12, 2024 at 9:54 am

Hi Cassie! Yes, it’s definitely possible. For instance, take a look at the tours I talk about in this post . You can obviously drive yourself to the same places, but these will give you an idea of how much and what you can fit into a day. I also wrote this post on some of the best sites you can see in a single day. The main thing to keep in mind is that it’s about a 3.5-hour drive to the Normandy beaches from Paris, so you’ll be in the car a lot, especially if you head back to Paris that night. Even though you just have the day, it’s still a worthwhile trip for sure. 🙂

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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

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A DREAM TRIP TO Normandy

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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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10 tips for planning a trip to the Beaches of Normandy

Aug 7, 2019

Bryan Pirolli

After commemorating the 75 th anniversary of the D-Day landings earlier this year, the Beaches of Normandy continue to welcome tourists to remember the battles that turned the tide in World War II.

Beautiful landscapes, intense history, and a sobering dose of the realities of war all blend to make a worthwhile trip away from the Parisian crowds.

The good news is it won’t break the bank if you plan appropriately.

Tips for visiting the Beaches of Normandy

Here are a few ways to save time and money on a trip to these iconic sites.

1. Give yourself plenty of time

Treat yourself and don’t try to do it in a day. Of course, if you’re pressed for time, you can visit a memorial and a beach during the day and return to Paris in the evening. It’s tough but doable.

Instead, give yourself at least one night in one of the nearby towns so that you can enjoy more of what the Normandy beaches have to offer. Two nights is even better, and hotel rates will usually be cheaper than in Paris.

Related: 8 Paris day trips less than an hour away by train

2. Getting there on the cheap

Public transportation to the beaches is reliable, but it takes time. A train to Caen or Bayeux takes about two hours. From Bayeux, true Cheapos can plan a bus route to the beaches. The line 70 of the Bus Verts , for example, takes about thirty minutes to get to Omaha Beach for just a few for euros. Plan your trip carefully because buses don’t run too often, so missing one could mean a long wait!

The best option, though it will be pricier, is to rent a car from a town outside Paris. It may cost more upfront, but you’ll be able to experience more without a potentially costly taxi ride when you miss the last bus to town.

To see more details about transportation options in Normandy, check out this local website .

Stay in Bayeux for a fairytale experience. Photo: Gaetan

3. Stay in Bayeux

There are numerous options in Bayeux for affordable stays, allowing you to use the charming town as a base for your Normandy escapades. It’s located midway between most of the major sights, making in a convenient option. The town itself has a stunning cathedral and a world-famous tapestry if you decide to stay longer.  Search for hotels in Bayeux

Caen is a slightly larger town, and it sometimes has some good deals, though Bayeux is arguably a more worthwhile experience for visitors. If you’re looking for more options, you can search for hotels in Lower Normandy .

4. See the famous beaches

From east to west, the main beaches are Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah. Omaha Beach tends to attract more Americans since it is also home to the cemetery dedicated to fallen U.S. troops and features the cliffs where Germans defended against the Allied invasion. Each beach has its story, with memorials and museums open to the public.

It’s best to do some research on them beforehand to choose which one or two are most important to you to visit and then plan accordingly, to economize on driving time (and fuel!).

5. Don’t miss the museums and memorials

To understand the importance of each beach, there are exhibitions dotting the coastline and towns around Normandy. Some of the most famous include the Musée du Embarquement in Arromanches where the artificial port was built, Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie in Bayeux, the Le Mémorial in Caen , and the Utah Beach Landing Museum .

It will be impossible to visit every beach and museum, so, again, choose the one or two that seem the most interesting to you. If traveling with children, one might be enough.

The American Cemetery sits on top of the cliff near Omaha Beach. Photo: Neil Willsey

6. The American Cemetery is a must-see

The most famous is the American cemetery at Omaha Beach, where white marble tombs face the United States. Its visitor center was renovated in time for the 75 th anniversary of the landings in 2019. A visit here is humbling and free, but it’s not the only cemetery worth visiting. British, Canadian, and German cemeteries also line the coast, like the Bayeux War Cemetery , home to over 4,000 Commonwealth troops.

There are dozens to visit, some containing only a few tombs while the American cemetery has nearly 10,000 graves.

7. Take a tour

While ParisCityVision does offer day trips from Paris, consider booking a local guide once in Normandy. Some companies like Normandy Sightseeing Tours  offer half and full-day options but get creative with your Googling for other options that might be more intimate or budget-friendly.

The value of a guide is that you’ll be able to learn about the beaches, bunkers, and other sights that you may otherwise just look at without truly understanding what happened.

8. Study your history

If you’re going the true cheapo route and bypassing a guide, then do yourself a solid and study up on the importance of the beaches before going. Those who are unfamiliar with what happened along the Normandy coast may have difficulty understanding the significance of these beaches.

It would frankly be a waste of time to rush out for the photo op without taking a moment to appreciate the fallen soldiers and all that happened on these pristine sandy shorelines.

Related: 10 ways to prepare for your trip to Paris

9. Bag that lunch

A classic tip for any trip around France, be sure to bring your lunch. Fantastic baguette sandwiches and pastries at the local bakery in Bayeux, for example, are affordable and fantastic alternatives to spending time in a mediocre café somewhere on the road.

We’d rather nibble a €3  jambon beurre (ham and butter sandwich)   while overlooking the crashing waves than sitting in a roadside cafeteria, wouldn’t you?

10. Make an easy detour to Mont Saint Michel

While going to the Normandy Beaches is an experience unto itself, consider stretching the trip even longer and driving to nearby Mont Saint Michel , an hour and a half drive from Bayeux. It’s not related to the WWII landings, but if you’re halfway there, it would be a shame to miss one of France’s most iconic tourist sights.

Have you been to the Beaches of Normandy?

We would love to hear your experiences on what you saw and how you got there. Share your favorite tips in the comments below!

About the author

About the author: A journalist and tour guide, Bryan makes it his mission to cover Paris from top to bottom. He has also successfully defended a PhD in travel communication at Sorbonne Nouvelle, giving him some more street cred. Bryan regularly travels on a budget, experiencing the best of European culture while still trying to make rent.  So far, so good. You can follow his adventures on his blog: www.bryanpirolli.com .

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5 thoughts on “10 tips for planning a trip to the Beaches of Normandy”

I am planning a 2024 trip. My son does WWII re-enacting and his unit has to be on Omaha Beach on June 29th. He will be staying where our soldiers stayed and eating K rations, my question is where do I need to fly into from Utah, USA?Paris? Also, we want to include Bastogne and the Ardennes Forest. Any suggestions? Thanks

Thank you so much for this article. We are planning our trip for this summer and didn’t know where to start. Now I do!!!!!

Thank you for this terrific information. I have been thinking of staying over in Bayeux and thought about getting a local guide to the Normandy beaches from there. It is a very long trip from Paris, especially when weather or traffic accidents cause “les bouchons” so I think the train is much more relaxing choice from Paris, I think Gare St. Lazare…

Thanks for the great tips, Bryan.

I have taken 25+ trips to the Normandy Invasion Beaches through my company, The Traveling Professor’s Small Group Tours. If going to the Normandy Invasion Beaches, I strongly urge travelers to NOT take one of those big bus tours. Big vehicles simply cannot get down to beaches like “Easy Red” and “Dog Green” where the toughest battles, like the one depicted in “Saving Private Ryan” took place. Small group tours also can visit special places, like the privately owned and perfectly intact Hillman Bunker. Big bus tours can’t get there. Lastly, with a smaller tour, travelers have more input on how much time to spend at a particular place. Big bus tours are on a schedule -their schedule, not yours.

Yeah I would agree on the big bus tours. Our guide was very knowlegeable but way too fast paced. We were rushed from place to place. Not much time to meditate on what happened there when the guide is rushing you off to the next site. If you have to do the big bus due to cost, try to do a two days tour. But if I had to do it over again, I would have chosen a smaller tour group. Unless you are a real history buff, I don’t recommend doing the beaches on your own. It’s too spread out. And everything shuts down at 5.

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A World War II reenactor plants a flower in the sands of Normandy's Utah Beach, one of the five landing areas of the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944.

In honor of D-Day, here’s how to visit the Normandy coast

Seventy-five years later, traveling to the beaches where Allied forces began the liberation of France is still a deeply moving experience.

On a summer day, it’s impossible to imagine the bloody may­hem that erupted along the tranquil Normandy coast early on June 6, 1944. But reminders of D-Day— Operation Overlord —are everywhere, from the crumbling concrete bunkers and gun emplacements of the Third Reich’s vaunted Atlantic Wall to the graveyards of so many Allied soldiers.

Most of the invasion force–three U.S. divisions, two British, and one Canadian–sailed from Portsmouth in England to land at a chain of beaches in France , now known as the Côte du Calvados, between Cherbourg and Le Havre . From these beachheads, designated Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword, they were to fight their way inland through Normandy to Paris . ( See vintage photos that honor the resting place of D-Day's fallen heroes. )

An elite battalion of U.S. Army Rangers bravely scaled the 100-foot promontory here at Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the English Channel.

Start halfway along the Côte du Calvados in the small town of Arromanches, which saw some of the fiercest fighting and is now home to two museums that give insight into the battle. The D-Day Museum in Arromanche stands next to the site of one of the floating Mulberry harbors that were key to the Allied breakout from the beachheads. Nearby, visitors get a glimpse into the infantryman’s hell through the high-tech presentation at Arromanches 360 , which uses archive film shot by cinematographers who went ashore with the first waves of Allied troops.

Travel six miles south to Ranville, where the Pegasus Memorial commemorates the British 6th Airborne Division, which made a daring predawn assault. The most successful operation on D-Day, the action gained the Allies crucial control of Pegasus Bridge and its sister bridge. Then continue 30 miles northeast to Bayeux, home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the first large town to be liberated by the Allies. It survived the war virtually unscathed.

But to gain a true sense of the meaning of D-Day, visit the U.S. military cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer . Almost all the soldiers who lie here were young men; very many were teenagers. None of them lived to drink champagne in a free Paris.

Each year, between late May and mid-June, the D-Day landing beaches host many events to remember the Allied soldiers who liberated France. See parachute drops in period attire, historical reenactments, and parades of bagpipers and military vehicles.

Renting a car is best to see the region. Several ferries also leave daily from Portsmouth to Cherbourg or Le Havre. Plan to sail to one French port and leave from the other. Many tours with well-informed guides are available, for days and half-days, in groups or for individuals.

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Finding the Universe

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2 Days in Normandy: The D-Day Landing Beaches & Mont St. Michel

Last updated: September 14, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 35 Comments

Despite living in France for three years, I didn’t do much sight seeing. So when the opportunity arose to spend 2 days in Normandy, visiting Mont St. Michel and the D-Day Landing beaches in the north-west of the country, we leapt at it.

We didn’t have a great deal of time to play with as we were visiting my parents further south in France, but we gave ourselves a couple of days in Normandy, basing ourselves near Mont St. Michel, with the aim of exploring both that and the Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches.

Which was what we did. In this post, we’re going to share everything you need to know to spend two days in Normandy, including some tips on where to stay.

We’ve also put some tour options together in case you don’t want to do this all yourself. The closest tour to the itinerary we have described is this one , which departs from Paris, but we have a number of options including tours departing from Bayeux.

Now though, let’s get started with our guide to exploring the Normandy Landing beaches and Mont St. Michel over two days.

2 Days in Normandy

Day 1: visit mont st. michel.

When we visited Mont St. Michel and the D-Day beaches we were travelling from the UK. We took the overnight ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St. Malo. This meant that we had a good night’s sleep, arriving into France at around 9am local time.

Our guest house was an hour’s drive from St. Malo, and they were fine with us arriving early, so we did just that. After dropping our belongings off and parking the car, our first day was largely spent exploring Mont St. Michel.

This was, very conveniently, within walking distance of our guest house . This is a handy tip – if you’re going to stay near Mont St. Michel, stay within walking distance.

There’s no way to drive to the island on your own, and if you park there’s a daily fee for doing so (unless you park in the evening when it becomes free). And I’m sure you’d prefer to spend that money on a nice bottle of local cider, or a few glasses of wine, like we did.

There is a causeway to the island, and a free shuttle bus runs from the car park to the island. However, I’d suggest that for your first visit, you walk all the way to the island. The views are gorgeous all the way, and you can really appreciate the magnificence of the island as you get closer to it. Then, you can get the shuttle bus on the way home!

The island itself had more on it than I was expecting. There’s a whole village, with shops, two ATM’s, a number of restaurants and of course, plenty of places to buy souvenirs from your visit. There are even hotels on the island, so you can stay over and enjoy Mont St. Michel when the crowds dissipate for the night.

Speaking of crowds, the streets are narrow, so it can get crowded. We visited on a less busy than average day, and it still got tight in places, so I imagine that in summer it must be very busy!

After stopping for lunch (many places do a menu of the day option for €17 – €20), we followed the street up to the Abbey which crowns the hill. This is the key point of pilgrimage for visitors, and the focal point of the island.

It’s not free to visit the Abbey, with opening hours varying depending on the season. Check the latest opening hours and prices here .

We suggest buying your ticket in advance online here to skip the queues. The online price is the same as buying it in person.

The good news is that entry includes an hour-long guided tour. Tours depart somewhat regularly and are offered in both French and English.

Obviously, we went for the English language option, and had a wonderful tour that taught us about the history of the abbey, the key events that led to its construction and look today, as well as the function of many of the rooms.

If you visit, I’d very much recommend taking the tour to learn a bit about the place. But if there is not a tour going during your visit, you can also purchase an audioguide or just do a self-guided tour with the free leaflet included.

Finally, once the tour was over, we headed out of the abbey and took the bus back to the mainland, where we had a spot of dinner accompanied by some excellent Normandy cider.

I then spent the evening capturing the sunset over the Mont, which was just gorgeous. So good in fact that I went the next night as well!

Day 2: Visit the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches

Our second day in Normandy was a busy one. Having had a full day to explore Mont St. Michel at our leisure, we set ourselves the challenge of visiting some of the D-Day landing beaches in France.

There are quite a variety of sights, museums, memorials and attractions to visit, but we only had a day, so put together an itinerary that we felt was going to give us a good overview of the area and history. Here’s what we did, which we think makes for a good day of exploring the D-Day landing beaches and museums.

1. Utah Beach & Utah Beach D-Day Museum

We started by visiting Utah beach, where there is an excellent D-Day museum dedicated to the landings at Utah Beach.

From our research, this was indicated to be one of the best D-Day landing museums, and even though time meant we didn’t visit any of the others, it was certainly an excellent way to start our journey.

With a focus on the events at Utah Beach specifically, one of the US landing beaches, the museum went over the key highlights of 6th June 1944, including the planning leading up to it, and the story of the day itself.

There was an excellent video about the day, oral histories as well as objects and vehicles that were used.

Most impressive of these is an original B-26 bomber, one of six surviving in the world, and of the same type as those used during the bombing runs that happened in the moments before the men landed on the beach.

We then spent some time on the actual beach, and viewing the various memorials. It’s hard to really visualise what it must have been like here all those years ago, and I have to say that visiting the museum was a really worthwhile way to get a really good overview of how it was.

We then had a break for lunch in the wonderful Le Roosevelt Cafe, built around a bunker which housed a German communications center. Then, we headed on to:

2. Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Found in Coleville-Sur-Mer, and managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Normandy American Cemetry and Memorial is the final resting place of over 9,000 US military personnel, the majority of whom lost their lives either during the D-Day landings, or in the days and weeks following the landings.

It was the first US WW2 cemetery on European soil, and was established as a temporary location on the 8th of June – two days after the landings started – a necessity given the high casualty rates, particularly at nearby Omaha Beach, which was the most heavily defended of all the landing locations.

Today, there is a visitor center, a memorial, chapel, and of course, the cemetery itself, all of which are free to visitors.

The visitor center is excellent, telling the story of the landings with a focus on the personal stories and losses of the people involved, particularly at Omaha beach.

It’s very worth taking some time to fully explore this. Then, of course, the cemetery is a sombre reminder of quite how many people died in this conflict.

3. Omaha Beach Monument

From the War Cemetery we headed back down to Omaha Beach itself, and the monument to the D-Day landings.

There are actually two installations here – the huge monument itself, and a huge stainless steel art installation known as “The Braves”, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the landings.

Both are worth looking at, and of course, you’ll want to spend some time here on the beach as we did, casting your mind back across the decades, and just trying to get a tiny idea of the horrors that were witnessed here.

4. Pointe Du Hoc

Our last stop on our D-Day Landings Day was Pointe Du Hoc. This is a rocky cliff top area, the highest point of land between Utah and Omaha beaches, and during WW2, was a heavily defended German installation and lookout point.

It was thought that the destruction of this stronghold was going to be critical to the success of the D-Day landings, as the six 155mm guns that were believed to be installed here could have wreaked devastation on forces landing at both Omaha and Utah beaches.

To accomplish this mission, a 225 strong force of US Rangers was dispatched in the early hours of June 6th, with the mission of scaling the 100ft cliffs and destroying the 155mm guns.

As it turned out, the guns had all been moved to a nearby orchard to protect them from Allied bombardments, so whilst the rangers did find them and destroy them, the risk was not as great as first thought. The battle for Pointe Du Hoc was also costly, with 70 percent casualties, so even though deemed a success, it was with a brutal loss of life.

Today, Pointe Du Hoc serves as a monument to the Rangers who fought here. Other than the encroachment of nature, the site is not much different today to how it was when the Rangers landed.

Many of the original concrete bunkers, bomb craters and installations are still in place, and you can freely wander the area, and marvel at the challenges that must have faced the men landing here, from the rough seas to the 100ft cliffs to the barbed wire.

There is also a visitor centre, although it had just closed when we arrived. If it is something that interests you though, you can check the opening hours here to be sure that you schedule your day appropriately.

Pointe Du Hoc was the last stop on our tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches. It wasn’t the sort of day that fills you with joy, but I certainly learnt a great deal, and left with a heightened sense of admiration and respect for the many people who gave their lives so Europe and the world could be free.

Now, on to answering some questions you might have, as well as some practicalities.

Where we stayed in Normandy

There are lots of options for accommodation at Mont St. Michel. We found ourselves a little chambre d’hote , which is the French equivalent of a B&B.

This was excellent value, and within walking a half hour’s walk of Mont St. Michel – and more importantly, a ten-minute walk to where I was able to get photos like this:

We actually found that there are lots of these in the Mont St. Michel area, you can see Mont St Michel listings here on booking.com

There were three Chambres D’Hotes near each other, including the one we stayed at , with a price for two people, including breakfast, usually in the region of €70 – €120. Definitely an option worth investigating.

How To Get Around Normandy

Since we took the ferry, we were able to take our own car to France. This was very handy, and definitely meant we got to see everything we wanted to see at our pace.

I’d definitely recommend a car as the best option to get as much in as you can for your trip. If you’re coming from the UK, Brittany Ferries operates to a number of destinations in France, with Cherbourg, St. Malo and Caen likely to be your best options for a trip like the one we did.

If you’re looking to hire a car in France, then we recommend Rentalcar’s car rental price comparison tool . It checks all the major car hire companies and we find it usually comes up with the best deal.

Tours of Normandy and the D-Day Beaches

If you would rather not have the hassle of planning your car hire or hotels, it’s also possible to visit the D-Day beaches and Mont St. Michel on a guided tour. This will also carry the benefit that you will have someone on hand to explain the significance of what you are seeing.

It is possible to do this as a day trip from Paris, however the day trips will focus on either Mont St. Michel or the D-Day Beaches, as doing both would be challenging in a day from Paris. There are however two day (and longer) tours like this which cover both sights. Here are some options:

• A 1 day tour from Paris of Mont. St Michel , which includes transport and your entry ticket
• A 1 day tour from Paris of the Normandy D-Day landing beaches , which includes transport, museum entry and guide
• A 2-day tour of Normandy, Saint Malo and Mont St Michel from Paris , which includes transport, overnight 4* accommodation, some meals, a guide, and entrance fees. This would be our recommended option from Paris if you have the time as it covers many of the locations in our guide.

There are many more tours to choose from, you can see a selection on Viator here , and GetYourGuide here

These tours all run from Paris as this is the most popular departure point. However, there are also tours from Bayeux in Normandy, which you can reach by a 2.5 hour train from Paris. In this case, we’d suggest booking a 1 day tour of the D-Day beaches, and a 1 day tour of Mont. St Michel. Here are some options:

• A 1 day tour of Mont St. Michel , including transport and guide
• A private 1 day tour of Mont St. Michel , also including transport and guide. This is a similar tour with departure from either Caen or Bayeux.
• A 1 day small group tour of the D-Day beaches , with a particular focus on the beaches used by the American forces.

Getting To Normandy from the UK

As mentioned above, we took the ferry from Portsmouth to St. Malo (and back again!) with Brittany Ferries .

We had a four berth cabin on both crossings, which was particularly handy for the night crossing to France as it meant we could have a good night’s sleep. Each cabin also includes a sink, toilet, and shower so you can arrive feeling refreshed.

The boat was also well equipped, and we enjoyed an excellent dinner on board on our way to France, and a lovely lunch on the day crossing back. In the evening, after our dinner, we went and watched the cabaret show (and partook of the excellent bar!), with Jess having a huge cocktail and me going for a slightly simpler beer option.

Jess also got involved in the magic show (this seems to happen to her a lot!), as a man rather worryingly stuck a sword through her throat. This was a lot of fun, and overall, we’re happy to recommend the Brittany Ferries experience to anyone looking to travel to and from the UK by ferry with a car.

Further Reading for your Visit

We’ve written more about France to help you plan your visit to this lovely country. Here are some resources we think you’ll find useful:

• We have a 2 Day Paris Itinerary as well as a 3 Day Paris Itinerary
• We also have a guide to spending a day in Paris , if you’re on a really tight schedule and just want to focus on the highlights
• Our guide to the Best Photography Locations in Paris
• A full review of the Paris Pass , to help you save money on your visit, as well as a review of the Paris Museum Pass
• A guide to the best afternoon tea in Paris
• A guide to choosing the best Seine Boat River tour
• A guide to recognising and avoiding common Paris scams

And that pretty much wraps up our two days experience in Normandy! Have you ever visited the sights in the article? Have any tips or experiences to share? Let us know about them in the comments below!

So you know, we received complimentary tickets from Brittany Ferries to and from the UK for two people and a car. All other expenses, including meals and drinks on the boat, as well as our accommodation and activities in France, we covered ourselves. As always, you can read our code of ethics to find out how we choose to work with!

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There are 35 comments on this post

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Michael Giblin says

11th January 2024 at 5:18 am

Hi Jessica Thanks for the interesting article, especially the links to other information. We plan to go to France in Septembers, spend 6 nights in Paris then take the train to Bayeux rent a car and spend 3 days visiting the Normandy sites then spend 3 nights in Tours visiting the Loire Valley. Then take the train To Paris and head home. Your travel log is really helpful because after reading yours and many travel logs, we realize we can rent a car and do self-guided tours and go at our own pace. My wife speaks French so that will be a big help. Thank you.

Laurence Norah says

13th January 2024 at 2:00 pm

It’s our pleasure Michael, have a wonderful trip to France and do let us know if you have any questions!

Eileen Cowley says

9th September 2023 at 2:08 am

I love all this wonderful and insiteful information about a 2 day Normandy visit. We will visit Mont St. Michel on the 1st day, and the beaches you recommended on the second. Should we stay 2 nights in the hotel close to St. Michel. or check out, visit the beaches and choose another location close to Point de Hoc? Thank you!

10th September 2023 at 3:05 pm

Thanks very much! So I would probably recommend checking out and moving on so you don’t have to drive backwards and forward so much. Of course, it will depend a bit on your overall itinerary, but personally I’d find somewhere closer to where you’ll be visiting on your second day.

Have a lovely time in France, let me know if you have any more questions!

Linda Karol says

16th July 2022 at 8:07 pm

Hello! My so is in the Air Force and was recently involved in the DDay Reinactment. I will go onto your Facebook site and post some of his pictures for you.

21st July 2022 at 7:54 pm

Thank you very much Linda 🙂

26th June 2022 at 8:49 pm

we are staying in Dol De Bretagne for a week ( arriving in st Malo) then driving up to normandy on the Friday so we can see the D Day beaches etc before getting the ferry on the Sunday from Caen back to the UK. we will have 2 days and your itinerary has been big help , where do you think the best place to stay is please ? Caen ? Bayeux , or somewhere else. we need to be at Caen for 7.30 on the Sunday morning for the ferry so don’t want to have to travel too far to get there. we are leaving Dol early fri morning so will have 2 full days . thanks for your help

27th June 2022 at 9:50 am

I think either Caen or Bayeux would work. Caen would obviously be easier for your early morning ferry, so I might opt for that, and it’s not too far to the majority of beaches. There are also lots of accommodation options in Caen as you can see here .

Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions!

Nicolas Mata says

14th June 2022 at 2:31 pm

Very educational. By the way, how did you create your own blog?

14th June 2022 at 4:19 pm

Thanks Nicolas! I created it initially back in 2010 using Google’s free Blogger service. Then I migrated to a paid service using WordPress. We actually have a complete guide to starting a blog , which you might find interesting 🙂

Patricia says

6th June 2022 at 5:15 pm

Fantastic comments and beautiful photos. Thank you

6th June 2022 at 5:50 pm

Thanks very much Patricia!

Stuart Robertson says

20th April 2022 at 6:55 pm

As the majority of troops to land on D-Day were British, it’s a shame you visited exclusively American sites. For information, Omaha was not the most heavily defended beach, Sword was.

20th April 2022 at 7:55 pm

Thanks for your comment! As my wife is American and had family members who took part in the landings, those were the beaches we chose to visit as they had the most personal connection to us. My grandfather was British, but I believe his war was primarily in Italy. Of course we are grateful for all their service, but don’t feel they would think any the less of us for which beach we visited. Hopefully we will be able to return soon and see more of the landing locations.

In terms of Omaha vs Sword, do you have a citation for that? The Imperial War Museum website here state that Omaha was the most heavily defended of the beaches, but I would add I am happy to change the information if there’s a more authoritative source.

Thanks again for your comment!

Linda Hyers says

4th March 2020 at 9:43 pm

We are going to Paris mid July and want to go to Normandy & St Michel. Looks like most of the tours leave on Thurs. we need to tour on Tues-Friday. Any ideas?

5th March 2020 at 2:05 pm

Hmm, that is a bit of a conundrum. I have a few options for you, depending on your budget.

First, there are a number of private tours you can take, where the day is less relevant. However, these are definitely more pricey. There are quite a few options listed on Viator, such as this one .

You might also try reaching out to Context Travel who do custom private tours of Normandy here . You get a 10% discount with our link too.

If the above options are out of budget, I have another idea.

You could take a 1 day tour of the Normandy Beach locations, like this one .

The advantage of the above tour is that is actually starts in Caen train station, not Paris, so you are not paying for a return trip to Paris as part of the tour. Instead, you would need to book your own train ticket to Caen. The fastest train takes around 2h – 2h30, so if you get an early train you can be in Caen by 9am.

You would then take the full day tour of the D-Day beaches and sights, which are harder to see without a tour or if you don’t have your own transport. You can then overnight in Caen, or head on to Mont St. Michel.

There’s a direct bus from Caen to Mont St. Michel, which takes around 3 hours. You can book this online. You can then spend the day exploring Mont St. Michel before heading back to Paris.

I appreciate this would be a bit more work on your end, but it would be much more cost effective than a private tour, and you would only need to book your train / coach tickets. You can book both of those in advance here .

Let me know if you need any further advice, I’m happy to help!

22nd February 2020 at 2:47 pm

Hi !!! Love the way you write and off course your photografy! My soon to be 15 year old son wants a trip to the D day beaches. We will be in London for 6 days then Paris for two days then we plan to be in Normandy for two days and we want to make sure we see Mt St Michel and the D day beaches! (Great suggestions from you on the aviator tours for 1 day only on those- we most probably book that) Is any way we can go from there back to London (to depart to the US) with out going back to Paris? Somebody suggested the ferry but then is there a train to London ? We obviously won’t have a car.

22nd February 2020 at 2:54 pm

Thanks very much Maria!

So yes, you can definitely take a ferry from Normandy or Brittany to the UK. Ferries depart from Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre or Saint Malo and go to Portsmouth, and then it’s easy to take a train from Portsmouth directly to London, it takes around 2 hours. There’s also plenty to see in Portsmouth!

A couple of guides you might find useful:

This guide to getting from Paris to London, which actually has ferry information for all the major ports you should find helpful: https://independenttravelcats.com/how-to-get-from-london-to-paris/

This guide to things to do in Portsmouth: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/things-to-do-in-portsmouth-uk/

Let me know if I can help any more, and have a great trip!

Kristi says

12th February 2020 at 1:07 am

This info is fantastic. We’re planning a trip in June from London into Paris, then Normandy. Frankly, Normandy is to be our highlight, as its my husband’s 50th and its a bucket list item. We are taking our three kids (8,12, 14) and all love history. I’m doing my homework and came across your site. Thank you for this info. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to see both MSM and the American beaches/cemetery/museum. should we have a hub in Caen? We do want to take our time in the Normandy region and not be too rushed. Thank you!!

12th February 2020 at 1:35 pm

Thanks very much! I would definitely recommend having a base somewhere so you can have at least two days to explore. You’ll need at least a full day for the D-Day sites, and at least half a day for MSM. We based ourselves near MSM, but that was purely because I love photography, so I wanted to be within walking distance of the Mount at sunset and sunrise! Caen would make a great base for both, easy for the beaches and other D-Day sites, and within easy driving distance of MSM. It’s also accessible by direct train from Paris in 2 hours, which is going to be the fastest way to get there, and then you can hire a car in Caen.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I hope you have a wonderful trip and happy birthday to your husband 😀

Michelle says

21st October 2019 at 9:49 pm

We are traveling from Paris to Rennes by train. Renting a car and driving to Mont St Michel. I would love to see Dinan but it may possibly be to far “out of the way” and I don’t want to rush MSM but a few hours should be plenty there…? I would like to stay somewhere near MSM for one night. Then the next morning drive to Bayeux and DDay beaches staying in Caen to return car and hop on the train back to Paris. Any suggestions of towns to visit or see along the route from MSM to Bayeux? Also any suggestions of towns to stay in near MSM.

25th October 2019 at 4:51 pm

Hi Michelle!

Sorry for the slow response! We’ve been moving house, which has been a bit time consuming, and left us without internet for a while.

Anyway, you are correct, a few hours at Mont St Michel would be more than enough. It’s around an hour from Mont St. Michel to Dinan, so that would be theoretically doable in the same day.

From MSM to Bayeux is only 1h 38 minutes. So I would suggest just heading up that way and straight to the coast and the beaches, which run for a fair distance along the coast north of Bayeux.

For accommodation near MSM, well, you can either stay on the Mont itself, or one of the nearby villages. If you look at the map on this page , you should get an idea of nearby accommodation options 🙂

Have a great trip!

Susan Haydon says

29th May 2019 at 7:42 am

Hi Laurence,

We are off to Normandy this coming weekend. Do you have an approximate cost of entry fees to museums etc. or can you point me in the right direction to find these? Also, I would love to print this article to take with us. Is there a way to print it without all the ads?

Thank you to you and Jess for the excellent coverage of this wonderful location.

29th May 2019 at 10:59 am

So we don’t have a print feature like that – the best option would be to temporarily install an ad blocking extension I think. Alternatively you could copy the text into a word document and delete the ads / images.

For the museums, the prices are quite well hidden, if you can even find the website 😉 They vary, but i would estimate between €8 and €12 euros on average. For example, here are the Utah Museum prices: https://www.utah-beach.com/information/?lang=en

Have a wonderful trip, do let us know how you get on 🙂

29th May 2019 at 12:48 pm

Many thank, will do ????

17th October 2019 at 6:42 pm

I hope you had a great trip. This is too late for your Normandy trip, but in case you use our site in the future, I just wanted to let you know that we finally figured out how to implement a print feature, so you can now print ad and image free versions of all our pages from the print button on the site.

stephane yao says

29th April 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Laurence, we plan to take on 1 day trip from the mont st michelle to the destination deauville. During this day, is it possible to follow your 3 landing location in 1 day by a rented car?

sincerly Stéphane

30th April 2019 at 5:41 pm

Hi Stéphane,

This is definitely possible as Jess and I did exactly this 🙂 So you shouldn’t have any problems,

8th April 2019 at 11:34 am

Hi there im heading to st.malo at the end of this month with hubbie is there a tour bus r train that culd take us to utah beach and the ww11 memorial that u mentioned thankyou

8th April 2019 at 11:43 am

It’s around a 2.5 hour drive to the D-Day beaches from St. Malo, so most tour companies instead operate from nearer locations like Cherbourg. From St. Malo, most tours are focused instead on Mont St. Michel. So the best option is likely to rent a car and drive yourself as I have not been able to find a tour from St. Malo. It is of course possible that they exist, but you might have to contact the local tourism office in St. Malo for information.

8th April 2019 at 12:03 pm

Thankyou Laurence

betseysheprow says

2nd February 2019 at 7:54 pm

is it possible to get a group guided tour of normandy and is it worth it?

3rd February 2019 at 11:49 am

It is certainly possible, here are two options, this one from Caen, and this one from Paris .

We have never done a tour like this so I can’t comment if it is worth it, but the reviews are positive, and we think that having a guide to help walk you through some of the history can only be a good thing 🙂

Have a great trip

20th April 2022 at 7:13 pm

Do bear in mind its a 9 hour round trip drive from central Paris to Utah Beach. A day trip from Paris is doable but it’s much better to get an early train from St Laxare to Carentan (depart 7am & 2.5 hrs) and then get a tour commencing there (look up Allan Bryson – a great guide).

20th April 2022 at 7:57 pm

This is absolutely true. We definitely feel the train is a better option and ideally folks should spend at least one night as well in the area if possible, if not more!

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A Guide to Visiting the Normandy D-Day Beaches

Many people have asked and keep asking me: “What town would you recommend we stay in that is close to the Normandy D-DAY beaches we are seeing, yet quaint and has restaurants….”

Here are all my answers.

Over the last few years, I have taken many US and international visitors to the Normandy D-Day Beaches.

When planning to visit these historical sites, logistics is the key, especially if you plan to get there during an Anniversary of the D-Day landings, like the one we will have this year, the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

You should stay in Bayeux , a small town preserved from the bombardments of this terrible battle thanks to its vicinity to Caen, which was completely destroyed.

Related read: Top Ultimate Trips in France, Excluding Paris

Here is an overview:

Where to Stay in Bayeux?

Here are some of the best hotels in bayeux, how to get to bayeux from paris, where to eat in bayeux, how to get the most of your day visiting the normandy d-day beaches, group tour vs private tour, private tour: d-day beaches from caen, what to expect.

• Omaha Beach

Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center (Cimetiere Americain de Colleville-sur-Mer)

Longues-sure-mer german battery (batterie allemande de longues-sure-mer), mulberry harbor remains (vestiges du port de mulberry), pointe du hoc, sainte mère eglise, brécourt manor & danie winters memorial(manoir de brecourt), lunch break, plan the day, useful tips while in bayeux, grocery stores, museum in bayeux.

Igor explaining DDAY at the beaches in the Normandy, France.

I just felt like sharing some of my experience with you now. In Bayeux, there are countless charming hotels where you can find a very good deal.

An important thing to remember about these places is that the tourist season is from March to November.

From November to March, most tour guides and tourism professionals are in a kind of “vacation mode” after a very busy season.

The peak season here is really mid-May to late June. Prices can seriously rise for hotels around the D-Day Anniversaries, and availability can be scarce if you don’t book well in advance.

Related read: The Best Beaches in Normandy, France

Hotel Reine Mathilde

My favorite choice. Also, it is the only one in town open year-round. Conveniently situated in the heart of Bayeux’s historic center, our hotel allows you to easily explore the wonders of Old Bayeux on foot. With its beautifully renovated old house atmosphere, it provides a relaxing and comfortable retreat. Indulge in gourmet and relaxing moments at the renowned Reine Mathilde hotel, featuring a restaurant and sun-soaked terrace, all nested within the medieval city.

Hotel Villa Lara

The local Ritz is as good as the Ritz in Paris but much cheaper. Located conveniently in the heart of Bayeux, this property offers proximity to various attractions and delightful dining choices. With a five-star rating, this property ensures a luxurious and enjoyable stay, providing a wide range of in-house amenities to enhance your experience.

Hotel Tardif Noble Guest House

This is a very nice hotel in a 17th Century building. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Bayeux at the exquisite Hotel Tardif, an 18th-century noble property located in the heart of the city. Just a short 15-minute drive from the iconic D-Day beaches, this hotel has a storied past, having served as the residence of a royal botanist from Versailles and the Army Minister of Napoleon.

La Cheneviere

Simply the best. It’s really chic, with a swimming pool, a Michelin-rated restaurant, a spa, and lots of amenities. One minus, not in the center of town but ten minutes drive.

Manoir de Crépon – Suite Directoire

Chic and great restaurant. Amazing swimming pool and spa treatments in the summer. Enjoy a coastal getaway at Le Manoir de Crépon in Crepon, where you’ll be just a 10-minute drive from Juno Beach and America Gold Beach Museum. This charming bed & breakfast is conveniently located 19.9 km (12.4 mi) from Caen Memorial and 22.9 km (14.2 mi) from Omaha Beach.

Chateau de Bellefontaine

This is two minutes from Bayeux. It is the perfect choice for those who want to sleep in a Chateau but are still almost downtown. Located in the heart of Bayeux City Center, this property offers convenient proximity to various attractions and enticing dining options. With a 4-star rating, this property boasts a wide range of in-house facilities to enhance the quality and enjoyment of your stay.

Chateau de Sully

Grand Hôtel Château de Sully – Piscine & Spa, a 17th-century property situated in Bayeux, provides guests with a restaurant and a convenient location just a 5-minute drive from the city center. With Omaha Beach only 11 km away, guests can also indulge in the complimentary spa facilities, including a sauna and hot tub.

Clos de la Croix

Now, if you prefer a B&B, this is the BEST place by far. Set in Bayeux, in a historic building, 300 metres from Baron Gerard Museum, Hôtel particulier “le clos de la croix” is a sustainable bed and breakfast with a garden and terrace.

In order to get to Bayeux from Paris, you have two options:

If you need a car and are okay to drive in France , you should take the A14 Highway West to ROUEN, then the A13 heading to CAEN, and then you’ll see signs to BAYEUX closer to CAEN.

It should take about 2h30 – 3hrs drive to reach your final destination. You can always refill the tank on the French highways and get some snacks and food. Yet, the fuel price here is quite high, and the fuel on the highway is the most expensive you can find in France. Most of the French people buy from supermarket chains. It’s much cheaper.

If you choose the car option, remember you might have to drive through Paris. That is not something to be done by “Sunday drivers”, as traffic and the way Parisians drive is more hectic than in NYC. Many scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians do respect the lights and stops.

Also, leaving Paris center to Bayeux, you might have to cross the famous Arc de Triomphe roundabout. The kind of “black slope diamond” experience.

Driving outside Paris and in the rest of France is very easy. Just pay attention to your speed. Maximum 130 km/h on the highways. In Bayeux, parking is not a problem.

There are many parking spots, and all the hotels have parking spots for their clients.

Another easier way to get to Bayeux is to get on the train. About 2 hours 20 minutes by train, direct train.

You should head to Gare St Lazare. St Lazare train station. There is more than one train station in Paris, so ensure you get to this one when heading to Bayeux. St Lazare train station connects with northwestern France. It is about a 10 minutes drive (when traffic is okay in Paris) from the Champs Elysées.

You can get your train tickets from this official website from the US.

From other places, visit this website .

Like all the train stations in Paris, St Lazare train station is a rather big one, so take some time ahead of you to avoid missing your train.

Onboard the train, there are restrooms, but very rarely are there snacks or cafes to buy. The train company provides free wifi and plugs to charge your devices.

At the train station, you can buy anything you want regarding food & drinks.

When you arrive at Bayeux train station, in case your guide does not meet you upon your arrival (a common option for many travelers who have just one day to visit the Normandy D-Day Beaches), you’ll find taxis right in front of the train station to get you safely to your hotel. You can pay by credit card on all the taxis.

No Ubers here, sorry.

This airport , though international, does not operate many flights each day, but you can find a connection to other major cities in France, in the UK, Spain, and Northern Africa.

Then, from the airport just take a taxi to your hotel in Bayeux. There are always many taxis when planes land. It takes about 30mns drive and should be under 70EUR one way.

Related read : Top Tips for Booking Flights in Europe During Summer

Bayeux has a great choice of cafés and restaurants.

When in Bayeux, you’ll feel like in a little ideal town of France, where it feels good to walk slowly and wander around by the water mill, the Cathedral, the Convent where the amazing Bayeux Tapestry is kept.

There is a match for everyone from simple pizza and beers to more fancy dining.

Here is my shortlist of best restaurants:

• La Maison Blanche For those who want to combine a really fun evening with delicious food, all in a Cabaret atmosphere, this is the place.
• Le Pommier Excellent, traditional, perfect location and service. Book well in advance.
• L’Alchimie Small restaurant, yet the chef deserves a big Wow. Just delicious fresh local food.
• La Rapière Simply the best, so book as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed, believe me.

Related read : A Foodie Itinerary for Normandy, France

If I can give one good piece of advice as a tour guide myself, it is to book your tour, whether group or Private, as soon as you can. One year in advance is not a problem at all. The best guides and companies get booked many months ahead.

Also, read the reviews about your guide. TripAdvisor reviews, unfortunately, do not always match what a guide company does, as competitors and even anyone can pit a review on a guide on this platform.

I once had a review for the Mont St Michel , saying that this place was not worth it… I am not the Mont St Michel. Some companies like Tours by Locals allow only their clients to put reviews to guides they had. I recommend this.

Well, there is a real bonus of having a tour guide just for the day, but it comes with a price. It is really worth your money, as a Private Tour will allow you to customize the day as you want, and you’ll have a guide just for you.

Group Tours, especially the ones of the Normandy D-Day Beaches, tend to be quite like “ cattle herding ,” and the quality of tour guides is clearly not the same as for the ones doing mostly Private Tours.

Now, another simple way to get the guide to be the best is to remember that he is doing that almost year-round, so a smile, some questions, and a happy face help a lot to break the ice.

French people are very sensitive to behavior and politeness. Do not forget it.

Experience a personalized and exclusive day trip to the historic Normandy landing beaches of World War II, departing from Caen.

Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned minivan with your private guide, who has personal connections to this period of history through their family’s experiences during the Nazi occupation.

Immerse yourself in the significance of D-Day as you explore renowned sites such as Arromanches, Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc. Gain insight into the landings at the Airborne Museum, pay tribute at the American Cemetery, and indulge in a tasting of local apple brandy known as ‘calvados’.

This tour is tailored to your interests; simply inform your guide if there are specific places or aspects you would like to further explore.

• Embark on a customizable day trip to discover Normandy’s iconic D-Day landing beaches
• Enjoy freedom in designing your itinerary according to your preferences
• Listen firsthand accounts from a knowledgeable guide whose family experienced life during WWII in Normandy
• Visit significant locations including Omaha Beach, Sword Beach,and Pointe du Hoc
• Explore Arromanches beach where an artificial Mulberry Harbour was constructed
• Pay respects at both the American Cemetery and Airborne Museum while also savoring authentic Norman apple brandy
• Benefit from personalized attention and insightful commentary provided by your private guide

This comprehensive tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off services along with snacks for refreshment throughout the journey. You will travel comfortably inside an air-conditioned minivan under guidance by our expert driver-guide.

Book your tour directly with the guide here.

Price: from €650 (up to 6 persons) Duration: 10 hours Start: 9 am Pickup: Caen or any place within a radius of 30 km from Caen Free cancelation up to 24 hours before Mobile ticket Tour in English, Italian, French or Spanish

Learn about the courageous actions undertaken by 34 000 soldiers who landed here on D-Day.

Duration: 2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Pay a visit to this solemn site and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by American soldiers during the Normandy invasion.

Explore this unique location which still houses authentic WWII German cannons that were operational on June 6th, 1944.

Duration: 1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Discover the remarkable engineering feat behind the construction of Mulberry Harbors, vital for unloading supplies needed for the Battle of Normandy.

Witness Utah Beach and learn about General Roosevelt’s strategic success with the aid of the renowned 4th Infantry Division on D-Day in this sector.

Visit Pointe du Hoc to understand and appreciate how members of the heroic Second Ranger Battalion sacrificed their lives to capture this pivotal gun battery situated atop Omaha Beach cliffs on June 6th,1944.

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Step into Sainte Mère Eglise where you will discover tales surrounding sacrifices made by both the82ndand101stAirborne Divisions as they paved way for subsequent landings later during D-Day. If time permits, explore exhibits at Airborne Museum nearby.

Duration:2 hours • Admission ticket free

Pay homage to Company Easy from506PIRwho skillfully seized an important gun position just four miles southward from Utah beachat Brécourt Manor.Explorethe Danie Winter Memorial too.

Duration:30 minutes • Admission ticket included

There is one good restaurant for your lunch break while visiting the Normandy D-Day Beaches, La Cremaillère in St Laurent sur Mer, run by Jessica Julienne.

It is just above the way down to Omaha Beach at the D3.

This is simply a Dinners like French café where you’ll get for 17EUR a good lunch. Starter buffet, main, and dessert. In the summer, they have a BBQ. Plenty of room in front for parking.

If you have a tour guide with you, remember that he/she has no breaks from the moment he/she meets you, so the lunch break (with you, his clients) is the only time during the day when he can relax a little as well as get to know you better. Take time for your lunch. French people take a long break. It’s a good occasion to have a chat and try the delicious hard cider.

If you have just one day for your tour of the Normandy D-Day Beaches, you won’t have time to see all the sites in one day. This is just impossible.

Depending on where you have started your day, you’ll focus on:

• Longues Sur Mer German WWII canons
• Arromanches & the Mulberry Harbour
• Brecourt Manor
• Ste Mere Eglise
• Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center

Trust the experience of the tour guide for the itinerary. He/she lives here and has done it many times already.

If you need some groceries or a snack, there is a small supermarket, Carrefour City, just by the Churchill Hotel, 22 rue St Jean. Opens from 7 AM till 9 PM, except Sunday, 9 AM- 1 PM.

Rue des Bouchers Open 7/7 7AM-9PM

This pharmacy has staff who speak English quite well, and they know the equivalent of many US drugs in French – which is useful.

15 Rue Saint-Patrice, 14400 Bayeux

A very pleasant cafe is the one of the Reine Mathilde Hotel , Le Garde Manger.

If you still have some time in Bayeux, I highly recommend you visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. There, the Bayeux Tapestry depicts the fascinating history of the Conquest of England by William of Normandy, known as William the Conqueror.

His wife Mathilda and her pet ladies handmade it between 1071 and 1085 between France and England. It is the oldest tapestry in the world and is exceptionally well preserved.

After watching the tapestry at the ground level with the audio guides, head to the first floor, where the museum gives you more insight into the context of the Tapestry.

On the 2nd floor, the movie in English gives you even more detail about the Bayeux Tapestry. You should count about 2 hours to have enough time to visit the Bayeux Tapestry.

Et voilà, you’re all set to have a great experience visiting the Normandy D-Day Beaches.

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved history and telling people about it and showing them the best places to eat, have fun and do things. I was born in Normandy, near Lisieux, and both my grandparents lived through the German occupation and both were in the French Resistance. This is where my passion for digging in the past really began. After school in Lisieux, I studied history and journalism at the Sorbonne in Paris. I have been a professional guide for three years now and I really love it! I know and love my region. I have lived here almost all my life and I have so much to show you. I have lived elsewhere, but I can tell you that "paradise" for me is "here" in the green pastures of Normandy.

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Visiting the D-Day Beaches: With Normandy Beach Map

Learn more about the historic Normandy Beaches during Context's Full-Day Private Tour with Private Car Service

Over one million people visit the beaches of Normandy every year to pay respects to the soldiers who lost their lives and experience the site of one of World War II’s most crucial turning points.

When was the D-Day Invasion?

D-Day, also known as Operation Overlord, was a significant event in history that took place on June 6, 1944. It marked the beginning of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II – which continued until July 24, 1944.

On this day, a massive amphibious assault was launched on the beaches of Normandy, France, by British, American, Canadian, and other Allied forces. D-Day represented a pivotal moment in the war, as it opened a crucial front against Nazi Germany and ultimately led to the liberation of Western Europe from the control of the Axis powers.

If you’re interested in touring this historic site, here’s what you need to know about planning a visit to the D-Day beaches in Normandy.

Can you visit D-Day Beaches?

Visitors can walk the beaches, but those inclined to learn more about history can visit dozens of nearby museums and monuments. Planning ahead will help you optimize your itinerary and ensure you get the most out of this impactful experience.

Context offers a Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Tour so you can explore key Normandy landmarks, including Normandy Landing Beaches, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, and the Mulberry Harbour at Arromaches.

An expert on D-Day history leads the full-day tour, and it is a meaningful and educational opportunity to learn more about the events of June 6, 1944 and their impact on European liberation.

What were the 5 beaches on D-Day?

Code-named Operation Overlord, the Allied Operation included over 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops landing on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of coastline occupied by Germans. This meticulously planned amphibious military assault is widely considered the turning point in World War II and ultimately led to the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe.

1. Utah Beach

Utah Beach was a last-minute addition to the plan due to its proximity to Cherbourg, a port city. Sadly, many U.S. paratroopers perished when their heavy equipment weighed them down in the flooded marshlands near the beach. Others landed outside their drop zones, but they eventually secured the beach’s only four exit points.

2. Omaha Beach

Because U.S. troops suffered massive casualties at Omaha beach, it is named the bloodiest beach on D-Day. About 2,400 U.S. troops were dead, wounded, or missing once the battle ended. Omaha beach was flanked by steep cliffs and was heavily defended, making it a perilous and devastating battle scene.

3. Gold Beach

British troops stormed Gold Beach, located in the middle of the five D-Day Beaches, about an hour after Utah and Omaha (due to the direction of the tides). While the Germans initially had a stronghold on the beach, British warships, aerial attacks, and armored vehicles proved victorious.

4. Sword Beach

Canadian and British troops invaded Sword Beach’s eastern flank and took out key bridges to prevent German reinforcements from arriving. The Germans answered with moderate fire, but the British and Canadian troops took out critical German artillery resources.

5. Juno Beach

Rough seas made for a challenging landing at Juno Beach, giving German soldiers the initial upper hand. Canadian troops faced monumental casualties as Germans fired from seaside bunkers. However, as soon as German resistance slowed, Canadians quickly advanced inland and captured several towns.

World War II Sites to Visit in Normandy

Did you know that D-Day was only the beginning of the Allied Invasion of Normandy? For twelve more weeks after June 6th, Allied forces continued to fight . Normandy played a large role in World War II, so it's no surprise that history buffs flock to the area to see the many significant locations across this region firsthand.

Omaha Beach

The serenity of Omaha Beach today starkly contrasts the violent scene that occurred here nearly 80 years ago. Visitors walk the coastline and honor those who lost their lives in a wartime battle that lives in infamy.

Visitors can also see remnants of the artificial harbor constructed by the Allies, known as Mulberry Harbour, and view the German bunkers and fortifications that remain on the beach. There are also several museums in the area, including the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum.

Normandy American Cemetery

Just beyond Omaha, the Normandy American Cemetery honors the American troops who gave their lives on the D-Day beaches. It is a poignant way to pay tribute to the legacy of those U.S. troops who never had the opportunity to return home.

Each of the 9,386 headstones contains the name, date of death, service unit, and country where he volunteered, except for the 307 who have no name. There is also a monument to the 1,557 servicemembers whose mortal remains were lost.

Caen Memorial Museum

As you make your way across the D-Day sites, plan a visit to the Caen Memorial Museum . The Museum focuses on the Battle of Normandy and 20th-century history, offering visitors unique insights into the events that marked World War II.

With a range of exhibits that provide a glimpse into the wartime life of troops and civilians, the Museum offers multimedia experiences, films, and a firsthand look at personal items from soldiers.

Arromanches-les-Bains

Today, this picturesque town is known as a seaside resort, but its coast, Gold Beach, played a major role in the Normandy landings.

Gold Beach was one of the beaches designated to receive man-made landing harbors on D-Day, also known as Mulberry Harbours. The harbors were specially created to float across the English Channel and serve as temporary harbors on D-Day. Many of the large concrete blocks remain in Arromanches today as a reminder of its significance to World War II.

Longues-sur-Mer

Longues-sur-Mer was a battery built by the German navy and strategically positioned between the Omaha and Gold Beaches. On D-Day, Longues-sur-Mer was the site of an extended gunfight between the Allied fleet and the Germans. British troops eventually landed at Gold Beach and captured both the position and the surviving German soldiers.

Visitors today can see the original cannon and take in the view from the firing command. Longues-sur-Mer is one of the best-preserved World War II sites anywhere in France, giving visitors an unparalleled view not just of the Bay of Seine, but of what life was like on that fateful day in 1944.

Map of D-Day Beaches

Each beach has its own unique history, and as you examine the map you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the scale and scope of this historic operation.

To look at a Normandy Beach map is not just a lesson in geography; it’s a lesson in understanding what happened on June 6, 1944. Looking at the map, you can imagine the struggles, triumphs, and heart-wrenching losses suffered on the sand.

Whether you’re zooming in for a closer look at each beach’s remaining craters, or as you stand in person on the hillside above a neverending sea of white headstones, you’ll come away with a sense of gratitude, awe, and respect for those who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy.

Tips and Tricks for Visiting the Normandy Beaches:

• Hire a Context Tour Guide, with Private Car Service: A knowledgeable local historian can offer unique insights into each landmark’s significance to WWII and provide you with a more personalized experience. Additionally, while it is possible to visit the beaches using public transportation, it's much more convenient to rent a car and book a tour. This will give you more flexibility to explore the area at your own pace.
• Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking, and bring a jacket in case it gets cold or rainy. Because you will be along the coastline, wind gusts can be an important factor when planning your wardrobe.
• Pack snacks and water bottles: Weather conditions can be brutal, especially during the summer. While most museums do offer concessions, it’s important to be prepared with adequate water and snacks to keep yourself comfortable throughout the day.
• Consider visiting early or late in the day: To avoid crowds, it's best to visit the beaches early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
• Allow plenty of time: Plan to spend a full day or more exploring the Normandy beaches. There is a lot to see and learn, and rushing through the sites won't do them justice. You’ll also want to consider the seasonal tides so that you can safely walk along the beaches.
• Respect the sites: The D-Day beaches and surrounding areas are sacred places. Show respect by not littering, staying on designated paths, and not disturbing any artifacts.
• Take a moment for reflection: The D-Day beaches are solemn places that hold somber historical significance. Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by the thousands of brave souls who fought and died there.

Tour the D-Day Beaches

Enhance your Normandy experience with a guided tour of the D-Day Beaches with a local expert. Our Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Tour has exclusive insights into World War II history to ensure you leave Normandy with a complete understanding and appreciation for its pivotal role in the war.

If you’re looking for other opportunities to learn more about Normandy, take our Full-Day Mont-Saint-Michel Tour and see this gravity-defying medieval monastery with an expert guide.

Learn more about the Normandy Beaches with Context Learning

Are you planning a trip to France? Check out Context’s Upcoming Online Seminars and Courses about France – which feature local experts in WWII History, Archaeology, and Art History.

Or, stream French History and Culture content instantly through Context On-Demand – hosted by the same local experts who lead our tours.

You May Also Like:

• Exploring the Coast of Normandy: Top Sites for History Lovers
• Timeline of the Normandy Invasion
• Reflections on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day
• 10 Best Day Trips from Paris
• Vive la France: Bastille Day
• How to Spend 36 Hours in Paris

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Normandy   Travel Guide

Courtesy of © Marco Bottigelli | Getty Images

18 Best Things To Do in Normandy

Updated February 11, 2021

Normandy's attractions are spread across the region, so we suggest you either spend a few days in just one or two towns or you set aside a week or two, rent a car and see a cache. If you're a foodie, you'll enjoy the bounty in Trouville and Honfleur

• All Things To Do

D-Day Beaches D-Day Beaches free

World War II's successful Operation Overlord took place on the coast of France. Although there were heavy Allied casualties, this invasion turned the tide in the war and helped lead to the fall of Nazi Germany. Today this piece of coastline, which includes Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches, is collectively known as the D-Day Beaches.

Visitors can tour the approximately 50-mile stretch of sand and pop by a number of museums, memorials and cemeteries that are spread out alongside the coastline either with a tour or on their own. If you're driving yourself, start in the town of Arromanches, which hosts two museums that help provide context for the battle sites. The American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer and the Pointe-du-Hoc bomb craters are also especially moving. If you'd rather let someone else do the driving, recent visitors recommend going with a tour guide to fully appreciate the area's historic importance and receive a comprehensive overview. If you're visiting in June, you'll likely come across several ceremonies and reenactment groups commemorating the anniversary. Thanks to Normandy's unpredictable weather, you'll want to dress in layers (no matter the time of your visit) and bring rain gear, according to past visitors.

Mont Saint-Michel Abbey (Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel) Mont Saint-Michel Abbey (Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel)

Surrounded by sea in the high tide and sand in low, Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is one of France's most-toured sites outside of the popular Parisian landmarks. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its first incarnation was raised on the 264-foot-high rock beginning in the 10th century, but additions were added well into the 19th century. Today, you can tour the abbey and the little village at its base, as well as several museums. Tours are offered year-round, but you can also traipse the massive structure on your own.

Guided tours – which are included in the cost of admission – do not require advance booking and are offered in French and English year-round. Tours are also offered in German, Italian and Spanish in July and August.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen free

Dating back to the 12th century, this Gothic cathedral was the world's tallest building for about five years – 1876 to 1880. But its beauty in changing light is what drew the impressionist artist, Claude Monet, whose work can be viewed at the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen , to paint it several times. Today, the cathedral is one of the defining pieces of architecture in this part of Normandy. Aside from its striking architecture, it's also famous for its tombs – one of which houses the heart of Richard the Lionheart.

Visitors recommend going inside to view the many parts of this working Roman Catholic cathedral, including the lovely stained glass in the Lady Chapel, the transepts and the ambulatory monuments. Others add that it is worth coming at night in the summer to see the free light shows displayed outside. Reviewers also recommended reading up on the history of the church before you visit to enhance your experience and develop a better understanding of the many architectural styles on display.

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Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial free

Somewhere around 9,000 soldiers are buried in this Colleville-sur-Mer war cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach . Most of these lost their lives during the D-Day invasion. There's also a memorial that gives a narrative of the invasion, as well as a reflecting pool and a chapel. And about 1,500 soldiers who were missing-in-action are remembered on the Walls of the Missing, in a semicircle garden to the east of the memorial.

Recent visitors advised setting aside more time than you think you might need, as there is a lot to take in and you don't want to rush through such a moving place. Several others recommended visiting with a tour company to enjoy a more in-depth understanding of the site's significance. Companies like Normandy Sightseeing Tours , Bayeux Shuttle and Paris City Vision earn high praise from past visitors.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen

The sprawling Museum of Fine Arts features paintings, sculptures, drawings and objets d'art that date back to the 15th century. Throughout the 19th century, generous donations made the museum home to one of the largest impressionist collections in France, with paintings by masters such as Monet, Sisley, Caillebotte, Pissarro, Degas and Renoir. Other highlights include works by Perugino, Veronese, Rubens, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Ribera and Poussin.

Recent visitors praised the museum's collection of impressionist works and the impressive range of styles represented here. For many, viewing Monet's paintings of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen was a particular highlight. However, reviewers advised going in with a plan, as the museum can be a little hard to navigate.

Claude Monet's House and Garden Claude Monet's House and Garden

Who doesn't love water lilies, haystacks and gardens? Claude Monet, one of the world's most famous impressionists, lived and painted many of these subjects in his home in Giverny. Today, Monet fans can tour his excellently preserved home, studio and gardens. Among the highlights are the water garden (home to his famous water lilies) and the artist's house (especially the kitchen and the blue sitting room), which has been meticulously restored.

Recent visitors raved about the house and gardens, but many expressed disappointment with the crowds. If you want to avoid the onslaught of visitors, heed the advice of reviewers and visit right when the attraction opens to avoid the tour buses that descend in the afternoon. Others suggested visiting the lily ponds first and saving your house visit until the end.

Bayeux War Cemetery Bayeux War Cemetery free

The Bayeux War Cemetery is one of the largest of 18 military cemeteries in Normandy, with more than 4,000 graves – many of which mark the plots of soldiers who were never identified. These headstones are inscribed with "A Soldier Known Unto God." Keep in mind that if you're an American looking for your ancestors, you'll most likely have more luck at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer . The Bayeux War Cemetery contains soldiers from the United Kingdom and "the Continent," including some from Germany.

Recent visitors found the cemetery to be quite moving and somber. Others said this is a "must-see," applauding the beautiful grounds.

Eglise Jeanne d'Arc Eglise Jeanne d'Arc free

This modern-looking church sits on the site of Jeanne d'Arc's (or Joan of Arc, to us Yanks) burning. The 19-year-old girl was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. Today, you can tour this contemporary church built in 1979 (the exterior of which is reminiscent of fish scales) at Place du Vieux-Marche in Rouen. Pay attention to the building's design – the architect, Louis Arretche, wanted it to resemble the shape of an overturned boat.

Recent visitors loved the church's gorgeous stained-glass windows and say it was quite moving to be in the spot where Joan of Arc was killed.

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Etretat Cliffs Etretat Cliffs free

These stunning white chalk cliffs have drawn people, especially artists, such as Claude Monet and Guy de Maupassant, to the area for eons. The cliffs are often compared to the famous White Cliffs of Dover. Visitors can hike along the top of cliffs, as well as on the beach to check out the striking sight.

Recent visitors were astonished at the beauty of the cliffs and recommended visiting at sunrise and sunset for spectacular photo ops. Others suggested hiking to the top of the cliffs for unforgettable views. Reviewers also reported touring the town of Étretat.

Museum of Modern Art André Malraux Museum of Modern Art André Malraux

This Le Havre art museum, located in a bright 1960s glass-and-metal building, boasts enormous plate glass windows that perfectly allow in the famous light that has fascinated artists for decades. This museum was actually the first to be built after the war. Le Havre's original Museum of Fine Arts was destroyed by bombing in 1944. Two local painters who immortalized the Normandy coast are highlighted here. The collection of works by Raoul Dufy includes oils, watercolors and sketches. Works by Eugène Boudin include his Normandy beach scenes and landscapes. It also has a number of works by Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley and Degas. 

Past visitors raved about the museum's stunning coastal location and the collection of impressionist works. Others praised the friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Bayeux Tapestry Museum Bayeux Tapestry Museum

You might ask why on earth would you make a stop to see a tapestry when Camembert cheese, hard cider and the rolling Normandy hills are beckoning? Well, because the Bayeux Tapestry, an astonishingly long and beautifully made work of art, chronicles the 1066 Battle of Hastings.

The approximately 230-foot-long tapestry is displayed in a dark room with special lighting, so you can see every detail. Though it's described as a tapestry, it is actually linen cloth embroidered with wool thread. In another room of the museum, a permanent exhibition describes how it was made and gives an overview of the historical context and the Anglo-Norman kingdom in the 11th century. There is also a short 16-minute film, which details the making of the tapestry and includes reconstructions of scenes from the Battle of Hastings.

Mémorial de Caen Mémorial de Caen

This museum details events leading up to WWII as well as its decadeslong aftermath, with exhibits ranging from photos and documents charting the Nazi's rise to power in the 1930s, to life before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. A tabletop map shows the location of the D-Day landings and a split-screen presentation of the D-Day invasion from both the Allied and Nazi standpoints gives a good overview. A 17-minute film, called "Europe Our History," is shown in a 360-degree theater and included with admission. Outside, you'll find three gardens dedicated to the memory of the Resistance fighters and Allied soldiers who died in Normandy. 

Recent visitors appreciated the comprehensive and educational way the museum covers the war. Others said a visit here is a must before a trip to the D-Day Beaches as it provides important context to the sites. Reviewers said you should plan to spend half a day here to make the most of the museum's offerings and that the audio guide is essential. One particular highlight for travelers was the reconstructed underground bunker of a Nazi general.

Musée du Débarquement Musée du Débarquement

The Musée du Débarquement, located on the seafront where one of the most incredible achievements of WWII happened, shows how the prefabricated Mulberry Harbour was constructed. An engineering feat, the harbors were used to unload troops, vehicles and supplies during the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. While not much is left of the floating harbors, you can still see some remnants of the concrete blocks that were towed across the English Channel. Museum exhibits include models, mock-ups, and photographs depicting its creation and the D-Day landings.

Recent visitors praised the small museum's models and explanations of how the harbor was conceived. However, some said its exhibits are a little dated.

D-Day Omaha Beach Morning or Afternoon Group Tour from Bayeux

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from $ 90.34

Omaha and Band Of Brothers Full Day Tour

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from $ 155.50

Versailles Palace and Giverny Private Guided Tour from Paris

(40 reviews)

from $ 711.78

Palais Bénédictine Palais Bénédictine

Bénédictine liqueur is a big deal in Normandy and if you want to learn more about it, as well as take in the Palais Bénédictine – a Gothic- and Renaissance-inspired building erected in the late 1800s – this is the spot. Le Palais Bénédictine was built in honor of the Bénédictine liqueur by Alexandre Le Grand, a wine merchant from Fécamp who discovered a lost recipe for a potent elixir dating back to 1510 created by a Bénédictine monk. Le Grand named the liqueur after the monks. He also stocked the palace with his art collection. 

Today, visitors can explore the museum on a guided tour, which features collections of sacred and ancient art related to the legacy of Bénédictine, as well as a room dedicated to its industrial history. After the museum tour, you head to the only Bénédictine distillery in the world and enjoy a tasting of the liqueur in the palace's Winter Garden. 

Chateau Gaillard Chateau Gaillard

This castle fortress was amazingly built in a mere two years, between 1196 and 1198, at the direction of Richard the Lionheart, King of England and the Duke of Normandy to protect Rouen against the French. It was captured by Philip II after a six-month siege; Henry IV later ordered that it be destroyed. Today, its clifftop ruins are a reminder of its dramatic past and a fascinating place to visit.

Recent visitors were fascinated by the complex history of the fortress. Others raved about the views and recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. According to recent travelers, there is a large free parking lot within walking distance.

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How To Visit The D-Day Beaches In Normandy France

Last Updated: October 31, 2023 By Alison Browne Leave a Comment

How to visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy France is a question asked by many. Which landing beach should I go to first? How will I get the full experience and understanding of what transpired during the Allied invasion here during World War II on June 6, 1944?

FAQ: How To Visit The D-Day Beaches In Normandy

How to visit the d-day beaches in normandy france: by car.

Although I did not visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy by car, I know in my traveller’s heart that this is the best way to tour the Normandy beaches, especially if you have plenty of time. This allows you to choose which beaches, memorials, graveyards and monuments to visit. It allows you to go at your own pace and stay longer when you want to. It opens the avenue to visiting small towns that have photographs of the Liberation of France hanging on their doorways and along their streets. Rent a car.

Pro Travel Tip : There are more car rental agencies available in Caen than in Bayeux.

Rent your car in France for the best way to visit the D-Day Beaches.

Visiting The D-Day Beaches In Normandy France: By Guided Tour

I arrived in Bayeux after having done some research on car rentals, guided tours, and buses. It was September in the year of COVID-19 and tourism was at an all-time low. I booked a small group tour with Gold Beach Company .

The advantage of taking a tour is, of course, the guide. My guide, Adeline, was a local history buff and knew how to make the tour engaging by telling stories and facts about D-Day and the D-day beaches. The D-Day sites are spread out over an extensive area, making a local guide invaluable in making the most of your time. It was worth every cent.

Pro Travel Tip : Many guided tours pick up in Bayeux.

Suggested Tours:

Normandy Beaches: From Paris – a full-day tour including lunch and From Paris – a full-day small group tou r

From Bayeux – American D-Day sites (4 to 8 hours)

From Bayeux- Canadian D-Day sites

How To Visit The D-Day Beaches In Normandy: By Local Bus

On this trip of mine through Normandy, I relied on the local buses and trains. But, the buses do not run very regularly, especially in the off-season to the D-Day sites. If you have a lot of time, I think it would be doable but you would have to pay very close attention to the schedules.

Where Is The Best Base For Visiting The D-Day Beaches In Normandy?

Both Bayeux (population of approximately 13 000) and Caen (population of approximately 106 000) make excellent bases for visiting the D-Day Beaches. Both cities are accessible by train from Paris. Getting to Bayeux involves one change in Caen. Book my train ticket

Hotels To Stay At In Caen and Bayeux:

Looking for a hotel? Check hotels in Caen here . Check hotels in Bayeux here . I stayed very close to the Bayeux cathedral in this bed and breakfast .

Read More: Here is my full article on what to see in Bayeux France.

Read More: If you are staying in Bayeux, be sure to visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry, almost 1000 years old. Here are some fascinating facts about it .

How Long Is Needed To Visit The D-Day Beaches In Normandy?

This, of course, is a personal preference. I only had one half-day and can honestly admit that it was a perfect introduction but left me wanting more. More stories. A chance to see additional sites. More photographs. A deeper understanding of this monumental event. More reflection time.

Planning Your Trip to Normandy?

Book your airline tickets with my favourite platform, Skyscanner. Normandy is serviced by three international airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, and Nantes.

Reserve train tickets to get from Paris to Caen or Bayeux.

A Few Facts About The Invasion Of Normandy

Operation Overlord was the name given to the overall plan for the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. It included both land and air components. Its primary objective was to establish a foothold on the continent and begin the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation.

Operation Neptune was specifically the naval component of the invasion. It involved the transportation of troops and supplies across the English Channel to the beaches of Normandy. The success of Operation Neptune was critical to the success of Operation Overlord, as it was the means by which the Allied forces were able to land on the beaches and establish a beachhead.

On June 6, 1944, the Allied Expeditionary Force, led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, landed along the French coastline of Normandy in what was and still remains the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Critical Invasion Before The D Day Landings

The 82nd Airborne Division was a key unit in the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. On the night of June 5, 1944, more than 13,000 paratroopers from the division were dropped behind enemy lines in Normandy, with the objective of securing key bridges and disrupting German defences.

The mission was highly dangerous, as the paratroopers faced intense anti-aircraft fire, and many were dropped far from their intended landing zones. Despite these challenges, the 82nd Airborne Division was able to successfully complete their mission, with some units even capturing key targets such as the town of Sainte-Mère Eglise and La Fière bridge.

The Normandy Landing Beaches

The Allied troops landed at five different beaches along a 50-mile stretch on the Normandy shores. The beaches were all given a code name for the invasion and those names are still used today. The Americans landed at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. The British landed at Gold Beach and Sword Beach and the Canadians landed at Juno Beach. The Normandy invasion beaches from west to east are Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Read More | How The French Celebrate Armistice Day on November 11 each year.

Pointe du Hoc, Normandy France

The first stop on our tour of D-Day beaches in Normandy was Pointe du Hoc. The deep craters in the landscape where bombs fell and the remaining German concrete bunkers make an immediate impression.

Here, on this bluff jutting into the sea between the D-Day beaches of Utah and Omaha, the 2nd Ranger Battalion soldiers carried out a plan that resulted in a terribly high cost of lives.

Over the course of three days, June 6, 7, and 8 1944, the Commandoes scaled the 100-foot cliffs with a mission to disable the German guns atop that could easily fire on Utah and Omaha Beaches. The Germans had already moved the guns further inland. The Rangers eventually found and destroyed the artillery.

The casualties were high. And after starting with 225 soldiers, only 90 remained standing.

The Memorial at Pointe du Hoc: To the Heroic Rangers Commandoes D2RN E2Rn F2RN of the 46th INF who under the Command of Colonel James E. Rudder of the First American Division attacked and took possession of the Pointe du Hoc.

The United States: Utah Beach And Omaha Beach

The 4th Infantry Division played a crucial role in the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. On June 6, 1944, the division was tasked with landing on Utah Beach. Despite facing heavy resistance from German troops, the 4th Infantry Division was able to secure the beachhead and begin their advance inland. The 4th Infantry Division’s actions at Utah Beach were a significant turning point in the war.

Of the five D-Day Beaches in Normandy, Omaha Beach was the bloodiest of all the landings. Standing on the beach under the bluffs it is hard to fully imagine what went on that Tuesday morning so many years ago.

I try to feel what it would be like to land in the water with my gun and hear German guns shooting down all around. I try to understand the sensation of my fellow soldiers dropping beside me, in the water, on the shore.

Looking up at the cliffs, I imagine a hail of German bullets, bombs and artillery raining down on the young American soldiers.

I know what I sense is a mere fraction of the reality.

But it isn’t hard to be in awe of the courage and dedication that each young soldier brought to the battlefield. It isn’t hard to imagine the fear and bravado all entangled. It isn’t hard to imagine the sea turning bright red. My heart stands still.

D-Day Beaches Itinerary: The Juno Beach Centre honours the 45 000 Canadians who lost their lives in WWII. Located in the small town of Courseulles-sur-Mer, it is a War Museum and Cultural Centre.

Visiting D-Day Beaches In Normandy: Les Braves

Our van was scooting past this memorial which is a little further down Omaha beach than where we had initially stopped. I had to ask the guide to stop.

As this monument, Les Braves rises from the sea, its impact is powerful. Standing on the shore where thousands of soldiers arrived to meet their death and the seas were cherry red with their blood, this monument demands something of the visitor. It is not a drive-by, nor a five-minute stop to check off the list. It requires one to stand in silence against the crashing waves and imagine what transpired here. It’s a time to let gratitude flow through you.

This Omaha Beach Memorial, created by Anilore Banon is called Les Braves. He is quoted as saying “I created this sculpture to honour the courage of these men: Sons, husbands, and fathers who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people.”

The sculpture is in three elements: The Wings of Hope to remind us that together it is always possible to change the future.

Rise, Freedom! Honouring those who rose against barbarity to help us remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity.

The Wings of Fraternity to remember this surge of brotherhood reminding us of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves. On June 6, 1944, these men were more than soldiers, they were our brothers.

Read More : Here are 13 other fabulous day trips from Paris .

The Normandy American Cemetery And Memorial

I had no idea what to expect.

The glorious statue, Spirit of American Youth, invites you to enter. And there, 1557 engraved names of soldiers missing in action encircle you. Those that have a rosette beside their name have since been found.

Ahead there are 9387 white headstones that stretch as far as the eye can see between the forest and the English Channel, perched over Omaha Beach.

As a mother, as a sister, as a human being, it is impossible not to be impacted as standing amidst the rows of crosses.

The Artificial Harbour Near Arromanches-les-Bains

From a distance, our group viewed and listened to the ingenious plan of Sir Winston Churchill to create two fake harbours that also acted as a breakwater so that Allied troops could bring reinforcements and equipment to France.

On the morning of June 6, 1944, huge concrete chambers were towed towards the Normandy coast and then sunk into place creating Mulberry Harbour. German pilots saw the concrete chambers heading to France but could not figure out what they were seeing.

The concrete blocks still remain today and can be seen off the shores of Arromanches-les-Bains. The D-Day Museum here goes into detail about creating the Harbour, also known as Port Winston.

I went to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy to pay my respects, to stand and feel where recent history took place and to appreciate the liberties and freedom that I have today. I hope you enjoy visiting the D-Day Beaches in France as much as I did.

Until next time,

Liberté – Liberty: A Poem By Eluard

“Liberté” written in 1942 during the German occupation by French poet Paul Eluard:

an excerpt:

See the full poem here .

Lest We Forget…

More Travel Info

Planning your itinerary for normandy france.

You might also like this post, 19 Wonderful Things to do in Normandy .

There are also many individual articles on specific places to help you plan your trip to this incredible region of France.

Honfleur: An Authentic Taste of Normandy

The Magnificent Soaring Cliffs of Etretat

Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer: A Seaside Day Trip From Paris

How To Eat Oysters Like the French

Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel: A Timeless Beauty

Movies About The D-Day Beaches in Normandy France were :

The longest day (1962).

Our guide recommended this movie as the most realistic account of the landing at Omaha Beach. I watched it recently and would say that for those of you who haven’t seen it, it is a must. Watch it before your visit, or after as I did or simply to get a glimpse into June 6, 1944.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Overlord (1975), like this post pin it.

You might also like...

Alison Browne

Creator and Founder of Dreamer at Heart Alison, a Francophile from a young age, is following a long-held dream and has been living in Paris since 2020. Her passion for uncovering Paris and discovering the regions of France has resulted in an expertise about France that she loves to share in her articles. Also a solo traveller, Alison shares her experiences of solo travel to many corners of the world. Alison helps over 65000 readers a month plan their trips.

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Is a Tour of the Normandy D-Day Beaches Worth It?

Debra Thimmesch Last Updated: July 10, 2023

Planning to visit Normandy and want to know if a guided tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches is worth it and right for you? Short answer: yes! It is absolutely worth it. This article, the more informative answer, will tell you what to expect from your unforgettable tour of the D-Day memorials at Normandy.

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 how to take a day trip to Normandy from Paris .

What Does it Mean to “See the Normandy D-Day Beaches”?

No doubt you’ve heard about D-Day and the importance of this 50-mile stretch of beaches to the overall war effort. It was when the Allied forces launched their massive invasion of France on June 6, 1944. They called that momentous day D-Day when over 156,000 troops arrived by land, sea, and air on the coast of Normandy.

A tour of important sites on or near the Normandy D-Day beaches will let you follow in the footsteps of the Allied liberators of France. You’ll also see how regular French citizens coped with the German occupation or even helped in the massive French Resistance movement.

Normandy tours of the D-Day sites usually include stops at Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery, the Caen Memorial Museum, and various other memorials and museums along the way. You’ll get viewpoints of the beaches and have time to explore the historical memorabilia found around these areas.

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

Areas of Interest

A thorough tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches and other sites encompasses about 50 miles of territory. It stretches from the city of Caen in the east to Utah Beach further west. As you travel along the usual route, you can imagine troops and tanks filling the now-quiet countryside with noise and chaos.

Much of your visit to D-Day sites will be along the shore of the English Channel. The French call this stretch of sea between France and England “La Manche” or “the sleeve” in English.

The serene present-day Normandy seaside is not without its scars, as you’ll see at Pointe du Hoc. Perhaps you will even find the sites haunting. However, you will also be reminded of the courage and indomitable spirit of the Allied forces as they battled to restore freedom in France and Europe.

Below are a few of the key areas well worth visiting on a Normandy D-Day tour, but you can read about more things to see here .

Caen Memorial Museum

Caen is the largest city in Normandy. It is located about 10 miles inland from the English Channel and was a crucial tactical site during the war. Moreover, this battle-scarred city has been historically important since the Middle Ages since it was once the capital of William the Conqueror!

The Caen Memorial Museum tells the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. It is one of the most impressive D-Day museums in France. Different areas of the museum tell different stories. For instance, one section deals with D-Day. Another area grapples with the Nazis’ persecution and genocide of French Jews.

In yet another section, you’ll hear stories of regular French citizens coping with life under German occupation. Overall, at the Caen Memorial Museum, you’ll get the full picture of what you’ll be seeing on the rest of your tour.

Omaha and Utah Beaches

Without a doubt, you’ve heard of both Omaha and Utah Beaches, so we’re putting them together as the two beaches that are most worth visiting. British and Canadian soldiers landed at Juno, Gold, and Sword beaches. The Americans arrived at Omaha and Utah beaches. However, the most vulnerable—and bloody—landing zone was Omaha Beach.

Utah Beach is located on the Cotentin or Cherbourg Peninsula. The invasion planners chose it because of its close proximity to the deep water port at Cherbourg. Allied forces landed on Utah Beach first. They suffered numerous casualties, although not as many as those on Omaha Beach.

The Utah Beach Landing Museum is a must-visit stop on your Normandy D-Day Beaches tour. The huge windows of the museum look out over the beach. Also, the museum’s extensive collection of D-Day-related objects, including vehicles, gives you important context.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is located near Colleville-sur-Mer. The U.S. Army built the cemetery on the site of a temporary one for American soldiers shortly after D-Day.

Spanning 172.5 acres, the cemetery contains the graves of 9,386 dead, according to the official website. Most of them died on D-Day or in the extended Battle of Normandy that lasted until August 30, 1944.

The cemetery looks out over Omaha Beach. As a result, you feel the poignant connection between the now-quiet beach and the lines of white cross grave markers.

La Pointe du Hoc

La Pointe du Hoc is a long, craggy cliff overlooking the English Channel. The Germans had fortified it and built concrete bunkers. The Allies wanted it. That’s because it was an ideal outlook position and thus strategically crucial.

The battle for Pointe du Hoc left obvious scars: huge craters resulting from the Allied attack. Visitors can stand on the edge of the craters. You are also allowed to climb into the bunkers. The experience is undeniably eerie.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out the things you have to see at Normandy .

Short answer: Yes! It is absolutely worth it!

We’re a tour company, so we are obviously going to recommend a guided tour but even more so for this particular area. In our experience, tourists like you have found tours of the Normandy D-Day beaches among the most memorable experiences of their lives—not just their travels.

Why? Because our passionate and knowledgeable tour guides can make even an ordinary experience extraordinary. They have more than just the inside scoop: they have learned what works and what doesn’t.

Best of all: we make transportation easy, so you don’t have to worry about navigating through Normandy from Paris. This is especially essential with a tour that involves more than one stop. As the stops are spread out over a stretch of about 50 miles, a guided tour means you don’t have to worry about driving, parking, or returning to Paris.

What else is so great about these tours? We make any necessary reservations so you can concentrate on the tour itself. We’re positive you will find your Normandy D-Day beach tour unforgettable.

Transportation Included

Relax! We take care of the transportation part of the tour, so you don’t have to worry about finding your way around Normandy. Whether you’re starting your tour from Paris or in Normandy, our well-organized tours are convenient and hassle-free!

Our tours make several stops. Since the sites are spread out over about 50 miles, a guided tour means you don’t have to worry about driving, parking, or maps.

Small Group Tour

It’s easy to get lost in a crowd of 50 or more fellow travelers. That’s why we keep our Normandy tours small so you can enjoy a group of fewer than 15 people. The smaller group means you’ll be able to have a quiet moment to appreciate where you are. Most importantly, you can interact with your guide better.

Stories and History

You’ve planned your trip to France. You’ve made reservations. And you’ve thumbed through guidebooks and felt overwhelmed. Where to begin? Well, thanks to a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide, you can leave the guidebooks and brochures at home. 

Your guide will share in-depth and sometimes surprising facts and stories . For example, did you know that according to WWII historian Paul Kaplan, Hitler thought the Allied forces would try to land further north in Calais? Yep!

As a result, the now-famous landing beaches like Omaha weren’t as well-fortified as they could have been. That seems unbelievable given the number of deaths of Allied soldiers, even just that first day. However, it could have been so much worse!

Museums included

If the Normandy D-Day Beach tour you choose includes some museum stops, you’ll rest easy knowing that the tickets have already been arranged for you. If there’s an absolute must-see museum where you’re going, rest assured we’ll know about it. More importantly, we’ll make sure you get there and get in with no hassles.

Our Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Tours

We do our best to tailor our tours for broader appeal. So, there’s usually something for everyone on a given tour. That goes for our Normandy D-Day tours as well. There’s plenty of activity and information that history enthusiasts will find riveting. Choose between our two popular tours of the Normandy D-Day beaches and related sites.

Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Day Trip with Cider Tasting and Lunch

Staying in Paris but hoping to get out to Normandy to pay respects to the fallen troops of WWII? Then you’ll love this all-inclusive day trip from Paris to Normandy. Join a passionate, local guide to see the important sites and memorials of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

We arrange all transportation so you don’t have to worry about the details or where to go. And as an added touch, your tour includes a hearty Normandy-style lunch with a local cider tasting too!

See tour itinerary, price, and description

Private Tour from Paris to Normandy Beaches and WWII Memorials

Hoping for a more intimate and meaningful way to experience some of the most hallowed ground for American troops? Then you’ll want to book this private tour to Normandy. With just your group and local guide, you can tailor your experience to see more of what you’re most interested in.

Your journey from Paris to Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, the American Cemetery, and more can be made all the more memorable on this private experience. It also includes a stop for some wonderful food of Normandy and locally made ciders from a countryside orchard.

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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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How to Visit Normandy Beach & World War II Memorials

Normandy Beach

On our river cruise along the Seine, we took a detour to see the Normandy beaches.

This is the second time I’ve been to France’s northern region but I don’t quite remember any of the history from the first trip. I was a student at the time, and our school trip connected us to a French World War II war veteran who met us directly on the sandy beach of Omaha. 

This time, I’m older and learned the history of D-Day in depth.

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As the landing beaches are a bit far from Rouen, where we’re staying the night, our tour guide uses the the 4 hour bus ride (2 there, 2 back), to recount the careful planning, hellish slaughter, entrenched fighting and ultimate resolution of Operation Overlord (the Allies code name for the invasion of Normandy).

It’s a sobering visit. 

Before World War II, Omaha Beach was called La Plage de Sables D’or , the Beach of the Golden Sands. No one has called it that in years. Each Normandy beach retains its D-Day code name, in remembrance of the significance of the world’s largest amphibious invasion, which kick started the long campaign to liberate Europe . 

Here’s a look at each of the five landing beaches and some tips for visiting Normandy’s World War II memorials. 

Or save this article to read later by pinning it ⇟

Why Did the Allies Land on the Beaches of Normandy?

After the massive British retreat at Dunkirk (immortalized in the film Dunkirk ), the Allies had temporarily withdrawn from Europe to regroup.

By the time the Americans joined the war effort, with Russia pressing on the eastern front, it was decided to begin planning an western invasion.

The gargantuan task of liberating Europe was code named Operation Overlord. D-Day would be the initial push, a massive amphibious landing to place the Allied forces in continental Europe and begin fighting for the liberation of France.

The invasion took significant planning, and began as early as 1943. Since Germany occupied or destroyed all of France’s main ports, the Allies had to strategically choose a landing site.

Pas de Calais, roughly 150 miles northeast of Normandy, was the most logical choice, as it was the closest point to England and the shortest distance from the British Channel.

Unfortunately, the Nazis recognized this and heavily fortified the area.

After careful consideration, the Allies chose Normandy to be the site of the landing beaches. To disguise their efforts, they undertook an elaborate ruse to trick the Nazis into concentrating at Pas de Calais and keep them off guard. 

However, the Germans did not leave Normandy entirely undefended. Hitler put one of his most competent generals, Erwin Rommel, in charge of defending the French coast.

American General Dwight Eisenhower was put in charge of planning for Operation Overlord, with British General Bernard Montgomery to take over once the landings were successful. 

The task was daunting, as General Rommel had prepared by ordering Nazi troops to turn Normandy’s coastline into a death trap: beach obstacles, land mines, artillery batteries and barbed wire were all laid across the countryside. 

For D-Day, the Allies divided the 60 mile coastline into five sectors, code named from west to east: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The Americans were to land primarily on the western fronts at Utah and Omaha, while the British were tasked with capturing the eastern beaches, Gold and Sword. The Canadian forces were to lead at Juno. 

In addition to the amphibious landings, an extensive aerial bombardment was planned. In total, roughly 160,000 troops landed on the Normandy Beaches on June 6, 1944 and 11,000 planes and 4,000 ships were used in the attack. 

While today D-Day is considered a great success in the greater context of World War II, the day itself was a mixed bag. Some beaches were captured relatively easily while others were entrenched in long, bloody battles with devastating casualties.

The Allied goal was to secure all five beaches and link its forces together by the end of the day. While each force secured their respective beaches, heavy German resistance delayed a unification until June 12th.

Visiting the D-Day Beaches

The D Day beaches are spread out throughout Normandy’s coastline and can be seen in a day in one comprehensive tour. There are over 20 important monuments, museums and military remnants in the region, but perhaps the most visited site is Omaha Beach, as it was here that the fighting was the bloodiest.

The Americans were assigned to Omaha Beach and today, the Normandy American cemetery overlooks the beachfront, with a haunting memorial, visitor’s center and excellent museum. 

For those planning to visit, it’s a great idea to book a local tour, as they can give you a much more comprehensive overview of the military planning, battles, and key events that occurred. Normandy is notoriously rainy all year round, so pack layers, a weatherproof jacket and umbrella . 

If you’re visiting in June, Normandy marks the remembrance of D-Day with a number of ceremonies and reenactment groups. The French people in Calvados remember the significance of D-Day and always celebrate the anniversary of France’s liberation.

Hotels in Normandy Near the D Day Beaches

Most visitors choose to base themselves in either Caen or Bayeux, the two closest French villages to the Normandy beaches. 

Caen , a large city in the department of Manche, is roughly 10 miles from the coastline. The modern city has lots of hotels, shops and restaurants and plenty of car rental agencies for visitors who wish to drive around. Find hotel deals for Caen here .

Bayeux is smaller and more historic, as it was spared bombing during WWII. Most D Day tours pick up from Bayeux so this village makes a great base for those who wish to take advantage of a guided tour.  Find hotel deals for Bayeux here .

Both Bayeux and Caen have train stations with connections to Paris. But Normandy has plenty of other villages, some even prettier, that are closer to the D-Day beaches. These include:

Ouistreham-Riva-Bella : This resort town lies closest to Sword Beach and has a ferry with connection to Portsmouth. The assault on Ouistreham was immortalized in the movie The Longest Day.

Arromanches-les-Bains : Near Gold Beach, this is where the Allies built portable Mulberry harbors. Since the Nazi powers controlled or destroyed all of France’s harbors, the Allies needed to construct their own ports from scratch, as quickly as possible. The town here is quaint and has a charming museum explaining all about the famous Mulberry harbours.

Sainte-Mère-Église : Inland of Utah Beach on the west, this town played a significant role in the Normandy landings as it stood in the middle of route N13, the main road to Utah and Omaha beaches. American paratroopers landed early on D-Day before the seaborne invasion, to heavy casualties. 

For more travel tips about visiting the landing beaches, check out our travel guide covering transportation from Paris to Normandy here .

Getting Around

Unfortunately, public transportation in Normandy is limited.

Renting a car offers the most flexibility and can be pretty inexpensive for families and groups. American drivers licenses are accepted and you can easily find car rental shops in the cities of Rouen, Le Havre and Caen.

Taking a guided tour is a great option for those who don’t want to drive. Most tours cover the beaches, museums and cemeteries in a full day excursion, and include knowledgeable local guides. The most popular tour companies pick up and drop off from hotels in the town of Bayeux.

Finally, you can also take a river cruise. Normandy is where the Seine River begins and many river cruise companies offer trips from Paris to Normandy. We recently took a Viking cruise and loved it.

Should You Get A Guide?

We definitely recommend a guide. The D-Day beaches and memorial sites are spread out over a vast area, and many of the town roads are small and winding. Knowledgeable tour companies can cover more ground in a day (without getting lost!) and offer insightful history and local memories that really bring D-Day alive.

On the tour we took, we visited the floating harbor at Arromanche, the museum at Caen, the American cemetery and Omaha Beach.

Here are some popular D Day tours

D Day Beaches Map

Above is a map of the D Day beaches that illustrates the extensiveness of Operation Overlord. 

Over 50 miles of Normandy coastline are marked with war memorials, old military bunkers and D-Day monuments. Two departments in Normandy, Calvados and Manche, experienced the brunt of the fighting, with hundreds of French village getting swept up in the fighting.

The 5 Beaches of D Day

The Allies divided Normandy’s coastline into 5 beaches. With over 50 miles of coastline to cover, it was a significant expanse of land! From west to east, the beaches are:

Omaha Beach

Sword beach.

First time visitors can start in Caen, at the Memorial Museum; at Arromanches, where temporary harbors were built in advance of the invasion; or at Bayeux, where the historic Bayeux Tapestry is housed.

The Landing Beaches

Today, the five beaches where the Allies landed are still referred to by their D-Day code names. Allied forces divided up the beaches by country, with predominantly British, Canadian and American forces leading the assault.

Below is a short overview of each beach and their respective WWII sights that you can visit today.

Utah lies on Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula, and was the westernmost landing site of all five beaches. Allied commanders added Utah as a last minute addition, so that troops would be close to the port city of Cherbourg. 

The night before D-Day, thousands of American paratroopers were dropped inland behind enemy lines, in an effort to capture the beach’s exit points and eliminate German defenses.

Unfortunately, strong winds dropped the paratroopers significantly off course and the region’s wet marshes made it difficult for the troops to make it to the beaches quickly. Many paratroopers got caught in tree branches and were picked off easily. One man’s parachute landed on the church steeple of Ste Mere Eglise village!

On D-Day, strong currents also swept the bulk of American troops off course. Luckily, they landed at a more lightly defended section of the beach and met little resistence, securing Utah Beach by the end of the day. 

WWII memorial sights at Utah beach include:

• The Airborne Museum
• D-Day Experience Center
• Utah Beach Landing Museum 
• Ste-Mère Eglise Village

Omaha Beach was the second landing site for American troops. Surrounded by steep cliffs and heavily fortified by an experienced Nazi division, Omaha saw more casualties than any other beach.

The Allies had planned aerial bombardments on each beach, to hit the German’s defenses and provide cover for sea invasion. Timing was of the utmost importance. Strike too early, and the Nazis would have time to regroup while cherry picking off the landing troops. Strike too late, and risk hitting their own forces.

Unfortunately, the aerial bombardments did little damage, the Allies underestimated the number of German forces, and the rough waves made it almost impossible for troops to land. Only 2 of the Allies’ 29 Sherman tanks reached the shore. Carnage was so severe that Omaha was nicknamed ‘Bloody Omaha’.

By the end of the day, the Americans suffered significant casualties but had carved out a tenuous hold roughly a mile and a half inland. 

WWII memorial sights at Omaha beach include:

• Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument
• The Normandy American Cemetery 
• Overlord Museum
• Omaha Memorial Museum
• Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery
• German Military Cemetery at La Cambe

The British were sent to Gold Beach, with objectives to capture Bayeux and the road connecting Bayeux and Caen, and the eventual aim of linking up to the Americans west at Omaha.

Here, aerial bombardments succeeded in softening the German defenses and strong British warships were able to successfully target the Nazi forces. 

By the end of the day, the British had secured the beach, advanced 6 miles inland and joined the Canadian troops in the east who had landed at Juno Beach.

WWII memorial sights at Gold beach include:

• Ver-sur-Mer, Musée America-Gold Beach
• Arromanches

The Canadians were sent to secure Juno Beach and tasked with linking up to the British on both east and west, at Gold and Sword beaches, respectively.

The Germans had planted mines and beach obstacles into the sand along Normandy’s coast. For a brief period during low tide the defensive traps were exposed, but primarily they lay covered, hidden traps to delay any offensive approach. 

On D-Day, the Canadians sent to Juno Beach were also hit hard by rough currents, which delayed the ships from landing. When they did land, the rising tide not only masked mines and booby traps, it also shortened the width of the beach and led to a build up of troops and incoming equipment. As a result, the Germans were easily able to pick off the first wave of infantry and Canadian casualties were high. 

By the end of the day, after fierce fighting, the Canadians were able to penetrate 16km inland. They linked up with the British at Gold Beach but not those at Sword until later on in the invasion.

WWII memorial sights at Juno beach include:

• The Juno Beach Centre

While the American paratroopers were being dropped behind enemy lines in Utah, British airborne troops were being sent to the eastern flank, behind Sword beach’s German forces.

Here, the British succeeded in destroying bridges to cut off potential German reinforcements, captured Pegasus Bridge and also took out a Germany artillery battery.

By the morning of June 6th, the British sea invasion launched and again suffered losses due to rising tides, delayed landings and shortened beachfront. Eventually, the Allies were able to use Sherman tanks to secure the beach. 

The primary objective however, was not met. Sword Beach was chosen for its proximity to the strategically important city of Caen, which was connected to several canals and rivers in Normandy.

German forces entrenched themselves in the city and the Battle for Caen began. The city was ultimately liberated on June 19th, but suffered heavy bombing and significant civilian casualties.

WWII memorial sights at Sword beach include:

• Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique Le Bunker
• Musée du No.4 Commando
• Merville Battery

Will you be visiting the Normandy beaches?

Visiting Normandy – Travel Checklist

We took a red eye to Paris from JFK, then sailed on the Seine to Rouen on a river cruise . You can check for  flight deals here   and set an alert for your dates.

It's also easy to take the train from Paris to cities throughout Normandy. Check my post here for more logistical information on taking the train in France and how not  to buy tickets.

In Normandy, there's so much to see over a large area that I'd recommend basing yourself in a city for a couple nights to take day trips, then moving to another city. For the D Day beaches, Bayeux and Caen are both popular bases. Check here for deals on Normandy hotels .

Lastly, be sure to visit Paris with  travel insurance . Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most.

During our recent trip, riots in Paris shut down the city center and forced a closure of all the main sights (the Louvre, Versailles, etc). Get a quote for your trip here .

  You Might Also Enjoy:  

Normandy Vacation Planning

How to Get from Paris to Normandy

Cruising on the Seine River from Paris to Rouen

The Most Beautiful Places in Normandy

21 of the Best Things to Do in Normandy

Normandy Towns

Quick Guide to Rouen , Normandy's Capital

Paris to Normandy Day Trips: Vernon & Auvers-sur-Oise

Visiting Giverny & Monet's House

Where to Stay in Giverny

WWII Memorials

How to See Normandy Beach & D-Day Sites

Visiting the Normandy Cemetery in Remembrance of D-Day

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Will be taking Viking Cruise in 2020 that stops in Paris. Want to visit Normandy. Looking for the best way to visit and perhaps stay overnight.

Hi, just came here to say: the Russian front is the eastern front and D-Day is the Western Front. Great article otherwise

oops! thanks for the correction :)

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La Basse Cour: B&B near Alencon, Normandy

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A brief description of the D-Day Landings

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The Best Crowd-Free Beaches in Europe to Visit This Summer

By Anya Meyerowitz

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A beach is to a vacation is as ice cream is to apple pie: essential. We dream of beaches in Europe and we imagine that feeling of flaxen sand between our toes, the sounds of sea waves crashing on the shoreline, and the updrafts of salty ocean breeze. The small snag is, everyone else gets the same idea, and during peak seasons, carving out a spot on the shore to set out our picnic or recline with our beach read can feel like an impossible feat of engineering.

But the story at some of the best “alternative” beaches across Europe reads a little differently. Of course, across the sunniest months, we can’t guarantee that a gaggle of parasols shading similarly in-the-know tourists won’t already be set up, but these beaches aren’t the usual suspects, and so are likely to be a little calmer. From the cerulean waters of Karpas Peninsula in Portugal (a popular nesting ground for sea turtles) to cave-clad Ramla Bay in Malta and beyond, these are our favorite seaside spots for when you’re keen to not follow the crowd.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Karpas Peninsula, Cyprus

An isolated backwater just a few years ago, North Cyprus has weaved its way onto tourists’ lists thanks to the increasing number of daily flights and the myriad new crossing points. However, with that being said, this northern side of the island is still much calmer and quieter than the south, and the Karpas Peninsula, where pristine Mediterranean waters nestle up against honey-hued sands, encapsulates that. Of particular note here is the Golden Beach, a four-kilometer stretch of coastline that runs from the Galunopetra cape on the east to the Jyles cape on the southwest, with distinctive sand dunes extending up to 500 meters.

Where to stay: Karpaz Gate Marina Hotel is a popular choice among the discerning yachting community who moor up by the Peninsula. Of particular note here is the Marina Beach Club with its own infinity pool, private beach section with bookable cabanas, watersports, and myriad family facilities.

Where to eat: Even if you aren’t staying at Karpaz Gate, it’s still worth booking a table at their Beach Club Restaurant. The restaurant's tables look directly out from a veranda onto the sea, and a beachside snooze is just a few steps away.

Ramla Bay, Malta

Separated from Malta by just a small channel but worlds away in terms of pace, the calm island of Gozo is renowned for its coastline. You might think, then, how can one find any alternative beaches here? Well, let us introduce you to Ramla Bay and its distinctive reddish-hued sands on the northeast coast. Nestled between the bays of Marsalforn and San Blas, the warm waters are calm by day and the sunsets a spectacle by night.

Where to stay: Ta’Cenc ’s unique brand of eco-friendly luxury is immediately enchanting. Think: charming suites, a wellness spa, and two swimming pools , all nestled within grounds rich with flora and fauna.

Where to eat: A lively atmosphere, creative cocktails and harborside views are all on offer at one80 Kitchen at Mgarr Yacht Marina , where fresh fish and authentic Maltese dishes are served alongside views of returning fishermen and the comings and goings of the picturesque harbor.

Betina Špilja, Dubrovnik, Croatia

We must caveat before we begin that Betina Cave Beach in Croatia is not a soft-sand beach like the others in this roundup (we know, shock! horror! ), but it does boast an extra attribute that others don’t have either: It’s a beach within a cave. Hidden within the rocks, this pebbly stretch of coast is unusually shaped and is lapped by crystal-clear waters. Because it cannot be reached by land, it is never crowded with bathers.

Laura Kiniry

Blane Bachelor

Stacey Lastoe

Where to stay: Inside a meticulously restored 16th-century stone building encircled by Dubrovnik’s characterful old town, St. Joseph’s is much-loved by discerning travelers who want to embrace romance, privacy, and authenticity during their stay. There is definite style here, though none of it pretentious, and each suite has its own kitchenette to offer freedom to all who stay.

Where to eat: With reimagined traditional Croatian dishes and classic cocktails, Lucin Kantun , with its open (uncannily homelike) kitchen, chic outdoor terrace, and tucked-away location in Dubrovnik old town, is a must-dine.

Sithonia Cape, Halkidiki, Greece

With sea lungs flanking either side of this open beach, the wild Sithonia Cape juts out of the southern end of Greece ’s Sithonia Peninsula and culminates in a gorse-covered islet. Removed from the resorts of Halkidiki is this stretch of shore, solace is to be found here in abundance.

Where to stay: There isn’t an abundance of accommodation close to the cape, though around 50 minutes drive away you’ll find Ekies All Senses Resort . Think: barefoot luxury, an all-natural method, and hammocks (perfect for sipping ouzo) stretched out on the bleached sands.

Where to eat: Panorama Kalamitsi, a short drive from Sithonia Cape, is authentic, well-loved by locals and rustic in an idyllic sense. There’s no website, but if you turn up, the welcoming staff can often slide in an extra table during peak hours.

Plage d’Hatainville, Normandy, France

France is a veritable smorgasbord of high-end beaches, from the glamorous shores of the Côte D’Azur to the seemingly unending sandy stretches of Brittany. It’s unlikely though, that many tourists will have Plage d’Hatainville, one of the largest and yet quietest beaches around the town of Barneville-Carteret, in their sights when traveling. An easy meander from the town, the beach is more suited to a wander-and-explore type of visit, rather than a stay-all-day style shore, which makes it all the more special.

Where to stay: Overlooking the fishing port, Hotel La Marine offers guests breakfast with a sea view, downtime on the terrace, and bright sunny rooms with relaxation in mind.

Where to eat: Located on the renowned Carteret beach, sheltered by Cap de Carteret, La Potinière offers direct access from the terrace to the sea and a buzzy feel late into the night.

Matsi Beach, Estonia

The 20th-century town of Pärnu along a crook of Estonia , along the Gulf of Riga, is famed for its health spas, and nothing is instantly more relaxing and reinvigorating than that whip of fresh sea air. Enter secluded Matsi Beach, flanked by sand dunes and a bewitching coastal pine forest. It’s calm, picturesque, and one of the only sandy beaches in the area.

Where to stay: Originally built as a rectory in 1696, this historic building in the center of Pärnu is now home to a sophisticated boutique hotel, Boutique Hotel Rosenplänter . The intriguing interiors here pay homage to the building’s past, as well as wider local history and tales of times past.

Where to eat: There are no bells and whistles at Steffani , an old-timey, relaxed daytime diner in the heart of Pärnu, but there is an eclectic menu and locals setting the world to rights.

Riserva Vendicari, Sicily

The seemingly boundless sands of Riserva Vendicari stretch out at the edge of a protected national park in Sicily , also home to a clutch of enchanting coves, rugged, undulating landscape, and—best of all—very few sunbathers.

Where to stay: Once a Sicilian farm, Casa Vendicari is now an authentic and stylish boutique hotel, mere steps from the shores of Vendicari Beach. In fact, it is the only hotel immersed in the reserve, surrounded by nature.

Where to eat: With tables scattered beneath olive trees, Agriturismo Il Baglietto also sits within the boundaries of the nature reserve, serving typical Sicilian fish dishes.

Cala Sardinera, Costa Blanca

When we think of Spain ’s Costa Blanca, a 200-kilometer stretch of coastline along the Mediterranean, we don’t think of alternative. However, Cala Sardinera isn’t your usual tourist trap. This wild beach with its coarse sand enjoys shelter beneath the Cap Prim headland and is reached via an enchanting hike through pine trees, clusters of rosemary, and other herbaceous plant life.

Where to stay: Casa Babel , in the small hillside town of Villalonga, at the foot of the Safor Mountains, is an 18th-century mansion with just eight rooms (each with four-poster beds).

Where to eat: Named after the owner’s grandma, Tula occupies a cosy space on the Playa del Arenal in Jávea. It serves honest, unpretentious dishes using seasonal ingredients in a fine-dining setting.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Two of the world’s top 10 beaches are in Europe – but they’re not in Spain or Greece

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Two of Europe’s beaches have been crowned among the 10 best in the world, but their destinations might be rather surprising.

British tourists usually flock to Spain and Portugal for their beaches, and for good reason.

Combined, the two countries have more than 1000 Blue Flag beaches, with the Algarve in southern Portugal home to one of the densest concentrations of Blue Flag shores in Europe. 

While beaches in Portugal, Spain, Greece , Montenegro, and even England made it into the top 100, it was two unexpected contenders that ranked within the top 10.

The beaches were ranked by a team of travel experts, influencers, bloggers and journalists, after being shortlisted by Beachatlas’ AI-powered algorithm. 

All the beaches on the list were chosen not just for their beauty – although that was very much a draw – but also their nightlife, lifestyle offerings, value to their local community, diversity and inclusion, cultural significance and natural diversity. 

Europe’s best beaches

Based on the criteria, two of Europe’s beaches made the cut — one in France and one in Iceland.

Both the beaches made into the top 10, which is impressive considering they beat beaches in Thailand, Australia and California’s iconic Venice Beach. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Europe’s two best beaches…

Reynisfjara, Iceland

Reynisfjara beach , in Iceland, claimed the sixth spot on the list, thanks to its ‘surreal’ which has captured the hearts of the culture, having been featured in Game of Thrones and Vikings.

‘Reynisfjara, with its iconic black sand, is a testament to Iceland’s volcanic heart,’ reads the listing. 

‘Formed by the clash of lava from the Katla volcano and the cold North Atlantic, its shores tell a story of natural forces.’

The world famous beach, on the South Coast of Iceland, is also one of the most dangerous due to its infamous sneaker waves.

The beach, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Reykjavik, is also the subject of folklore: The beach’s basalt columns, so the story goes, were once trolls trying to lure ships in the night, but the trolls went out too late and were turned to solid stone by the morning sun. 

• Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

Coming in at number 10 was Normandy’s famous Omaha Beach, a historic WWII landing site during the D-Day invasion by Allied forces.

Omaha beach was chosen for its rich history and peaceful shore.

‘Now peaceful, the beach still holds remnants of German bunkers, marking its storied past,” Beachatlas writes.

‘A striking stainless-steel sculpture, Les Braves, stands on the shore as a tribute to American soldiers, offering a deep dive into the events that unfolded on this significant stretch of coastline.’

The top 10 best beaches in the World:

• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
• Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA
• Copacabana, Rio de Janiero, Brazil
• Maya Bay, Thailand
• Reynisfjara black sand beach, Iceland
• Glass beach, California, USA
• JBR Beach, Dubai, UAE
• Skeleton Coast, Namibia

This comes after a European beach beat out the Maldives to be crowned the beach with the world’s bluest sea.

Europe dominates the list of beaches with the world’s bluest water, and one hidden gem in  Albania  has claimed the top spot.

Pasqyra Beach, around 13 minutes’ drive from the resort of Sarandë in the southwest, beat out the likes of Bondi Beach, Bora Bora and  even the Maldives  in securing the title.

It’s nicknamed ‘Mirror Beach’, thanks to its clear, turquoise water that visitors say has a ‘magical’ quality.

And the best part? You can get there for just £39 return.

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Meanwhile, nearby  Greece  occupied both second and third place, featuring seven times in the top 30, the most of any country.

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