Visiting the D-Day Seashores of Normandy was one thing we all the time needed to do, however by no means managed to place it on our journey itinerary. As soon as we lastly visited, we puzzled why it took so lengthy. June 6, 1945 modified the course of the struggle with greater than 100,000 Allied troops touchdown on Normandy’s seashores which led to the start of the tip of World Struggle II.
To see the historic seashores is one thing that everybody must do. It isn’t solely a historical past lesson, however additionally it is a reminder of how fragile democracy is and the way fortunate we’re right this moment that so many individuals fought for our freedom. Greater than 10,000 males died on that seaside, however within the months forward, the remaining troops pushed on and, because of their braveness and sacrifice, defeated the tyranny of the Nazi Forces.
The Greatest Normandy Itinerary – D-Day Seashores
We thought we knew so much about World Struggle II, however after spending per week visiting the seashores, monuments, and museums, we gained a brand new appreciation for this crucial second in historical past and located that the individuals of Normandy are nonetheless grateful to those that liberated their seashores and made it doable for them to rebuild, thrive and revel in this stunning a part of France right this moment.
We have now put collectively a singular D-Day itinerary that will help you not solely study D-day and the months that adopted resulting in the tip of the struggle but in addition take pleasure in the great thing about Normandy’s seashores, style its scrumptious delicacies, and have an opportunity to go to strategic areas and delightful locations. When you see all there may be to do in Normandy, you’ll wish to put it on the high of your France journey itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and Bayeux
Our journey to Normandy started in Paris, the place we had been picked up and pushed to Pont-l’Évêque (a couple of 3-hour drive) for lunch. One of the simplest ways to get round Normandy is to lease a automotive, so we recommend reserving a automotive rental from the airport to have the ability to take pleasure in your Normandy itinerary at your personal tempo.
Lunch La Dégusterie
After an extended flight and three-hour drive, La Dégusterie on Rue Saint Michel was the proper ambiance to take pleasure in a scrumptious array of Normandy cheeses and wines. The proprietor, David, greeted us with an enormous smile and a heat welcome, similar to everybody we met in Normandy. We liked tasting our method by means of the area’s specialties as we paired them with totally different ciders and Calvados.
The place to Keep
After a fast one-hour drive, we arrived in Bayeux and checked into our resort, Lodge de Brunville & Spa. This 3-star resort is positioned within the very heart of historic Bayeux and affords snug trendy rooms with a swimming pool and sizzling tub. It was somewhat slice of serenity and paradise in the midst of a bustling city.
Afternoon: The Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Bayeux is a superb place for a stroll alongside its cobblestone streets, that are crammed with loads of historical past. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum, positioned within the previous seminary, is by far the highest draw. This UNESCO-rated museum tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by means of detailed embroidery spanning 70 meters lengthy (229 toes). This tapestry is almost 1000 years previous, and it’s an interesting piece of historical past.
The museum will endure an enormous transformation in 2025, so be sure that to go to quickly earlier than the priceless tapestry is put into storage for safekeeping. It’s going to shut on September 1, 2025, and is scheduled to reopen to the general public in October 2027.
Bayeux Cathedral
After visiting the museum, the Bayeux Cathedral is only a brief stroll away. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux positively resembles the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris. This Nationwide Monument dates again to 924 when the Viking Rollo turned the primary Duke of Normandy. Should you watched the Historical past Channel’s Vikings, you’ll know what I’m speaking about.
Courting again to the Gallo-Roman interval, the cathedral’s Gothic structure is value visiting to see its beautiful stained glass home windows and the unique crypt.
Dinner: L’Alcove
We ended our first night time in Bayeux with a scrumptious dinner at L’Alcôve, an area restaurant serving fantastic Norman delicacies. We feasted on recent seafood and apple-infused dishes (Normandy is legendary for its apples), and it was the proper introduction to the area’s specialties.
Day 2: Sainte-Mère-Église and Omaha Seashore
Our second day in Normandy started with a drive to Sainte-Mère-Église, one other city well-known in D-Day historical past. Sainte-Mère-Église was the primary city in France to be liberated, and it’s a poignant tribute to the Allied troopers who fought and died for our freedom.
Morning: Church of Sainte-Mère-Église
The very first thing you’ll discover is a paratrooper hanging off the roof of the church. US Paratrooper John Steele was hung up on the bell tower and was trapped there earlier than being reduce down by German troopers and brought prisoner. This scene is performed out in The Longest Day, starring John Wayne, and is entrance and heart when arriving on the sq..
Airborne Museum
Straight throughout the road is the Airborne Museum. This museum homes a group of 5 pavilions that inform the story of the U.S. 82nd and a hundred and first Airborne Divisions touchdown on D-Day. Paratroopers dropped into Normandy the night time earlier than D-Day to safe the cities and block German approaches in the direction of the touchdown seashores.
The primary constructing to open was parachute-shaped constructing in 1964 and right this moment it homes an exhibit depicting the German occupation of Normandy. Since then the Airborne Museum has grown immensely with 4 extra buildings added. The C-47 Constructing is a big exhibit that has paratroopers hanging from the rafters round an unique C-47 plane.
Probably the most highly effective displays within the Operation Neptune pavilion exhibits paratroopers getting ready to leap on the night time of June 5, 1944. You may really feel the vibration and sounds of the aircraft as you stroll by means of the hull of the airplane, the place paratroopers put together to leap.
One other spotlight is the total measurement glider on show. The night time earlier than D-Day, in addition to paratroopers, Gliders carrying infantry landed behind enemy strains to safe bridges and cities and help troops throughout their amphibious landings on the beahes. They had been meant to be flown solely as soon as and most had been destroyed, so it was fairly the coup when this glider was found and preserved to be displayed.
Lunch Le Biscuit de Sainte-Mère-Église
After visiting the museums, we strolled by means of city to peruse the historic indicators earlier than having fun with an area beer at Brasserie de Sainte Mere Eglise, which is simply on the outskirts of city.
A well-liked lunch spot is Biscuit de Sainte-Mère-Église, a comfortable restaurant serving traditional Norman fare the place you’ll be able to choose up some souvenirs on the present store.
Afternoon: Jeep Tour to Omaha Seashore
After lunch, we boarded an genuine WWII jeep and drove to Pointe du Hoc, the American Cemetary, and Omaha Seashore. Our guides Florent and Dylan had been improbable younger males who had been well-informed, keen about sharing the realm’s historical past, and made the day a whole lot of enjoyable. They had been educated and keen about historical past, and we realized a lot from them.
Flo determined to begin this firm after touring round the USA for 3 years interviewing WWII veterans. He and his associate Jenny have made it his mission to protect their tales. Dylan joined the group they usually all have a ardour for World Struggle II and are decided to ensure veterans tales will not be forgotten. Learn their tales right here.
Pointe du Hoc
I didn’t even find out about Pointe du Hoc earlier than going there, however this was a sheer 30 meter (100 foot) excessive cliff that was scaled by U.S. Military Rangers to grab and safe German artillery that may have fired on the American touchdown troops at Omaha and Utah seashores. The rangers fought for 2 days dealing with a major quantity of casulaties. Out of 225 troopers solely 90 remained.
Excursions take you to the German batteries, out to the cliffs, and alongside the waterfront. It has barely modified since WWII, and you’ll nonetheless see the large caverns left within the land from artillery.
American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer
Our jeep tour took us on to the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. The white crosses and stars marking the fallen are a poignant tribute to the fallen. The cemetery overlooks Omaha Seashore, the place greater than 4,000 lives had been misplaced on D-Day. Guests can stroll by means of the almost 10,000 graves of the fallen.
Omaha Seashore
After a solemn expertise paying tribute to the sacrifice of so many younger males, it was time for somewhat levity, so we hopped again into our jeeps to tour the Normandy countryside. We drove by means of backroads and trails slicing by means of forests and fields and will nearly think about the presence of the troopers who pushed on by means of these lands.
The tour ended with a view of WN60 Nests of Resistance excessive above Omaha Seashore, and when seeing the battlements, one can solely surprise how anybody survived.
We then drove to the seaside itself to stroll on the sand. I might solely think about the lengthy journey the troopers needed to face whereas avoiding hearth from above. The steep bluffs are a haunting reminder of the challenges dealing with U.S. troopers on D-Day. Our jeep tour ended right here, and we had time to stroll the seaside and take within the views.
Dinner – Le Petit Jardin
We had a scrumptious dinner at Le Petit Jardin, a restaurant well-known for its recent, native elements. It’s positioned in a captivating backyard on the outskirts of Bayeux.
Day 3: Biking Via Historical past
Morning: e-Bike Tour
After breakfast at our resort, we began day 3 with an electrical bike tour from Bayeux. We met the information and proprietor, Hugo, to choose up our bikes and helmets earlier than setting off by means of the picturesque Norman countryside to the German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer.
Longues-sur-Mer
Longues-sur-Mer is a coastal protection website and one of many best-preserved battlements of the Atlantic Wall. It was constructed by the Germans within the Forties when weapons had been erected alongside the Atlantic Coast from France to Scandinavia to defend the coast from Allied forces. These battlements housed castmates geared up with weapons that might hearth as much as 20km.
Arromanches-les-Bains
We the cycled to Arromanches-les-Bains to see the remnants of Mulberry Harbor and synthetic harbour that was created by the English. It consisted of floating piers, pontoons and even roads to unload provides and reinforcements after D-Day. Right this moment you’ll be able to see stays of the metal and concrete harbour. At low tide you’ll be able to even stroll out to them.
D-Day Museum at Arromanches
The D-Day Museum at Arromanches is a should for studying about how this feat of engineering was completed. This is among the latest museums in Normandy, and it’s devoted to the British landings in Normandy. Positioned straight on Gold Seashore, it has a number of multimedia displays showcasing the planning and execution of D-Day, how Mulberry Harbour was constructed, and what occurred after the battle.
Lunch – Fish & Co by Pappagall
We had a calming lunch close by at Fish & Co by Pappagall. This fish and chips restaurant takes you straight to jolly previous England, full with mushy peas. It’s an informal seafood restaurant with images of visiting veterans on the partitions.
Afternoon
Within the afternoon, we visited the brand new British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. Opened in 2021, this memorial honors the over 22,000 British troopers who died in the course of the Normandy marketing campaign. The memorial is minimalist and delightful, located on a bluff overlooking the coast and the realm the place British troopers fought and died. The names of the fallen are etched in stone, and it’s a poignant tribute to their reminiscence.
Night – Lodge de la Marine
We checked into our resort, Lodge de la Marine, a seafront property in Arromanches-les-Bains. It’s a beautiful resort with snug rooms and a restaurant on the seaside.
Day 4: Canadian D-Day Displays and Pegasus Bridge
Day 4 is all about Canada’s position on D-Day, and this was the day we had been most wanting ahead to.
Morning: Juno Seashore Centre
We began the day by visiting the Juno Seashore Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. This distinctive museum tells the story of Canada’s army and civilian contributions. With interactive shows and literature, the museum takes you on a journey by means of the Canadian D-Day efforts.
Probably the most shifting tribute is the 12-minute movie They Walked With You. It’s an emotional movie that makes use of precise D-Day footage and first-hand accounts from survivors to color a vivid image of what it was wish to face the D-Day landings. It was really a shifting expertise.
When visiting the Juno Centre, younger Canadian volunteers lead guided excursions of the bunkers. It’s surreal strolling on the seaside, wanting on the sandy bluffs and bunkers, and attempting to think about what it might have been like on that day.
Lunch
We had a scrumptious lunch close by at La Pêcherie, an area restaurant well-known for its seafood and Norman specialties. The restaurant is positioned in a fisherman’s cottage downtown, and the decor is superb.
Afternoon – Pegasus Memorial
Within the afternoon, we visited the Pegasus Memorial, a museum honoring the British sixth Airborne Division. The museum tells the story of the gliders touchdown at night time to seize Pegasus Bridge, a key goal that secured the japanese flank of the invasion. In the event that they weren’t profitable of their mission, all might have been misplaced. The skillful gliders landed inside meters of the bridge, and the Allies secured the bridge.
The museum is a mix of interactive shows, a reproduction glider and the unique bridge. It isn’t to be missed when visiting Normandy.
Night Caen
We spent the night strolling by means of the attractive metropolis of Caen. Positioned on the River Orne, Caen was thriving in the course of the reign of William the Conqueror. The Caen Citadel (Château de Caen) was the prime residence of the primary Norman King. The fort and its partitions are very spectacular and value visiting. The Vaugueux district is a medieval village consisting of cobblestone streets and timber-wood homes, and that is the place we had dinner.
Dinner El Olivo
El Olivo is a Mediterranean restaurant with a improbable menu and bustling vibe.
In a single day – The Folks Hostel in Caen
A really cool place to remain was the Folks Hostel positioned in Downtown Caen. This hostel is strolling distance to the Caen Wall and fort, the waterfront marina and plenty of eating places. Many college students and faculty teams keep at this hostel giving it a really cool vibe and it is vitally safe since many teams ebook out complete flooring.
Day 5: Caen Memorial and Return to Paris
Our closing day in Normandy began with a go to to the Caen Memorial, the most important museum in France devoted to Twentieth-century historical past. The museum is big and tells the story of the lead-up to WWII, D-Day, and the post-war period, together with the Chilly Struggle.
This was our favourite museum in Normandy, and I’ll admit, I assumed I used to be “museumed out,” however the Caen Memorial was one of the best ways to finish our time in Normandy. Caen was almost destroyed in World Struggle II after D-Day. Our passionate information stored us intrigued all through our journey by means of time.
This interactive museum has multimedia shows, interactive shows, emotional imagery, and loads of artifacts. It tells the story of the individuals of Normand,y who are sometimes missed when learning the D-Day landings. 20,000 Normans died after June 6, 1944, and town of Caen was closely bombed and shelled and was underneath siege for an additional month earlier than being liberated.
The museum is damaged up into totally different sections together with German normal Wilhelm Richter’s bunker which is positioned underneath the museum. Company can stroll by means of the 70 meter (240 foot) lengthy tunnel.
Recommended Itineraries
1-Day Itinerary: Highlights Tour
Should you solely have in the future, be sure that to get an early begin. Go to Omaha Seashore and the Normandy American Cemetery. It’s a shifting tribute and an important place to begin your day. From there, head to Pointe du Hoc, a dramatic piece of shoreline with steep bluffs and bunkers. Finish your day in Arromanches-les-Bains and go to the D-Day Museum, which is related to Gold Seashore.
2-Day Itinerary: D-Day Focus
- Day 1: Head to Sainte-Mère-Église, the place paratroopers first landed and go to the Paratroopers Museum, after which Pointe du Hoc adopted by a go to to the American Cemetery and Omaha Seashore.
- Day Start your day on the Juno Seashore Centre to see the museum and tour the bunkers. Then make your technique to Arromanches des Bains and go to the D-Day Museum of Arromanches, adopted by the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
3-Day Itinerary: Full D-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Utah Seashore, Sainte-Mère-Église, the Paratrooper Museum, and Bayeux, together with the Bayeux tapestry and Notre Dame Cathedral. Discover this historic city within the night.
- Day 2: Omaha Seashore, Pointe du Hoc and the American Cemetery after which Arromanches des Bain, Gold Seashore together with the D-Day Museum of Arromanches and the British Normandy Memorial at Gold Seashore.
- Day 3: Juno Seashore, Sword Seashore, and Pegasus Bridge.
Sensible Suggestions for Visiting
- Greatest Time to Go to: We predict Normandy is greatest explored in late spring and early fall. Visiting in early October was good weather-wise, and there have been fewer crowds.
- What to Pack: Layers are a should, it’s France and the climate is all the time unpredictable. Normandy can see many seasons in in the future. It’s windy, it may be wet and funky. Snug sneakers are a should, we did a whole lot of strolling.
- Guided Excursions or Impartial Journey: We opted for a guided tour for its comfort and to make sure we noticed every little thing. Should you decide to journey independently, you’ll wish to plan your time very rigorously and permit sufficient time for every location.
- If you’re not taking a guided tour, one of the best ways to get round Normandy is by automotive. You may evaluate automotive leases right here.
Visiting the D-Day Seashores in Normandy is not only a visit; it’s an expertise. Every location has its personal distinctive story, a testomony to the bravery of troopers on each side. It’s a shifting expertise and one which we gained’t quickly overlook. Plan your journey thoughtfully, and be ready to be moved by the wonder and bravado of Normandy.
