Normandy D-Day Trail
On 6 June 1944, the largest seaborne invasion in history landed on five Normandy beaches. Operation Overlord — involving over 156,000 Allied troops, 5,000 ships, and 11,000 aircraft — began the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The beaches, memorials, cemeteries, and museums along this 80 km stretch of coast form one of the most moving historical landscapes in the world.
Essential Information
- Bayeux is the ideal base — 15 minutes from the beaches, with the extraordinary Bayeux Tapestry, a beautiful cathedral, and many hotels and restaurants
- Guided tours: Highly recommended — expert guides bring the landscape to life in ways self-guided visits cannot
- Allow time: This is not a place to rush. Two days minimum; more if you include inland sites (Caen Memorial, La Cambe German Cemetery)
- June 6: The annual anniversary — ceremonies at all major sites. Deeply moving but extremely busy; book accommodation months ahead.
- Respect: These are sacred sites. Maintain appropriate reverence, especially at cemeteries and Pointe du Hoc.