Updated on 10 January 2024
Reading time: 5 minutes
Embark on a car-free adventure like no other to explore Second World War history in Normandy! Travel by train on a convenient, smooth and direct journey to the lively cities of Caen, Bayeux, or Carentan, situated alongside the famous D-Day Landing Beaches. Major museums and historical sites from D-Day and the Battle of Normandy are easily accessible from these hubs using only buses, bicycles and your own two feet! Curious about the details of such a trip? Comprehensive insights await in this article!
from Caen to the D-Day Landing Sites
Caen, the City of William the Conqueror, is a vibrant town teeming with medieval gems, such as its castle and two abbeys (Abbaye aux Hommes and Abbaye aux Dames). Caen is also home to the Caen Memorial, a captivating museum and exhibition centre dedicated to the history of the 20th century, with a focus on World War II, the D-Day landings, the Cold War, and the pursuit of peace. Conveniently accessible by bus from the city centre, the Caen Memorial is the ideal place to begin a profound historical immersion in Normandy. It offers a superb introduction to any exploration of the D-Day Beaches.
From Caen, visitors can easily travel to the iconic Sword and Juno Beaches. A bus connects Caen to Ouistreham, crossing Pegasus Bridge, named after the emblem of the British airborne forces, the winged horse Pegasus. At this very site now stands the Pegasus Memorial Museum, which recounts the history of the first British soldiers who landed in Normandy with the mission of securing this bridge over the Caen Canal in Bénouville. A great spot to understand the chronological progression of the Allies on D-Day!
Another easy destination to reach from Caen using the regional NOMAD bus service is the Juno Beach Centre located in Courseulles-sur-Mer. It is dedicated to commemorating the contributions and sacrifices made by Canada and Canadians during World War II, particularly focusing on the events of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
The centre features five permanent exhibition halls that cover various aspects of Canada’s involvement in the war, as well as an immersive film that provides a detailed account of the Canadians’ role on D-Day. Furthermore, Juno Beach Centre actively implements substantial eco-friendly initiatives, such as offering a low-carbon fare with reduced rates for visitors arriving by public transport or bicycle. For families visiting, seize the chance to participate in the Normandy Landing Experience, where children can immerse into the vivid history of D-Day with a truly unique guide!
On the other side of the River Orne, easily reachable by the NOMAD bus from Caen, is the Merville Battery Museum, housed inside the original concrete casemates of a gun battery part of the German Atlantic Wall. Images, scents and a powerful sound and light show in bunkers recreate the events and the harrowing reality of the bombardments on the night of the 5th/6th of June 1944, an unparalleled and unique experience!
For cycling enthusiasts, exploring the D-day Beaches by bike is a fantastic adventure. The Vélofrancette cycle route runs from Caen to Ouistreham, providing a safe and scenic way to the coast. The Velomaritime cycle route( EUROVELO 4) winds its way past all five iconic D-Day Landing Beaches (Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach). Centrally located, Caen makes a strategic hub for reaching both the D-Day Landing Beaches and inland World War II sites nestled within the rural landscapes of Normandy. The Falaise Memorial is another museum easily reached from Caen with the NOMAD bus. This fascinating museum showcases the daily life of civilian populations during the Second World War, featuring meticulously recreated settings, authentic period artifacts, powerful archival films, and photographs!
« Insider Tip »
The Citypass Caen la Mer offers unlimited access to a variety of partner sites, attractions and museums in the Caen metropolitan area, including iconic locations such as the Caen Memorial, Merville Battery Museum, Pegasus Memorial Museum, and many more! Additionally, it provides unlimited travel on the Caen transport networks connecting to all these sites (Twisto network).
HOW TO GET TO THE Caen MEMORIAL
Esp. Général Eisenhower
14050 Caen – Normandy
Topic: 20th-century history, the D-Day Landings and the Cold War.
– Estimated Visit Duration: 4 hours.
– Bus n°2 from Caen city centre to the Memorial. Every 15 minutes. 7 days a week (less frequent on Sundays).
– Busn°6A from Caen train station to the Memorial. Every 20-25 minutes. 7 days a week (less frequent on Saturdays and Sundays).
Transportation and museum admission included in the Citypass Caen la Mer.
– Where to purchase transport tickets? On board the bus, at the bus stop, or via the applicationAtoumod m-ticket (Twisto Transport Network).
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HOW TO GET TO THE Pegasus MEMORIAL MUSEUM
1 avenue du Major Howard
14860 Ranville – Normandy
Topic: British Paratroopers’ Landing during the early hours of D-Day
– Estimated Visit Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
– Take the Bus n°12 from Caen city centre to Lion-sur-Mer. There are 6 buses for the outbound journey / 3 buses for the return. Be sure to check the return bus schedule beforehand to secure your return accordingly.
Transportation and museum admission included in the Citypass Caen la Mer.
– Where to purchase transport tickets? On board the bus, at the bus stop, or via the Atoumod m-ticket application (Twisto transport network).
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For cycling enthusiasts, the Pegasus Memorial Museum is easily accessible by bike. Follow the greenway connecting Caen to Ouistreham, the bike ride takes approximately 1 hour.
HOW TO GET TO THE Merville Battery Museum
Place du 9ème Bataillon
14810 Merville-Franceville-Plage – Normandy
Topic: the history of the Merville Gun Battery assaulted by the British airborne forces during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.
– Estimated Visit Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°111 from Caen train station in the direction of Deauville/Le Havre (Stop at Merville-Franceville – Former train station), then walk 1.6 km (approximately 20 minutes).
6 to 8 round trips from Monday to Saturday and 4 to 6 round trips on Sundays. Museum entrance included in the Citypass Caen la Mer. However, regional NOMAD bus transport is not included in the Citypass.
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus, at the Caen bus station, or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (réseau de transport NOMAD Calvados)
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HOW TO GET TO THe Juno Beach Centre
Voie des Français Libres
14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer – Normandy
Topic: The Canadian contribution to the Allied victory during World War II, particularly the role played by Canadian forces during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy
– Estimated Visit Duration: 2 hours
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°101 from the train station and city center of Caen to Courseulles-sur-Mer (Stop: Courseulles-sur-Mer – Port or Champ des Oiseaux + 700 meters walk (approximately 10 minutes)).
8 round trips from Monday to Saturday and 4 round trips on Sunday.
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus, at the Caen bus station, or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (transport network NOMAD Calvados)
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How to get to the Falaise Memorial – Civilians at war
12 place Guillaume le Conquérant
14700 Falaise – Normandy
Topic: The impact of the war on civilians, their daily lives, challenges, and resilience in the face of wartime conditions
– Estimated Visit Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°118 from Caen train station to Falaise (Stop: Falaise – Boulevard de la Libération) + 400 meters walk (approximately 5 minutes).
2 round trips per day from Monday to Saturday and 1 round trip on Sunday.
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus, at the Caen bus station, or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (transport network NOMAD Calvados).
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While you’re in Falaise, why not explore the Castle of William the Conqueror? The birthplace of William the Conqueror in the 11th century is an iconic landmark in the rich medieval history of the region.
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To facilitate your public transportation in Normandy and plan your route, you can use the regional route calculator Atoumod, which gathers all Normandy transport networks (available in French): https://atoumod.fr/
From Bayeux to the D-Day Landing Sites
Bayeux, the first French city liberated after the D-Day landings offers a prime starting point for exploring the D-Day Beaches, notably the renowned Omaha Beach.
From Bayeux, Omaha Beach is easily accessible by bike, following a greenway route towards Port-en-Bessin. This cycling path connects to the Velomaritime route, which runs along the five D-Day Landing Beaches. Alternatively, a NOMAD bus from Bayeux drops visitors at the Overlord Museum – Omaha Beach to explore the impressive collection of vintage vehicles and artifacts related to the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. The museum’s immersive design provides a detailed portrayal of the events leading up to D-Day and the subsequent liberation of Paris in 1944.
Just a short distance away, the American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer gathers the graves of 9,387 American soldiers who fell during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. The Visitor Center provides historical context to Operation Overlord and pays homage to the soldiers who perished in combat.
How TO GET TO THE Overlord Museum
Omaha Center
14710 Colleville-sur-Mer – Normandy
Topic: an extensive collection of vintage vehicles, artifacts, and immersive displays that vividly depict the events leading up to D-Day
– Estimated Visit Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°120 from Bayeux train station to Grandcamp-Maisy (Stop at Colleville-sur-Mer – Overlord Museum). Only one round trip per day available from Monday to Saturday, exclusively from April 20 to November 5.
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (transport network NOMAD Calvados).
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HOW TO GET TO THE American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer
Route du Cimetière Américain
14710 Colleville-sur-Mer – Normandy
Topic: Commemorating the soldiers who lost their lives during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
– Estimated Visit Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°120 from Bayeux train station to Grandcamp-Maisy (Stop: Colleville-sur-Mer – American Cemetery). Only one round trip per day from Monday to Saturday, exclusively from April 20 to November 5.
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (transport network NOMAD Calvados).
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From Carentan to the D-Day Landing Sites
Further to the west, the town of Carentan is the gateway to the Utah Beach area and inland, particularly around the town of Sainte-Mère-Église where significant events unfolded during the D-Day landings. Famous for the story of John Steele, an American paratrooper whose parachute got caught on the church steeple during the airborne assault, the town is home to theAirborne Museum. The museum’s exhibits, including scenes of hyper-realistic reenactments and a C-47 aircraft, recount the story of the paratroopers involved in the D-Day operations to liberate Normandy and Europe.
Why not seize the chance to embark on a unique and exclusive experience, delving into the hidden treasures of the reserves of the Airborne Museum?
HOW TO GET TO THE Airborne Museum
14 Rue Eisenhower
50480 Sainte-Mère-Église – Normandy
Topic: The US paratroopers during the D-Day landings
– Estimated Visit Duration: 2 hours.
– Take the bus Car NOMAD n°301 from Carentan station to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Stop: Sainte-Mère-Eglise – Covered Market) + 150 meters walk, approximately 2 minutes. 2 round trips per day from Monday to Saturday (no service on Sunday).
Where to purchase transport tickets? Onboard the bus or through the application Atoumod m-ticket (transport network NOMAD Manche).
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