Touring the D-Day Landing Beaches in 4 days

Updated on 28 Feb 2025

Reading time: 5 min.

From Pegasus Bridge to the artificial port of Arromanches, from the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer to the Pointe du Hoc, via Sainte-Mère-Église, this 4-day tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches takes you to the main sites of remembrance and must-see museums. And don’t forget to stop off for a bite to eat or a relaxing break.

When you visit Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches, you get a real sense of what happened here in the summer of 1944. A turning point in the history of the world. It means following in the footsteps of those who contributed to the liberation, even if it meant losing their lives. Finally, it means passing on the values of peace to our children and learning from the mistakes of the past to better understand the present.

Day 1

Caen and Sword Beach

Kieffer Monument in Ouistreham Kieffer Monument in Ouistreham, © M-A. Thierry

The best way to immerse yourself in WW2 history is to start your tour with a visit to the Caen Memorial. Located just a few kilometres from the D-Day Landing Beaches, the museum offers a factual look at the origins of the Second World War and the Cold War that followed. Highlights of the visit include the ‘Europe, Our History’ film (19 mins), projected simultaneously on 11 screens in 360°, the ‘D-Day and the Battle of Normandy’ film (19 mins too) and General Richter’s underground bunker. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the visit.

Guided tours of the D-Day Landing Beaches are also available from the station or the memorial.

You can also make your own way or use public transport to reach the closest landing beach to Caen: Sword Beach. Don’t miss Pegasus Bridge and the Merville Battery.

Make the most of your day in Caen

Take a stroll in the Parc de la Colline aux oiseaux, just a few minutes from the Caen Memorial.
Visit the centre of Caen, its castle built by William the Conqueror and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which, like the Musée de Normandie, is housed within its walls.
Visit one of Caen’s many bookshops
Sunset at Ouistreham beach (Sword Beach)
Stay overnight in Caen and dine in the city centre (in the picturesque Vaugueux district) or on the Côte de Nacre (between Ouistreham and Courseulles-sur-Mer).

Day 2

Juno and Gold Beach

The first day at the Memorial was a great start. So here we are, at the heart of things. When you arrive near the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, you are irresistibly drawn to the sea. As far as the eye can see, there are miles of fine sand. It’s hard to imagine that these long, peaceful stretches were once a battlefield… The museum, which is dedicated to the Canadian Allied Forces, has a permanent exhibition and a temporary exhibition for all audiences, but is particularly well designed for young visitors. Don’t miss the Juno Normandy Experience for the whole family.

In the Gold Beach sector, we recommend a stop at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. The immaculate white building is a fitting tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives. The view of the Arromanches caissons in the distance and the Ver-sur-Mer/Meuvaines marshes opposite, with the sea so close, adds to the beauty of the place.

The day continues with a visit to Arromanches and its artificial harbour. A visit to the new D-Day Museum, with its new and very successful scenography, is a must. The largest amphibious operation of all time is explained through videos and models. Even the panoramic windows overlooking the Phoenix caissons have been brought to life by technology to bring this turning point in world history to life. We also invite you to open the door of the 360° circular cinema on the clifftops.

Arromanches and the remains of Mulberry Harbour Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, © AdobeStock – mountaintreks

Make the most of your day

Walk on the sand at Arromanches, preferably at low tide, to get as close as possible to the Phoenix caissons.
Try sand-yachting at the Centre de loisirs nautiques in Asnelles.
A must for food lovers: the Sablés d’Asnelles biscuit factory
Wander the cobbled streets of Bayeux, with its pretty shops and magnificent cathedral
Stay overnight in Arromanches, Bayeux or Port-en-Bessin (special mention for its seafood restaurants).

Normandy Experience

D-Day for Kids at Juno Beach

Courseulles-sur-Mer

Normandy Experience

Sea Kayaking amid iconic D-Day landmarks

Arromanches-les-Bains

Normandy Experience

Family Day at Juno in the footsteps of Canadian Soldiers

Courseulles-sur-Mer

Day 3

Omaha Beach

Make a detour to the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer, one of the major works of the Atlantic Wall. Then on to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. After a visit to the visitor centre, the sight of the thousands of crosses (9,387 exactly) lined up in a row is an emotional experience. The highlight of the visit is the lowering of the flag ceremony, which takes place every day at 4 or 5 pm, depending on the season. To the sound of a bugle, the American flag is lowered and then dutifully folded. Visitors observe a minute’s silence to honour the soldiers who died for France.

American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach) American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, © Marie-Anaïs Thierry

Take a break on the large sandy beach at Omaha or head to Pointe du Hoc. This is another emblematic site of the D-Day Landing Beaches. The site bears the scars of war, with all the craters created by the bombs. You should also visit the German cemetery at La Cambe. Another option is to visit the Overlord Museum.

A visit to the Ferme de la Sapinière for a cider tasting will be a fitting end to a day of learning and emotion.

Make the most of your day

Discover the Voie verte de la Liberté
Spend the night in Port-en-Bessin, Carentan or Isigny-sur-Mer

Day 4

Sainte-Mère-Eglise and Utah Beach

We are now in the département of La Manche. The Airborne Museum is a must. Climb aboard a Waco glider, faithfully recreated, or a C47 for an immersive experience. Step into the shoes of soldiers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Thanks to technology, you’ll have the sensation of jumping out of a C-47 in mid-air and landing in the heart of the village of Sainte-Mère-Église.

If you have time, you can also visit one of these museums: D-Day Experience in Carentan-les-Marais, the Normandy Victory Museum in Carentan-les-Marais or the Utah Beach Museum in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. End the day with a visit to Utah Beach itself. In the distance you can see the island of Saint Marcouf, the first area to be liberated on 6 June 1944.