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Normandy, France

Stay in Normandy: visiting the D-Day beaches in 3 days

17 January 2025

Are you planning a trip to Normandy and visiting the D-Day beaches? Do you want to prepare your trip as best as possible and not miss any must-sees? Then this guide is for you!

In this article, we offer you a selection of the most iconic locations, activities not to be missed, and practical tips for organizing your trip. From sandy beaches to museums, and including German fortifications, discover how to experience a rich emotional journey in the footsteps of the World War II landing.

What to do in Normandy? Our itinerary and must-sees for visiting the historical D-Day sites.

On June 6, 1944, the world held its breath. Thousands of Allied soldiers landed on the Normandy coast, marking a decisive turning point in World War II. Today, life has resumed its course, towns and villages have been rebuilt, leaving only the vestiges of this operation.

These four days in Normandy allowed us to learn more about D-Day. It is for us the ideal itinerary to discover the iconic places of the Normandy landings.

Day 1 - From Sainte-Mère-Église to Omaha Beach.

Visit of Sainte-Mère-Église and the Airborne Museum

For this first day in Normandy, we depart from our hotel in Caen, directly to Sainte-Mère-Église. This first stop revisits theOperation Overlord which took place during the night of June 5th to 6th, 1944. Nearly 13,000 Allied paratroopers were dropped that night. One of them, John Steele, became famous for getting stuck, with his parachute, for several hours on the steeple of the Sainte-Mère-Église church.

Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy drone view
Parachutist on the steeple in Saintes-Mères-Église

A visit to theAirborne Museum immerses you in the history of the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions, who played a crucial role in the early stages of the D-Day landings. You can also see full-size gliders and many military artifacts. We were moved by the poignant testimonies and archival films.

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🕒 Visit Duration: Allow at least 2 hours of your day for a complete exploration of the museum and its various pavilions.

💶 Price: 11.5€ per adult (17 years and older)

Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mère-Église Exterior
Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy
American flag at the Airborne Museum in Normandy
Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy

Jeep tour on the beaches of the D-Day landings, from Pointe du Hoc to Omaha Beach.

We meet Flo and Dylan from WW2 Veteran's Memories at Pointe du Hoc this afternoon. This iconic Normandy landing site was strategically important because it overlooks the beaches of Utah and Omaha. On D-Day, American rangers of the 2nd elite battalion landed here to climb this 30-meter cliff to neutralize the Germans in a merciless battle.

After this visit, we board their Willys Jeeps for the rest of the tour. We drive down Omaha Beach and pass the imposing Monument 'Les Braves' before reaching the American Cemetery.

Reserve my Jeep Willys tour
Point du Hoc in Normandy, France
Point du Hoc
American Cemetery Memorial in Normandy
American Cemetery Memorial

After this visit, we climb aboard their Jeeps Willys for the rest of the tour. We descend along Omaha Beach and pass in front of the imposing monument 'The Brave' before joining the American Cemetery.

It's under the gentle light of late afternoon, we tread the immaculate lawn where nearly 10,000 American soldiers rest. Did you know that there was a difference between the graves of Christian and Jewish soldiers? Indeed, the graves of Jewish soldiers are marked by a marble stele, but instead of a cross, one finds a Star of David.

Jewish tomb at the Normandy American Cemetery
Jewish Tomb
American Cemetery Memorial in Normandy
Memorial
Statue "Soul of American Youth" at the American Cemetery in Normandy
Statue "Soul of American Youth"
Tomb of Theodore Roosevelt in Normandy

We end the tour by arriving at a magnificent viewpoint over Omaha Beach: the WN 60 point. It's a must-see spot to watch the sunset over one of the longest beaches in Normandy.

This site is familiar to us, as it was the first stop we made during our road trip in the Channel region.

Book my Jeep Willys tour
Jeep Willys tour in Normandy drone view
Jeep Willys tour in Normandy
Jeep Willys tour in Normandy
Point WN 60, panoramic view of Omaha Beach in Normandy
Panorama of Omaha Beach

About WW2 Veteran's Memories

Beyond the guided tours of the key points of the Normandy landings, Flo documents the stories of the veterans, based on interviews, to perpetuate them for future generations.

More information on https://ww2veteransmemories.org/

Dinner at the restaurant 'Le petit Jardin' in Port-en-Bessin

To end this day with more poetry, we dine at the Le petit Jardin restaurant, awarded a Gault&Millau prize. We fell in love with the friendly atmosphere, a glasshouse in the heart of nature, which is actually the former orangery of the Château de la Chenevière. On the menu, bistro-style dishes made with local (some from their permaculture vegetable garden) and seasonal products.

Château of La Chenevière in Normandy
Château of the Hazel
The Little Garden, Bistronomic Restaurant in Normandy
The Little Garden, Bistronomic Restaurant in Normandy
The Little Garden, Bistronomic Restaurant in Normandy
The Little Garden, Bistronomic Restaurant in Normandy

Practical information

📍 Address: Château la Chenevière - Commes, 14520 Port-en-Bessin

👉 Info and booking: www.restaurantlepetitjardin.com

Day 2 - Discovery of Arromanches and the British Memorial

Electric bike ride from Bayeux to Arromanches

We begin this second day on the Normandy landings trail with a guided electric bike tour with Petite Reine Normandie. Departing from Bayeux, we cycle the 20 km to Arromanches, passing through the Norman countryside, the Bayeux British Cemetery and the German Batteries of Longues-sur-mer.

An outdoor activity where we combined sports (well, with electric assistance, we're well-aided) and historical stories. Thanks again to Hugo who enthusiastically shared the history of his native region.

Electric bike guided tour in Normandy
German Battery
Electric bike guided tour in Normandy
Guided electric bike tour in Normandy
English Cemetery
Guided electric bike tour in Normandy

🚲 Practical information | Guided electric bike tour in Normandy

Several private tours (Landing Beaches, Mont Saint-Michel, Bayeux) are available on their website.

Info and reservations: www.petitereinenormandie.fr

Museum of the landing at Arromanches

Renovated for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Landing Museum is the one we preferred of our stay. The information presented is clear, concise and accompanied by 3D models or archive films. It allows for an easy understanding of the construction of the artificial port and the key events of the Normandy landings.

Museum of the D-Day landings of Arromanches-les-Bains in Normandy, France
Museum of the D-Day landings of Arromanches-les-Bains in Normandy, France

🖼️ Practical information | D-Day Museum Arromanches

🕒 Opening hours:Opening hours vary throughout the year. We advise you to consult their website for the opening hours during your visit.

💶 Prices: €12.90 per adult and €8.30 for children/students aged 6 to 18 – Tickets are only sold on-site.

ℹ️ Preparing your visit: https://musee-arromanches.fr

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