Explore the events of D-Day, when Allied troops stormed ashore to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. From war museums to landing beaches, it’s a fascinating and sobering experience.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
3 DAYS
142km / 88 miles
GREAT FOR…
BEST TIME TO GO
April to July, to avoid summer-holiday traffic around the beaches.
ESSENTIAL PHOTO
The forest of white marble crosses at the Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial.
BEST FOR HISTORY
Le Mémorial – Un Musée pour la Paix provides you with a comprehensive D-Day overview.
The beaches and bluffs are quiet today, but on 6 June 1944 the Normandy shoreline witnessed the arrival of the largest armada the world has ever seen. This patch of the French coast will forever be synonymous with D-Day (known to the French as Jour-J), and the coastline is strewn with memorials, museums and cemeteries – reminders that though victory was won on the Longest Day, it came at a terrible price.
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TRIP HIGHLIGHT
1Caen
Situated 3km northwest of Caen, the award-winning Le Mémorial – Un Musée pour la Paix(Memorial – A Museum for Peace;
02 31 06 06 44;www.memorial-caen.fr;esplanade Général Eisenhower;adult/child €19.80/17.50, family pass €51;
9am-7pm Apr-Sep, 9.30am-6pm Oct-Dec, 9am-6pm Feb-Mar, closed 3 weeks in Jan, shut most Mon in Nov & Dec) is a brilliant place to begin with some background on the historic events of D-Day, and the wider context of WWII. Housed in a purpose-designed building covering 14,000 sq metres, the memorial offers an immersive experience, using sound, lighting, film, animation and audio testimony to evoke the grim realities of war, the trials of occupation and the joy of liberation.
The visit begins with a whistle-stop overview of Europe’s descent into total war, tracing events from the end of WWI through to the rise of fascism in Europe, the German occupation of France and the Battle of Normandy. A second section focuses on the Cold War. There’s also a well-preserved original bunker used by German command in 1944.
On your way around, look out for a Hawker Typhoon fighter plane and a full-size Sherman tank.
The Drive » From the museum, head northeast along Esplanade Brillaud de Laujardière, and follow signs to Ouistreham. You’ll join the E46 ring road; follow it to exit 3a (Porte d’Angleterre), and merge onto the D515, D514 and D84 to Ouistreham. Park on the seafront on bd Aristide Briand. In all it’s a trip of 18km.
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2 Ouistreham
On D-Day, the sandy seafront around Ouistreham was code named Sword Beach and was the focus of attack for the British 3rd Infantry Division.
There are precious few reminders of the battle now, but on D-Day the scene was very different: most of the surrounding buildings had been levelled by artillery fire, and German bunkers and artillery positions were strung out along the seafront. Sword Beach was the site of some of the most famous images of D-Day – including the infamous ones of British troops landing with bicycles, and bagpiper Bill Millin piping troops ashore while under heavy fire.
The Drive » Follow the seafront west onto rue de Lion, following signs for ‘Overlord – L’Assaut’ onto the D514 towards Courseulles-sur-Mer, 18km west. Drive through town onto rue de Ver, and follow signs to ‘Centre Juno Beach’.
LINK YOUR TRIP
2 Monet’s Normandy
From the end of our Monet-themed trip at Fécamp, drive southwest on the A29 and A13 to Caen, a journey of just under 130km.
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3Juno & Gold Beaches
On D-Day, Courseulles-sur-Mer was known as Juno Beach, and was stormed mainly by Canadian troops. It was here that the exiled French General Charles de Gaulle came ashore after the landings – the first ‘official’ French soldier to set foot in mainland Europe since 1940. He was followed by Winston Churchill on 12 June and King George VI on 16 June. A Cross of Lorraine marks the historic spot.
The area’s only Canadian museum, the Juno Beach Centre(
02 31 37 32 17;www.junobeach.org;voie des Français Libres, Courseulles-sur-Mer;adult/child €7/5.50, incl guided tour of Juno Beach €11/9, temporary exhibit only €3;
9.30am-7pm Apr-Sep, 10am-6pm Oct & Mar, 10am-5pm Nov-Dec & Feb, closed Jan) has exhibits on Canada’s role in the war effort and the landings, and offers guided tours of Juno Beach, including the bunker there, from April to October. A short way west is Gold Beach, attacked by the...
