Explore Normandy’s Must-See D-Day Beaches and WWII Landmarks

Normandy is a pilgrimage site for travelers who want to tour the landscape of D-Day, an event pivotal to modern history. The year 2019 marked the 75th anniversary of the invasion that resulted in the liberation of Western Europe from the Axis Powers.

Upon arriving in northwest France along the English Channel, visitors will discover 10 essential destinations, including the comprehensive Mémorial de Caen, the aviation-focused Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église, and the solemn American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Notably, exploring the famed sands of Utah Beach and other Allied landing spots is crucial to appreciating this significant area.

Throughout this journey, visitors will gain insights into remarkable soldiers like Private John Steele and Lieutenant Norman Poole, as well as influential leaders such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Caen Memorial

Visiting the Mémorial de Caen initially will provide a comprehensive overview of World War II, highlighting the critical role of Normandy’s beaches during the historic events of June 6, 1944. Located just outside of Caen, the modern exhibition guides you from the buildup of World War II to the conclusion of the Cold War.

This memorial is rich with objects and films that vividly depict global wartime history, showcasing personal stories of soldiers. Dioramas represent significant occurrences such as Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Normandy, along with the harrowing atomic devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This thorough examination of World War II is substantial to absorb, often leaving visitors feeling heavy yet enlightened. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing value of peace and the sacrifices made on Normandy’s shores.

The Mémorial de Caen is located at Esplanade Général Eisenhower, 14050 Caen.

The Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église

As you enter the picturesque Sainte-Mère-Église, you will immediately notice a lifelike model of a paratrooper caught in the town’s historic church. Private John Steele was part of the assault by the American 82nd and 101st Divisions, leading to the town’s liberation on June 6, 1944. This town played a key role in safeguarding the Allied landings at Utah Beach.

Explore the details of Sainte-Mère-Église at the Airborne Museum, unmissable for its unique dome-shaped buildings resembling parachutes. A restored Waco glider and a Douglas C-47 Dakota plane serve as important displays, showcasing an aircraft that dropped paratroopers across Normandy and towed gliders. The interactive Operation Neptune exhibit immerses visitors in the dramatic events of D-Day.

Stories from Sainte-Mère-Église and the Airborne Museum include accounts of Private Steele, who played dead for two hours before ultimately being captured but later escaped. Classic film enthusiasts may recognize this backdrop from the legendary film, The Longest Day.

The Muséé Airborne is located at 14 rue Eisenhower.

Sites Around Ste-Mère-Eglise and Utah Beach

Exploring this remarkable region of Normandy is best accomplished with a detailed map and audio guide from the Tourist Office in Ste-Mère-Eglise. The iPad guide allows visitors to uncover both small memorials and major D-Day battle sites, complete with GPS coordinates ensuring you remain on course along winding country roads.

The tour comprises eleven stops, featuring images that depict actual battles accompanied by detailed narration. Visitors can proceed at their leisure, typically taking two to three hours.

A fee is charged for the iPad rental, requiring identification and a credit card deposit.

Visit the Tourist Office at 6 rue Eisenhower for your iPad guide.

Utah Beach Museum

Utah Beach, a name held in high regard globally, is home to the Utah Beach Museum, or Muséé du Débarquement Utah Beach, situated along the picturesque Normandy coastline. While today it’s a popular spot for windsurfing, swimming, and relaxing on the beach, on June 6, 1944, it was the starting point of Operation Overlord.

The museum offers a compelling mix of films, artifacts, and dioramas, including a complete briefing room illustrating Allied invasion strategies. Notably, a massive Martin B-26-G bomber can be viewed in an impressive hangar-style concourse. Surrounding monuments commemorate soldiers, with an exceptional vantage point available on its upper floor that overlooks the serene Normandy coastline.

Find the Muséé du Débarquement Utah Beach at 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.

American World War II Cemetery in Normandy

Recognized as hallowed ground, the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer is the final resting place for 9,387 American soldiers. Most of those interred here were involved in the Normandy D-Day landings and the subsequent battles. This cemetery stands on the site of the temporary St. Laurent graveyard, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944.

Commence your visit at the Visitor Center, where an exhibit elaborates on Operation Overlord and shares the life stories of the soldiers who fought and perished in Normandy. Do not miss the touching film Letters, which brings to life the narratives of these young men through the words of their loved ones.

Covering 172.5 acres, the meticulously maintained cemetery features perfectly aligned white headstones cascading down a gentle slope. Discover a plaque along a path offering a panoramic view of the beach below, leading to the Memorial with its beautiful circular chapel. While expansive, it’s worth noting that the predominant feature of the region belongs to the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. However, this site’s significance often stirs profound emotions in visitors.

The American Military Cemetery is located at 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer.

The D-Day Museum, Arromanches-sur-Mer

The Muséé du Débarquement (D-Day Museum) at Arromanches emphasizes the construction of the innovative Mulberry Harbors, which served as temporary breakwaters, piers, and docks, enabling the Allies to seize control of the heavily fortified Normandy coastline. In 1942, Churchill directed the Chief of Combined Operations to explore this complex engineering feat that needed to “float up and down with the tide.”

This remarkable solution involved crafting artificial ports that facilitated the movement of soldiers and supplies following the initial amphibious and airborne assaults. The construction began immediately after the liberation of Arromanches on June 6; ships were scuttled on June 7, concrete blocks sunk on June 8, and by June 14, supply ships commenced unloading.

Despite its age and modest size, the museum offers significant insights through an excellent film about the Mulberry harbors, and the remains of this engineering masterpiece remain visible over seventy years later.

Visit the Muséé du Débarquement in Arromanches at Place du 6 Juin.

Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema

For a captivating experience, ascend a series of steps leading to the circular cinema that rises above Arromanches. The cinema, situated on the remnants of a Mulberry harbor, features a historic film illuminating nine screens that rotate around you. The film “Normandy’s 100 Days” narrates the stories of countless individuals who fought, often sacrificing their lives for the liberation of Europe. This immersive presentation is truly unforgettable.

Visit the Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema at 4117 Arromanches.

Mémorial Pegasus

The Mémorial Pegasus honors the valiant efforts of the British 6th Airborne Division, comprising over 12,000 troops, including 600 volunteer Canadians, 177 French Commandos, a Belgian force, and a Dutch brigade. These troops executed a silent parachute landing in Normandy, ultimately safeguarding the D-Day landings from German counterattacks.

Begin your visit at the waterside museum near Caen with a brief film depicting the expedition and clarifying some prevalent myths. The Pegasus Bridge, a key objective during the invasion, is prominently displayed at the memorial. Visitors can also see an easy-to-assemble Bailey bridge, exhibition huts, and a reconstructed Horsa glider.

Mémorial Pegasus is located at Avenue du Major Howard, 14860 Ranville.

The Merville Gun Battery

Near the shores of the English Channel lies the Merville Gun Battery, a remnant of the formidable Atlantic Wall constructed by German forces to protect Europe from Allied invasion. This location offers a haunting yet peaceful atmosphere amidst its seaside setting and imposing military bunkers.

The exploration begins outdoors with a Douglas C-47 Dakota parked nearby, leading into bunkers that recount the history of the 9th Battalion’s mission to capture the battery. Out of 750 soldiers assigned to this critical task, only 150 made it, and merely 75 survived.

Prepare for an immersive experience with a dramatic sound and light show occurring every 20 minutes, providing a visceral understanding of bunker life during an assault.

Find the Merville Gun Battery at Place du 9 Battalion in Merville-Franceville.

The Juno Beach Center

Juno Beach, nestled between Gold and Sword Beaches during the D-Day invasion, was largely liberated by Canadian forces. This significant contribution is explored at the exceptional Juno Beach Center.

The museum offers a distinct perspective, concentrating on Canada’s role in the war while also shedding light on the Commonwealth country’s history from the 1930s to present day. Engaging interactive exhibits, films, and audio presentations highlight Canada’s wartime contributions and sacrifices.

The assault on Juno Beach incurred heavy casualties, with 1,074 men landing and 359 losing their lives. Following your visit, guided tours take you to both the beach and the bunker located in front of the museum, providing further insights into the Atlantic Wall and the events of June. This reflective opportunity allows remembrance of the 18,000 Canadian casualties during the invasion, including 5,500 who died.

Visit the Juno Beach Center at Voie des Francais Libres, 14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer.