Are you a history buff who wants to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and honor the memory of our elders?
Can’t find your way around the multitude of events on offer? This article is for you!
Every year, Normandy commemorates the D-Day anniversary with a rich and varied program. In addition to the official events, a wide range of activities are organized by the various communes to celebrate freedom.
In this article, discover our useful tips for attending the 80th D Day in Normandy, our selection of not-to-be-missed eventsand our ideas for tours around the D-Day beaches.
BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS
HERE ARE OUR favorites
Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars
Our favorite places to stay:
Hotel Domain de Bayeux, elegant and central – see photos and availability
Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach, for the north – see photos and availability
Hôtel Ferme de la Rançonnière, the charm of the countryside – view photos and availability
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why come to the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings?
Is it worth attending the 80th anniversary of D-Day?
You bet! Every year, the anniversary of D-Day honors the courage of the Allied soldiers who helped liberate France during the Second World War. Taking part in this celebration is a poignant experience, reminding us of the sacrifice of thousands of young people, and at the same time highly symbolic in geopolitical terms. More than ever, in the current context where war is on Europe’s borders, the duty of remembrance and moments of sharing between nations to celebrate peace are essential.
It’s also worth noting that this edition is all the more exceptional in that it will surely be one of the last to feature veterans.
What events will take place on June 6, 2024?
June 6 is the key date of the Normandy Landings in 1944, and is the most emblematic day of the entire anniversary season.
Various events will be held at the same time, on June 6, 2024:
- The international ceremony: organized on the Omaha Beach sector in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, it will take place under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron, in the presence of several heads of state and the 200 veterans who have travelled specially for the occasion. Attendance is by invitation only.
- National and bi-national ceremonies: open to the public, you can register on the Calvados Prefecture website here.
Registrations will open around May 1.
- Festive events are held alongside the solemn ceremonies, under the banner of the D-Day Festival , which runs from June 1 to 16. Find the full program on the dedicated festival website here.
What to do for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy?
If you’d like to immerse yourself in the solemn and poignant atmosphere of D-Day, we recommend choosing a single D-Day beach and discovering the historic sites and commemorative events associated with it. See our itineraries for each D-Day beach below!
If you’d like to attend some festive events, you can find all the bals guinguettes here, or places offering fireworks here.
The D-Day Festival Normandy (June 1 to 16, 2024) also features many festive events, which you can find here.
If, on the other hand, you want to avoid the crowds, we advise you to opt for a visit to sites off the D-Day beaches, such as Les Franciscaines in Deauville or the Bayeux Museum. See our list of the best D-Day museums in our dedicated article.
Please note, however, that several museums will be closed on June 6 for official commemorations.
Our tips for a successful visit to D-Day
Preparing your trip
Given the success of this international event, we advise you to book all your accommodation and restaurants in advance.
We also think it’s a good idea to come as early as Wednesday June 5, to give you time to find out all you need to know and choose your activities. We also recommend staying a little longer than the weekend to enjoy the region.
Find out about the opening hours of historic sites and how to get there, so you can organize your day as well as possible, and above all anticipate any changes in schedules or programs to accommodate the expected crowds. And don’t forget to allow enough time to get from place to place.
The weather was bad on June 6, 1944, and it could be the same in 2024. Because, yes, the weather can be fickle in Normandy (even in summer), so don’t forget your rain gear! Last but not least, make sure you have comfortable shoes to last you the whole day, as you’re likely to be trampling all over the place during gatherings.
80 years of D-Day
We do not recommend public transport to visit the landing sites. There are a few local buses, but not very frequent and with many stops. The best option is still a car, as this gives you a lot of flexibility in choosing where to go and how much time to spend in each place. You can rent at CDG or Orly airports, or Caen(see our tips) or your point of arrival in France – note that Bayeux has very little choice(find out more).
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Getting around during D-Day events
If the car is the best way to tour Normandy, we recommend that you avoid using it during the D-Day celebrations.
Traffic is likely to be saturated in the areas affected by the festivities.
Please note that traffic will be even more disrupted on June 5 and 6, when a regulated traffic zone will be set up in part of the area. You’ll need a sticker to get around on those two days. Your accommodation provider should contact his local council to provide you with this. It will be totally impossible to drive on the RN13, the D514 (coastal road) and the D517 (Formigny to Saint-Laurent road) on June 6, even with the sticker. Find out more about traffic conditions on June 6 on the Région Normandie website here.
We advise you not to plan to cover several zones during the day, given the particularly heavy traffic and, above all, because it will be impossible to cover all the events simultaneously.
Where to eat
Please note that catering facilities are limited on the D-Day landing beaches, and may be crowded during events.
We therefore recommend that you:
– For your lunches: prefer picnics and bring your own snacks. To give you some inspiration, we’ve put together an article on the best cheeses in Normandy!
– For your dinners: book restaurants close to your hotel well in advance. In this article, you’ll find our list of the best restaurants in Normandy.
Where to stay
We advise you to sleep as close as possible to the sites you want to visit, to avoid having to travel as much as possible. Below, a selection of accommodation close to the D-Day landing sites:
STAYING NEAR THE D-Day beaches
Option 1: Bayeux
The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base ourselves in the town of Bayeux. We recommend..:
- Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
- see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux
Option 2: in the countryside
In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…
- Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: next to one of the beaches
If you’re looking for a seaside holiday or are fascinated by one of the beaches, you can choose a more specific hotel:
- Hotel Villas d’Arromanches in Gold Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel La Sapinière in Omaha Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
What to do for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy?
Key events for the 80th anniversary of D-Day (spring-summer 2024)
Alongside the official ceremonies, a rich program of events is taking place in towns and villages throughout Manche and Calvados.
This year, over 300 events will be organized: enough to make your head spin!
So to help you find your way through this multitude of proposals, we’ve selected a few for you:
Some 80th anniversary exhibitions:
- Les Franciscaines, presents Robert Capa’s historic reportage work on the beaches of Normandy, carried out in partnership with Magnum Photos.
From May 5 to October 13 in Deauville (more info here). - The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum ‘s Jeunesse et Résistance (Youth and Resistance) exhibition focuses on the role of teenagers in the Resistance.
From May 18 to September 22, 2024 in Bayeux (see more info here). - The Caen Memorial presents the exhibition The Dawn of the American Century, 1919-1944.
May 30 to June 2, 2024 in Caen (more info here)
Some sporting events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day
- The Marathon de la Liberté: a running tribute to the D-Day landings.
From May 30 to June 2, 2024, in 17 towns across Normandy (see more info here). - The Freedom Games: pair up to explore the historic beach of St-Laurent-sur-Mer.
Thursday May 30 at 09:30 am, in St-Laurent-sur- Mer (more info here). - La Bernieraise proposes a large nautical gathering to celebrate freedom. Saturday June 8 from 10am to 5pm (more info here).
Some educational activities for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
- A guided tour to understand life under the German Occupation
From May 8 to August 24 at Trouville-sur-Mer (more info here). - A “3 months with the English” restitution camp
Saturday June 22 and Sunday June 23 from 10am to 11pm at Creully-sur-Seulles (see more info here) Find out more about Camp Hillman here.
Find the full program on the official Normandie Tourisme website here.
D’ Day must-sees: our tour ideas
Each of the 5 D-Day beaches is worth a visit for its historic beauty, monumental sculptures and associated museums.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we’ve put together a best-of list of sites to visit and events not to be missed in each sector.
1. 80 years of D-Day at Omaha Beach
Our must-haves
- Contemplate the sculpture Les Braves: created by Anilore Banon, this striking sculpture is a poignant tribute to the brave soldiers of D-Day.
- Pay your respects at the American Cemetery: home to 9387 graves of Allied soldiers who died in the Second World War, and the names of 1557 missing soldiers engraved in the Garden of the Missing. This unique commemorative site, with its rows of immaculate crosses, offers a poignant perspective on the sacrifice made for freedom.
- Visit the Overlord Museum: covering the period from D-Day to the liberation of Paris. Its name refers to Operation Overlord, the code name for the Allied invasion of the Normandy beaches.
To find out more, read our article on the must-sees at Omaha Beach.
Events marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Omaha Beach:
- Overlord Historial Days
The Overlord Museum will be hosting a village of exhibitors for several days, as well as numerous events (concerts, film screenings, workshops, vehicle demonstrations) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Where: Overlord Museum, Colleville-sur-mer (more info here)
When? From Saturday June 1 to Monday June 09, 2024
- Omaha Beach Freedom Concert
Where? Vierville-sur-Mer (more info here)
When? Saturday, June 1, 6 pm to 11:30 pm
- Isigny Swing Festival
A free two-day festival of concerts and other events (swing dance classes, flea market, Mustang rides, vintage fair) to take you back to the festive atmosphere of the Liberation. A giant picnic will be held alongside the festival.
Where? Town Hall, Isigny-sur-mer (more info here)
When? Saturday June 8, 10am-1am and Sunday June 9, 10am-6pm
Price: Free
- Omaha Camp
A fully reconstructed village to perpetuate the duty of remembrance in a playful way. U.S. and German troops will be represented, and there will be plenty of entertainment, including performances and a photo exhibition.
Where? Dday Omaha Museum, Vierville-sur-Mer (more info here)
When? From Saturday June 1 to Sunday June 08, 2024
Price: €5 with access to the museum
Find out about other events on the Isigny Omaha tourist office website here.
2. 80 years of D-Day at Utah Beach
Our must-haves
- Discover the varied sculptures on the beach: between the statues of soldiers emerging from a D-Day barge, the statue of the Lone Sailor in Normandy and the US Navy Normandy monument, there’s a lot to see on this pretty dune beach!
- Visit the Airborne Museum: dedicated to the history of the Allied paratroopers during the Normandy landings in 1944, it offers an immersive experience through living re-enactments (a hologram soldier will brief you on how to prepare for the jump, for example), weapons displays and war vehicles.
- Visit the Utah Beach Landing Museum: built over a German bunker, this museum is organized chronologically, covering strategy, preparations, the history of D-Day (routes, liaison between divisions, etc.) and the outcome of the landing.
Find out more and read our practical tips in our article dedicated to discovering Utah Beach.
Events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Utah Beach:
- Exceptional programming at the Normandy Victory Museum
For several days, the museum will be offering an eclectic program of on-site and off-site events (exhibitions, lectures, concerts, workshops) and meetings (book signings, exchanges with veterans), enabling visitors to fully immerse themselves in this crucial era.
Where? Normandy Victory Museum, Carentan-les-Marais (more info here)
When? From Saturday June 1 to Wednesday June 12, 2024, opening hours vary
Price: €5 with access to the museum
- Immersion at Camp Geronimo
Initiated by the Airborne Museum, Geronimo is an American re-enactment camp where you can relive the life of the soldiers through a rich program (display of numerous vehicles including tanks, workshops such as briefing or mine clearance, 40s show).
Where? Airborne Museum, Sainte-Mère-Eglise (more info here)
When? Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 9, 2024 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: Free
- Grand parachutage de la Fière
Watch as volunteers in period costume parachute from historic C-47s!
Where? Sainte-Mère-Eglise (more info here)
When? Sunday, June 9, 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free
Find out about other events on the Cotentin Tourist Office website here.
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3. 80 years of D-Day at Sword Beach
Our must-haves
- Along the beach and its memorials: on the long stretch of sand, you’ll discover various memorials including La Flamme, which honors the memory of the Commando Kieffer, the only French battalion to take part in the D-Day landings.
- Explore the Grand Bunker (Ouistreham): nestled in the heart of an authentic German blockhouse preserved from the Second World War, this museum offers a unique immersion into the daily life of German soldiers up to D-Day.
- Visit Pegasus Bridge (Bridge and Memorial): considered one of Normandy’s greatest historical heritage treasures, Pegasus Bridge (named after the military operation) is emblematic! You can discover this in the memorial, which offers a detailed perspective on Operation Tonga, and the crucial role played by paratroopers in the success of D-Day.
Find all our tips and photos in our article dedicated to Sword Beach!
D-Day events at Sword Beach
- Swing D-Day Festival
With live performances of pre-war swing, exhibitions of warplanes and vintage vehicles, sporting challenges, screenings and a market of regional products, the Festival will delight all curious visitors!
Where are we? Lion-sur-mer, Hermanville-sur-Mer, Colleville-Montgomery (more info here)
When? From Saturday, May 18 to Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Price: Free
- Open-air cinema evening
Discover the thrilling plot of the film Les Femmes de l’Ombre, which follows the courageous journey of a female spy in the Resistance, played by Sophie Marceau.
Where: Ouistreham beach, Riva Bella, aid station n°1 (more info here)
When? Friday, June 7, 9 p.m. to midnight
Price: Free
- Immersive show at the Merville Battery
The Merville Battery Museum pays tribute to the liberating paratroopers of Colonel Otway’s 9th Battalion, with a show entitled Ils ne savaient pas que c’était impossible. Every evening, 100 volunteer re-enactors and extras bring the historic epic to life on the very site of the assault.
Where? Merville Battery Museum (more info here)
When? Wednesday, June 5 to Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10 p.m.
Price: €22
More information on the official Caen La Mer Tourisme website.
4. 80 years of D-Day at Gold Beach
Our must-haves
- Visit the beach and its bunkers: to better understand the landing of British troops, but also to imagine the scale of the artificial port at Arromanches. In fact, it’s one of our favourite views of D-Day!
- Enjoy the Cinéma 360 d’Arromanches: a 360° immersion in the D-Day, with archive films shown on 9 screens.
- Visit the Arromanches Landing Museum: dedicated to the creation of the artificial port and the structures that facilitated the unloading of military vehicles (Mulberry Harbors).
Find out more about what to see in Juno Beach!
80 years of D-Day at Gold Beach
- S’émouvoir devant un Concert de Somme
The BattleField Pipe Band will delight you with their captivating musical repertoire (mainly traditional Scottish tunes, with a smattering of Irish, American, Canadian and Australian tunes).
Where? Esplanade du Musée d’Arromanches-les-bains (more info here)
When? Thursday, June 06, 2024 from 5pm to 6pm
Price: Free
- Marvel at the fireworks
On the site of the German Battery at Longues-sur-mer, a beautiful fireworks display in tribute to the heroes of the D-Day landings will be launched.
Where? Longues-sur-Mer (more info here)
When? Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.
Price: Free
- Teleport to the past
The Château de Fontaine Henry invites you to a unique evening on the theme of 1944 and the Liberation. In addition to the evening dance, candlelight tours will be offered, as well as a lantern release in tribute to the soldiers of D-Day.
Where? Château de Fontaine Henry (more info here)
When? June 24, 2023 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Price: €13 (adults), €7.50 (7-15 year olds) including “40s” style tour + access to the park + survey + guinguette
Find more events on the official Normandie Tourisme website here.
5. 80 years of D-Day at Juno Beach
Our must-haves
- Take a walk on the beach: a major Canadian D-Day site, we recommend visiting the beach at low tide to appreciate the various D-Day tribute sites (reproductions of soldiers, tanks, remains of bunkers, crosses). Once you’ve understood what’s hidden in the soul of this beach, you can take a stroll around its pleasant seaside resort.
- Visit the Juno Beach Centre: Canada’s only museum dedicated to the D-Day landings, it offers an interactive experience on subjects that go beyond the D-Day theme. The mobilization of an army, the civilian effort, life in Canada during WW2, or the army’s participation in all the battles on the ground.
Find out more about places to explore and museums to visit in Juno Beach.
80 years of D-Day at Juno Beach
- Bunker animation at Radar Station 4
A sound and image trail will be projected onto 3 of the museum’s bunkers, recounting the history of the site, the radars and their involvement in D-Day.
Where? Douvres-la-Délivrande (more info here)
When? April 16, 23, 30 from 8 to 11 p.m. and October 31 and November 09 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Price: Free
- Giant sound and light show at Courseulles-sur-mer
Entitled La mémoire en un siècle d’histoire (Memory in a century of history), the show immerses visitors in the great moments of history since the 1920s. A giant screen will show a film interspersed with pyrotechnic interludes, videos and archive images.
Where? Parc de l’Edit, Courseulles-sur-mer (more info here)
When? Saturday, June 08, 2024 at 11 p.m.
Price: Free
- Immersion at Camp Nan White
Discover a reconstructed WWII military camp with Canadian military vehicles, radios, a field kitchen and an exhibition of the Quebec Boiler Regiment in Zutphen.
Where? Îlot des Français, Bernières-sur-Mer (more info here)
When? From June 1 to June 9, 10 am to 6 pm + concert on Sunday June 9 at 3 pm
Price: Free
More events on the official Normandie Coeur de Nacre tourist office website here.
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Other celebrations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Other celebrations will be held over the summer to keep the memory of D-Day alive. Here’s a list of the ones we’ve spotted!
The shows
- Choir for Peace
250 choir singers from Normandy will join forces to sing for Peace, performing classics rearranged for the occasion such as “L’hymne à la joie”, “We are the world”, and other songs… accompanied by top-class musicians.
When? Thursday, June 27, 8 to 10 p.m.
Where? Zenith Caen (more info here) - The 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Pavilly
Over two days, a rich educational program (encampment, ceremony in honor of resistance fighters, vehicle parade) and a festive program (dance, interallied boxing match in period dress and decor) will be offered.
When? August 31, 2024 to September 01, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where? on the esplanade around the Dovecote and thatched cottage, rue du Val de l’Esne, Pavilly (see more info here).
Festivals
- Cobra 44 Commemorative Festival
The program includes lectures, themed tours and a re-enactment camp,
entertainment, demonstrations, rides in military vehicles, autograph sessions, meetings and festivities.
When? July 20 and 21, 2024
Where? Normandy Victory Museum (more info here)
Price: Free outdoor event, but admission to the museum at an additional cost. - Festival La Semaine Acadienne
Created to pay tribute to the Acadian soldiers who landed on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944 , this festival offers a varied program (commemorative ceremonies, exhibition on witnesses to the landings, concert for Peace, ballet entitled Lest We Forget, screening of documentaries on Canada during the Battle of Normandy, historical walk).
When? Wednesday, August 7 to Thursday, August 15, 2024
Where? Courseulles-sur-mer (see more info on the website here.)
Frequently asked questions
What are the free/paid events?
Most events are open to all and free of charge, but some are not. Check with the organizers!
How long does the D-Day anniversary last?
Some festivities begin in March and last until October.
June 6 is the key date for the anniversary, and the program is solemn with military parades, commemorative speeches and tributes to veterans. In parallel, the D-Day Festival Normandy kicks off with a blaze on the D-Day beaches on June 1 (some twenty fireworks displays simultaneously) and continues with numerous other events until June 16. You can find the full program on the festival’s dedicated website here.
Why is the anniversary of D-Day celebrated?
June 6, 1944, was the date on which the Allied forces launched a large-scale operation to liberate Europe, marking the end of Nazi domination. Commemorated every year in Normandy, this event offers a rich and varied program of events:
- official commemoration ceremonies,
- educational events (return camps, guided tours, conferences, exhibitions),
- festive events (festivals, balls, concerts, shows),
- sporting events.
Find all the events on the official website of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, with an interactive map here.
What’s on the agenda for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Provence?
Less well known but just as important, the D-Day landings in Provence on June 15, 1944 were a key stage in the Liberation of France! Operation Dragoon orchestrated the landing of Allied forces, designed to open up a second front on French territory. And every year, as in Normandy, the magnificent beaches and villages of Provence are the scene of a number of festivities in memory of the D-Day landings. You can find the full program on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourisme website here.
You can also visit the Mémorial du Débarquement et de la Libération en Provence, located in Toulon, to learn more about the stages of this historic military operation. See more info here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
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Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
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