Passing through Normandy? Don’t forget to visit Juno Beach, one of the 5 D-Day landing beaches during WW2. On June 6, 1944, Allied soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed on Juno Beach, one of 3 strategic invasion areas for Commonwealth forces.
On this French beach, you’ll discover some of the scars of the D-Day landings. The nearby museum and military cemetery also add a solemn dimension to the site.
In this article, you’ll find our 5 ideas for things to do in Juno Beach, as well as practical tips and image reviews to help you get started.
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 opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
D-Day at Juno Beach – introduction
D-Day and the role of Juno Beach
Juno Beach is one of the 5 D-Day landing beaches and a major site of the Second World War. More than 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed there by sea or parachute on June 6, 1944. The Royal Canadian Air Force and 10,000 sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy played a crucial role, supporting the invasion both from the air and from the English Channel.
Juno Beach is the stretch of coastline assigned to Canadian forces, when British soldiers landed at Sword Beach and Gold Beach, and the American army at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. In all, 45,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives to save Europe from this major conflict of the 20th century.
What’s on Juno Beach?
To reach Juno Beach, you’ll have to climb a small dune of white sand. You’ll see that the beach stretches as far as the eye can see, especially at low tide. On this famous shoreline, flags and permanent displays adorn the 10km stretch from Bernières-sur-Mer to Courseulles-sur-Mer.
In this article, you’ll discover our list of 5 ideas for things to see on this D-Day beach. We’ll be sharing a short video on must-do activities in Juno Beach very soon.
Practical tips and map: Juno Beach, Normandy, France
Where is Juno Beach?
Juno Beach is the Canadian landing sector, from Bernières-sur-Mer to Courseulles-sur-Mer (14) in Normandy (France), north of Caen.
- Driving time from Rouen: 1h45min.
- Driving time from Evreux: 2h.
- Driving time from Caen: 30min.
- Driving time from Alençon: 1h45min.
- Driving time from Cherbourg: 1h30min.
Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there
Juno Beach is not easily accessible by public transport.
There are 2 main ways to get there:
- By car: access is easier whether you’re coming from Caen, Bayeux, Sword Beach or Gold Beach. Traffic is also easy, so check out our tips for renting a car in France, Caen or Bayeux.
- Organized tours from Paris, Bayeux or Caen. Tours can include other D-Day sites such as cemeteries, museums or military batteries – find out all about tour options here.
- If you’d still prefer to travel by public transport, even if access is difficult, you can take the train to Bayeux or Caen – see the timetable on the SNCF website here. There are also buses from these 2 stations. See the itineraries and schedules here.
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.
How much time should I allow?
We recommend you allow half a day to visit Juno Beach and its unique Canadian D-Day Museum, the Juno Beach Centre, which we’ve listed as one of the best D-Day museums.
If you have more time, we recommend you take a full day to visit the Canadian War Cemetery, the Maison des Canadiens in Bernières-sur-Mer or the permanent exhibits along the shoreline. If you’re a history buff with a passion for the Second World War, take the time to discover the 4 other D-Day landing beaches, each with their own charm and special features.
What can you do in Juno Beach if you only spend half a day or a whole day there?
If you have time constraints, we’ll give you priority:
- discover Juno Beach, with its stretch of white sand, bunkers, representations of soldiers and tanks,
- go to the site of the Croix de Lorraine, where General De Gaulle landed for the 1st time in the Battle of Normandy,
- visit the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s only museum of the D-Day landings.
A visit to Juno Beach at low tide will allow you to make the most of all the relics of the D-Day landings and, why not, of the surrounding seaside resort. If you manage to free up more time, don’t hesitate to explore the other sites listed in this article for a complete D-Day experience.
Discover Juno Beach’s D-Day themed tours.
1. Take a walk on Juno Beach
Why take a walk on Juno Beach?
During the Normandy landings in 1944, Juno Beach was one of the strategic invasion areas for Commonwealth forces. It is one of the major Canadian D-Day sites. Beyond the stigma of D-Day and its proximity to 2 military cemeteries, Juno Beach is also surrounded by a pleasant seaside resort. Its white sand dunes will make you want to bury your feet in them to connect with the soul of this beach. The Courseulles-sur-Mer marina is also a great place for a stroll, with its sandy beach away from the road.
What you will see
We recommend visiting the beach at low tide. After climbing the white sand dunes, you’ll see reproductions of soldiers, tanks and bunker remnants at Juno Beach. Imagine Allied soldiers bravely advancing through the sand and dawn mist to take possession of the beach. They had few places under cover to advance towards the German enemy.
The main beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer is a sandy one, and you can walk along the promenade. The walk is very pleasant, and we enjoyed finding several shops and places to eat. A path is cut through the sand between the tall grasses to climb the dunes.
Practical advice
Access to the beach is free. Remember to check the weather forecast before scheduling your visit, so you can take advantage of mild weather when you’re outside.
As Juno Beach is both a major D-Day site and a seaside resort, it can be quite busy. If you prefer to avoid the tourist crowds and, above all, put yourself in the same conditions as on June 6, 1944, opt for a visit at dawn with low tide and misty skies.
As well as stores and restaurants, there are public toilets and free parking near Juno Beach.
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
2. Discover the stigma of D-Day
Why visit the D-Day relics at Juno Beach?
Juno Beach was one of the strategic landing points for Commonwealth forces, along with Sword Beach and Gold Beach, where British forces docked. From Bernières-sur-Mer to Courseulles-sur-Mer, 14,000 Canadian soldiers set foot on the Normandy coast on D-Day to support the Allied offensive Operation Overlord in June 1944. You’ll see that some remnants of the fighting have been preserved here, and it’s also an ideal location for a Canadian tour dedicated to the Normandy Landings.
What you will see
Take a stroll along the beach between its many preserved relics of the 2nd World War. For example, you’ll be able to clearly see the Cross of Lorraine. It was installed here to commemorate the place where General De Gaulle landed for the 1st time after his exile, an important turning point in the Battle of Normandy.
On the beach, not far from the Juno Beach Center Museum, you can also see bunkers, tanks and representations of soldiers. As we approached these imposing stone buildings, we were both impressed and moved as we imagined the battle scenes of that era. These bunkers reconnect us to a historic moment in the last century, and we enjoyed witnessing it.
The route along the beach is educational and well-documented, with tributes to D-Day heroes such as Canadian Sergeant Léo Gariepy. The path that leads to the Juno Beach Center is lined with information panels on Juno Beach Park and its flora and fauna. Can you tell a mobile sand dune from a fixed one?
You’ll also discover a perfectly preserved vestige of this era: the Maison des Canadiens in the Bernières-sur-Mer area, which has become part of our collective memory at the entrance to the beach. You can visit by appointment to discover its neo-Norman seaside architecture dating from 1928. It belongs to Léon Enault, director of the Louvre department stores, the Hôtel Crillon and the Hôtel Terminus in Paris.
Practical advice
In addition to the practical advice given in the previous section, we suggest that you refer to the Juno Park map once you’ve arrived to plan your visit. Take the time to read each panel to learn more about this Normandy beach, its history, its role in the Allied Liberation and its natural ecosystem!
Information is mainly in French and English.
You can park your car next to the sailing school if you start your visit at the beach, the Croix de Lorraine and the open-air museum.
MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites
- The best landing sites to visit
- Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
- Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
- The best D-Day museums in Normandy
- German batteries to visit
- Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
- Visit Omaha Beach
- Visit Utah Beach
- Visit Gold Beach
- Visit Sword Beach
- Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)
3. Visit the Juno Beach Centre
Why visit the Juno Beach Centre?
As Canada’s only museum dedicated to D-Day, the Juno Beach Centre offered us 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, and the army’s participation in all the battles on the ground – it’s all there! The museum’s scenography reveals a genuine educational effort that goes beyond memory and remembrance.
In our opinion, the Juno Beach Centre is an excellent D-Day museum. This historic site pays tribute to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives during the Second World War, including the 381 soldiers who fell on June 6, 1944.
It’s particularly interesting if you’re planning a Canadian tour with a D-Day theme.
What you will see
First, take the time to observe it from the outside. The building’s distinctive feature is its pentagon-shaped structure, reminiscent of a maple leaf. Did you know that the 5 dots also refer to the 5 D-Day beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword?
On the esplanade outside, how could we fail to notice the iconic sculpture “Remembrance Rekindled” commissioned by the Juno Beach Centre Association from Canadian artist Colin Gibson? Can you make out the 5 soldiers gathered together, looking off into the distance? Vigor, vivacity, bravery and determination are what the Ontario-born artist intended to express in this intriguing and striking sculpture.
Compared with other museums on this theme, you’ll see fewer weapons, clothes and objects that once belonged to soldiers. But its museography is highly interactive, with maps, screens and trays that require visitors to intervene to reveal information, as well as films and archive images. We noticed that the pace of content evolution from room to room was well balanced. Our interest was maintained throughout!
Juno Park is also a must-see, with its bunkers and equipment outside the museum, for an almost total immersion in the atmosphere of D-Day. Last but not least, the museum is also famous for its souvenir store, where you’ll find a wide range of Canadian products, for a gourmet stopover as if you were there!
Practical advice
The museum is open every day of the year, closed in January, and its ticket office closes 45 minutes before closing time. Toilets are located in the entrance hall.
There are 2 parking areas around the museum:
- official parking reserved for museum visitors (camping prohibited),
- free parking with several charging stations.
You can also park before arriving at the sailing school if you prefer to start at the beach, the Croix de Lorraine and the open-air museum. Information is mainly in French and English.
To avoid the crowds, we recommend scheduling your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Finally, you can also see bunkers and equipment outside around the museum. If this is your 1st visit, we suggest you visit the museum first, to get a better understanding and more context.
Discover our article dedicated to the Juno Beach Center.
4. Pay your respects at Bény-sur-Mer Military Cemetery
Why visit the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery?
The Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is a must-see if you opt for a WW2-themed Canadian tour. It houses the graves of Canadian soldiers who fell mainly during the Battle of Normandy and the operations that followed D-Day. This place of rest and remembrance has left a deep impression on us. We became aware of the commitment of these young foreign fighters, ready to sacrifice their lives for freedom.
What you will see
More than 2,000 soldiers and airmen are buried in this military cemetery, the majority of them Canadian, including some of British and French nationality. You’ll see all these lined-up graves, which have aroused a great deal of emotion in our country. Most of these soldiers were killed in June and July 1944 during the Battle of Caen and during the D-Day landings on the beach.
In the center of the cemetery, the imposing cross makes the place even more solemn.
On all the headstones, you can see all the Canadian military chevron icons that fascinated us!
Practical advice
Access to the cemetery is free and open all year round. Parking is available nearby.
Discover our tour options including Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
Coming soon, our article dedicated to the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
5. Visit the Normandy British Memorial
Why stop off at the Normandy British Memorial?
The British Normandy Memorial is a must-see if you’re a history buff, just a 10-minute drive from Juno Beach heading west towards Gold Beach. It pays tribute to the 22,442 Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives during the D-Day landings on June 6 1944 and the Battle of Normandy. Every stage of the operations led by British General Montgomery is recorded on this almost ceremonial site.
We were gripped by both the architecture and the soul of the place, borne by over 22,000 names of Commonwealth servicemen who died in the line of duty in 1944. During our visit, flags fluttered in the wind and the sun shone through the memorial’s aisles, an image we won’t forget.
What you will see
Along the path to the memorial, several stone steles retrace the history of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy in chronological order. Walking through this tree-lined alley, discovering historical details, was both intriguing and enjoyable. Explanations are in English and French.
We then arrive at the majestic memorial. These interconnected arches stand like a hedge of honor, paying tribute to the combatants. If you come closer, you can clearly make out the names of all those brave soldiers who lost their lives to bring freedom to Europe. You can search for a particular name by downloading the free “British Normandy Memorial visitor app”.
Inscriptions in the stone celebrate the exploits of these Commonwealth soldiers, and a statue of 3 soldiers advancing towards the enemy immerses us in the conditions of battle.
Practical advice
Pay parking is available nearby for €3. The funds raised when you pay for parking are used to maintain the memorial. Toilets are accessible, with a baby-changing area.
From the parking lot it’s a 10-minute walk to the Normandy Memorial. The ground can be slippery, especially in rainy weather, but paths are provided. It is, of course, forbidden to attach any object whatsoever to the monument, as it is to ride a bicycle, horse, motorcycle or scooter. Dogs and drones are not allowed.
Self-guided tours are free of charge. Guided tours are available:
- adult fare: €5,
- child rate: €3,
- free for children under 6.
Our article dedicated to the British Normandy Memorial will soon be available.
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.
What to do near Juno Beach
Remains of the Port of Mulberry
To transport the equipment needed for the success of Operation Overlord in the summer of 1944, only 2 Normandy ports, Le Havre and Cherbourg, were accessible, but far from the landing zones. To remedy the situation, the Allied forces set up an artificial harbor called Mulberry. Ships brought weapons, ammunition, fuel, foodstuffs and equipment to build field hospitals and headquarters for armies on the ground. From Ver-sur-Mer to Arromanches-les-Bains, the remains of Mulberry’s artificial harbor are still visible on Gold Beach. Just imagine, in 100 days, 400,000 soldiers landed, along with 4 million tons of equipment and 500,000 vehicles to carry out this monumental operation!
Ardenne Abbey, just outside Caen
Ardenne Abbey, northwest of Caen, was built in the 12th century. Between the Middle Ages and the 20th century, the surrounding agricultural land was farmed for many years. Fariners also worked here for several decades. Attached to the Order of Prémontrés, canons regular, it witnessed dramatic scenes of confrontation during the 2nd World War. Did you know that the German Army set up camp there the day after the D-Day landings in 1944, and stayed there for a month to confront the Allies? It was also the site of the interrogation of Canadian prisoners and the execution of 27 of them.
The war left its mark on this place of worship, leaving the building in ruins. After several years of restoration, the abbey has been home to the Institut Mémoires de l’Édition Contemporaine since 1996.
We recommend an organized tour that includes the Abbaye d’Ardenne to understand its major role in the first days after D-Day.
See program and book.
Radar Station 44
Located in Douvres-la-Délivrande, this museum offers a unique approach to the D-Day landings, focusing on radar equipment. We learned about the different types of radar equipment, their performance, their role in the war, and the lives of German soldiers in the bunkers.
The museum is housed in the former German detection station, which played a major role during the war.
Our article dedicated to Radar Station 44 will soon be available.
Château de Creully and the BBC Museum
An ancient medieval fortified castle, Château de Creully is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Bayeux. You can easily access its wooded, flower-filled grounds to admire the Château from the outside. Guided tours are organized in this mythical feudal site, where we were lucky enough to visit some of the rooms.
This beautiful building also played a role in the success of the D-Day landings and the Liberation. Indeed, in June 1944, the British channel BBC broadcast from the square tower of the Château de Creully to provide news of the Battle of Normandy during the Second World War. In short, a visit is a must if you love history, castles and large parks!
Bayeux, medieval town at the gateway to the D-Day landing beaches
The town of Bayeux is full of resources: cultural, gastronomic, historical, botanical… There are many possibilities for you, whether you spend just a day, a weekend or several days!
Whether you’re a lover of art and history, gastronomy or long walks, you’ll find a plethora of things to do here. From the famous Bayeux Tapestry to the Botanical Gardens and the narrow streets of Old Bayeux, you’ll discover a town in Normandy that we particularly appreciate for its charm, its peace and quiet, its gourmet restaurants and its human scale.
Bayeux is also famous for being the 1st town liberated by the British army during the Normandy Landings in the Second World War. It is home to one of the largest British military cemeteries in France.
Discover Caen, city of a hundred steeples
Caen, capital of Basse-Normandie, is a lively city, ideally located 2 hours from Paris, close to the Côte Fleurie and the D-Day beaches. Known for its memorial and château, Caen is home to architectural treasures spared by the Allied bombing raids of 1944. The city of William the Conqueror surprised us with its artistic heritage, its half-timbered houses, its port, but also with its nightlife and its many green spaces!
You’ll discover impressive buildings such as theAbbaye-aux-Hommes and the Mémorial de Caen or Mémorial pour la Paix. Did you know that it is one of Europe’s leading memorial sites, welcoming an average of 400,000 visitors a year? Also discover our fine restaurants featuring Normandy specialities, our charming hotels and our 12 ideas formust-do activities if you’re ever in Normandy!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
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…
Visit the other D-Day beaches: Omaha, Gold, Sword, Utah
After seeing Juno Beach, would you like to discover the other D-Day beaches? Take a look at our article on the 5 D-Day landing beaches, and our article on the best sites, and decide on your next destination. They’re all must-sees on a trip to Normandy. Their story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
- What to do in Omaha Beach,
- What to do in Gold Beach,
- What to do in Utah Beach,
- What to do in Sword Beach.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
Frequently asked questions
Is Juno Beach worth a visit?
Juno Beach, near Courseulles-sur-Mer, is one of the emblematic sites of the D-Day landings in 1944. It’s one of the D-Day beaches that’s easy to visit. In fact, the beach and the museum are right next door to each other, so you can kill two birds with one stone! In fact, it’s the only Canadian museum on one of the D-Day beaches.
Which was the deadliest beach at D-Day?
Losses on Omaha Beach were the worst on D-Day. American troops lost more than 2,400 soldiers, killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
Which is the best D-Day museum?
If you’re a history buff like us, it’s hard to choose! Several sites are devoted to the subject of D-Day and the Second World War. We’ve put together a list of ideas and tips to help you choose from among these 25 iconic locations!
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Can we take sand from the beaches of Normandy?
No. As in many other countries, it is illegal to take sand or pebbles from French beaches.
Which films were shot on the Normandy landing beaches?
Le Jour Le Plus Long (The Longest Day – 1962)
A very realistic account of the landing at Omaha Beach. Take a look at it before your visit, to better contextualize everything you are about to see.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
War movie directed by Steven Spielberg with Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. It was inspired by the true story of the Niland brothers, American soldiers killed during the Second World War. In this fiction, the hero goes in search of the last survivor to bring him back to his mother.
Overlord (1975)
Black and white film by Stuart Cooper. The story of a young recruit and his training before D-Day.
