Sand, dunes, cliffs… but also bunkers, sculptures and museums. The 5 D-Day landing beaches are a must for any trip to Normandy.
Their story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Each of these beaches now has memorials and museums to remember.
Here is a complete guide to prepare your visit with:
- Utah Beach
- Omaha Beach
- Gold Beach
- Juno Beach
- Sword Beach
Visit the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy : Map + tips
The 5 landing beaches – map and introduction
Operation Overlord, a.k.a. the Normandy invasion, began on June 6, 1944. 5 main areas were strategically chosen by the Allies on the Normandy coast. They cover a section of more than 80km (50 miles). Code names have been given:
- Utah Beach, the easternmost beach where the American troops landed
- Omaha Beach where the American troops landed
- Gold Beach where the British troops landed
- Juno Beach where the Canadian troops landed
- Sword Beach where the British troops landed
The Battle of Normandy that followed lasted until the end of August.
Here is a map to help you locate them:
Which D-Day beach to visit?
Around these 5 beaches, you will find cemeteries, batteries, memorials and museums. They are all fascinating to discover.
Depending on your family history, you can choose the one that interests you the most.
And if you don’t know about special family ties, here are our opinions to help you choose:
- Utah Beach is the most fun: an open air museum, a battery and the new D-Day Experience not far away
- Omaha Beach is the most emotional: the magnificent sculpture on the beach, the intensity of the American cemetery. We didn’t expect to feel so many overwhelming emotions as we stood in front of all these crosses lined up.
- Gold Beach is the most fascinating visually: the remains of the temporary harbor that appear at low tide, the view from the cliffs…
- Juno Beach is the quickest to visit – if you’re short on time, the beach and museum are right next to each other
- Sword Beach is the most strategy oriented – no beach experience here, but the Antaltic Wall Museum in the Bunker is a unique experience and the Pegasus Memorial tells us more about this critical victory.
How to visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy?
We do not recommend public transportation to visit the landing beaches. There are some local buses, but not very frequent and with many stops for the locals.
Your best options are:
- By car
Visiting by car gives you a lot of flexibility in choosing where to go and how much time to spend at 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 few choices(read more).
Need to rent a car?
Don’t miss the best offers on our favorite platform:
or see our 35 tips and advice for worry-free renting
- On a group tour (D-Day Beach Tours)
If you are limited in time and do not want to drive, you can find organized tours from Paris, Caen, Bayeux, Le Havre… (depending on your location) – see tour options - Private tour with driver
If you are looking for a personalized experience with the ability to see more places, the private tour is a great option.
There is a wide choice of tours depending on your starting point and what you are looking for, here is a selection of our favorite tours:
- From Paris – small group with a battery, a cemetery and a beach – see program and availability
- Private tour from Paris – see program and availability
- Private tour from Caen – see program and availability
- Guided tour from Bayeux with an American focus – see program and availability
- Jeep tour – see program and availability
- Juno Beach, excursion for Canadians from Paris – see program and availability
- or see all options on Getyourguide or all options on Viator
How long to visit the landing beaches
Let’s start by discussing a little bit about the driving times between locations. This will give you an idea of what is feasible:
- From Caen to Bayeux = 30 min drive
- From Bayeux to Utah Beach = 50 min
- From Utah Beach to Omaha Beach Beach = 45 min
- From Omaha Beach to Gold Beach = 45 min
- Gold Beach to Juno Beach Beach = 15 min
- From Juno Beach to Sword Beach Beach = 30 min
- From Sword Beach to Caen = 20 min
- Paris to Omaha Beach = 3h30
You can get an overview in one day.
But for a more complete vision and to immerse yourself in the history we recommend 3 to 5 days, or even a week if you are passionate.
Which city is the most convenient to visit?
The most convenient cities to stay and visit all the landing beaches are :
- Bayeux, a charming little town inland
see the best hotel offers - Arromanches-les-bains, central and at the seaside, it is at the level of Gold Beach
see the best hotel offers - Caen is the largest city in the area
see the best hotel offers
1. Utah Beach
The landing at Utah Beach – facts and figures
Utah was the westernmost beach of the landing.
It covered the section between Pouppeville and La Madeleine with the sub-areas Tare Green, Uncle Red and Victor.
The section is 3 miles long (about 5km).
23,000 American troops landed here.
Casualties were the lowest with 187 men killed or wounded.
Visit to the beach
The beach is easy to visit with a small dune, viewpoints and a large stretch of sand at low tide.
Barges and mannequins are installed not far from the museum, which allows to visualize a little better what the landing was like.
But it’s hard to imagine this peaceful view with the sounds of gunfire, explosions and all the warships in the sea.
A little further down the beach, there are also some bunkers.
Museums around Sainte-Mère-l’Église
The main museum is the Utah Beach Landing Museum right on the beach. It tells in 10 sequences the events of D-Day.
It is a chronological journey from preparation to victory.
Open all year round
But the region is full of other museums and sites:
- The Airbone Museum with a superb scenography to understand the experience of the parachutists on the day of the landing
Closed in December and January except during school vacations - The D-Day Experience: an immersive museum with flight simulator
Open all year round - The Azeville Battery with an impressive underground complex
Open from April to November 11 - The Normandy Victory Museum, about the Battle of the Hedges
Open from April to October and partially in winter (weekends and vacations) - …
Practical information to visit
Utah Beach is the most remote and scattered of the beaches.
The museums are along the beach, in Sainte-Mère-l’église and in Carentan.
You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places.
We stayed at the Domaine Utah Beach – Le Grand Hard hotel: a beautiful 17th century farmhouse turned charming hotel, with a restaurant known for its quality meat. A great time surrounded by nature!
See photos, prices and availability
Otherwise, there are hotels all around Sainte-Mère-l’église – see the best rated hotels aroundUtah Beach
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2. Omaha Beach
The landing at Omaha Beach – facts and figures
Omaha, the largest, is probably the best known of the D-Day beaches.
It covered the section between Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and Vierville-sur-Mer, with the sub-areas Charlie, Dog, Easy and Fox.
The section is 6 miles long (about 10 km).
34,000 American troops landed here.
The losses were the highest with 2400 killed.
Visit to the beach
Omaha Beach is the most difficult to visualize.
The beach has a promenade right on the edge and is very touristy with bathers.
It is still one of the most photographed with the sculpture “The Braves”. It is composed of 3 elements: “Wings of Hope”, “Stand Up for Freedom” and “Wings of Brotherhood”. Created by Anilore Banon, it was installed in 2004, for the 60th commemoration.
The only signs of the war are the memorials and some bunker ruins.
Museums near Colleville-sur-Mer
- American Cemetery: 9387 perfectly aligned tombstones, garden, chapel, memorial, and a small museum giving the content of Operation Overlord.
Open all year round - Overlord Museum: near the American cemetery, one of the richest in terms of artifacts of the landing and the war. With a museography adapted to children.
Closed in January and early February. - The Pointe du Hoc: a strategic place of the German fortifications. The walk around the point takes you to see different bunkers above the cliffs.
Open all year round - Big Red One Assault Museum: museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army nicknamed “The Big Red One
Open from March to November - Maisy Battery: Battery rediscovered in 2006 with many underground passages.
Open from April to September - D-Day Omaha Museum – open from April to September
- Liberation House – open from May to September
- Omaha Beach Memorial Museum – open from June to September
Practical information to visit
Omaha Beach is less remote but still requires a bit of a drive from Caen.
The beach and the museums are grouped together, but to visit the Pointe de Hoc and the Maisy battery, you have to drive a little.
You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places.
We stayed in Bayeux (25 min drive) at the Domaine de Bayeux: a charming hotel in the center of Bayeux surrounded by a French-style park.
See photos, prices and availability
Otherwise, there are hotels all around Colleville-sur-Mer – see the top rated hotels aroundOmaha Beach
3. Gold Beach
The landing at Gold Beach Beach – facts and figures
Gold Beach covered the section between Longues-sur-Mer and La Rivière, with the sub-sectors How, Item, Jig and King.
The section is 5 miles long (about 8 km).
25,000 British troops landed here.
Casualties amounted to 400 killed.
Visit to the beach
The Arromanches part of Gold Beach is one of the most visually interesting of the D-Day landing beaches.
At low tide, pieces of the artificial harbor (Mulberries) appear clearly and you can approach them.
The beach of Arromanches is surrounded by cliffs. This allows to have beautiful views from the top of them.
And at the entrance to the beach, near the museum, you can appreciate several pieces of equipment.
Museums in Arromanches
- The D-Day Museum: presentation of the history of the British artificial harbor with the challenge of its construction and its key role in the victory.
Closed in January - The circular cinema Arromanches 360: with 9 circular screens, the film “100 days of Normandy” plunges you during 19 minutes in the heart of the terrible battle.
Closed in January - The battery of Longues-Sur-Mer: a superb site on the cliffs with access to a fire command post, 4 reinforced concrete casemates and artillery pieces.
Accessible all year round - America Gold Beach Beach Museum: dedicated to the first USA-France airmail link and to the British landing in the “King” sector.
Open from March to October - Museum of underwater wrecks – open from June to September
Practical information to visit
The beach of Arromanches is very central. It is a good base to visit the landing beaches.
The beach and the museums are grouped together. And the battery is only 15 minutes away.
It is necessary to plan at least one day and to organize to visit the beach at low tide.
We stayed at the hotel Les Villas d’Arromanches: a charming hotel in a 19th century villa on the heights of the city. A haven of peace with beautiful views of the sea.
See photos, prices and availability
Otherwise, there are hotels all around Arromanches – see the top rated hotels around Gold Beach
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
→ Best-of
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Best cities in Normandy
Most beautiful beaches of Normandy
Most beautiful villages of Normandy
Best castles of Normandy
Best abbeys of Normandy
Read our complete guide to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel
Discover the D-Day sites
→ 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…
4. Juno Beach
The landing at Juno Beach Beach – facts and figures
Juno Beach was the landing site for the Canadian Army.
It covered the section between La Rivière and Saint Aubin-sur-Mer, with the Love, Mike and Nan sub-sectors.
The section is 6 miles long (about 10 km).
21,400 Canadian and British troops landed here.
Casualties amounted to 1,200 wounded or killed (including 359 Canadian dead).
Visit to the beach
To reach the beach, you have to climb a small dune of white sand.
The beach extends as far as the eye can see, when it is low tide.
The Cross of Lorraine is clearly visible. It was installed here to commemorate the place where De Gaulle first landed, an important turning point in the Battle of Normandy.
On the beach, not far from the museum, you can also see bunkers, tanks and representations of soldiers.
Museums in Courseulles-sur-Mer
- The Juno Beach Centre which focuses on the role played by Canadians alongside the Allied forces. You will discover a film and 5 permanent exhibition rooms.
Closed in January
Read more - Beny-sur-mer Canadia War Cemetery: not far away you can visit the Canadian cemetery where over 2000 men are buried.
Accessible all year round
Practical information to visit
Juno Beach Beach is surrounded by a very nice resort. It is a good base for a stay in Normandy.
The museum is on the beach. And the cemetery is only 10 minutes away.
You should plan for a half to a full day.
We stayed at the hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière: stones and beams, everything that makes the charm of a Norman farm.
See photos, prices and availability
Otherwise, there are hotels in Courseulles – see the top rated hotels around Juno Beach
5. Sword Beach
The landing at Sword Beach Beach – facts and figures
The Sword Beach Beach landing was one of the most strategic because it was one of the main routes to northern France.
It covered the section between Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Ouistreham, with the Oboe, Peter, Queen and Roger sub-sectors.
The section is 5 miles long (about 8 km).
29,000 British troops landed here.
Casualties amounted to 630 killed and wounded.
Visit to the beach
On the beach of Ouistreham, few traces of the war.
It is a very large sandy beach with beach huts.
On the other hand, the city is rich in museums.
Museums in Ouistreham
- Atlantic Wall Museum – The Great Bunker: Explore the former German headquarters in this massive bunker. The interior rooms have been reconstructed on all 5 levels.
Closed in January and early February - Pegasus Memorial: museum that presents the different missions of the 6th British Airborne Division, including the capture of the bridge of Bénouville called Pegasus Bridge.
Closed from December 16 to January 31 - Museum No. 4 Commando: the history of French commando who joined the British troops and participate in their missions
Open from April to early November - Merville Battery: a German battery transformed into a museum with an excellent museography around bunkers, tanks, planes…
Open from mid-March to mid-November - Radar 1944 Museum (in Douvres-la-Délivrande): installed in the former German detection station, the museum presents the life of German soldiers during the occupation of Normandy as well as the history of radar.
Open from April to mid-November - And several cemeteries : La Délivrande, Hermanville, Ranville
Practical information to visit
Sword Beach Beach is in Ousitreham, a seaside resort with a huge beach.
The museums are close to the beach.
The Merville battery is 20 minutes away. Douvres-la-Délivrande is 20 minutes away.
You should plan at least one day but 2 days will allow you to cover more places.
There are many hotels and rentals in Ouistreham – see the top rated hotels around Sword Beach
Normandy beaches – D-Day in numbers
Just over 156,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy.
The allied troops arrived
- Paratroopers: over 23,000
- By sea: over 133,000
The soldiers disembarked by nationalities
- Americans: approximately 73,000
- British: approximately 62,000
- Canadian: approximately 21,000
- and also soldiers from Belgium, Norway, Poland, Luxembourg, Greece, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and Australia.
- And more than 170 French commandos
Casualty estimates – how many died on the beaches of Normandy
- Number of allied losses on June 6 at midnight (killed, wounded, prisoners…): more than 10 000
- Number of German losses on June 6 at midnight (killed, wounded, prisoners…): estimated between 4000 and 10000…
The equipment
- Support aircraft: over 11,000
- Combat ships: more than 1200
- Landing ships; over 4,000
- Merchant ships: over 800
- The ships were 80% British and 16% American
Frequently asked questions about beaches
Landing beach in 1 day
If you only have one day to visit the D-Day landing beaches, it is best to choose one of the 5 beaches described in this article according to your interests:
- Omaha is the most emblematic of the beaches with the sculpture and the American cemetery
- Utah or Omaha for the Americans
- Juno for Canadians
- Gold Beach for the British
- Gold Beach for those interested in temporary port engineering
- Sword Beach and Utah Beach for the best museums (in our opinion)
What was the bloodiest beach on D-Day?
The losses on Omaha Beach were the worst on D-Day.
American troops lost more than 2400 soldiers who were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
Are the beaches of Normandy still stained with blood?
No. Without the memorials, bunkers and cemeteries, it is impossible to imagine what happened on these beaches in 1944. These are now beautiful sandy beaches where people swim in the summer.
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.
Films on the D-Day beaches in Normandy
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 is inspired by the real-life story of the Niland brothers, American soldiers killed during World War II. 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. Story of a young recruit and his training before D-Day.
