D-Day in Normandy

• Festivities
• Festive days
• Walks and visits
• Re-enactments and exhibitions

From 1 to 16 June 2024, the D-Day Festival celebrates Freedom on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, with a full programme of fireworks, air shows, parachute drops, parades, concerts, re-enactments, giant picnics, etc. throughout the country: Baie du Cotentin, Isigny-Grandcamp-Intercom, Omaha Beach, Bayeux Intercom, BSM Tourisme, Terres de Nacre, Caen, Ouistreham Riva-Bella and Cabalor.

The story

On the night of 5-6 June 1944, Operation Neptune was launched with parachute drops and the departure of the fleet. 6 June was the day of the assault, the bombardments and the D-Day landings.

6 June 2024

On 6 June 2024, the international ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy will take place on Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.

D-Day - Vintage Day takes place in Douvres-la-Délivrance on 8 June: Parade of bicycles and military vehicles in costume, followed by an aperitif concert.

In Sainte-Mère-Eglise, on 9 June, a large parachute drop from La Fière with collectors in period costume. The parachutists will jump from historic C-47 aircraft. The event runs from 9.45am to 4pm.

In Lion-sur-Mer, from 6 to 9 June, 3 Swing balls and concerts by the "News Orleans" group of musicians. An exhibition of 3 Royal Air Force Spitfires. Exhibitions of photos of war witnesses on the theme of the duty to remember. You'll also be able to sample regional Franco-British produce thanks to a market set up on the Lion-sur-Mer dyke.

How do I get to Lion-sur-Mer by train and bus?

Take the train to Caen, then take the 12EX bus to the Bas Lion stop. It is a 7-minute walk to Lion-sur-Mer.

>> Book your train tickets to Bayeux

International March for Peace

In Sainte-Mère-Eglise on 1 May 2024, the day's programme includes a walk, a celebration, a meal and musical entertainment.

Guided tours

• "The D-Day Landings as Experienced by the Saint-Aubinais" on 1 June at 10am and "The Occupation as Experienced by the Saint-Aubinais" on 5 June at 10am, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer
• Visit the 1944 US war reporters' press room at Château de Vouilly in Isigny-sur-Mer, from 1 to 9 June, 2pm to 8pm.

Self-guided tour

Two digital trails on the Second World War are available on the Istorypath online path: Ouistreham at the heart of the D-Day and Caen in the battle.

A sound walk under a geolocated umbrella lets you follow the voice in your headphones as you follow an itinerary on the history of the Occupation and the D-Day Landings in the Ouistreham and Colleville-Montgomery area.

How do I get to Ouistreham by train and bus?

Take the train to Caen, then take the 12EX bus to the Ouistreham Eglise stop.

>> Book train tickets to Ouistreham

Guided walks

Historical walks allow you to follow in the footsteps of the liberators. Here are a few examples:

• A 3-hour guided historical walk to follow the steps of Canadian and British paratroopers in Gonneville-en-Auge on 2 June at 9.30 am.
• Guided historical walk in the footsteps of No.47 Commando at Asnelles on 6 June at 8.45 am.
• Historical walk in the footsteps of the Canadian North Shore Regiment at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer from 2 to 4.30pm.

Re-enactments

A number of camps have been set up to replicate the facilities of the time, so you can step back in time and have some fun... for example:

• The US military and civilian re-enactment camp, in Saint-Laurent-sur-mer, from 2 to 8 June.
• Omaha Camp at the D-Day Omaha Museum, from 1 to 8 June, is a must!
• The reconstruction of a military camp at Merville-Franceville-Plage at the Musée de la Batterie from 1 to 8 June.
• Camp Hillman is set up in Colleville-Montgomery from 6 to 9 June: military vehicles, bivouac, visit to the bunkers, etc.

Exhibitions

“Exiting the war: from the Battle of Normandy to re-enactment" from 1 to 22 June at Langrune-sur-mer.

"US exhibition, a tribute to nurses" from 2 to 9 June in Carentan-les-marais.