My Top 10 D-Day & WWII Sites to Visit in Normandy (2025 Guide)
Visiting the D-Day sites of Normandy is unlike any other travel experience. These places don’t just tell history; they make you feel it. Standing on the beaches, walking through quiet cemeteries, and exploring bunkers and museums changes the way you see the world.
Over the past decade I’ve visited every site on this list and hundreds more across Normandy while building Normandy War Guide. From well-known landmarks to hidden corners of the battlefields, each visit has deepened my appreciation for the bravery and loss that shaped this region.
There are countless World War II sites in Normandy worth exploring, but most visitors don’t have weeks to see them all. So here are my ten must-see places, a mix of beaches, cemeteries and museums that together tell the full story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
Contents
- 1. Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery – German Coastal Defences Between Omaha and Gold Beach
- 2. Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach (Colleville-sur-Mer) – ABMC Memorial & Visitor Center
- 3. Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery (Normandy, France)
- 4. Arromanches Artificial Harbour (Gold Beach) – The Mulberry Port that Supplied the Invasion
- 5. Airborne Museum, Sainte-Mère-Église – Stories of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions
- 6. WN60 Strongpoint (Omaha Beach) – German Defences Overlooking the Eastern Bluffs
- 7. Pegasus Bridge and Memorial Pegasus – The Daring Glider Assault of the 6th Airborne Division
- 8. Normandy Victory Museum (Carentan)
- 9. Juno Beach Centre and Monuments – Visiting Canada’s D-Day Landing Site
- 10. La Cambe German War Cemetery
- Map my the Top 10 WW2 & D-Day Sites in Normandy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Explore More WWII Sites in Normandy
1. Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery – German Coastal Defences Between Omaha and Gold Beach
The Longues-sur-Mer Battery is one of the best-preserved German coastal defence positions from World War II and a must-see stop between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach. Built from 1943 to 1944 as part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, this position formed a crucial link in the German artillery network designed to repel an Allied invasion.
The battery consists of four concrete casemates, each armed with 150mm naval guns capable of firing shells more than 20 kilometres offshore. On D-Day, these guns engaged both the Allied fleet and troops landing on the beaches below. Despite heavy naval bombardment, several guns survived intact — one even fired until its garrison surrendered on June 7, 1944.
Walking through the site today, you can still enter the original bunkers, see the gun barrels where they stood in 1944, and trace the trenches and command post that connected them. The position was also featured in the classic film The Longest Day, making it one of the most recognisable WWII landmarks in Normandy.
2. Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach (Colleville-sur-Mer) – ABMC Memorial & Visitor Center
Set above Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery is the resting place of 9,387 U.S. service members and one of the most moving sites in France. Managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC),it combines a serene landscape with powerful storytelling about D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
The cemetery’s immaculate lawns stretch across 172 acres overlooking the sea. Only when you walk its length do you truly grasp the scale — the endless rows of white crosses and Stars of David seem to merge with the horizon. It’s an overwhelming sight that makes this one of the most powerful places to visit in Normandy.
At the heart of the site stands the marble memorial colonnade, reflection pool, and chapel. The Walls of the Missing record 1,557 names, while the visitor center below provides historical context through personal stories, photographs, and artifacts. From the viewing area you can look down toward Omaha Beach, where many of those buried here fell during the landings on June 6, 1944.
From the cemetery, a trail leads down toward Omaha Beach, passing remnants of the German coastal defences. Along the way you’ll see concrete casemates and other remains of the Atlantic Wall, as well as memorials dedicated to the soldiers who fought and fell during the landings. Together they create a poignant connection between the peaceful cemetery above and the battleground below.
Visiting early in the morning or late afternoon offers a quieter atmosphere. If timing allows, stay for the daily flag-lowering ceremony, a simple and moving moment as the American flags are folded against the backdrop of the sea. Entry is free, and the site is open year-round with parking and visitor facilities available.
3. Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery (Normandy, France)
Located on the edge of the historic town of Bayeux, this beautifully maintained site is the largest resting place of Commonwealth soldiers in Normandy. Here lie more than 4,100 servicemen from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth who fell during the Battle of Normandy.
Across the road stands the Bayeux Memorial, which lists the names of 1,800 men and women who have no known grave, many of whom died during the first months after D-Day. Together, the cemetery and memorial form a powerful tribute to those who fought and died for the liberation of Europe.
Unlike many D-Day sites, Bayeux itself escaped major destruction, becoming one of the first major towns in France to be liberated after the landings. The cemetery was established soon after as a central burial ground for those who fell in the surrounding battles, its orderly rows of headstones reflecting both the scale of the sacrifice and the peace that followed.
Tip for visitors: The cemetery is open year-round and entry is free. Combine your visit with the nearby Bayeux D-Day Museum or a walk through Bayeux’s medieval streets to see how the town survived the war almost untouched.
4. Arromanches Artificial Harbour (Gold Beach) – The Mulberry Port that Supplied the Invasion
The quiet seaside town of Arromanches-les-Bains was once the centre of one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the Second World War. After D-Day, it became the site of a vast temporary harbour known as a Mulberry Harbour, built by the Allies to supply troops fighting inland from the beaches.
The harbour, codenamed “Port Winston”, was assembled in just days using prefabricated concrete caissons, floating roadways, and steel pontoons to create a working port capable of handling thousands of tons of equipment and supplies each day. Between June and November 1944, more than 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles, and 4 million tons of supplies passed through the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, making it one of the most extraordinary logistical achievements of the war.
Today, large sections of the concrete “Phoenix” caissons can still be seen off the shore, particularly at low tide. Standing on the promenade or the cliffs above, it’s easy to imagine the constant movement of ships, vehicles, and soldiers that once filled this peaceful stretch of coastline.
A visit to the Musée du Débarquement on the seafront explains how the harbour was designed and constructed in secret, complete with scale models and original footage from 1944. For a wider perspective, the Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema offers a powerful film experience that combines D-Day archive footage with modern aerial views of Normandy’s battlefields.
5. Airborne Museum, Sainte-Mère-Église – Stories of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions
In the early hours of 6 June 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions descended over the Cotentin Peninsula to secure key routes behind Utah Beach. One of their main objectives was the small town of Sainte-Mère-Église, a vital crossroads for the Allied advance inland.
Today, the Airborne Museum tells their story through immersive exhibits and original artifacts. Spread across several modern pavilions, the museum’s collection includes a fully restored C-47 “Dakota” transport aircraft, a Waco glider, and interactive displays that put you in the boots of the paratroopers who dropped into battle that night. Visitors can watch short films, explore realistic recreations of the landings, and even experience a simulated night jump over Normandy.
Just outside, the church of Sainte-Mère-Église became world-famous after being featured in the film The Longest Day. During the invasion, Private John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment was caught on the church steeple when his parachute snagged, forcing him to play dead as the fighting raged below. A model paratrooper still hangs from the tower today in his honour.
The museum’s outdoor area includes military vehicles, artillery, and memorials dedicated to the men of the Airborne divisions. Each year on the D-Day anniversary, veterans, locals, and visitors gather in the town square to commemorate the liberation and remember those who never returned.
Tip for visitors: The museum is open daily and tickets can be purchased on-site or online. Allow at least 1–2 hours for your visit. The church is just across the square, making it easy to explore both together. For families, the exhibits and life-sized displays are engaging and accessible to all ages.
6. WN60 Strongpoint (Omaha Beach) – German Defences Overlooking the Eastern Bluffs
Perched on the eastern headland of Omaha Beach, WN60 (Widerstandsnest 60) was one of the German defensive positions built as part of the Atlantic Wall. From its bunkers and trenches, German troops commanded a sweeping view over the beach where the American 1st Infantry Division landed on D-Day.
The position was armed with machine guns, mortars, and anti-tank guns, designed to pour fire down onto the invasion force. On the morning of 6 June 1944, soldiers of the U.S. 16th Infantry Regiment attacked this strongpoint from the bluffs above and from the beach below. After fierce fighting, they managed to capture it by mid-morning, making it one of the first German positions on Omaha Beach to fall into Allied hands.
Today, WN60 remains one of the best-preserved German positions on Omaha Beach. Visitors can explore trenches, Tobruk pits, and concrete bunkers, many still visible among the grass and sand dunes. The site is free to visit and open at all times, though the terrain can be uneven and exposed to the wind, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Please note: Due to being located down narrow country roads, it’s worth familiarising yourself with its location on a map before setting out, as car GPS units can sometimes struggle to find it.
7. Pegasus Bridge and Memorial Pegasus – The Daring Glider Assault of the 6th Airborne Division
In the opening minutes of 6 June 1944, British airborne troops of the 6th Airborne Division carried out one of the most daring operations of D-Day. Their mission was to capture two vital bridges, Pegasus Bridge over the Caen Canal at Bénouville and Horsa Bridge over the River Orne to secure the eastern flank of the Allied landings and prevent German counterattacks from reaching Sword Beach.
The men of D Company, 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, led by Major John Howard, landed their wooden Horsa gliders within metres of the bridges in a near-perfect night assault. Within ten minutes, both crossings were in British hands, making them the first Allied objectives captured on D-Day. Their success ensured the only routes across the canal and river remained open for the advancing ground forces.
Today, visitors can see the original Pegasus Bridge, preserved at the Memorial Pegasus Museum, located a short walk from its original position. The modern replacement bridge now spans the canal, while the museum’s exhibits include a full-size replica of a Horsa glider, uniforms, weapons, and personal stories from the men who took part in the assault.
Across the canal stands Café Gondrée, often described as the first house in France to be liberated. It remains a family-run café and a living memorial to the soldiers who fought here. The surrounding area also features several monuments dedicated to British airborne forces and their commander, Major-General Richard Gale.
8. Normandy Victory Museum (Carentan)
Located just outside Carentan, the Normandy Victory Museum offers a detailed look at the often-overlooked battles that followed the D-Day landings. Its exhibits focus on the difficult fighting in the Normandy bocage, where Allied troops faced determined German resistance in a maze of hedgerows and narrow lanes during the summer of 1944.
The museum’s displays include restored vehicles, along with weapons, uniforms, and personal items from soldiers on both sides. Large dioramas recreate scenes from the Battle of Carentan, Operation Cobra, and other key moments of the campaign, giving visitors a sense of what it was like to fight through Normandy’s challenging terrain.
One of the museum’s most impressive features is its immersive design. Visitors can walk through reconstructed environments that use sound, lighting, and authentic equipment to recreate the atmosphere of combat and liberation. The focus is on personal stories and everyday experiences, making it a powerful complement to the beach museums along the coast.
9. Juno Beach Centre and Monuments – Visiting Canada’s D-Day Landing Site
At Courseulles-sur-Mer, the Juno Beach Centre stands as the principal memorial to the Canadian soldiers who landed on D-Day. It sits directly on the beach where the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division came ashore on 6 June 1944, facing heavy fire yet securing one of the most successful beachheads of the invasion.
The museum tells the story of Canada’s involvement in the Second World War, from the home front to the landings and the battles that followed. Its modern exhibits include personal accounts, photographs, interactive displays, and short films that show how the war affected Canadians both overseas and at home. The Centre also highlights Canada’s role in peacekeeping missions after 1945, connecting the legacy of D-Day to later generations.
Outside, the area around the museum is dotted with monuments and memorials dedicated to the units that fought here, including the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, and the North Shore Regiment A preserved German bunker near the museum can be explored on guided tours, offering a glimpse of the defences the Canadians faced when they landed.
The Juno Beach Centre is staffed by young Canadian guides, who bring the story to life with enthusiasm and insight. Their tours of the museum and nearby bunkers are highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the Canadian experience on D-Day.
10. La Cambe German War Cemetery
The La Cambe German War Cemetery offers a powerful and sobering counterpoint to the Allied cemeteries of Normandy. Located a few kilometres south of Pointe du Hoc, it is the final resting place of more than 21,200 German soldiers who died during the Battle of Normandy.
The cemetery is maintained by the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (German War Graves Commission) and has a very different character to the Allied burial grounds. Instead of white headstones, the graves are marked by dark basalt crosses and flat plaques set in the grass, creating a sombre and reflective atmosphere. At its centre rises a grass-covered mound topped by a large stone cross and two statues of mourning figures.
Many of those buried here were young men who fell in the fierce fighting of June and July 1944. Their names and ages are inscribed on bronze plaques at the base of the central mound, reminding visitors of the human cost on all sides of the conflict. Near the entrance stands a small visitors’ building with exhibits explaining how post-war reconciliation led to the creation of the cemetery.
Map my the Top 10 WW2 & D-Day Sites in Normandy
The map below brings together all ten sites mentioned in this article. Use it to plan your visit and see how each location fits into the wider D-Day campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting D-Day Sites in Normandy
When is the best time to visit the D-Day sites in Normandy?
The best months to visit are from May to September, when the weather is generally mild and most sites are fully open. It can be busier in July and August during the school holidays, and accommodation prices tend to rise at that time.
Visiting around the 6th of June offers the chance to experience remembrance events, though it’s wise to book accommodation well in advance.
Do not be put off from visiting at other times of the year. Some of my favourite trips have been in November, when the beaches and cemeteries are almost empty. While a few attractions close for the winter, most outdoor sites remain accessible, and the quieter atmosphere makes it easier to reflect on the history of the area.
How long do you need to see the main D-Day sites?
Having visited Normandy regularly for more than ten years, I’m still discovering new places to explore. As a general guide, if you want to see all five landing beaches and a few of the main museums and memorials, allow at least two to three days.
To explore more thoroughly, including inland battlefields, cemeteries, and smaller sites, plan for three to five days or longer. There is an incredible amount to see, and taking your time allows you to better appreciate the history and atmosphere of each location.
Are the D-Day sites suitable for families?
Yes. Most museums include interactive or visual exhibits that appeal to all ages, and many outdoor sites can be freely explored. While some areas such as memorials and cemeteries are quiet and somber, much of the Normandy coastline remains family friendly. Many of the beaches where the landings took place are now peaceful, open spaces with plenty of activities for children nearby.
Do the museums have English information?
Yes. Almost all D-Day museums and major memorials in Normandy include English-language exhibits, signage, and audio guides. Staff at the larger sites are used to welcoming international visitors and can usually help in English if needed.
Normandy is a very friendly region, and even if your French is a bit out of practice, you will almost always receive a warm and helpful response, often from someone who speaks at least some English.
Explore More WWII Sites in Normandy
Want to discover more places beyond this top ten? Browse the full collection of battlefields, bunkers, museums, and memorials across the region in the Explore section.
Phil – founder of Normandy War Guide
I started the site more than a decade ago after my first trip to Normandy and have
been hooked ever since. I visit a few times each year to explore new sites and
update the guide. Over the years I’ve also transcribed thousands of WWII war
diaries and scanned original maps to keep this history accessible for everyone.