Juno Beach, Normandy – Guide to the Canadian D-Day Landing Beach
Juno Beach was one of the five designated landing areas of the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944. Situated between Gold Beach to the west and Sword Beach to the east, it stretched for about 10 kilometres along the Norman coastline, covering the towns of Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer, and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.
The beach was assigned to the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, supported by units of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, with British Commandos landing on the eastern flank to link up with Sword Beach. Juno was heavily defended by German troops of the 716th Infantry Division and the 21st Panzer Division, who had fortified the coastline with bunkers, machine-gun positions, and artillery.
Despite facing strong resistance, rough seas, and heavy losses during the first wave, the Canadian troops successfully established a beachhead and advanced further inland than any other Allied force on D-Day.
Juno Beach Sectors
For the landings on 6th June 1944, Juno Beach was divided into three sectors — Love, Mike, and Nan — each assigned to different Canadian infantry and armoured units. These designations helped coordinate the assault across the 10-kilometre stretch of coastline.
Love - Stretching from La Rivière (just east of Ver-sur-Mer) to Hameau de Vaux, this was the westernmost sector of Juno Beach.
Mike - Covering the area from Hameau de Vaux to Courseulles-sur-Mer, where today the Juno Beach Centre is located. This sector saw some of the heaviest fighting on D-Day.
Nan - Running from Courseulles-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, the easternmost sector of Juno Beach.
Quick Facts – Juno Beach
Location: Normandy coast between Gold and Sword Beaches
Allied Forces: Primarily Canadian 3rd Infantry Division with support from the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade and British Commandos
Axis Defenders: German 716th Infantry Division with support from elements of the 21st Panzer Division
Length of Beach: Approximately 10 km (6 miles)
Key Towns/Villages: Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer
H-Hour: 07:45 (delayed by weather and rough seas)
Casualties: ~1,200 Canadian casualties (approx. 340 killed, 574 wounded, remainder missing or captured)
Outcome: Beach secured by midday; Canadian forces advanced further inland than any other Allied troops on D-Day
The Landings on Juno Beach
The assault on Juno Beach began later than planned due to rough seas and the need to wait for the tide to rise over beach obstacles. H-Hour was set for 07:45, nearly an hour after the American and British assaults had already commenced further along the coast.
The first wave of Canadian infantry faced heavy machine-gun and artillery fire as they approached the shore. Many of the amphibious Sherman DD tanks from the 1st Hussars and Fort Garry Horse regiments provided crucial fire support, suppressing German strongpoints along the beach. Despite this, casualties among the leading units were severe, particularly at Bernières-sur-Mer and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, where strong bunkers and fortified houses commanded the approaches.
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, landing at Bernières, suffered around 50% casualties in the first minutes of battle. At Courseulles-sur-Mer, the Regina Rifle Regiment and Canadian Scottish Regiment encountered intense opposition but gradually fought their way inland with the support of engineers clearing obstacles and armoured units pushing through.
By midday, the Canadians had secured all their primary beach objectives and began advancing inland. Despite the initial difficulties, Juno Beach was one of the most successful landings of the day, with Canadian troops advancing further inland — in some areas nearly 10 kilometres — than any other Allied force on 6th June 1944.
German Defences
Along the 10-kilometre stretch of beach, the Germans constructed strongpoints (Widerstandsnester) positioned at key locations such as Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer, and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. These defensive positions were reinforced with concrete bunkers, machine-gun nests, mortar pits, and anti-tank guns covering the approaches to the beach. Coastal artillery batteries further inland were able to shell the landing zones, adding to the difficulties faced by the attacking forces.
In addition to fixed fortifications, the beaches themselves were heavily mined and littered with obstacles, including steel tetrahedra, wooden stakes fitted with mines, and Belgian Gates designed to impede landing craft. These obstacles were intended to trap Allied troops on the shoreline during high tide, exposing them to sustained defensive fire.
Despite these formidable defences, the determination of the Canadian troops, combined with effective naval bombardment and armoured support, allowed the attackers to gradually overcome the German resistance and secure the beachhead.
Juno Beach Today
Today Juno Beach is a peaceful stretch of coastline dotted with memorials, museums, and reminders of the events of 6th June 1944. The area is best known for the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, dedicated to the Canadian role in the Normandy campaign. Within walking distance are preserved bunkers, monuments, and the beach itself, offering visitors a chance to explore history on the very ground where the landings took place.
Juno Beach Centre
Juno Beach Centre is a museum located immediately behind Juno beach, the beachhead where 14,000 Canadians landed on D-Day.
Graye-sur-Mer Churchill A.V.R.E. tank
A Churchill A.V.R.E. tank that landed on the beach at Graye-sur-Mer and was stopped on its way inland when it was unable to bridge a deep culvert and foundered
Courseulles-sur-Mer Sherman DD Tank
A Sherman DD tank which belonged to the Canadian 6th Armoured Regiment located at Courseulles-sur-Mer near the harbour entrance
WN29 Cannon
A 50mm cannon located on the harbourside at Courseulles Sur Mer, it was originally located closer to the water as part of WN 29
Maison de The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada / Canada House
This house was liberated at first light on D-Day, 6 June, 1944, by the men of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada who were the first Canadians to land on this beach
Widerstandsnest 27, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer
WN27 on the seawall at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer which still retains its 50mm cannon. On the right of the bunker, you can see the damage caused by an AVRE tank.
1st Armored Polish Division Memorial, Graye-sur-Mer
A memorial to the 16000 men of the 1st Armored Polish Division who landed at Graye-sur-Mer with their 400 tanks at the end of July 1944
Explore more nearby locations in our Explore section, which features museums, cemeteries, and memorials across Normandy.
See Juno Beach as it looked in 1944 with our interactive map, including rare aerial imagery from D-Day.
Visiting Juno Beach
If travelling from the South of the UK, the easiest way to reach Juno Beach is via the Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) ferry, operated by Brittany Ferries as it docks at the eastern end of sword beach about 15km away. If traveling from close to Dover it is typically cheaper and faster to take a Dover to Calais or Dunkirk ferry and travel down the coast.
For those wishing to visit other D-Day beaches or inland battlefields, a car is highly recommended. Many cemeteries, memorials, and museums are spread across the Normandy countryside and are not easily accessible by public transport. However, exploring the beach and nearby villages by bicycle is also a practical option, especially if you wish to follow the coastline at a slower pace.
The Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer is an ideal starting point for any visit. The museum provides a comprehensive introduction to the Canadian role in the Normandy campaign, while just outside you can explore memorials, preserved fortifications, and direct access to the beach itself — all within easy walking distance.
