The Allied landings of Operation Overlord on D-Day took place on an 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch of the Normandy coast extending from the village of Ouistreham, on the Orne River due north of the city of Caen in the east, to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont at the base of the Cotentin peninsula (tipped by Cherbourg) in the west (map).

Sword Beach

Closest to the important transport center of Caen, Sword Beach near Ouistreham was the easternmost landing-place, and was designated for UK troops. Today it's a pleasant seaside resort and cross-Channel ferry port. Just south of it is Pegasus Bridge, captured in the very first minutes of Operation Overlord. More...

Juno Beach

The beach by Courseulles-sur-Mer, west of Sword Beach, was the objective of Canadian forces who forged inland farther than other landing forces on D-Day. The modern museum there commemorates their bravery, achievements, and sacrifice. More...

Gold Beach

The UK forces that landed on Gold Beach, between Arromanches and Ver-sur-Mer, had a special mission: to clear the way for the quick construction of the crucial artificial port of Mulberry docks so that the vast Allied invasion force could be reliably supplied with all the arms, ammunition, equipment, food and transport needed. More...

Omaha Beach

The US forces that stormed ashore on Omaha Beach between Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and Vierville-sur-Mer in Normandy saw some of the fiercest fighting during the landings. The sacrifice was great, but the victory crucial. More...

Pointe-du-Hoc

This high rock promontory jutting out into the English Channel between Omaha and Utah beaches was a seemingly impregnable element of Hitler's Atlantic Wall, but US Army Ranger commandos scaled its sheer rock cliffs and knocked out its determined defenders in one of the most astonishing victories of the D-Day battles. More...

Utah Beach

The westernmost beach of the D-Day Normandy landings at the town of Sainte-Marie-du-Monts was important for its access to the Contentin Peninsula and the important port of Cherbourg. The US forces landed with only light resistance, and General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. personally led the drive inland. More...

War Cemeteries

These beautiful, peaceful but somber memorials remind us of the bravery and heroism of war, but also its futility. More...

Normandy & Brittany

Your visit to the Normandy landings sites can easily include other stops in the delightful French regions of Normandy and Brittany.

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