📷 Photo by Markus Kammermann on UnsplashNormandy’s D-Day beaches
From Pegasus Bridge to Utah Beach along the coast of 6 June 1944, with the Bayeux Tapestry and a granite fishing port to finish.
- Distance
- 142 km (88 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 58 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- September 5, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 142 km (88 mi) with 8 stops, from Caen to Barfleur. About 1 h 58 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Start in Caen, where the Mémorial museum gives the best overview of the Battle of Normandy, then drive north to Pegasus Bridge at Bénouville. From Ouistreham the D514 follows the coast west past Sword, Juno and Gold beaches, through small resorts with memorials on almost every seafront.
At Arromanches the remains of the Mulberry harbour lie offshore; the clifftop viewpoint east of town shows them best at low tide. Turn inland for Bayeux, the first town liberated, to see the tapestry and the cathedral, and spend the night there.
Back on the coast, the American Cemetery at Colleville overlooks Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc’s cratered headland is a few kilometres further. Continue across the marshes of the Cotentin to the Utah Beach museum at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.
End in Barfleur, a granite harbour on the tip of the peninsula, with the tall Gatteville lighthouse just north. Parking is easy outside July and August; Cherbourg and Ouistreham both have ferries to England if you are coming from the UK.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Caen
France - 212 km
Pegasus Bridge
HistoryBénouville, FranceThe canal bridge seized by British glider troops in the first minutes of D-Day. The original span now stands in the Memorial Pegasus museum across the water at Ranville.
- 334 km
Arromanches Mulberry harbour
HistoryArromanches-les-Bains, FranceConcrete caissons of the artificial harbour towed across the Channel in 1944 still lie in an arc offshore. See them best from the clifftop viewpoint east of the town at low tide.
- 411 km
Bayeux
France - 518 km
Normandy American Cemetery
HistoryColleville-sur-Mer, FranceMore than 9,000 white marble headstones on the bluff above Omaha Beach. A path leads down to the sand; the visitor centre explains the landings calmly and well.
- 613 km
Pointe du Hoc
HistoryCricqueville-en-Bessin, FranceA headland still pitted with bomb craters and shattered bunkers, where US Rangers climbed the cliffs on 6 June 1944. Stay on the marked paths, the cliff edge is eroding.
- 717 km
Utah Beach Museum
HistorySainte-Marie-du-Mont, FranceA museum built on the dunes of the westernmost landing beach, with a B-26 bomber inside. The long, empty beach outside is good for a quiet walk afterwards.
- 836 km
Barfleur
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Caen → Arromanches Mulberry harbour · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Pegasus Bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: Port'Land (11 km); Aire de camping-car communale du Parc de l'Edit à Courseulles-sur-Mer (13 km).
- Day 2: Arromanches Mulberry harbour → Pointe du Hoc · 43 km · 0 h 35 minOn the way: Bayeux, Normandy American Cemetery.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Omaha Beach (6 km); La Ferme du Lavoir (9 km).
- Day 3: Pointe du Hoc → Barfleur · 53 km · 0 h 44 minOn the way: Utah Beach Museum.Overnight nearby, for example: La Blanche Nef (< 1 km); Camping Muncipal de Jonville (7 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Normandy’s D-Day beaches?
3-day road trip of about 142 km (88 mi) with 8 stops, from Caen to Barfleur. About 1 h 58 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Normandy’s D-Day beaches?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 58 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Normandy’s D-Day beaches start and end?
It starts in Caen and ends in Barfleur.
Which countries does Normandy’s D-Day beaches pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Normandy’s D-Day beaches?
OpenStreetMap lists 141 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Aire de camping-car Bretteville sur Odon, Le Point du Jour Camping and Aire de camping-car communale du Parc de l'Edit à Courseulles-sur-Mer.
When is the best time for Normandy’s D-Day beaches?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
