Walk Normandy’s D-Day Beaches

Century-defining history, varied walks & rich cuisine
 

Holiday Highlights

D-Day Landing Beaches | Walk to the key landing sites, from Juno to Utah.
Sense of history | Explore a landscape where history is truly palpable.
Varied walks | Our routes take in both coast and countryside.
Culinary delights | Sample Normandy’s renowned cheeses, seafood, and cider.
Bayeux | Discover typical Norman architecture and the Bayeux Tapestry.

Price from
£1595pp
Walk Normandy’s D-Day Beaches . 7 nights
Price from
£1595pp
Walk Normandy’s D-Day Beaches . 7 nights
Price from
£1595pp
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday along Normandy’s D-Day Beaches

Unlock Normandy’s past and present as you walk its coastline and countryside, delving into a region where not only is the history rich, but the architecture and gastronomy are too.

Just as dawn was breaking on 6 June 1944, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword saw the beginning of what’s described as the largest amphibious invasion of all time: Operation Overlord. Our routes take you to its most poignant places – including all the key landing sites  – where you can attempt to comprehend the scenes that took place here, visiting as many of the museums and landmarks as you'd like. Your final stop takes you further back in time to the 11th century, to Bayeux – home of the Bayeux Tapestry and a delightful medieval centre, which avoided much of the damage following the D-Day Landings.
Yet this area of northern France is so much more than its past. Discover a beguiling, archetypal landscape of picture-book towns, windswept cliffs, and expansive sand dunes. Watch fishing boats bobbing out to the scallop, mussel, and oyster farms, and see racehorses run on Utah beach first thing in the morning.
 

Add to that a delicious cuisine, featuring creamy sauces laced with cider or calvados, oozing cheeses such as Camembert, and the freshest seafood around, and Normandy paints a picture of richness in every sense.

 

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 12 12 14 19 21 27 28 28 25 22 17 14
    mm 52 56 49 52 43 34 14 35 66 84 70 67
  • Arrival in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
    Night 1: at Hotel le Grand Hard (the first of 2 nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Around Utah Beach: 12km, 4hrs, ascent/descent 60m
    Our suggested route is an easy loop from the hotel featuring quiet farming tracks and pasture grazed by cows. Once you reach the coast, walk on Utah Beach itself – or the sand dunes at very high tide – until Utah Beach D-Day Landing Museum. During low tide, you might catch sight of racehorses training as well as oyster farms in the distance.
    Today's route takes you to Utah Beach itself
  • Sainte-Marie-du-Mont to Port-en-Bessin: 12km, 4.5hrs, ascent 200m/descent 250m
    Start your day with a transfer to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (right on the beach), where the Normandy American Cemetery is located. Walk along the white sandy beach, wander through the cemetery in its touching natural setting, and hike through the typical Normandy bocage (a landscape of hedgerows, pasture, and woodland) before reaching the small fishing town of Port-en-Bessin.
    Hike beside the coast
  • Around Port-en-Bessin: 15km, 5.5hrs, ascent 180m/descent 220m
    After another short transfer from Port-en-Bessin to Arromanches-les-Bains, this route begins on Gold Beach to admire the view over the cliffs of Arromanches and the remains of the artificial harbour known as Port Winston, where in 100 days 220,000 soldiers, 530,000 tons of supplies, and 39,000 vehicles landed. You also have the chance to visit the Landings Museum, if you wish. Afterwards, carry on along the cliffs to the village of Longues-sur-Mer and its huge German artillery battery, where you can still see some of the original cannon, which was capable of firing shells some 22 kilometres. Then head back to Port-en-Bessin.
    Port Winston
  • Port-en-Bessin to Bénouville: 12km, 4hrs, ascent 50m/descent 80m
    Transfer to Ver-sur-Mer to walk to the Juno Beach Centre, which honours the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives during WWII. Then continue along the expansive sandy beaches of Côte de Nacre and the promenade towards Bernières-sur-Mer where there’s a final transfer to your hotel in Bénouville.
    Juno Beach Centre
  • Bénouville via Caen to Bayeux: 12km, 4hrs, ascent/descent 50m
    The final day of Landing Beaches is dedicated to the famous Pegasus Bridge, to where just before 11pm on 5 June 1944, British gliders and paratroopers were launched to prevent the German navy from leaving the port of Caen. Follow the Caen canal on the tow path all the way to Caen harbour and train station, from where you take the train to Bayeux.
    Pegasus Bridge
  • Bayeux town trail: 4km, 2hrs, ascent/descent 50m
    As the first town in mainland France to be liberated, Bayeux has more than a few stories to tell. Explore its medieval centre on a circular walk, discovering the UNESCO-protected tapestry, Norman-Gothic cathedral, half-timbered houses that are typical of Norman architecture (some date back to the 12th century), the Bayeux War Cemetery & Memorial, and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy.
    Explore Bayeux
 

Accommodation

Our handpicked selection of hotels chronicle Normandy’s history, from stone-built country inns and converted farm mansions to a former 18th-century post office in medieval Bayeux.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2025 - 30 November 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 Apr - 5 May 2025 £1775 £645
    6 May - 31 Jul 2025 £1990 £735
    1 - 31 Aug 2025 £1870 £735
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1785 £630
    1 - 31 Oct 2025 £1715 £630
    1 - 23 Nov 2025 £1595 £630
    3rd & 4th person discount -£30
    Single traveller supplement £215

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 01 April 2025 - 30 November 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 Apr - 5 May 2025 £2040 £645
    6 May - 31 Jul 2025 £2260 £735
    1 - 31 Aug 2025 £2135 £735
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £2050 £630
    1 - 31 Oct 2025 £1985 £630
    1 - 23 Nov 2025 £1865 £630
    3rd & 4th person discount -£55
    Single traveller supplement £240

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Carentan (SNCF), approx. duration 6h plus 0h20 taxi transfer. Home, Bayeux–Paris (SNCF), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx. duration 7h.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 01 April 2025 - 30 November 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 Apr - 5 May 2025 £1895 £645
    6 May - 31 Jul 2025 £2110 £735
    1 - 31 Aug 2025 £1990 £735
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1905 £630
    1 - 31 Oct 2025 £1835 £630
    1 - 23 Nov 2025 £1715 £630
    3rd & 4th person discount -£90
    Single traveller supplement £335

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    We also include a transfer back to the first town at the end of your holiday to collect your car.
    > More information about travelling self-drive

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel le Grand Hard, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
    Deluxe Superior: 01 Apr - 30 Nov 2025 £43
    Superior: 01 Apr - 30 Nov 2025 £30

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel le Grand Hard, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2025 £199 £314
    01 May - 31 Aug 2025 £236 £387
    01 Sep - 30 Nov 2025 £199 £314
    Hotel Le Lion d'Or, Bayeux (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2025 £127 £218
    01 May - 31 Aug 2025 £145 £254
    01 Sep - 30 Nov 2025 £127 £218
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Paris CDG
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Paris CDG jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Paris CDG British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris CDG

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    RER/Metro from Paris CDG airport to Paris St Lazare (0h50), rail Paris St Lazare to Carentan (2h40), taxi Carentan to hotel (0h20) £112 1500
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    rail - Bayeux to Paris St Lazare (2h30) - £
    Metro/RER from Paris St Lazare to Paris CDG airport (0h50)
    £78 1230 (1330 Sun)
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
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FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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