5‑Day D‑Day Beaches Driving Tour – Normandy, France (2 Adults)

Day 1: Arrival in Caen & City Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Caen‑Carpiquet Airport, pick up your rental car and check into a centrally‑located hotel. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café while admiring the historic **Caen Castle**.

Afternoon: Stroll through the **Memorial de Caen** museum for an engaging overview of the Normandy landings and World War II history. Grab a light lunch at the museum café.

Evening: Dine at a traditional Norman bistro in the Old Town, then unwind with a walk along the **Orne River** and a glass of Calvados.

Day 2: Utah & Omaha Beaches

Morning: Drive 45 km to **Utah Beach**, the first American landing site, and explore the **Utah Beach Museum** and the historic **Mike‑Morse Battery**.

Afternoon: Continue south to **Omaha Beach**, stopping at the **Omaha Beach Memorial** and the poignant **Normandy American Cemetery** for reflection.

Evening: Return to Caen for dinner; consider a seaside restaurant in nearby **Bayeux** for a change of scenery.

Day 3: Sword & Juno Beaches

Morning: Head east to **Sword Beach**, visiting the **Sword Beach Museum** and the **Merville Battery** ruins.

Afternoon: Cross the border into Canada’s historic sector at **Juno Beach**, touring the **Juno Beach Centre** and the nearby **Arromanches** remnants of the Mulberry Harbour.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed meal in the fishing village of **Arromanches‑les‑Bains**, sampling fresh seafood while watching the sunset over the harbor.

Day 4: Pointe du Hoc & Pegasus Bridge

Morning: Drive to the dramatic cliffs of **Pointe du Hoc**, walk the coastal path to the former German gun emplacements, and learn about the daring U.S. Rangers’ assault.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic **Pegasus Bridge** at **Bénouville**, exploring the **Pegasus Bridge Museum** and the surrounding countryside where British forces secured the bridge.

Evening: Return to Caen for a farewell dinner, perhaps at a restaurant offering a view of the illuminated **Caen Castle**.

Day 5: Arromanches & Departure

Morning: Re‑visit **Arromanches‑les‑Bains** to fully appreciate the **Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema** and the reconstructed **Mulberry Harbour** exhibits.

Afternoon: Enjoy a final lunch in Caen, then shop for local specialties such as Camembert and cider before heading to the airport.

Evening: Return the rental car and board your flight home, carrying memories of the historic beaches and landscapes.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Caen Hotel (4 nights) – 4 hours/day – €120 per night × 2 adults = €960
• Rental Car (5 days) – 8 hours/day – €45 per day × 2 = €450
• Memorial de Caen – 2 hours – €15 per adult = €30
• Utah Beach Museum – 2 hours – €9 per adult = €18
• Omaha Beach Cemetery – 1.5 hours – Free (donation optional €5) = €10
• Sword Beach Museum – 1.5 hours – €8 per adult = €16
• Juno Beach Centre – 2 hours – €12 per adult = €24
• Arromanches Mulberry Harbour – 2 hours – €10 per adult = €20
• Pointe du Hoc – 2 hours – Free (parking €4) = €8
• Pegasus Bridge Museum – 1.5 hours – €7 per adult = €14
• Meals (average €25 per person per day) – 5 days × 2 × €25 = €250
• Fuel (approx. 600 km, €1.80/L, 7 L/100 km) – €76
• Parking & Miscellaneous – €5/day × 5 = €25
• Total Estimated Cost – €1,851

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a half‑day visit to the charming town of **Bayeux** to see its famous tapestry, or extend your stay in **Arromanches** for a guided tour of the underwater remnants of the Mulberry Harbour. To shorten the trip, combine Sword and Juno on a single day and skip the evening return to Caen, opting instead for a night in a coastal B&B to reduce driving time.