Can I visit Omaha Beach/the DDay beaches in Normandy WITHOUT a tour, or is it restricted?

Hello, fellows! I'm going to be in England this June for the first time, and coincidently enough we will be around there on the 6th, so my father and I are planning on visiting Omaha Beach and Juno Beach, specifically, but also any WW2/DDay related areas in Normandy we can get to in time.

I was wondering... Are you required to be with one of the tours I have read about on the internet in order to go to the beaches, or can you go by yourselves and visit all of the places without the tour? We are on a sort of weird schedule that does not coincide with any of the available tours for that day, so we are in a bit of a situation, it seems! Does anybody know about the area today and how it is going to happen?

The most important piece of information (that I couldn't find anywhere as of yet by myself) is whether or not you need to be with a tour to go TO the beaches and bunkers and things.

Thank you very much for your help,
-Peter Mc.

 

I've done a bit of research on this, and as far as I know the beaches are not an "off limits" area. A lot of the beach areas are now, as many were before the war, seaside resorts!

 

Normally you can go as you please. The only time it´s been different, as far as I know, was on June 6th 2004, when you where not allowed to go by car to the beaches. You then had to go by bus.

I think that our menmbers of this forum will give you all the info you need! I wish you a nice trip to Normandy, and do not forget Moissy and the rest of the "Falaise Gap"

Best regards
Mats

 

Peter, don't worry, you can go pretty much wherever you please. The beaches are mostly public areas with free access. Inland, some bunkers and battlefield sites are on private property so care should be taken not to trespass.

As an experienced 'battlefield walker' I have only one major piece of advice ; do your research well before travelling, so as to figure out exactly what you'd like to see.

Believe me, there's nothing more frustrating than to get back home only to realise that you'd passed within a mile or two of something 'unmissable' ! Have a good look through some of the older threads on here, check out 'Sommecourts' website, and try to get hold of one or two back issues of After The Battle magazine.

You'll have a great time !

 

I confirm that the beaches are public domain. Unless there is a commemoration you'll be able to go about everywhere. Like Martin said, prepare your trip well, but there is also the Office du Tourisme which will provide you valuable help, like free maps and information.

 

Peter!

Here is another link to where you can prepare your visit this summer.

Battlefield Normandy

This site is run by Pieter Jutte, a dutch fellow. If you know that language, then read it in dutch, otherwise he has, as you can see, translated a lot to english.

Mats