Remembering the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on the Beaches of Normandy

A legacy of peace

Visiting these beaches is more than a mere historical pilgrimage; it is an opportunity to honour the courage of those who fought for those who did not or could not, and to reflect on the peace their sacrifices achieved.

Today, Normandy’s tranquility, with its picturesque villages and thriving cities, belies its war-torn past. A journey here not only allows us to appreciate the fruits of peace – hard-won freedoms – but also reminds us to remember and understand history in the hopes of preventing its darkest chapters from ever repeating themselves.

As I left the Giants behind, the wind’s whistling intermixed with a few scattered scenes: families pausing in reverence, a young woman wiping away tears, a child’s innocent (but unanswered) question about the soldiers’ guns.

Among these echoes of the past, the wind seemed to carry both the weight of history and gratitude for peace.

How to get there

Because of its location, Normandy is extremely well-connected and easily accessible from around Europe.

Passengers arriving internationally by plane can land in Paris at either Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly and take an easy two-hour train ride into Normandy. Normandy also has four airports, though these mainly serve domestic flights from within France. Check for flights on Skyscanner here.

Visitors from the UK and Ireland can arrive by ferry by crossing the English Channel on one of the various ferry lines. Check timetables and prices here. 

Those looking to take the train can connect to Normandy from Paris via the Saint-Lazare train station or the Montparnasse train station. From the UK, passengers can travel via the Eurotunnel and stop in Coquelles, which is only 1.5 hours from Le Tréport, a gateway to Normandy. Get train tickets here!