This year marks the 76th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. It’s a fitting time to remember what took place here. Omaha Beach is well known to those in the U.S. (especially), but the events of D-Day covered a much larger area of coastline.
An Overview of Operation Overlord
On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed along 60 miles of beaches to set in motion the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. There were five separate landings to Operation Overlord by American, British, and Canadian troops involving 160,000 soldiers. Code names for the 5 beaches are Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Here’s a map from HistoryExtra.com to give you a good idea of the beaches.
I was able to travel to France on an amazing trip to visit all 5 of the beaches in 2019. For a history buff like me, this was an unforgettable experience. I would like to share with you about all 5 beaches, starting with Omaha.
Omaha Beach — The Most Difficult Beach
Historians agree that the landing on the stretch of about 5 miles that is Omaha Beach was the most difficult of a day of unimaginable difficulties. Why? This beach turned out to have the largest number of German troops. Allied bombing runs failed to take out German strong points. The beach was riddled with mines and obstacles. Also, stormy weather and navigation issues led to men drowning before they could even reach the beach.
Those who gained the beach faced a fortified sea wall and high bluffs from where German artillery rained down on them.
The battle on Omaha was so severe that U.S. Lieutenant General Omar Bradley considered retreat back to England. But slowly and steadily men clawed through the sand and sprinted and ran into enemy fire, making it to the refuge of the seawall. By the end of this Day of Days, the Americans claimed a toehold of about 1.5 miles of France.
The Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer
The focus of a visit to Omaha Beach today is the peaceful cemetery that is the final resting place of almost 10,000 American soldiers who gave their lives in the battle for Normandy. Overlooking the beach, the rows of graves attest to the price paid for liberation in one small corner of the world. It’s overwhelming to walk here.
The sea of white crosses and stars extends every direction. It’s hard to look around at such loss of life. When you think how many of these lads were teenagers, transported across the English Channel in a rocky vessel, landing in a country where they had never set foot, and then their lives were cut short – it’s too much to comprehend.
A look at the names — so many names — makes your experience here more personal.
The Flag Ceremony and Reflecting Pool
At the end of each day, the American flag flying here is lowered in a respectful ceremony. A reflecting pool is nearby.
You will notice a tall, dark sculpture called “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” Also in this area are large maps of the battles of World War II.
Musée Mémorial d’Omaha Beach
A small, excellent museum is next to the cemetery. It offers displays of uniforms, military vehicles, and even objects of civilians caught in the battles. I found the teddy bear especially poignant.
There are also examples of the metal objects strewn on the beach by the Germans and known as “Rommel’s asparagus.”
I would allow about an hour to take in this museum. If your time is limited, see the outside cemetery and beach first. If time allows, end your visit at the museum.
The Monument of the Brave
At the far west end of Omaha Beach, in Vierville-sur-Mer, you’ll find an imposing sculpture called The Brave. The artist, Anilore Banon, said he created this to honor the courage of the men – sons, husbands, and fathers – who faced danger and often sacrificed themselves in the hope of freeing the French people. These “wings of hope” remind us all to stand strong for freedom and to speak up against all forms of inhumanity.
When You Visit
If you go to Normandy, you can walk on these beaches and try to imagine the events of June 1944. You can feel the sand between your toes, the waves lap at your feet. Around you, children will be playing, families will be out for a stroll, enjoying the sun and the sea. We are all living a life of freedom now, and it’s only right to remember those who gave their last full measure of devotion to make this possible.
Learn More About D-Day
I can personally recommend these books! (Except for the Normandy Travel Diary for Kids — I haven’t read this one, but it looks like a winner if you are traveling with kids!)

Guides to Help You Plan Your Trip
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34 Comments
Terrific shots! I would like to see Normandy for myself someday.
They turned a place of such bloodshot and terror into a peaceful place of tribute.
I’m so envious – I’d love to take that trip to the beaches. Beautiful post as usual!
What lovely photos! When we were there it was in early March and the flowers were not in bloom. They were pruning the trees and the wind was blowing. Your photos bring back wonderful memories of our trip there! Thank you!
Hello, there so much history in this spot and beach. I think one of my uncles was in that area during the war. The memorial is beautiful and the crosses are a sad sight. I am always sorry to hear of lives lost in a war. Enjoy your day, happy new week ahead!
A moving post. There was no sunshine forthe men thatday.
I’ve heard Bayeux is wonderful. I didn’t realise they renamed the beaches. All those graves. Such a waste. And still we don’t learn
Beautiful photos.
Worth a Thousand Words
What a great tribute you gave to this post, Sharon to all these hundreds who barely started adult life and gave this sacrifice for our freedom. Also love the sculptures and the reflective pool – the latter is stunning! Not to mention all these wonderful angles of the crosses. May you be blessed for your sensitivity to honor the sacrifices of uncountable lives, we should not forget. Already 75 years, and then I thought – of course, hubby was born in the “hungerwinter” they called it in Holland -. and no wonder he is underweight (it’s the first year of life when the fat cells are formed), and how it must have been a huge challenge at that time to feed a baby, when there was hardly any food! Many thanks for this historic post for All Seasons, Sharon! Have a beautiful week!
Oh Sharon, your wonderful account was so readable for me! I could feel everything about your words and experiences. I’m so touched by your words! Awesome!
Love you!
What a moving and lovely post.
Such an emotional place. The memorials are so well kept and definitely respected. Thanks for sharing your experience, information and photos.
I appreciate your link on ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
My Corner of the World
Visiting the D-Day beaches at Normandy is on my bucket list. #wanderfulwednesday
Great photos of the area. Amazing what horrors those serene beaches belie from 75 years ago.
Sobering. We were actually in Bayeaux this summer and I hadn’t even given the D-day beaches a thought until I got to Bayeaux (we were there for the tapestry – a whole other historical war!) but it struck me that we really must return to see more. Your post has been very helpful. ‘#farawayflies
Like Alex I was in Bayeaux primarily to see the tapestry but was so touched by the D-day beaches and the war graves at Bayeaux. Being there is not something one forgets. I am moved again by reading your post. Thank you.
Did this area a long time ago. Stayed in Ouistreham. Interesting, beautiful and impressive at the same time. #farawayfiles
I visited Normandy on a family vacation when I was a teenager and will never forget it – all that white leading up to the sea is indeed overwhelming. It’s such an important place to visit if you’re a history buff – glad you made it happen! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
What a lovely post tributing this outstanding and sombre place. So many of these war meorials have ‘Gram takers all over showing no respect to how the place came to be. This is done so tastefully with a good amount of hisotry to back everything up. How much sorrow this place has seen, the world can not forget.
Thank you for this post!! The short history lesson as also much appreciated 🙂
Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing this important place in history.
This post is a great tribute to a place that is so important to Europe and its history. Thanks for sharing.
Omaha Beach looks like such an interesting place to explore the Europe´s history! The Monument of the Brave looks amazing! Thanks for the inspiration to dive into the history books!
I was here maybe 10 years ago, I was pretty young. I loved the experience but kinda wish I knew more history before going there
I get weepy when I read this post – we were supposed to be in Normandy this May and was so looking forward to seeing everything in person. What a beautiful post. This will be the first place I go when we are able!
It’s amazing the history those beautiful beaches have. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful post! I got emotional just reading it and looking at the pictures of all the crosses – It is crazy to think what has happened in the past and the sacrifices people have made! I am also a history buff – I always visit museums when travelling – The 9/11 museum in NYC absolutely knocked me back! I was so overwhelmed with emotion, so I can imagine how you felt visiting this site! Beautiful beach photos too x
Great post & pictures. I feel like this would be a surreal destination to visit. So powerful. Thank you for sharing
A very historical place and memorable, I like how it is so well respected especially the memorial. And its a beautiful beach.
How fitting is this article, I watched Saving Private Ryan last night and as you’d probably know, the film starts on Omaha Beach! I’m such a history bluff, so this was such an amazing read!
Beautiful post for such a humbling place. Your pictures were stunning.
What a beautiful place for such a bloody event to happen. Your pictures show that it’s now a calm and respected place. I need to visit someday as an American who is living in France…
Wow this looks like such a perfect trip for a history buff like me! I would love to visit Normandy and all the beaches. My Opa was captured as a POW in Maltot outside of Caen so I hope to make the trip there one day.
I remember learning about this long long ago in history, but it’s been such a long time. Seeing all those crosses and stars is definitely humbling–I”m glad it’s been transformed into such a serene place and I hope we all do well to remember all that’s happened so we never repeat history like that again.