D-Day visit

Endless speeches, lots of VIPs and attendant security. It’s very crowded and will consume lots of time.

I have for most of the summers I’ve been in France gone to a commemoration in St Charles de Percy (near Vire) at the CWGC Cemetery, on June 6. Locals and expats come out by the hundreds. A few speeches and prayers followed by Welsh Guards bugler playing last post. June 6 was indeed a Day of Days that transcends being American.

This event at St Charles de Percy is also where I stop and ponder the grave of a 21 year old RCAF pilot killed on his first mission over the invasion beaches. If like others you want an authentic experience then skip the glitter. It’s about 45 minutes from Bayeux.

Thank you! We are doing all the American sights in the full day tour:)

Another question: We are flying into Paris and debating over renting a car and driving to Bayeux or taking the train and renting a car there & returning it there.

After Normandy we are exchanging in south France so will train there & rent another car.

If you like formal proceedings and don't mind the crowds, the wasted time waiting, and the long walks from overstuffed and distant parking areas, then staying over to watch events on 6 June might be worth it for you.

We live in the area and don't bother. It's too much hassle with so many people from outside the area clogging the roadways.

There's one poster on the site who nearly always recommends staying for the flag retreat ceremony at one of the two American cemeteries in Normandie -- at the one near Colleville-sur-Mer. It's fine, but, if you grew up on military bases as I did, it's not substantially different from what happens daily at military bases across the country. I can vouch that most people seem unfamiliar with traditional protocol for such an event (that is, stop talking or walking, turn to face the flag, and place your hand over your heart until the ceremony is over).

There are many ceremonies leading up to D-day itself, and I highly recommend many of them, Get a list from the local tourist offices (Google the office for Sainte-Mère-Église and Carentan), and keep in mind that many schedules are not finalized until a few weeks beforehand. Many of the U.S. ceremonies are centered around Sainte-Mère-Église, which is where the current US. military bases itself for that week. The large parachute drop at the La Fiére Causeway (both active military and reenactors) occurs on the closest Sunday—which this year is June 8th. And the official ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery is on June 6th itself. Lots of speeches and security. If you want to attend that one, submit an application ahead of time at the American Battle Monuments Commission web site. The two times I went (including the 75th anniversary), I didn't get my "invitation" until I was already in town. On that day you have to park many towns away from the cemetery at prearranged lots and get bussed in on official buses. So it becomes an all-day event. But there will be ceremonies in almost every town honoring one person or unit or another all week long. All very touching, and none taking all day. Keep in mind that on June 6th itself, many of the local roads, including the N13 main highway, is closed to traffic for the day to allow dignitaries and officials to move around with proper security.

Oh this is wonderful information - both our fathers were WWII, one Army Air Corp the other Navy. Thank you so much for this information. We will be going to St Mere Eglise as well & will now put in a request for tickets.
Thank you again.