D-Day 74th anniversary agenda
2018 Normandy Commemorations
This page presents the calendar of the various commemorative ceremonies organized in 2018 on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the Battle of Normandy.
- Saturday, May 26, 2018
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.: 10th “History and Memories” Book Fair at the Salle des Fêtes. About fifty guest authors will be present. Free admission. Information: +33 2 33 04 60 19.
– 10:00 a.m.: International Peace March. Departure from Haut Dick in Carentan-les-Marais. Arrival scheduled for 5:45 p.m. in Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Information: +33 2 33 41 41 48.
- Sunday, May 27, 2018
Amfreville (50)
– 11:00 a.m.: Memorial Day ceremony at the Monument to the 507th Regiment of the 82nd Airborne.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (14)
– 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Guided hike on Omaha Beach.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: 10th “History and Memories” Book Fair at the Village Hall. Around fifty guest authors will be present. Free admission. Information: +33 2 33 04 60 19.
- Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Carentan-les-Marais (50)
– 6:00 p.m.: Military families will be welcomed. Contact: Town Hall: +33 2 33 42 74 00.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 6:00 p.m.: Military families will be welcomed. Contact: AVA contact@avanormandie.org
- Thursday, May 31, 2018
Chef-du-Pont (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony held at Rex Combs Square.
Picauville (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Ceremony honoring the American Air Force at the USAAF monument.
– 5:00 p.m.: Guided historical hike. Reservations: +33 2 33 21 00 33.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 4:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the Alexandre Renaud memorial.
– 4:30 p.m.: Commemorative Mass at the church.
– 5:30 p.m.: Ceremony at the AVA monument. Information: +33 2 33 41 72 76.
- Friday, June 1, 2018
Carentan-les-Marais (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Historical lecture “Des Hommes, Une Bataille” (Men, a Battle) on the Battle of Carentan and those who lived through it. Carentan Theater, free admission.
– 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Paratroopers in period dress drop along Purple Heart Lane (weather permitting).
– 4:30 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the Carré de Choux memorial (opposite the But store).
– 5:30 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the Signal monument, in front of the town hall.
– 6:00 p.m.: Military parade to the port.
Foucarville (50)
– 8:30 p.m.: Musical entertainment by the sea at “Foucarville Bunker.”
Méautis (50)
– 10:45 p.m.: Nighttime historical reenactment of the Battle of Bloody Gulch at Donville Manor. €10/person. Information: +33 2 33 42 03 22 / +33 6 47 51 02 69.
Picauville (50)
– 7:00 p.m.: Ceremony honoring the soldiers of the 90th U.S. Infantry Division at the memorial (Utah Beach Street).
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Wreath laying at the memorial of Generals Gavin and Ridgway on the town hall square. Information: +33 6 75 15 90 90.
- Saturday, June 2, 2018
Angoville-au-Plain (50)
– 9:30 a.m.: Parachute drop of reenactors from the C-47 “Drag Em Oot” aircraft (subject to favorable weather conditions).
– 10:00 a.m.: Ceremony in the town center.
– 10:30 a.m.: Mass in the church.
– 11:30 a.m.: Ceremony at the monument dedicated to medics Robert E. Wright and Kenneth J. Moore of the 2nd Battalion, 501st PIR, 101st Airborne Division.
Azeville (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Parachute drop of reenactors from a C-47 aircraft (subject to favorable weather conditions).
Carentan-les-Marais (50)
– 12:30 p.m.: Ceremony at the Cole Monument in tribute to American soldiers of Native American descent, with veteran Norman Shay in attendance.
– 1:30 p.m.: Guided historical hike departing from the tourist office. Reservations can be made at +33 2 33 71 23 50.
– 4:00 p.m.: Arrival of the Carentan Liberty March (a march led by collectors in period costume) at Place de la République, with veterans in attendance.
– 9:00 p.m.: Liberation Ball at the village hall. €7 without reservation. Organization: Carentan Liberty Group: +33 2 33 42 19 86.
Colleville-sur-Mer (14)
– 2:00-6:00 p.m.: Book signing at the Overlord Museum by authors and historians of the Battle of Normandy.
Courseulles-sur-Mer (14)
– 5:00 p.m.: Lecture dedicated to chaplains at the Juno Beach Centre by Tom Wilson, an Anglo-Canadian priest.
Douvres-la-Délivrande (14)
– 11:30 a.m.: Parade of military vehicles, rue du Général de Gaulle.
Ecausseville (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Lecture on the Battle of Ecausseville at the hangar. €5/person. Reservations: +33 2 33 08 56 02.
Formigny (14)
– 5:00 p.m.: Lecture on the American town of Bedford and its memorial. Information: +33 6 10 16 70 96.
Hiesville (50)
– 3:00 p.m.: 9 km guided historical hike in the footsteps of the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division. Contact: US Normandie: +33 2 33 52 63 27.
Méautis (50)
– 10:45 p.m.: Nighttime historical reenactment show on the Battle of Bloody Gulch at Donville Manor. €10/person. Information: +33 2 33 42 03 22 / +33 6 47 51 02 69.
Neuville-au-Plain (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Ceremony in tribute to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. Contact: +33 6 61 36 90 57.
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (50)
– 10:30 p.m.: Free outdoor screening of Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” (weather permitting). Bring deckchairs and blankets. On-site catering starting at 7:00 p.m. Information: +33 2 31 97 95 92.
Saint-Côme-du-Mont (50)
– 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.: Book signing and discussion session with American veterans and actors from the Band of Brothers series at the D-Day Experience museum.
Saint-Germain-de-Varreville (50)
– 4:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the American Pathfinders Memorial followed by a reception.
Saint-Marcouf-de-l’Isle (50)
– 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.: Reenactment camp and dynamic show performed by reenactors in period costume. Reservations: +33 6 68 41 09 04.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont – Utah Beach (50)
– 11:00 p.m.: Lantern release in memory of American soldiers.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Military vehicle exhibition, Place Chenevière.
– 10:30 a.m.: American football game.
– 12:00 p.m.: “Normandy Day” picnic lunch, Place de l’Eglise.
– 12:15 p.m.: Musical entertainment on Place de l’Eglise.
– 5:00 p.m.: Parade through the town with a parade of vintage military vehicles. – 7:00 p.m.: Freedom Banquet, organized by the AVA (French Association of Associations of the AVA). Information: +33 2 33 41 72 76.
– 8:30 p.m.: 1940s-50s radio hook.
– 9:45 p.m.: Musical entertainment on the Church Square.
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks, Church Square.
Sainteny (50)
– 10:30 a.m.: Reflection at the Roserie Memorial (RD 971, towards Périers, second road on the left).
– 11:15 a.m.: Reflection at the Les Forges Memorial (RD 971).
- Sunday, June 3, 2018
Arromanches (14)
– 10:00 a.m.: Cross-triathlon with sea swimming, mountain biking, and trail running. M format: 9 a.m. start, 1,000-meter swim, 24 km mountain bike, and 8 km trail run.
S format: 9:45 a.m. start, 500-meter swim, 12 km mountain bike, and 4 km trail run. Information: +33 6 85 01 97 49 / +33 6 12 42 86 67.
Bernières-sur-Mer (14)
– 2:00 p.m.: Bagpipe parade from the Îlot des Français to the seawall and in front of the Maison des Canadiens.
Brévands (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Ceremony at Le Moulin in honor of the “Filthy 13,” American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division. Organized by Réal Desmarets.
Carentan-les-Marais (50)
– 11:00 a.m.: Military vehicle parade in the town center.
Courseulles-sur-Mer (14)
– 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: Military vehicle exhibition at the Juno Beach Center.
– 3:30 p.m.: Bagpipers parade from the market square to the seawall.
– 6:00 p.m.: Bagpipers gather at Juno Park.
Douvres-la-Délivrande (14)
– 11:00 a.m.: Bagpipers parade from the Cour d’Yvrande to the Basilica.
Ecausseville (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Lecture on the Battle of Ecausseville at the hangar. €5/person. Reservations: +33 2 33 08 56 02.
Gonneville-en-Auge (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: 7 km historical hike in the footsteps of the Allied paratroopers, starting from the church. Information: +33 6 72 63 87 51.
La Fière (50)
– 11:00 a.m.: Parachute drop of reenactors from the Liberty Jump and Round Canopy Parachuting Team groups from C-47 Dakotas. Subject to favorable weather conditions.
– 1:00 p.m.: Parachute drop of nearly 600 Allied armed forces personnel. Subject to favorable weather conditions.
– 3:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the Iron Mike Monument.
Langrune-sur-Mer (14)
– 11:00 a.m.: Bagpipe parade on Place du 6 Juin and the seawall.
Luc-sur-Mer (14)
– 2:00 p.m.: Bagpipe parade from the town hall to the seawall.
Méautis (50)
– 10:45 p.m.: Evening historical reenactment of the Battle of Bloody Gulch at Donville Manor. €10/person. Information: +33 2 33 42 03 22 / +33 6 47 51 02 69.
Montfiquet (14)
– 10:00 a.m.: 7 km historical hike in the Cerisy Forest, starting from the Maison de la Forêt, following in the footsteps of the inhabitants of the 1944 period. Information: +33 2 31 21 46 00.
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (14)
– 3:30 p.m.: Bagpipe parade from the seawall to the Square des Canadiens.
Saint-Côme-du-Mont (50)
– 11:00 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony in the town.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (14)
– 8:30 a.m.: 3-hour historical hike presenting the battles of Omaha Beach, starting from the Les Braves monument. Information: +33 2 31 21 58 29.
– 11:30 a.m.: Ceremony in tribute to the women who fought in the Second World War, at the Signal monument.
Saint-Marcouf-de-l’Isle (50)
– 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.: Reenactment camp and dynamic show performed by reenactors in period costume. Reservations: +33 6 68 41 09 04.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont – Utah Beach (50)
– 11:00 a.m.: Book signing with Band of Brothers actors at the Utah Beach Museum.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Military vehicle exhibition, Place Chenevière.
– 3:45 p.m.: Concert by the 82nd Airborne Division choir, near the church.
– 5:45 p.m.: Arrival in town of the soldiers who participated in the La Fière parachute drop.
– 6:00 p.m.: Parade of vintage military vehicles.
– 11:00 p.m.: Civilian parachute drop (weather permitting).
Tilly-sur-Seulles (14)
– 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: 10th edition of the book fair on the theme of the Battle of Normandy, at the Tilly-sur-Seulles Battle Museum. Information at +33 6 07 59 46 02.
- Monday, June 4, 2018
Amfreville (50)
– 11:45 a.m.: Ceremony at the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment monument.
– 12:00 p.m.: Parachute drop of reenactors from the C-47 “Drag Em Oot” (weather permitting).
– 4:00 p.m.: 8 km guided historical hike following the American battles in the area. Contact: US Normandy: +33 2 33 52 63 27.
Ecausseville (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Lecture on the Battle of Ecausseville at the hangar. €5/person. Reservations: +33 2 33 08 56 02.
Foucarville (50)
– 3:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the former German prisoner of war camp.
Gourbesville (50)
– 10:30 a.m.: Ceremony at the 82nd Airborne Division monument.
Ravenoville (50)
– 4:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the Memorial to the Eternal Heroes.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 10:00 a.m.: Military vehicle exhibition, Place Chenevière.
– 6:00 p.m.: Peace ceremony, Place de l’Église.
- Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Amfreville (50)
– 3:30 p.m.: Ceremony at the DeGlopper Monument.
Arromanches (14)
– 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Pipe band gathering, Place du 6 Juin.
Bénouville (14)
– 6:15 p.m.: Veterans’ Welcome Concert on the esplanade of the multi-purpose hall.
Beuzeville-au-Plain (50)
– 6:30 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony on Place Bienaimé Agnès.
Coigny (50)
– 3:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony in memory of the American soldiers of the 358th Fighter Group (USAAF), at the Château de Franquetôt. Organized by the D-Day Overlord Association.
Colleville-Montgomery (14)
– 4:00 p.m.: Pipers and drummers gather at the D-Day landing site. Information: +33 2 31 97 12 61.
Creully (14)
– 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Visit to the Radio Museum and the BBC Tower at Creully Castle. Information: +33 6 70 46 08 82.
Cricqueville-en-Bessin – Pointe du Hoc (14)
– 4:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony in memory of the American Rangers of the 2nd and 5th Battalions.
Ecausseville (50)
– 2:00 p.m.: Lecture on the Battle of Ecausseville at the hangar. €5/person. Reservations: +33 2 33 08 56 02.
Graignes (50)
– 5:00 p.m.: Parachute drop of reenactors from a C-47 aircraft near the Franco-American Memorial (weather permitting).
Hermanville-sur-Mer (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: 2.5-hour historical walk starting from the seawall on Rue de Fécamp, dedicated to the history of the town in June 1944. Return to the starting point by bus, with aperitif served at the end of the walk. Information: +33 2 31 36 18 00.
La Cambe (14)
– 5:00 p.m.: Remembrance ceremony at the German military cemetery attended by French and foreign civil and military officials.
Moulins-en-Bessin (14)
– 11:00 a.m.: Remembrance ceremony at the ALG B-7 airfield near the Château de Martragny.
Ouistreham-Riva-Bella (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: Memorial ceremony for the French soldiers of the Kieffer Commando, starting at the Field Marshal Montgomery memorial.
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (14)
– 10:00 a.m.: 13-km historical hike starting at the Acadian Gap, following in the footsteps of the Canadian soldiers who landed at Juno Beach. Information: +33 2 31 97 30 41.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 9:00 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the stadium memorial.
– 9:30 a.m.: Memorial Mass at the church.
– 3:00 p.m.: Ceremony at the Signal Monument on the church square.
- Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Arromanches-les-Bains (14)
– 2:00 p.m.: Serenade by the Dutch military band, Place du 6 Juin.
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Asnelles (14)
– 8:45 a.m.: 20 km historical hike in the footsteps of the 47th Commando from the main parking lot to Port-en-Bessin. Information: +33 6 86 26 76 39.
Bény-Reviers (14)
– 6:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the Canadian military cemetery, along D35.
Caen (14)
– 9:15 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony in memory of the 87 resistance fighters shot at Caen prison, in front of the remand center plaque on Rue du Général Duparge. – 10:15 a.m.: Ceremony in memory of the civilian victims of the Battle of Normandy.
– 11:15 a.m.: Ceremony in memory of the soldiers of the 3rd (UK) Infantry Division.
Courseulles-sur-Mer (14)
– 10:30 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony in tribute to Canadian soldiers at the Juno Beach Center.
– 2:00 p.m.: Screening of documentary films (including “Storming Juno”) at the Juno Beach Center. Information: +33 2 31 37 32 17.
Creully (14)
– 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Visit to the Radio Museum and the BBC Tower at Creully Castle. Information: +33 6 70 46 08 82.
Grandcamp-Maisy (14)
– 5:30 p.m.: Memorial ceremony at the municipal cemetery in tribute to Commander Kieffer, Lieutenant Lomel, and Sergeant Peregory.
Hermanville-sur-Mer (14)
– 3:00 p.m.: Memorial ceremony in tribute to the Royal Navy crews, Place Félix Faure.
Hérouvillette (14)
– 3:00 p.m.: D-Day memorial ceremony at the municipal cemetery.
Lion-sur-Mer (14)
– 6:00 p.m.: Unveiling of a memorial in memory of the Royal Navy Landing Craft 185, sunk off Lion-sur-Mer on June 25, 1944, on the sea wall.
– 7:00 p.m.: Departure of the memorial trail, Place du 41 Royal Commando.
Méautis (50)
– 10:45 p.m.: Nighttime historical reenactment of the Battle of Bloody Gulch at Donville Manor. €10/person. Information: +33 2 33 42 03 22 / +33 6 47 51 02 69.
Merville-Franceville-Plage (14)
– 4:00 p.m.: International ceremony at the Merville Battery. Access by invitation from the Landing Committee.
Ranville (14)
– 2:15 p.m.: Ecumenical ceremony at the military cemetery. Access by invitation from the Landing Committee.
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: D-Day commemorative ceremony on Nan Red Beach after the Acadian Gap.
Saint-Charles-de-Percy (14)
– 4:45 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the British Military Cemetery. – 6:00 p.m.: Wreath laying at the town hall.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont – Utah Beach (50)
– 9:00 a.m.: Ceremony at the Richard Winters Leadership Monument, Utah Beach Road. Information: +33 6 18 41 14 61.
– 9:30 a.m.: Franco-Danish ceremony at the Danish monument, Utah Beach Road.
– 10:30 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony at Utah Beach.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (50)
– 8:30 p.m.: Concert for peace at the church.
- Thursday, June 7, 2018
Bayeux (14)
– 7:00 p.m.: Liberation Ball on Place Charles de Gaulle. Information: +33 2 31 92 03 30.
Merville-Franceville-Plage (14)
– 11:00 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony for Commando No. 3 with British veterans at the Merville Battery. Information: +33 6 72 63 87 51.
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: Wreath laying at the Huppain War Memorial.
– 10:00 a.m.: Wreath laying at the Port-en-Bessin War Memorial.
– 10:30 a.m.: Wreath laying at the Memorial Garden, Rue du Phare.
– 11:30 a.m.: Wreath laying at the Captain Cousins monument, Chemin des Artilleurs.
– 12:15 p.m.: Wreath laying at the 47th Royal Marine Commando monument, Place Gaudin.
– 2:00 p.m.: Military vehicle parade followed by a static display of the equipment, which will continue until 6:00 p.m., Place Gaudin.
Putot-en-Auge (14)
– 5:30 p.m.: Mass at the church followed by wreath laying at the train station in memory of the 9th Battalion.
Quineville (50)
– 2:30 p.m.: Ceremony at the memorial of the 39th Infantry Regiment of the 4th US Infantry Division, with a display of military vehicles.
- Saturday, June 9, 2018
Arromanches-les-Bains (14)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Courseulles-sur-Mer (14)
– 10:00 a.m.: Guided tour explaining the Normandy landings, at the tourist office. €5, free for children under 10.
Other tours at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Information: +33 6 64 74 26 69.
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Ecausseville (14)
– 2:30 p.m.: Ceremony in tribute to the 8th US Infantry Division, organized by the AAHDE (French Army Air Corps) at the Ecausseville airship hangar. Information: +33 2 33 08 56 02.
Grandcamp-Maisy (14)
– 6:00 p.m.: Static and dynamic presentations of several dozen vintage military vehicles in the town center, as well as the HMS Medusa warship.
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Isigny-sur-Mer (14)
– 2:00 p.m.: Static and dynamic presentations of several dozen vintage military vehicles in town.
Longues-sur-Mer (14)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Luc-sur-Mer (14)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain (14)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (14)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Utah Beach (50)
– 11:30 p.m.: Fireworks.
Ver-sur-Mer (14)
– 11:00 a.m.: Ceremony at the ALG B3 memorial commemorating Allied aviators, Route de Ver. – 11:30 a.m.: Ceremony at Clos Saint-Martin in front of the War Memorial and the remarkable Maple Tree in memory of the Canadian troops.
– 12:00 p.m.: Reception offered by the town and outdoor country meal at Clos Saint-Martin.
- Sunday, June 10, 2018
Colombières (14)
5 km historical hike in the footsteps of the Allied armies in the Aure marshes. Information: +33 2 31 21 46 00.
- Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Carentan-les-Marais (50)
– 5:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony at Place de la République, followed by the laying of flowers at Danielle Laisney’s grave.
- Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Baupte (50)
– 6:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony in front of the cemetery followed by a ceremony at the Karl Beck Center. Information: +33 2 33 42 11 75.
Hermanville-sur-Mer (14)
– 9:30 a.m.: 2.5-hour historical walk starting from the seawall on Rue de Fécamp, dedicated to the history of the town in June 1944. Return to the starting point by bus, with a complimentary aperitif at the end of the walk. Information: +33 2 31 36 18 00.
- Sunday, June 17, 2018
Potigny (14)
– 11:45 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the War Memorial and at the plaque of the 1st Polish Armored Division.
Urville (14)
– 10:00 a.m.: Commemorative ceremony at the Polish Military Cemetery.
- Friday, July 6, 2018
Hermanville-sur-Mer (14)
– 7:00 p.m.: Commemorative ceremony, Place du Cuirassé Courbet, with veterans in attendance.
- Thursday, July 19, 2018
Caen (14)
– 5:30 p.m.: Commemoration of the liberation of the right bank of Caen, at the Canadian Memorial, Rue d’Auge.
Cormelles-le-Royal (14)
– 5:00 p.m.: Commemoration of the liberation of the town at the War Memorial.
- August 8-15, 2018
Courseulles-sur-Mer (14)
– 13th edition of the Acadian Week festival, organized in tribute to the Acadians in the areas of Beny-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer, Carpiquet, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Douvres-la-Délivrande, and Luc-sur-Mer.
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