Exploring Normandy with Kids: A D-Day History Guide
When we visited Pointe du Hoc last summer, our 8-year-old looked up at the cliffs and said, “Soldiers really climbed this?” That single moment made the entire trip worthwhile. Normandy has a way of making history tangible for kids in a way that textbooks simply can’t.
Planning Your Visit
The D-Day beaches stretch along 50 miles of the Normandy coastline. With kids, we recommend focusing on 2-3 key sites per day rather than trying to see everything at once. Start with the sites that have the most visual impact — kids respond to what they can see and touch.
Quick Planning Guide
Best time to visit: May-September for warmth, but June 6th anniversary week is crowded.
Days needed: 3-4 days minimum
Base yourself in: Bayeux (charming town, central location)
Getting there: 3 hours by car from Paris, or train to Caen/Bayeux
Our Top Picks for Families
Pointe du Hoc
The craters from the naval bombardment are still visible, and kids can walk among them. The concrete bunkers are accessible and give a real sense of scale. The cliff itself tells the story better than any exhibit could.
Pointe du Hoc
A dramatic D-Day site where US Army Rangers scaled 100-foot cliffs under enemy fire on June 6, 1944.
Read more →Omaha Beach
The beach is vast and beautiful, which creates a powerful contrast with what happened there. Visit at low tide when you can walk the full expanse. The American Cemetery above the beach is deeply moving — the rows of white crosses stretching to the horizon make an impression on visitors of all ages.
There are so many of them. They were all real people, weren’t they?
The Caen Memorial Museum
This is the best indoor option for families. The museum traces the entire arc of World War II with immersive exhibits, films, and interactive displays. Allow at least 3 hours.
Tips for Visiting with Kids
Before your trip, watch age-appropriate documentaries or read books about D-Day together. Context makes all the difference.
Pack layers — the Normandy coast can be windy even in summer. Bring snacks and water, as facilities are limited at some sites. And give your kids time to just be kids — running on the beach at Omaha is a perfectly valid way to experience history.
Collect the Pointe du Hoc stamp in your Travel Passport!
Virtual stamp & trivia available at this location
Getting There
Normandy is about 3 hours by car from Paris, or you can take the train to Caen or Bayeux. We rented a car for flexibility, which we’d recommend with kids.
The memories your family makes here will last a lifetime. There’s something about standing where history happened that changes how kids understand the world.