D-Day and Operation Overlord are often regarded as one of the most important operations of all time. The stretch of beach along the Calvados coast is world famous for the part it played in turning around World War II on the 6th of June 1944, when Allied troops broke through Nazi defenses.
Normandy is indelibly marked by these momentous events and the ensuing months leading to the liberation of France and the rest of Europe. Visitors today can explore old bunkers and other war relics along the five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Museums and memorials throughout the region stand as forceful reminders of this decisive period during WWII.