Remembering D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.
D-Day 82 events
There will be a number of events taking place in Normandy to mark the 82nd Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
Service of Commemoration at Bayeux War Cemetery
- Date: Saturday 6th June 2026
- Time: 1pm
- Location: Boulevard Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux
The Royal British Legion and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will hold a Service of Commemoration at Bayeux War Cemetery, marking the 82nd anniversary of the D‑Day Landings.
The service will involve local schools taking part in a moment of remembrance.
We welcome the general public and residents of Bayeux to watch. Seats will be reserved for invited guests. Any seats will be offered on a first come first served basis. If you cannot stand for a long period of time, please speak to a member of our team onsite who will be able to assist you.
The service will be held with the support of the Prefecture of the Calvados and the Town of Bayeux.
Service of Thanksgiving at Bayeux Cathedral
- Date: Friday 5th June 2026
- Time: 5pm
- Location: Bayeux Cathedral, Rue du Bienvenu, 14400 Bayeux
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be holding a Service of Thanksgiving at Bayeux Cathedral to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D‑Day Landings.
A number of seats are reserved for invited guests. Members of the public are welcome to take part. Capacity is limited and seats will be offered on a first come first served basis.
Service of Remembrance at the British Normandy Memorial
- Date: Saturday 6th June 2026
- Time: 10:30am - 11:10am (local time)
- Location: The British Normandy Memorial, 14114 Ver-sur-Mer
A Service of Remembrance will take place at the British Normandy Memorial overlooking Gold Beach, attended by Normandy Veterans, invited guests, and members of the public.
Additional International Ceremony
In addition to the UK commemorations, the Comité du Débarquement will host an international ceremony:
- 6 June, 15:00 — Bény‑sur‑Mer Canadian War Cemetery
- 6 June, 16:00 — Langrune‑sur‑Mer
An international tribute bringing together partners and representatives to honour the events of D‑Day.
More information:
Comité du Débarquement (D-Day Landing Committee)
We welcome all who wish to remember, reflect, and honour the legacy of 6 June 1944.
About D-Day
Unprecedented coordination between Allied nations, and the intensive planning of engineers, meteorologists, logisticians and countless more, led to a force from 13 countries approaching Normandy in a 5,000-vessel armada.
In the early hours of D-Day, 24,000 paratroopers and glider-borne troops landed behind German lines to provide tactical support. Massive naval and aerial bombardments attempted to supress the German defences and weaponry.
Then a ground force of more than 130,000 troops came ashore on five beaches across a 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast, with the first waves often facing intact defences.
By the end of D-Day there had been 10,000 allied casualties. Yet this was only the beginning.
The ensuing Battle of Normandy was to last into August and cost tens of thousands of lives as it defeated and repulsed the occupying German forces eastwards. It was a decisive success for the Allies and paved the way for the liberation of much of north west Europe.