Omaha Beach Area Running Options

Omaha Beach, location of the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), is an important visitor site in Normandy. On the beach itself is the “Les Braves” steel sculpture paying homage to WWII soldiers & remains of German bunkers. There’s also a D-Day Museum, a Memorial Museum, and the Normandy American Cemetery. There are some excellent running options for those visiting Omaha Beach. NOTE: Please be respectful — no running in the area of the Memorials & Cemetery.

Beachfront Path. A beachside path/sidewalk runs alongside Rue Bernard Anquetil/ Bd. de Cauvigny for 3.4 km. Great views of the beach and water. It’s an experience to run along the Av. de la Libération from the Memorial Museum to “Les Braves” sculpture on the beach and then along the path or on the beach.  ROUTE MAP

• Longer Options: Continue west from the end of the beachside path on the dedicated cycle path toward Pointe du Hoc. The gravel path runs above the beach, through pretty farmland. Up to 8 km one-way (Note: 45m climb from beach path to bike path). Also, there’s a lovely cycle path/quiet road headed east, for 8.7 km between Colleville Sur Mer and Port-en-Bessin. This route is above the beach, and just north of the D514 (which is not good for running!). Very pretty countryside, with farm fields and views to the water. Follow the EuroVélo signs (EV4). Note: some short, steep hills. MAP

Omaha Beach. This is a great beach for running — wide, with firm sand. Although the beach itself is 10 km long, the wide section is ~8 km between the WN 60 Historical Landmark and WN 72 historical landmarks.

Cemetery/’Hedgerow’ Run. There’s a good network of roads around the Normandy American Cemetery that are scenic for running, providing a good sense of the hedgerows (sort of like high shoulders) and geography faced by the soldiers in 1944. We’ve mapped a 5 km route from the parking lot near WN 62. Climb 60m over 1.5 km, and run along Moulin toward Colleville Sur Mer, passing the Wash house of the nineteenth century, WN 63, and the Overlord Museum. Then back toward the beach along Rte du Cimetiere Americain, to the Visitor Center. Note: avoid the D514 road.  ROUTE MAP

Interior Farm Roads.  There’s a great network of quiet roads inland from the beach passing mainly by farms and fields. Create your own route on these narrow, nearly traffic-free roads.  Another tip is to follow the ‘Velo’ (cycle route) signs, which are oriented toward cycle paths and lower-trafficked roads. Note: We recommend staying away from the D514, D517, & D30, which can be busier and have no shoulder.