The tenth D-Day Festival Normandy has announced its 2016 dates; the commemorative event will take place across the Normandy coast from 28th May to 12th June.
Groups visiting the festival can enjoy a jam-packed programme, highlights of which will include a military vehicle display, parachute demonstrations at La Fière and Utah Beach, and a model aircraft rally in Creully.
There will also be a giant picnic on Omaha Beach, a historical hike in Merville-Franceville-Plage, a bagpipers’ parade from Luc-sur-Mer to Bernières-sur-Mer, and a big fireworks display in Longues-sur-Mer.
Commemorate in a variety of ways
The festival offers many ways for visitors to explore the Normandy area and commemorate the D-Day Landings, allowing GTOs the choice of a few days’ break or an extended stay.
Groups interested in history might enjoy the showing of war documentary Prisonnier du D-Day on 3rd June, or consider watching the Mother of Normandy.
This is a play about the life of Simone Renaud (the mayor’s wife in 1944) and her relationships with the families of American soldiers. The play is showing at the Airborne Museum on 3rd, 4th and 6th June.
A series of exhibitions will also run at the Airborne Museum, which offers groups one free ticket for every 20 booked.
If your group is more musically orientated, take them to see the Easygny Swing Festival on 3rd and 4th June. Over two days, a series of concerts and varied events about swing music and vintage culture will take place.
There will also be plenty of opportunity during the musical couple of days to try local produce from the area of Isigny-sur-Mer.
Walk for peace
If your group is more active, mark the opening of the D-Day Festival Normandy by taking part in an International Walk for Peace on 28th May.
The 19km walk starts in Ravenoville-Plage, breaks for lunch in Azeville and a snack in Neuville-au-Plain, and finishes in Sainte-Mère-Eglise with a celebration and dinner at the market.
Group travel organiser can pick and choose parts of the route to do for a shorter walk if desired.
For further group travel information visit www.ddayfestival.com.
Photo credit: CF - OTI IGI.
