By Brunella Brunetti

This year, Normandy is celebrating the 75thanniversary of D-Day. For this season, this region planned multiple events to celebrate this significant day. In the following blog you will find further information of D-Day and the airports of the Normandy region in France, in case you are planning a visit for this significant day. 

D-Day Landings

What is D-Day

D-Day is a military term to describe the day when a combat attack or operation is initiated. However, D-Day is commonly known as the turning point of World War II. On June 6th, 1944 the Western Allied troops began landing in Normandy and attempted to liberate the mainland of Europe from Nazi Germany and re-establish freedom. Additionally, D-Day was the beginning of Operation Overlord. The Landing itself, which was codenamed Operation Neptune, occurred mainly with the help of ships and massive air support on the French coast of the English Channel east of Cherbourg in Normandy. 

Now 75 years after this historical and significant day, Normandy will celebrate the 75thanniversary to remember the events of this important day. Additionally, homage is paid to all soldiers, sailors and airmen who participated in D-Day, Operation Overlord and the Battle of Normandy. 

During this important anniversary, many events will take place. D-Day events will be organized by local authorities, museums, private clubs and larger organizations. With Fly Aeolus you will be able to participate in the celebrations of the 75thanniversary of the D-Day in Normandy. 

Normandy Airports

Caen – Carpiquet Airport

Caen – Carpiquet Airport is a civil airport located approximately 6km away from Caen, the second largest city in Normandy. Furthermore, the airport has hosted in 2018 around 274.000 passenger movements.  During the Battle of Normandy, parts of the airport have been destroyed. However, after the war, the former airfield was rebuilt and transitioned eventually to the now known airport. 

Address: Route de Caumont 14650 Carpiquet 

Opening Times: Monday to Friday 5:00 till 22:00 Saturday: 6:00 till 20:00 Sunday 8:00 till 22:00

Access: 

  • Bus: Direct Bus from Caen town square to the Airport every 15 minutes
  • Car: Access via the D9 

Facilities: 

  • Restaurant: Les Chauds D’Hier ( 5 min drive from the airport) 
Caen Airport

Deauville Airport

Deauville Airport, formally known as Deauville-Saint-Gatien Airport, is a small international airport located approximately 7km east of Deauville.  Additionally, the airport handled around 164.000 passengers in 2017. The commune of Deauville is known to have the most prestigious seaside resorts of France. For this reason, Deauville, the Parisian riviera, is the go-to place for the international upper class. 

Address: 14130 Saint-Gatien-des-Bois 

Opening Times: Monday to Friday from 5:00 to 22:00 , Saturday from 6:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 8:00 to 22:00

Access: 

  • Car: access through the D74

Facilities: 

  • Restaurant: Restaurant de l’Aéroport inside the airport
Deauville Airport

Rouen Airport

Rouen Airport is located in the municipality of Boos and is 10km away from the city of Rouen. Additionally, this airport handled in 2018 around 17600 passengers. During World War II, the former Rouen-Boos airfield was used by the German Wehrmacht. 

Address: Rue Maryse Bastié BP 87 76520 Boos

Opening Times: From Monday to Friday from 8:00 till 20:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 till 19:00.

Access: 

  • Car: access through the D74

Facilities: 

  • Restaurant: Restaurant de l’Aéroport inside the airport

Le Havre

Le Havre-Octeville Airport is an airport located around 5km northwest of Le Havre city. The construction of this airport began in 1937 and by the outbreak of the war in 1939, the airport was practically completed. However, as the war just started, no official opening took place. In its beginnings, Le Havre-Octeville Airport was mainly used by the French Air Force as a military basis. In the further course of the war, Nazi-Germany started to use the airfield. After the liberation of the area by Allied troops, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces, between November 1944 until mid-December 1945, as a base for transport aircrafts. 

Address: Rue Louis Blériot 76620 Le Havre

Opening Times:  Monday to Friday 09:00 till 18:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-17:00 

Access: 

  • Car: access through the D940 from Le Havre

Facilities: 

  • Restaurant: Brasserie “Restaurant de l’Aéroport” inside the airport
  • Shops

Next to these pavemented airports, other regional airports in Normandy, as the air fields Avranches, Falaise, Alencon and Lessay, are accessible. 

For more information about private flights to Normandy and visiting the 75 anniversary of D-Day, the Brittany region in France or any other destination, contact us at info@flyaeolus.comor call us at +32 (0)3 500 9082.