The Spectator D-Day Rally of the Normandy Beaches 2027

Three nights in Normandy, a curated driving and history tour of the D-Day beaches, capped at twelve cars.

This is a history tour with driving attached rather than a rally, and it is hosted by a military historian with talks each evening, which is the right way to approach ground of this kind.

The Chateau d’Audrieu is the base for all three nights, a five-star house a short drive from Bayeux and its tapestry. The first evening brings a champagne reception, a history talk and a hosted dinner with wines introduced by a drinks editor. The second day covers the British and Commonwealth landings: the airborne route east of the Orne, Pegasus Bridge, and the coast road along Sword, Juno and Gold with the surviving fortifications and memorials. The third goes west to Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery above it, where nearly ten thousand graves look out over the Channel, then Sainte-Mere-Eglise and the American drop zones.

Three nights at the chateau, champagne and canapes before dinner in a private dining room each evening, the hosted three or four-course dinners with the talks and the curated wines, a physical tour book and app-based navigation, the expert hosting, mechanics on hand and suggested lunch stops are all included. The price shown is per vehicle for two people. Any car is eligible, including a local hire or a seat with friends. The dates fall near the June anniversary, which is when the sites are at their most affecting and also their busiest.