The five beaches
From west to east: Utah and Omaha were assigned to American forces, Gold and Sword to British forces, and Juno to Canadian forces. Airborne troops landed inland on the flanks during the night, around Sainte-Mère-Église in the west and Pegasus Bridge in the east.
Planning a visit
Bayeux is the most convenient base: it is central, has a railway station and is the starting point for most guided tours. Seeing all five beaches takes at least two days; a single day is enough for Omaha, the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc. See Paris to the D-Day beaches.