Pointe du Hoc from Omaha Beach

Pointe du Hoc sits 15 minutes west of Omaha Beach, the 100-foot cliff the U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled under fire on the morning of June 6, 1944. The site is free, preserved as the bombardment left it, and combines naturally with Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in a single day.com/pointe-du-hoc-ranger-assault/”>Pointe du Hoc page at NormandyDDayTours.com.

The forbidding cliffs of the Pointe du Hoc as they stand today.

Visiting from Omaha Beach

Drive the coastal D514 west from Vierville-sur-Mer and the entrance arrives in about 15 minutes, with free parking and a visitor center. The walk out to the cliff-edge Ranger Monument takes ten minutes through bomb craters and broken casemates, and an hour covers the site. The wind never stops; hold onto hats at the overlooks.

Know the current status: an 18-month ABMC restoration runs from February 2026 to mid-2027. The site stays open throughout, some paths are rerouted, and the top platform of the observation bunker is closed while the interior remains open.

Building It into a Day

The classic sequence runs west to east: Pointe du Hoc first, then Omaha Beach, then the American Cemetery late in the day for the flag lowering. Guided days from Paris and Bayeux follow roughly this shape; our Tours to Omaha Beach page compares the options, including going on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Pointe du Hoc from Omaha Beach?
About 15 minutes by car west along the D514 from Vierville-sur-Mer, or 30 minutes from Bayeux. Entry and parking are free.

Is Pointe du Hoc open in 2026?
Yes. An ABMC restoration runs from February 2026 to mid-2027 with some paths rerouted and the observation bunker’s top platform closed, but the site, the craters, and the Ranger Monument stay open and free.

How long do you need at Pointe du Hoc?
About an hour for the walk to the cliff, the craters and casemates, and the monument. Combine it with Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery for a natural half-day.