The Spectator D-Day Rally of the Normandy Beaches | 3 Nights | 15 - 18 May 2026
The Spectator, in association with Bespoke Rallies, invites you on a very special three-night car tour of the Normandy Beaches, led by celebrated military historian, Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan.
Designed for those who love military history, classy cars and fine food and wine, the tour will be based at the five-star, 18th-century Château d’Audrieu Hotel near Caen, just inland from the landing beaches of D Day.
Under Hugh’s expert guidance, we will drive along carefully selected circular routes linking the beaches, villages, and countryside that shaped the Allied landings of June 1944. Each day balances engaging driving with measured exploration, returning each evening to conversation inspired by the day’s driving experiences and fine dinners with first-rate wines (and no doubt plenty of local Calvados) chosen and introduced by drinks editor, Jonathan Ray.
Bring your own car, hire one or join with friends for what promises to be a fascinating, rewarding and gastronomic three days.
£5,000 per car, based on two people sharing a double or twin room ($6,900 if booking in US Dollars)
What's included
Accommodation — Château d’Audrieu
For all three nights, guests will stay at the five-star Château d’Audrieu, an 18th-century château set within manicured parkland just inland from the landing beaches. Recently restored, the château offers understated luxury, exceptional service, and an atmosphere well suited to reflection and discussion.
The tour begins with a champagne reception, followed by 4-course hosted evening meals each night, with carefully selected wine included. These evenings provide time to unwind, share impressions from the day’s drive, and continue conversations inspired by the history of the region led by celebrated military historian, Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan.
Day One — Arrival in Normandy
Guests arrive independently in Normandy and make their way to Château d’Audrieu, where the tour formally begins. The afternoon is unhurried, allowing time to settle in, explore the grounds, or enjoy the château’s facilities. You may wish to visit the historic town of Bayeux which is a 15 minute drive away and the home of the Bayeux Tapestry.
The evening opens with a champagne reception with canapés, followed by a history talk and dinner with carefully curated wines chosen and introduced by Spectator drinks editor Jonathan Ray.
Day Two — Pegasus Bridge and the British & Commonwealth Landings
The first full day on the road begins east of the Orne, tracing the route of the airborne landings at Pegasus Bridge before continuing along the coast to the British and Commonwealth beaches of Sword, Juno, and Gold.
Elegant coastal roads link preserved fortifications, memorials, and seaside towns that played a central role on D-Day. The landscape today is calm and ordered, offering a powerful contrast to the events of June 1944.
Return to Château d’Audrieu for dinner and overnight.
Day Three — The American Beaches and Sainte-Mère-Église
The final day turns west, following sweeping rural roads toward the American sector. Visit Omaha Beach, where the scale and difficulty of the landings are immediately apparent, and continue to the Normandy American Cemetery, overlooking the Channel.
The afternoon explores Sainte-Mère-Église and surrounding drop zones, where American airborne forces secured vital ground in the early hours of the invasion. The day concludes with a return to the château for a final evening together.
The Experience
- Three nights at Château d’Audrieu, Normandy - the hotel has an outdoor heated swimming pool and massage rooms
- Champagne and canapés each evening before dinner in a private dining room.
- Hosted three or four-course evening meals with History talks and carefully curated wines each night
- Carefully curated driving routes on characterful roads, routes will be laid out in a physical tour book and digitally in a navigation app
- Expert historical insight, presented with clarity and restraint
- Limited to just 12 cars
- Bespoke Rally mechanics always on hand
- Suggested lunch spots
This is not a conventional battlefield tour, nor a hurried itinerary. It is a considered motoring journey—bringing together history, hospitality, and the quiet pleasure of well-chosen roads in one of Europe’s most significant landscapes.
Why This Tour
- Thoughtfully curated driving routes on quiet, atmospheric roads
- Expert Spectator hosting and historical insight that brings the events of June 1944 vividly to life
- Time to reflect, with space for personal exploration and meaningful stops
- Authentic Normandy, from coastal cliffs to apple orchards and historic towns
This is not simply a tour of monuments — it is a journey through the land itself, where history unfolded mile by mile. Three days in Normandy offers a powerful, moving experience that stays with you long after the road turns homeward.
For more information and to book your place, please contact Debbie at Bespoke Rallies on +44 7971 486261 or email rally@bespokerallies.com
