The Normandy Beach RacePre-1947 motorbikes and cars racing on the sand, three quarters of an hour from the campsite
Every other September, the beach at Riva-Bella takes on the look of the American races of the 1940s: two hundred metres of sand, a standing start, and pre-war machines lovingly restored.
The idea came from three enthusiasts back from The Race of Gentlemen, the legendary beach race in New Jersey: to do the same thing in France, on a beach that made history. Since 2019, the Normandy Beach Race has brought together in Ouistreham Riva-Bella pre-1947 Harley-Davidsons, Indians, Fords and Triumphs, a crowd dressed in vintage style and a rockabilly atmosphere by the water. It's one of the most photogenic motoring events in Normandy, three quarters of an hour from the campsite.
The dates
Every two years- Septemberover three days
- Sword BeachRiva-Bella beach
- Since 2019one edition every two years
The dates and programme of each edition are published by the organiser on normandybeachrace.com. In 2025, the race was held on 19, 20 and 21 September; there is no edition in 2026, and the next one is expected in September 2027.
The route
From the campsite- 45 kmaway
- 45 minby car
- N13then the Caen ring road
The quickest route is the N13 to Caen, then follow signs for Ouistreham. Coast lovers will prefer the D514, which runs along the D-Day beaches: slower, but superb.
Useful to know
Before you go- Ticketsonline, from the organiser
- 3 dayspractice, races and car show
- Tidethe races follow the ebb
Scrutineering of the entered vehicles takes place on the Friday in front of Ouistreham town hall: it is open, free, and often the best place to get close to the machines.
What people come to see
Two hundred metres, standing start
The rules are uncompromising: cars and motorbikes must date from before 1947, with no modern modifications. So these are genuine pre-war machines (mostly American, with a few British and French) that you see launching two by two onto the hard sand, with a sound you won't hear anywhere else any more.
Between heats you walk along the track, chat with the riders and watch adjustments being made with a spanner. The race is not an official competition: it is a demonstration, and the spirit remains hands-on.
Vintage stalls, food trucks and concerts
A village grows up around the track: stalls selling period clothing and accessories, mechanical parts, barbers, food trucks and rock’n’roll concerts at the end of the day. A good part of the crowd plays along with the costumes, which gives the whole thing the feel of a re-enactment.
The Riva-Bella car show carries the party on into the town, away from the beach: it is the most accessible part of the weekend, enjoyable with the family even if you are not a motoring enthusiast.
A beach like no other
Riva-Bella is Sword Beach: the sector where the British and Captain Kieffer's French commandos landed on 6 June 1944. The Grand Bunker, the Kieffer memorial and the No. 4 Commando museum are a few hundred metres from the track.
Many visitors use the weekend to do both: the race in the morning, the history in the afternoon. From the campsite, it is the same road.
September, the best week of the season
The Normandy Beach Race falls in the late season, when the Bessin empties and prices drop: it's one of the best times to come. The covered, heated water park stays open until the campsite closes in early November.
Accommodation for that weekend still goes early: the event draws an international crowd, and Ouistreham has few beds. Booking in spring remains the safest option.
Frequently asked questions about the Normandy Beach Race
When does the Normandy Beach Race take place?+
Which vehicles take part in the race?+
How far away is Camping Portland?+
Is there an admission charge?+
The other events
The D-Day Festival Normandy
The Bayeux Medieval Festival
The Équidays
The Rétro Festival in Caen
The Beauregard Festival
Halloween at the campsite
Your base camp in Normandy
5-star cottages and a 2,020 m² heated water park, in Port-en-Bessin facing the Channel.
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