Accreditation for D-Day 70 Commemorations in France
Updated 13 May 2014
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1. Accreditation for D-Day 70 Commemorations in France
Latest information: this information is primarily for Normandy veterans, family members or those accompanying someone who took part in the Normandy campaign.
1.1 Regulated Traffic Zone
The French authorities have announced details of a Regulated Traffic Zone that is to be enforced on 6 June in the Normandy region. Any vehicle travelling within the zone on 6 June will have to display a sticker supplied by the French authorities. The aim of the zone is to ensure Normandy veterans, invited guests and police and emergency services can travel quickly and safely between the various sites. Details of the zone can be found here: http://www.the70th-normandy.com/dedicated-areas/traffic/?lang=en.
1.2 MOD Accreditation
Between 31 March and 30 April, the MOD invited applications to enter the Regulated Traffic Zone for Normandy veterans, families and those accompanying them. The MOD D-Day 70 team are continuing to process these applications with the French Authorities, in order to help make their experience of 6 June as straightforward as possible.
If you or someone on your behalf has submitted an application to the MOD and have received in return a seven digit reference, then be assured that you are on our system, and that we will be in touch with your Tour Operator/Group Leader/ Family point of contact in the coming days. There is no need for you to contact the French authorities direct.
The MOD is no longer accepting applications for the Regulated Traffic Zone, so if you have not yet applied, you can access further information at www.the70th-normandy.com.
1.3 What happens next?
The D-Day 70 team are working with the Royal British Legion to despatch a personal accreditation pack by the end of May to all who have applied.
Please be assured that the team are mindful of individual travel plans, and that some will begin travelling to Normandy from the weekend before 6 June. Every effort will be made to ensure that you have the documentation that you need for your trip.
Please keep referring to this site for more updates which will be published when available.
Others wishing to travel in Normandy on 6 June will need to accredit via the French authorities by emailing the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War of Calvados at [email protected] or posting forms to Mission régionale pour l’organisation du 70e anniversaire du Débarquement et de la Bataille de Normandie, Quartier Lorge, Rue Neuve Bourg l’Abbé - BP 20528, 14036 CAEN Cedex. Information regarding the process can be found at www.the70th-normandy.com or www.le70e-normandie.fr/practical-information/f-a-q/?lang=en.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued separate travel advice to the public for those wishing to make the journey to Normandy during the D-Day 70 commemorations here.
2. Media accreditation
Media wishing to accredit for access to the Normandy region on 6 June, and for the International Event at Sword Beach must accredit via the French authorities following this link: www.le70e-normandie.fr/dedicated-areas/press/?lang=en.
2.1 The deadline for applications is 26 May.
Details of media opportunities at UK events in Normandy will be published shortly.
3. Funding for your trip
Veterans wishing to return to Normandy in June will be able to apply for financial support from the Big Lottery Fund, who last February extended their “Heroes’ Return 2 Scheme” till December 2015. This scheme enables veterans and their spouses, widows and widowers, and accompanying helpers to undertake the journey.
Details of the scheme can be found at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_heroes_return.
For further information on planned D-Day 70 commemorations in the United Kingdom and Normandy please see the events page.