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Caen: D-Day & Caen Memorial Museum Tour with Entry Ticket

1. Caen: D-Day & Caen Memorial Museum Tour with Entry Ticket

Learn about the history of World War II and the D-Day events with a small group guided tour of key D-Day sites, along with admission to the unmissable Mémorial de Caen Museum. The tour consists of a self-guided visit of the Mémorial de Caen Museum and a guided tour of the D-Day key sites. You can spend as much time as you wish discovering the Mémorial de Caen on the same day as your D-Day guided tour or another day.  The Mémorial de Caen is a museum and war memorial which you can explore at your own pace. Here, go on an historical journey through the 20th century, discovering major events from the end of World War I to the fall of the Berlin Wall. The museum features an entire section devoted to D-Day, and is the only museum in Normandy to relate the intensity of the invasion and explain its preparation in both enemy camps. You'll get the chance to visit the Normandy landing beaches in the company of an expert guide from Le Mémorial de Caen. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the key sites: the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 7 passengers.

From Paris: Private Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour

2. From Paris: Private Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour

Depart from your hotel in Paris and then, after 2.5 hours driving, arrive at Colleville Cemetery. Nearly, 9387 American soldiers died during the landing and you will see the perfectly aligned gravestones across this expansive green lawn. The Cemetery visitor center is also very helpful if you wish to know more about the details of Operation Overlord. Omaha Beach was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion. the beach is just under the cemetery and was the theater of one of the most intense periods of fighting. The beach was nicknamed the Bloody Beach. You will stop by Arromanche, the seaside city which was a priority target of Allied troops. You will be able to have lunch at one of the restaurants that your driver will recommend to you. To end the visit, you will be driven to Pointe du Hoc. Symbolizing the courage of the young American soldiers involved in its storming, the famous Pointe du Hoc was one of the strongest German fortifications and was taken by force on the morning of 6th June by Colonel Rudder’s Rangers. The site, full of emotional memories, has been completely redeveloped; its impressive appearance bears witness to the intensity of the battle which took place here. You will then return to Paris.

Normandy: D-Day Landing Beaches and Museum Guided Tour

3. Normandy: D-Day Landing Beaches and Museum Guided Tour

Go on a journey back through time on a day-long sightseeing tour of the World War II sites and landing beaches of Caen and Normandy. The excursion starts with a guided tour of the Memorial de Caen Museum. Here, go on an historical journey through the 20th century, discovering major events from the end of World War I to the fall of the Berlin Wall. The museum features an entire section devoted to D-Day and is the only museum in Normandy to relate the intensity of the invasion and explain its preparation in both enemy camps. Pause for lunch at the lovely Les Pommierse Restaurant. Then, continue your tour to the Normandy landing beaches, in the company of your bilingual guide from Le Mémorial de Caen. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the key D-Day sites visiting the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach and the Pointe du Hoc.

Mont-Saint-Michel: Private Full Day Tour from Caen or Bayeux

4. Mont-Saint-Michel: Private Full Day Tour from Caen or Bayeux

Enjoy a guided day trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at its coastal, Gothic splendor. Start your day with pickup in Caen or Bayeux at 9 AM, or straight off the train from Paris. Your knowledgeable, expert guide will tell you the story of the island during your journey before arriving at Mont-Saint-Michel by 10.30 AM. Take time to visit the village and explore its ancient cobblestone streets. Head to the top to discover the Abbey in all its glory. Look in wonder at a structure dating back to 708 AD. Pause for a delicious gourmet lunch in the island's best restaurant. Enjoy a walk on the bay, admiring the view of Mont-Saint-Michel from the ground. Next, experience an afternoon visit to Avranches and its medieval manuscripts, and stop at the bell-making factory in Villedieu les Poêles. Finally, sit back and relax for your journey back to Caen, Bayeux, or your train, arriving back at around 7PM.

Normandy: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Caen or Bayeux

5. Normandy: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Caen or Bayeux

Spend the day getting to know the Normandy WWII sites on a private guided tour from Caen or Bayeux. Visit Ste Mère Eglise, the hedgerow country, Utah Beach, the Airborne Museum, and the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. Enjoy included snacks and a stop for lunch. Your tour starts in the morning, with pickup directly from your accommodation in Caen or Bayeux. Prepare for the day with a fresh coffee and croissants before heading to the first Normandy WWII site on the itinerary. During the ride, benefit from the on-board audio system to hear your guide in the van. There will be digital resources provided during your ride so you can get some content about the places visited throughout the day. First, arrive at Ste Mère Eglise, the iconic village of the US Airborne, to understand how 14000 paratroopers played a crucial role in preparing for the success of D-Day. Visit the Airborne Museum (entry ticket included), where your guide will the exhibit to you. Then, head for the hedgerow country where you'll see the natural fences where so many German soldiers hid during the Battle of Normandy. On Utah Beach, your guide will explain why this beach could be so quickly and successfully taken. You'll then get to recharge with a gourmet lunch on Omaha Beach facing the monument to the Allies, The Braves (lunch costs not included). Learn the details of the battle that took place here 77 years ago. After lunch, you'll head for the Pointe du Hoc where you'll see many of the German WWII bunkers taken by the U.S. 2nd Rangers Battalion. Finally, at the Normandy American Cemetery, you'll have time to visit the site and the memorial before attending the Casing of the Colors ceremony. If time allows, see the Longues-sur-Mer battery, the last WWII German battery, whose 150-mm guns were shooting on D-Day. By the end of the tour, you’ll have made your way round-trip back to your accommodation.  

Normandy: Private Full-Day Foodie Tour

6. Normandy: Private Full-Day Foodie Tour

Explore Normandy’s villages and discover the best food on this guided foodie tour perfect for food enthusiasts. Sightsee, learn about local cuisine, and enjoy many opportunities to taste local drinks and food. Visit Camembert, Lisieux, the seafood market in Trouville, and more. Get picked up from Bayeux, Caen, Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, or Honfleur to start your adventure. During the tour, taste French Camembert (French cheese), hard cider, and Calvados (Normandy apple brandy), Normandy's liquid gold. While tasting local cuisine, enjoy driving and walking through the villages of the Pays d'Auge area. Learn about the architecture and history of these villages from your guide and digital resources. Later, get the opportunity to meet Jérome, the cheese producer and chairman of the Pont L'Evèque AOC Board. Learn everything about French cheese in Camembert. Afterward, have an optional lunch at a Michelin-rated restaurant by the river, admiring the Normandy cows and scenic views. The full tour includes: • A stop in Camembert • A quick stop at Orbec Ferme du Bec d'Or • A stop in Lisieux • A lunch at the Fossard (optional) • A stop at the Breuil en Auge Chateau and the distillery • A stop in Trouville & the seafood market • A stop at Deauville • A stop in Honfleur

Caen: Private Guided City Sightseeing Walking Tour

7. Caen: Private Guided City Sightseeing Walking Tour

Learn about the fascinating history of Caen, laying in the heart of Normandy, just 20km away from the landing beaches! Caen became a strategic center during the Middle Ages thanks to William the Conqueror. Walk down the charming medieval streets with the half-timbered houses and contemplate the impressive facade of the Caen Castle, one of the biggest medieval fortresses in Europe! Enjoy the special atmosphere of old times when passing the street "Rue Froide," full of unique small shops, bookstores, and artisans! Caen will surprise you by the huge amount of churches, abbeys and cathedrals, many of them built by William the Conqueror! Nicknamed "the city of tousends faces," Caen is really full of contrasts. Hardly destroyed by the bombardments, the city was successfully rebuilt. Today, you can experience the dynamic city full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered with your guide. Do not hesitate to personalize the tour; your private local guide will be happy to adjust the visit to your specific needs.

From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour

8. From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour

Discover Normandy’s historical sites, rich heritage, and hidden gems on a private full-day tour with an expert guide. Be introduced to the region’s medieval history, architecture, and Viking roots as you walk through a historical crash course. Start your tour by visiting the Falaise Castle — a solid stone fortress built by the Dukes of Normandy around 1000 A.D. See how dukes and knights lived, fought, and ruled, and take your time to read the poems they wrote, to listen to their songs, and to try the food they liked as you stop for lunch here. Next, head to Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives to walk around the fantastic old marketplace, stepping on stones that have belonged to the market since they were laid down in 1066. Then, visit the medieval Crèvecœur Castle in Crèvecoeur-en-Auge for another step back in time before heading to your final stop in Bayeux. There, see and learn about the remarkable and unique Bayeux Tapestry — a medieval embroidery showcasing the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Finally, sit back and relax in the comfort of your private car as you head back to your accommodation.

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What people are saying about Caen

Igor had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Normandy battles. He conveyed his knowledge in an engaging and very creative way. We learned so much from him. He helped us get an extremely realistic view of not only the battles, but a feel for what the of the local French inhabitants of the surrounding countryside lived through being occupied for years before the D Day invasion. He also helped us understand how the local terrain affected the battles by taking us on small roads to experience the thick hedgerows and the elevation changes of the ground especially along the coast. We all came away feeling we learned so much more than if we had just visited a museum. I would highly recommend Igor for your tour guide.

Fred our driver/guide was extremely friendly as well as a historian who explained everything we saw. He walked along with us and was great at answering questions. It was a wonderful day all around!

Very well organized trip. Guide available, attentive and fascinating. Excellent experience.

Excellent tour, guide was on time and very knowledgeable. I recommend this tour

Guide was fantastic, it was on time, and so much information was provided!