Caen

Beach Trips

Explore some of the most important sights in Normandy – the remains of historic Allied landings that changed the course of the Second World War. The full-day tour from Paris will take you to the German battery of Longues sur Mer, part of the German's Atlantic Wall of defense. You will also stop at the American Cemetery in Colleville, for an emotional visit, where 9,386 soldiers now rest. In 2007 a new Visitor Center was created to commemorate the operations of the D-Day Landings, and you will have time to learn more about these dramatic events. Continue to Omaha Beach, where more bloody events took place, and spend some time contemplating those moments before you break for lunch at the 13th-Century “Ferme de la Rançonnière” restaurant in the village of Crépon. In the early afternoon, you will see the ruins of the Arromanches’ artificial harbor, built by the Allies in less than 15 days. Finally, continue along the coast past Gold Beach to Juno Beach, where you will get a guided tour of the remains of the Atlantic Wall, before your return to Paris.

On June 6th, 1944 the largest seaborne invasion ever attempted in history took place. The Allied troops waged an extremely difficult attack on the German forces who were entrenched in bunkers along the coast of Normandy. More than 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed or parachuted into France on that day. Though the soldiers knew that they were fighting against the odds they carried on with courage and helped to win the battle for Normandy. During this insightful tour, you will take a guided journey through many of the historical landmarks that are pivotal to this moment in history. Take a walk on Juno Beach, just like the Canadian troops did in 1944, you can walk on the same sand they did on that very day. Whilst at Juno Beach, your guide will take you to see Juno Beach Center, the most comprehensive museum about the Canadian landings in Normandy. You will also get to visit the Canadian Cemetery in Beny-sur-Mer. Whilst here, you can stroll through the beautiful cemetery whilst paying your respects to the fallen Canadian soldiers. Your guide will take you to see 'Hell's Corner', the furthest advance inland taken by Canadian troops on D-Day, 5-miles from the city of Caen. Before you finish your tour of the day, you will also see the Atlantic Wall Museum: the command center for the German defenses and discover all kinds of objects, tanks, and landing craft used during the battle. Whether you’re a great admirer of military history or someone who is just curious about how the events really played out on D-Day, this tour will help you to better appreciate the remarkable acts of courage and bravery that took place on Juno Beach. For they are well worth learning about and being remembered by all free folk today.

Discover the historic D-Day Beaches on a 2-day trip around the stunning French regions of Normandy and Brittany. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Paris - Caen (Meals: D) Take the Normandy motorway and make your first stop at Rouen for a walking tour in the old town before continuing to Honfleur. On the way between Rouen and Honfleur, enjoy a view of the newly built Pont de Normandie, a cable-stayed bridge. Take free time for lunch once in Honfleur, then continue to the beaches of Normandy and pass by the landing area at Omaha Beach. Visit the American cemetery of Saint-Laurent, stop off in Arromanches, and then continue on for dinner and an overnight stay at Novotel Caen (or similar). Day 2: Caen - Paris (Meals: B) Leave Caen in the direction of Saint-Malo located in the Brittany region. Take a guided tour of the town, including a walk along the ramparts and the cathedral. After free time for lunch, depart for Mont-Saint-Michel, the frontier between the Brittany and Normandy regions. Continue your afternoon with a guided visit of the abbey and free time for strolling and shopping, before returning to Paris.

Meet your experienced driver-guide at your Paris hotel for a journey through the history of World War II. Travel to the Beach of Normandy aboard a deluxe air-conditioned minibus. First, visit Pointe du Hoc, one of the strong points of the German fortifications, taken by storm on the morning of June 6, 1944. Then, see Batterie de Longues, the only German gun battery to keep its guns intact. Overlooking Omaha Beach, stop at the American Cemetery, which contains over 9,000 white crosses perfectly aligned on 170 acres. A chapel and memorial add the finishing touches to this moving scene. After paying your respects at these famous WWII locations, return to your hotel in Paris.

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.

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.