♥ 2 Days WW2 History Buffs !!! This 2 days trip is very interesting because it covers all the major sites and battlefields of the invasion. Your Licensed English Speaking Guide will pick you up from your hotel in Paris at 7.00 am in a deluxe private vehicle and you will depart immediately to the wonderful region of Normandy. Upon your arrival, you will be given an introduction by your private guide to the battle of Normandy. The itinerary on this private tour is flexible, however all entrance fees are at your own expense. Hotel and meals are not included.

DAY 1 :

Morning : The Pointe du Hoc and Sainte-Mėre-Eglise

You will begin your day in Pointe du Hoc, a strategic position for the Germans overlooking the English Channel just between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Your guide will explain to you how the US Second Ranger Battalion, under the command of Colonel James Rudder, successfully assaulted Pointe du Hoc after scaling the cliffs. This site has been very well preserved to this day as a Memorial of the war. Following this, you will enjoy the scenery whilst driving along the coast to discover one of the most memorable places depicted in the famous movie : the Longest Day : Sainte-Mère-Elglise. It was officially the first town in France liberated at 4.30 am on the day of the Invasion by the 82nd Airborne Division. You will see the famous church tower upon which the American paratrooper John Steele landed and became entangled as he parachuted into Normandy on June 6th.

Afternoon :  Utah Beach and the D-Day Museum

After a delicious lunch, it is now time to enjoy a walk in the sand at Utah Beach  where the first American troops landed on June 6, 1944 under orders of General Barton and General T.Roosevelt, Jr. s in the first attack wave. Utah Beach was the furthest west of the five beaches designated for the D-Day landings in June 1944. Located at the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, it was added by General D.Eisenhower to the original D-Day plan to ensure the early capture of the vital port of Cherbourg, at the north of the peninsula. Then, you will enjoy a private visit of the Utah Beach Museum. It recounts the story of D-Day in 10 sequences, from the preparation of the landing, to the final outcome and success. This comprehensive chronological journey immerses visitors in the history of the landing through a rich collection of objects, vehicles, materials, and oral histories.

Overnight : the Historical Town of Bayeux

At the conclusion of this 1st enjoyable day, you will have the opportunity to explore the historical town of Bayeux with its medieval streets, flanked with centuries-old half-timbered houses. If time permits, discover the cathedral built in the 11th century and the world famous Bayeux Tapestry which relates the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, from 1064 to the outcome of the Battle of Hastings. In accordance with your wishes, we will give you good advices and we will help you to book the best hotel in the right place to make your trip unforgettable. Finding the right hotel, in the right place in Normandy is not always easy and can be a real challenge and that’s why we are here to help you to choose one of them that suits your needs and your budget. We know all the best places from the luxury Château in the norman countryside to the small charming hotel in Bayeux so just let us know…

Day 2 :

Morning : Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery

After a pickup from your Bayeux hotel in the morning, you will start your full-day in Omaha Beach. You will undoubtedly understand why Omaha is such a mystical place in the invasion landings, and will be remembered into eternity as « Bloody Omaha » on June 6th, 1944. Then, you will follow your guide to discover one of the highlights of the day : the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer where 9387 American soldiers are buried. During your private visit, your guide will show you famous headstones with the appropriate explanations. After this emotional walk through the cemetery, you will have the opportunity to view remarkable films and documentaries about the Normandy operations in the Visitor Centre before reaching the Port of Port en Bessin, a small fishing-port village where you will have a delicious lunch in a traditional restaurant.

Afternoon : Longues-Sur-Mer and Arromanches

Following this, you will discover another impressive site of the Second World War : the German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer, part of Germany’s Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications with the four 155mm guns still intact. At the conclusion of your tour, you will visit the beautiful town of Arromanches where the massive artificial harbour built by the Allies still remains. If time permits, enjoy a cider and calvados tasting in a small local farm near Arromanches before heading back to Paris in the late afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel around 7.00 pm.

Optional :

The city of Caen (with its famous World War II memorial), Rouen, Honfleur and Deauville are also worth a “detour” and can be integrated during your trip. Depending on your interests, your guide will arrange the best itinerary for you. Normandy is very rich in history and you will be delighted to discover all these places of historical significance.

Category : Full-day tour, Normandy, Private tours

Tags: american cemetery, D-DAY, Omaha Beach, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Utah Beach