Tour Details
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Normandy Landing Beaches
- Omaha Beach
- Pointe du Hoc
- The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
- Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
Select a date
Tour Description
This tour starts in Normandy, so it is ideal for travelers already based in the region looking to learn more about the events of 1944 and their impact for European liberation. The first stop of your tour will be at the far end of the American sector: the Pointe du Hoc. This steep cliff, sitting 30 meters (100 feet) above the sea, was a strategic location on the German defensive Atlantic wall. It was a point of attack for the 2nd Ranger Battalion and the site of an intense two-day battle. The rough terrain, marked with shell holes and the remains of the machine gun battery, will take you back to the day of the battle and set the tone for your excursion.
After a break for lunch, you will proceed to Omaha Beach. Situated at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach serves as the location of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. At this moving site, you will learn about the important involvement of the American contingency in the invasion. You will also have time to independently visit the cemetery and pay homage to any particular graves or walk to the expansive beach down below.
Driving eastward, you will finally reach Arromanches, the location of the invaluable artificial port. At this site, you will learn about the careful preparations for Operation Overload and how this artificial port was installed and used to offload vehicles and supplies in the days following the invasion. Time permitting, you may also visit a German cemetery. A sombre resting place, which provides a unique context for seeing the perspective of the individual German soldier.
At the end of the tour, you will have visited the various commemorative sites along this now peaceful stretch of French coastline, powerful reminders of the courage and sacrifice that was needed to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. You’ll return to Bayeux with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this somber period.
Experts
- You want to learn more about the events of 1944 and their impact for European liberation.
- If you’re based in Paris, refer to our Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Tour from Paris
- Caen – A historically rich city in France, known for its impressive medieval architecture and the Memorial for Peace commemorating World War II.
- Pointe du Hoc – A stunning cliff on the Normandy coast, famous for its heroic D-Day assault during World War II.
- Omaha Beach – One of the most significant landing sites on D-Day, this sandy beach in Normandy witnessed brave Allied forces' sacrifice and triumph during the invasion.
- Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – A solemn and moving tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives in World War II, located in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach.
- Arromanches – A picturesque coastal town in Normandy, renowned for its artificial harbor created during the Allied invasion of Normandy, serving as a crucial logistical point in World War II.
Transportation
- The exact meeting point and map are communicated in your confirmation email. This tour includes a car service that will pick you up in Bayeaux, will drive you to the different site visited, and will drop you off at the Bayeux train station at the end of the tour.
Lunch
- The tour will take time for a lunch break, but you are responsible for the cost of your own lunch.
Resources
- If you are looking to learn more about Normandy prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
- Read more about Normandy in our Context Stories – full of tips and tricks from a local historian
Itinerary
- The itinerary is adaptable for clients with mobility issues, please let us know if you have mobility concerns
Wheelchair accessibility
- Most of the sites are wheelchair accessible.
- If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss the best tour option for you.
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The standard meeting and ending point for this tour is the city of Bayeux.
Can you pick me up at my accommodation?
This tour is designed to start and end in central Bayeux, we cannot currently accommodate custom pick-up requests in Normandy.
I’m coming from Paris. Can you pick me up there?
Please see our D-Day and Normandy Beaches Excursion from Paris tour.
Please see our D-Day and Normandy Beaches Excursion from Paris tour.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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28 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Geoffrey was an exceptional guide! He knew the history and added some unique stories and poems. Wonderful!
Mark and rose
Sep. 28, 2024
Geoffrey was simply outstanding. Incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share it all! Would highly recommend.
Kelly
Aug. 13, 2024
William was an incredibly interesting and knowledgeable guide. It was a wonderful tour
Kurt and kristyn
Jun. 1, 2024