Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip with Omaha Beach, Cemetery & Cider Tasting
Description
Visit the most important D-Day sites in Normandy on this small-group day trip from Paris. You'll walk on Omaha Beach, go inside of German bunkers, visit the Overlord Museum, peer over the 110ft tall seaside cliffs at the Pointe du Hoc, and pay your respects to those who sacrificed it all at the American Cemetery. In order to bring a little sweetness to your visit you also enjoy a local Normandy Hard Cider tasting.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Omaha Beach was known to be the most difficult military objective when the invasion of Normandy was being planned. In order to be sure that the Allied forces took it the youngest and most foolhardy soldiers were assigned to it, most of them were American. You'll walk on the same sands as them and learn about their acts of heroism and sacrifice.
Operation Overlord was the code name given to the Allied Invasion of northwest Europe. This museum has an unequaled collection of military equipment that was used to either defend or attack the coast of Normandy. Such as a full-sized authentic Higgins boat, with its front flap down, and impressive Sherman and Panzer tanks.
This German Battery has a fully intact Command Bunker and 3 other bunkers that are still armed today. You'll climb inside the bunkers with your guide and find out what happened on the morning of D-day from the Axis perspective. Learning about Rommel's defenses known as the "Atlantic Wall".
For lunch, you will stop at a mom-and-pop style restaurant such as the l'Hostéière. On the coast, there are no fancy restaurants. There are only little places with fresh local foods such as salads, omelets, barbecued meats, and crepes. We do not include your lunch in our tour price. You can pick whatever you want from the menu. Plan on spending 10-20€.
Pointe-du-Hoc was a strategic German defensive point and on D-day, it was a top priority to capture. Here you will walk around huge bomb craters to the edge of a 110ft tall, seaside cliff. Learn how Rudders Rangers climbed it with rocket-powered grappling hooks and their bayonets.
Here 9,388 white marble tombs stand in perfectly straight lines. You'll walk among the Crosses and Stars of David with your guide and pay your respects to those who sacrificed everything. You'll visit Medal of Honor winners and also the Niland brothers whose real-life story inspired the movie "Saving Private Ryan".
Before there was a war there were apple trees to tend in Normandy. The apple orchards in Normandy grow dozens of different varieties of apples and turn them into amazing apple juices, hard ciders, and strong liquor called Calvados. We'll stop at one of the local orchards and you'll get to taste some of Normandy’s famous Cider. We’ll pay for your tasting.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Small-Group Tour of 8 persons max
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age to participate in tour is 7 years old.
- We cannot accommodate children younger than 7 years old.
- In case of exceptional closure, the Overlord Museum may be replaced by the American Cemetery Visitor Center.
Reviews(2,975)
Philip was great leader of the excursion. Excellent trip
Chrstopher was exceptional. Everything about our Normandy tour was perfect. We highly recommend it, and if you’re lucky he will be your guide.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Christopher made your Normandy tour so special. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again! - Alice
Very knowledgeable & thoughtful guide. The small group (8 total) was well worth the money. The guide worked very hard to avoid the large group crowds & made sure that we got into all the sites & even added an extra stop.
Excellent day exploring northern France! Our guide was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and worked hard to avoid the crowds. The small group of just 8 made the experience feel personal and was well worth it. We visited all the key sites, plus an unexpected extra stop. Highly recommended! Regards, - Alice
It’s something everyone should see and experience. Every American needs to go as well as people from other countries.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad the tour was such a memorable day for you. Normandy is truly a special place, and we’re honored to have been part of your visit! - Alice
Booking a smaller more personal tour is the way to go! The tour company provided detailed information and a pick-up location. Our tour guide Chris was amazing. He was passionate about the World War II era. He provided amazing facts and information about Paris and the surrounding areas as we made our way to Utah and Omaha beaches. He kept us engaged with history about local churches and homes before and after the war. He was considerate, friendly, and happy to be our tour guide. He also did a fabulous job avoiding the big bus tours every step of the way. We missed all of them at every stop. He organized it perfectly allowing us to walk on the beach and look at the memorials and plaques while the tide was out. There is only a limited amount of time during the day when possible. Our tour also included the cemetery, museum, bunkers, and a grape juice cider tasting. The local merchants were very lovely and kind. It is very long tour but it is worth every minute! Thank you Chris!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Chris made your Normandy experience so special with his knowledge, passion, and thoughtful guidance. We’re delighted you enjoyed the itinerary and all the stops along the way. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again! - Alice
Great trip! Very informative, got to see lots of d day sites and our guide was very knowledgeable and great person! Highly recommended.
It is a long ride 2.5-3 hour by car , the weather was perfect and we enjoyed visiting especially Omaha beach . Bring a pair of flip flops small towel and put toes in the ocean . Our guide Victor was great , I do like more commentary about the areas we are driving through . He was very knowledgeable about Normandy . Overall a great trip , the cemetery was beautiful
This was an amazing opportunity to experience a small slice of history. It was like walking back in time as the homes of Normandy, the beaches, and the bunkers remain as they did 80 years ago. It was such a privilege to have had the opportunity to come experience this window in time. Our tour guide, Arthur, was incredibly knowledgeable, and answered all of our questions very patiently. He drove beautifully, stopped for breaks, and made sure that we were all having a wonderful visit. I cannot say enough about how much everyone should take this tour!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt review. We’re honored to hear that your visit to Normandy gave you such a meaningful connection to its history. We’re especially glad that Arthur’s knowledge, patience, and care helped make your experience comfortable and memorable. Thank you for your strong recommendation, it truly means a lot to us. - Alice
In early May, my husband and I experienced this truly amazing tour with Philippe, our knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Visiting the D-Day beaches was humbling and meaningful – and we'll never forget it. It was a deeply moving journey through history, filled with so many interesting facts along the way. The tour concluded at the Normandy American Cemetery with a beautiful and solemn Taps ceremony. We'd highly recommend this tour – especially to history buffs.
By going in a small group of 6 we were able to so much more than waiting for a large bus to load and unload at every site.
