Normandy D-Day Omaha Beach & Honfleur from Paris

If you've seen the epic 1998 movie Saving Private Ryan, you've seen the American Cemetery and Memorial that sits on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel, east of St. Laurent-sur-Mer and northwest of Bayeux in Colleville-sur-Mer. Twice, at the beginning and at the end of the movie. Dedicated on July 18, 1956, these hallowed grounds cover 172.5 acres and preserve the remains of 9,389 Americans who died in the Allied liberation of France in World War 11. It includes three Medal of Honor recipients and 45 sets of brothers. Open daily from 9 to 5, it is visited by 2 million people each year. The Memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with a loggia at each end containing large maps and narratives of the military operations. At the center is the bronze statue, "Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves." An orientation table overlooking the beach depicts the landings in Normandy. Facing west at the Memorial, one sees in the foreground the reflecting pool. Beyond is the burial area with a circular chapel. When my father returned to Omaha Beach for the 50th anniversary of the invasion, he said the most poignant moment he experienced was walking through the cemetery. He found the graves of two soldiers he knew in the 26th infantry regiment of the First Division. In 2007, the $30 million Normandy Visitor Center opened adjacent to the cemetery.

I don't think that photos can do justice to this location. The cemetery with it's 8000+ crosses is so impressive. The area is immaculately kept. They have a fine museum with artifacts and videos of D-day. The tour of the cliffs at Omaha Beach was also very impressive. We visited at high tide, so unfortunately there was very little beach showing.

Incredible place, the historical exhibition and the multitude of white crosses provoke feelings of admiration and sadness beyond words. Amazing. A must go.

Doru was the BEST tour guide we have ever experienced. He was extremely knowledgeable, and he knew so much history not only about our tour but ALL of Europe. He was on time, and he kept us on schedule so we could make the most of our time and scheduled stops and return to Paris within the timeframe we agreed upon. Thank you! Doru for being so professional and kind. We feel like you are a friend now, and when we return to Paris, we will be in touch before our travel. Thank you! for a great day and experience! We will never forget it. It was the best day of our trip!