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D Day Beach Tours
Land Of Heroes & Conquerors:
D Day Invasion
The landing operation began during the night of the 5th to the 6th of June 1944 when three airborne divisions were dropped on either flank of the front. The paratroops' mission was to capture certain key points: the Merville Battery, the bridge over the Caen canal, roads, locks...
A little later, several hundred Rangers managed to capture the fortified position at the Pointe du Hoc, after a particular daring assault. Meanwhile, between 06.30 and 07.30 hours, 135.000 men and roughly 20.000 vehicles were brought in the sea on five landing beaches as planned.
Although the objectives fixed for the evening of D-Day (Caen, Bayeux, Isigny, Carentan), were not achieved, overall the operation was a success. Except at Omaha Beach (Colleville-Saint-Laurent-Vierville) where despite a show of extraordinary courage from the Americans the beachhead for long hung in the balance, casualties were lighter than expected. If then remained to link up the five assaults beaches and face the German counter-attack.
Just to the south of the Beaches is Caen, which was destroyed in the 2nd World War. A memorial was erected by the city at the center of the Battle of Normandy, which took place in 1944, and takes the form of a Museum for Peace.
Caen - The Allies
The Caen Memorial was born out of the desire to create a place for reflecting on wars on the basis of the experience of the memorable events that took place in Caen and the region during the summer of 1944.
Far from concentrating solely on commemoration, the Memorial, a museum for Peace, presents the stakes involved in the Second World War, and the course and significance of the war. Broadening the perspective, the Memorial covers the second half of the century, and shows how the end of World War II did not signal the end of violence, of all types of violence.
Breaking new ground in museum design, services and technologies, the Memorial places the emphasis on emotion and inciting the visitor to think about war and meditate on this phrase of Elie Wiesel:
"Peace is not a gift from God to man, but a gift from man to himself".
American Cemetery
Overlooking Omaha Beach, the American cemetery contains over 9.000 white crosses perfectly aligned on a 170 acres plot which is conducive to meditation and remembrance. A chapel and a memorial add the finishing touch to this moving scene.
La Pointe du Hoc
The symbol of the gallantry of the young American soldiers and one of the strong points of the German fortifications, the famous Pointe du Hoc was taken by storm by Colonel Rudder's Rangers on the morning of the 6th June 1944.
Battery of Longues
This German artillery battery, which gave the allied ships a pounding on the morning of the 6th June 1944, is the only coastal battery to have kept its guns, giving an impressive picture of what an Atlantic Wall gun emplacement was really like.
Customer Reviews
My sister and I took a one-day minivan excursion to Normandy on August 26, 2006. Our guide was Lionel Rochmann. I have taken many tours in many places over many years. Mr. Rochmann made a powerful experience more powerful, with his knowledge, his strong opinions and his humor. My sister and I enjoyed him so much and were grateful to have him that day. Upon future trips to Paris, we shall see what other trips you have to offer. If we're lucky, we'll have Mr. Rochmann for a guide again or, perhaps, someone equally interesting. Bonne journee a tous!
This is just a note to thank all of you at paris- trip.com and especially out tourguide Lionel for the 2 wonderful trips we had with you. We took the Loire Valley and Normandy D-Day trips. Lionel helped us alot with our questions and was very professional in every way. Because of this, we will recommend this service to all our friends in Paris and in the states. It was a pleasure to do business with you and I look forward to using your services again in the future. Thanks again; JG
Thanks so much for such a good tour! Our trip was so lovely, informative and we enjoyed our driver/guide very much. He was superb. I felt very much like I was there in 1944 or maybe I was in the middle of a virtual warzone overwhelmed by all the odds against the Allied troops. How brave all of your countrymen were and the countries who came to your aid! Our driver/guide was thorough and interesting, besides very delightful company. Thanks so very much for a wonderful addition to an already superb visit to your beautiful country. It was worth the time and money we spent. Sincerely, RC
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D Day Landing Beach Tours
Beyond the Orne are the Landing Beaches of World War II, the 'Mother-of-Pearl' coast and the Cotentin peninsula. Allied forces landed on the coast of Calvados and Manche, D-Day, 6 June 1944. 2004 was the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and many events were organized to commemorate the event.
D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour
Minivan Pick Up / Coach Transfer Option
All Year Departure: 7:00am Thursday & Saturday.
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198€ p/p
Duration : Approx 12 hours
198 euro
book online tour RC+
Caen Memorial
Arromanches
Batteries of Longues
Pointe de Hoc
American Cemetry
First part of the day: the Caen Memorial to relive the most important hours of the D-Day landings and the battle of Normandy. Then onto Arromanches to have a look at the remains of the artificial bridge which was built by the allied forces in under 15 days. After lunch, discovery of the Batteries of Longues, the Pointe du Hoc and a visit to the American cemetery of Saint Laurent. On the return journey stop at Omaha beach.
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D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour
Coach Option
April 1st to October 31st: 7.15 am Monday + Friday.
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156€ p/p
Duration : Approx 15 hours
156 euro
book online tour RC+
Gondrée Café
Lunch at Arromanches Visit the Omaha beach Museum + Omaha beach. American Cemetery Pointe du Hoc
A drive through Normandy to Bénouville where you will discover the famous Pegasus Bridge and visit the «Café Gondrée», the first house to be liberated in France.
Then you drive along the coasts of Juno and Gold before arriving in Arromanches.
You will see the remains of the artificial port (built
by the Allies in less than 15 days).
After lunch served in a restaurant on the sea front, the
afternoon begins with the visit of «Omaha Beach»
Museum devoted to the course of the operations from start
to finish on the famous beach.
You will also have free time to spend some moments in silence on the beach, then visit of Saint-Laurent’s American cemetery where 9,386 soldiers are resting.
At the end of the afternoon, before returning to Paris, discovery of the Pointe du Hoc, well-known for its heroic assault.
Entrance ticket included.
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D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour
Minivan Tour Option
All Year Departure: 6:30am Thursday & Saturday.
more details
165€ p/p
165 euro book online tour RC+
Caen Memorial Arromanches Pegasus Bridge Omaha Beach Batteries of Longues Pointe de Hoc the American Cemetry
Arriving at the heart of the Battle of Normandy, you will begin your day with the visit of "Caen Peace Memorial". Following, you will discover the landing sites of the D-Day: Pegasus Bridge, Arromanches, The "Batterie de Longues", Omaha Beach, The American Cemetery at Colleville sur mer.
Includes the admission ticket to Caen Peace Memorial
and hotel pick up and drop off.
Lunch is not included, but our guide will give you some recommendations.
Ask about tour Veterans Discount!
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Private Tours to the Landing Beaches
Take a private tour with oor highly exprerienced bilingual licensed driver guide to Normandy and visit the famous sites of the D Day Invasion.
more details
750€
Full Day 12 hrs
Inquiry FormAfter passing Caen, we take direction Arromanches to visit the remains of the artificial harbour (that the Allies built in England and towed to France). In Arromanches we will watch a documentary, "the Price of Freedom", at a 360 degree movie theater, then onto Longues sur Mer to see the canons and bunkers of Longues (the only coastal batteries that are still in the same spot where they were when the fired on the Allies on D Day). We drive to Port en Bessin (the Petrol Harbour where one of the pipelines of the Allies came out) whic is a good spot for lunch.
After lunch we visit of the American Cemetery at Colleville (emotional moment), then drive to Omaha beach to see the remains of the German bunkers (that will give you a very realistic vision of the difficulties of the American soldiers that landed there). To finish the tour, visit of the Pointe du Hoc, visually without doubt the most impressive spot of the Landing Beaches. Drive back to Paris (arrival around 19h30). Other itineraries possible