Tour of Normandy & the Beaches of D-Day

Sometimes it’s hard to put an experience into words. That’s how I feel about my tour of Normandy and the historic D-Day landing beaches. I’ve spent years of my life learning about the history of my country and the world as an “almost” history major in university, and as part of my school curriculum. With my interest in world events, visiting these historic sites has always been on my mind.

To say I was overwhelmed on this tour would be an understatement! Perhaps it’s my dramatic flare speaking here, but I’ve never felt more connected or moved by a travel experience in my life. If you’re visiting France, I can’t emphasize enough how incredible it is to visit these historic landmarks. As I planned my France itinerary, I carefully researched and reviewed the many ways to visit this part of the country. It was clear that for my husband and I, an organized tour of Normandy would be the best option. Though if you have the time, I’d highly recommend renting a car and going through this region at a more leisurely pace!

A Recap of D-Day

June 6, 1944 – better known as “D-Day” – was the day that Allied forces undertook the biggest invasion by sea in our history! This invasion was critical to liberate the German-occupied country of France during World War II. Allied troops engaged in an operation to mislead the Germans regarding the specifics of the invasion. With the odds stacked against the Allies, they planned their attacks for five beaches along the coast of France: Utah, Gold, Sword, Omaha, and Juno. The sacrifices made by brave soldiers have made this area an attraction for historians and tourists alike to learn more about the historic events, and to pay their respect to the thousands of fallen soldiers.

Tour of Normandy Overview

Our day began hours before the bustling city of Paris came to life. We left our hotel at 5:45 am to begin our walk to the tour meeting location; hours before the sun came up, and before any of the nearby cafes opened. We checked-in, got prime spots in line and waited to board our coach for the almost 3-hour drive to Caen.

Our tour of Normandy itinerary was 14.5 hours, including the return-trip drive through the scenic countryside of Normandy. The day began with a visit to the Mémorial de Caen followed by lunch with wine (included in the tour price) in the visitors’ centre. After lunch we visited the Pointe du Hoc, site of the D-Day battle, and then made our way to the American Cemetery and memorial at Saint Laurent. The next stop took us along the coast to see Arromanches and the ruins of the artificial port that was built in only 15-days. Our final stop of the day was at the Canadian Memorial at Juno Beach.

Scenic Drive

Once we got outside the city, our drive through the countryside of Normandy was quite picturesque. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I was surprised with how much greenery there was! I wasn’t awake for the entire drive to Caen, but the scenery made for a lovely start to the day.

Mémorial de Caen

Our first stop at the Mémorial de Caen was quite the experience. The exhibits at the museum take you through World War II and the D-Day Landings and Battle of Normandy. From the moment you step foot into the exhibits you are transported back in time. They have historical artifacts and various films you can watch as you move through the rooms. We were free to move at our own pace, though we did have a defined time to meet for lunch. Lunch was plated and served by museum staff, and there was a salad bar and dessert station. Quite the pleasant surprise! I would have preferred more time exploring the museum, but we had to adhere to our tour schedule.

Pointe du Hoc

We learned that La Pointe du Hoc was the highest point between Omaha and Utah beaches during WWII. Overlooking the English Channel, this point became a German-fortified artillery battery with firing posts and shelters for the German troops. The United States Army Rangers scaled the cliffs on D-Day and overtook the German troops defending this point. You’re able to walk through the battery to see the various rooms of the shelters and the firing posts. Bullet holes remain in the concrete walls, remnants of rusted barbed-wire, and giant craters from bombs are still present today! They have dedicated a simple monument here for the soldiers who fought this battle.

Omaha Beach

We then stopped at Omaha Beach to see the memorial for the fallen soldiers. It was a very moving experience and was very interesting to see what it looked like in modern days versus my history textbook.  The beach has turned into a popular vacation spot for locals and tourists alike, and we noticed some small shops in the area.

American Cemetery at Saint Laurent

The next stop on this tour was at the Normandy American Cemetery to view the memorial. While our stop here was moving and educational, we didn’t have enough time to view the museum or videos at the information centre. Walking through the grounds of the memorial brought the poem “In Flanders Fields” to mind. With row upon row of crosses for the fallen American soldiers, it was truly a touching experience. Those with family members resting here can inquire at the visitor centre for more details.

Arromanches and the Ruins of the Artificial Port

The French village of Arromanches is the home of the artificial port built by the British troops. This port was an essential part of the plan to allow machinery and supplies to be brought in to support the Allied troops. Today you can still see remnants of the steel causway and the original concrete supports from 1944.

Canadian Memorial at Juno Beach

The final stop was a visit to the Canadian Memorial at Juno Beach. As a Canadian, this was the most moving part of the tour for me. After years learning about our Canadian war history, this brought my education to life. As cheesy as this may sound, we got to touch a piece of Canadian history! To walk along the beach – now a popular vacation spot – was very surreal. At the entrance to the beach there were two flag poles flying the Canadian and French flags along with a monument. Flowers, stuffed animals, shells and letters were left from visitors as a memento of their gratitude.

Our stop here was brief, and as the last stop of the day we were already behind schedule. Inside the visitors’ centre there was a museum that we didn’t have time to experience. I suspect you would need a few hours here for the true experience.

Summary

This tour provides a great highlight of the D-Day Landing Beaches and the Battle of Normandy. I plan to return to spend more time at the museums and the Canadian Memorial at Juno Beach.