Come and discover the most famous part of Normandy where took place the Landing and the battle of Normandy in june 1944 to liberate France and Europe. You will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches.

FULL DAY TOUR ON THE AMERICAN BEACHES with professional licensed guide: we will discover various stops along Omaha Beach or Utah Beach where I will explain the actions in detail. You may enjoy to go deeply into the visit of the landing beaches of Normandy or you prefer to discover the scenic Normandy.

In Normandy, either on a private guided tour or a group tour, François Gauthron, a passionate travel guide shares with you their extended knowledge on the D-Day landing beaches and on the Battle of Normandy.

Prebook your tour Contact François

special D-day package

Normandy WWII Battlefields & D-Day Beaches:
a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

DAY 1

Arrival in Bayeux at 12.46. Check in at your guesthouse MANOIR GUERIN DE LA HOUSSAYE.

You will be charmed by the 15th century mansion tracing its origins to 1308. This manor-house mixes authentic old style in its renovation & furnitures with great modern comfort in its tastefully decorated bedrooms. A 5 minutes walk from the Cathedral & the Tapestry, right in the city centre, close to the shops & the market place, its choice location is the perfect starting point to explore the touristic places. (regular trains from PARIS ST LAZARE station to BAYEUX or optional transfer from Paris). Suggestion: arrive in the early afternoon to visit the Tapestry museum that relates William the conqueror's conquest of England (optional prepaid ticket on request). Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse.

At 6.30 pm, Isabelle and Francois GAUTHRON (a professional licensed guide) will welcome you with a local drink (the pommeau). You will be invited to share dinner prepared with local products. During dinner François will present you his region and at the end of the meal will give you a lecture to introduce your D-Day visit. In the past 20 years, Francois was in the tourism business and guiding. He has since decided to live and share his Passion with you, his reputation being well-known worldwide. He is proud to say that he met hundreds of WWII Veterans from USA and from many other countries, including Germans, Italians and Japanese. To really understand a war, it is very capital to talk to former common enemies from both sides. He won't put down the list of the authors he knows and works with but, staying at his Guest house, he will be very pleased to show you his library (about 500 books) and dedications for significant help.

DAY 2

FULL DAY TOUR ON THE AMERICAN BEACHES.

9am. Route to La Fière and to the 507 Regiment Memorials, then to STE MERE EGLISE. After having seen the stained glass windows commemorating the 25th and the 40th anniversary of the airborne operation in the 11th Century church, we continue along UTAH BEACH. We will pass the first American Airfield (12 June 1944) land marked by a memorial, the C 47 memorial and the remains of a German prisoners of war camp. The next stop will be the beach itself where General Roosevelt landed heading with General Barton the 4th US Infantry Division. Now it is time to cover the long distance to reach OMAHA beach and LA POINTE DU HOC. It doesn't seem possible that anyone could scale those 110 ft high sheer cliffs under German fire. Further along Omaha beach, we will arrive on OMAHA LANDING BEACH, the bloodiest landing that the American had even known. Overlooking the beach, the beautifully kept AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY is the final home of over nine thousand young men who lost their lives during the Battle of Normandy. After this very intense day, it will be time for us to return to Bayeux around 6pm. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the guesthouse.

Francois' word: "Please understand that many of the French or British "guides" of different companies offer will simply bring you to the various sites such as Utah Beach, stop in the parking lot and tell you that you have 15 or so minutes to discover sites on your own. When I am with visitors, I don't use the world "clients", I don't work but live my Passion. We will climb on the bunkers together and I will explain you the history right on the spot. In addition, in the American Cemetery I will assist you in locating the graves of particular casualties that you may wish to find (such as a relative). I will also bring you to the graves of the sons of President Theodore Roosevelt and those of the Nilan brothers (about whom Saving Private Ryan was based). We will continue with various stops along Omaha Beach or Utah Beach (these sites are not even known by most tour guides) where I will explain the actions in detail."

DAY 3

During this 2nd day, you may enjoy to go deeply into the visit of the landing beaches. You could for example discover the Anglo-Canadian sectors: PEGASUS BRIDGE taken by Major John Howard, 2nd Battalion Oxf. and Bucks Light Infantry, 6th British Airborne Division, SWORD BEACH and the Grand Bunker at OUISTREHAM, JUNO BEACH. route via St Aubin sur mer, Bernieres, Courseulles and the Canadian Cemetery with a little detour to discover a Würtsburg Reise radar, GOLD BEACH and ARROMANCHES artificial harbour.. From the St Côme point of view, we will look at the tremendous size of the Artificial harbour. The last stop will be at the GERMAN LONGUES SUR MER BATTERY.

DAY 4 - option

Full day tour to the Mont Saint Michel, including Saint Lô and Avranches where you will see Patton's Memorial.

In the afternoon, discovery of this unique place, a rock lost in the sands. Visit of the abbey, perched on the mount's summit with fine views over the bay. Listed by the UNESCO as part of the World Heritage, the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is the monument everyone will enjoy. After some time at leisure to stroll through the medieval narrow streets and the ramparts, it will be time to leave this enchanting place to drive back to BAYEUX.

DAY 5 - option

Discovery of the scenic coast and countryside: route along the COTE FLEURIE with its famous seaside resorts : Cabourg, Dives sur mer, Deauville, Trouville. many famous names will be evocated like Proust, William the Conqueror, the impressionist painters.. Arriving in the lovely fishing harbour of HONFLEUR, it will be time to have an aperitif. We will stop at a family CIDER FARM to learn more about our famous local product: the CALVADOS (tasting).

We will then drive to the old city of HONFLEUR where you will admire the 17th century harbour, the half-timbered houses and the flowers still blooming in window boxes everywhere. Having seen few art galleries and the famous wooden Saint Catherine church, we will continue our trip and enter one of the most scenic areas of Normandy, the PAYS D'AUGE. Thanks to our itinerary through the countryside, you will be delighted to discover apple orchards, horse farms, cottages and manors. We will visit a typical PRIVATE MANOR where the owner will personally welcome you. Our last stop will be in the protected village of BEUVRON EN AUGE where you might enjoy a last drink with an apple tart.

Return to Bayeux around 6pm (regular train back to Paris at 6.22pm) or extra night at François and Isabelle's guesthouse.

Rates:
Special D-Day package "3 days, 2 nights"

	2009
Rate per person	Base 6 persons
All year round	from 375 € per person

For more extended or other packages
Normandy Travel is your incoming agency to help you to build your vacation in France. HERE

Prebook your Pre-set tour

FRANCOIS GAUTHRON
13 rue Montfiquet
F 14400 BAYEUX
Tel +33 (0)2 31 22 35 68

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