Tour Details
- Duration
- Full-Day
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
- Omaha Beach
- Pointe Du Hoc
- Normandy Landing Beaches
- La Cambe German War Cemetery
- Paris St Lazare Train Station
Photos & Highlights
- Join an engaging WWII historian as you travel along the D-Day beaches and understand this complex key turning point in World War II.
- Unique, personal tours for the intentional traveler.
Select a date
Tour Description
After taking the train from Paris to Caen, the capital of Lower Normandy and a target for heavy bombings during the war, you will meet your guide and driver at the Caen train station. During this 50-min drive, your guide will provide an overview and contextualization for the tour and lay out the background for the invasion.
The first stop of your tour will be at the far end of the American sector: the Pointe du Hoc. This steep cliff, sitting 30 meters (100 feet) above the sea, was a strategic location on the German defensive Atlantic wall. It was a point of attack for the 2nd Ranger Battalion and the site of an intense two-day battle. The rough terrain, marked with shell holes and the remains of the machine gun battery, will take you back to the day of the battle and set the tone for your excursion.
After a break for lunch, you will proceed to Omaha Beach. Situated at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach serves as the location of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. At this moving site, you will learn about the important involvement of the American contingency in the invasion. You will also have time to independently visit the cemetery and pay homage to any particular graves or walk to the expansive beach down below.
Driving eastward, you will finally reach Arromanches, the location of the invaluable artificial port. At this site, you will learn about the careful preparations for Operation Overload and how this artificial port was installed and used to offload vehicles and supplies in the days following the invasion. Time permitting, you may also visit a German cemetery. A sombre resting place, which provides a unique context for seeing the perspective of the individual German soldier.
At the end of the tour, you will have visited the various commemorative sites along this now peaceful stretch of French coastline, powerful reminders of the courage and sacrifice that was needed to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Your guide and driver will drop you off at the Bayeux Train Station, where you will take the train back to Paris.
- You want to learn more about the events of 1944 and their impact on European liberation.
- If you are looking for an excursion from Paris and want us to take care of the transport details.
- If you’re already based in Normandy, refer to our Full-Day D-Day and Normandy Beaches Tour.
- Caen – A historically rich city in France, known for its impressive medieval architecture and the Memorial for Peace commemorating World War II.
- Pointe du Hoc – A stunning cliff on the Normandy coast, famous for its heroic D-Day assault during World War II.
- Omaha Beach – One of the most significant landing sites on D-Day, this sandy beach in Normandy witnessed brave Allied forces' sacrifice and triumph during the invasion.
- Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – A solemn and moving tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives in World War II, located in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach.
- Arromanches – A picturesque coastal town in Normandy, renowned for its artificial harbor created during the Allied invasion of Normandy, serving as a crucial logistical point in World War II.
Meeting and Ending Point
- You will meet your expert-guide at the Caen train station and end at the Bayeux train station.
- The exact meeting point and map are communicated in your confirmation email.
Transportation
- You will take the train independently from Paris to Caen between 8:15-8:45am, and then from Bayeux to Paris at around 7:00 pm. The train ride is about 2 hours each way.
- We will pre-purchase train tickets for you.
- This tour includes a car service that will pick you up at the Caen train station, will drive you to the different sites visited, and will drop you off at the Bayeux train station at the end of the tour.
Lunch
- The tour will take time for a lunch break, but you are responsible for the cost of your own lunch.
Resources
- If you are looking to learn more about Normandy prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
- Read more about Normandy in our Context Stories – full of tips and tricks from a local historian
Itinerary
- The itinerary is adaptable for clients with mobility issues and we recommend booking a full-day car service from Paris instead of the train.
Wheelchair accessibility
- Most of the sites are wheelchair accessible.
- If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss the best tour option for you.
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
Can I upgrade to first-class train tickets?
Yes. Please let us know and we will contact you to discuss pricing options.
Can we arrange a car from Paris instead of taking the train?
Yes. Please contact us about pricing options. The drive is about 2.5-3 hours each way.
How long is the full-day excursion?
The D-Day and Normandy Beaches Excursion from Paris is approximately 12 hours. Depending on train ticket times, clients depart by themselves from the Paris St-Lazare station between 8:15-8:45 am and arrive in Caen around 11:00 am, where the guide and driver will be waiting. Clients will return to the station around 7:00 pm, arriving in Paris around 9:00 pm.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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139 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Extremely knowledgeable about the D- Day battle, the area, and WW II overall . Appreciated the comments about the impacts of the occupation, battle and war on the French, British, and American troops. Trip was well run, and got to see quite a bit in a day. Very much appreciated the visit to the US memorial and cemetery and being able to see the lowering of the flag while taps was played. Very much brought the history into perspective.
Had a great time at lunch outside next to the harbor on an beautiful sunny day. All in all ...a wonderful experience.
Gregory
Sep. 27, 2014
The docent was very knowledgeable and made this an exceptional trip.
We were treated very well as we had a strong personal interest in the trip. We were well served.
Thank you! Our grandfather survived D day and spent four years in Paris. This was very moving and we loved the private tour experience.
Bob
Sep. 22, 2014
William Jordan was not only
Incredibly knowledgeable, he was also able to engage our children and to keep them focused. The sites we saw were amazing but I feel if we had tried to visit on our own none of us would have gotten as much out of it. His notebooks and background material were superb and we enjoyed getting the chance to peruse as we drove to the different sites. The notebook that geared ww2 to a child's perspective was very well thought out. Many thanks to William!
Theresa
Aug. 12, 2014
