American D-Day Tour
On this full day tour of the American sector on D-Day, you will visit the most important landing sites: drop zones of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions near Carentan and Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach, La Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery.
On route, as well as on location, throughout the day you will learn about the planning and preparations involved to get the largest military operation in history organised, which units were involved, what their objectives were, and how victory was achieved.
I will share with you many stories of the men and women who fought to free Europe of Nazi occupation.
At each of these site there will be some free time for you to take photos, use restrooms or grab a coffee.
Locations we will visit on this day:
1) Angoville au Plain
In this small village, the tiny church was used as a first aid post by two 2 medics from the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, who managed to save the lives of many injured soldiers, American as well as German.
2) Sainte Mère Église
The first town in France to be liberated by American troops in WW2. This strategic crossroads town was captured by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the “All American” 82nd Airborne Division. Taken early in the morning of 6th June and also depicted in the film The Longest Day. Hear the stories of the men involved, including John Steele who got caught on the town steeple.
3) The hedgerow countryside
We travel through the infamous Normandy hedgerow countryside that made the fighting so difficult for the Americans. Hear about the problems they created and the solutions that eventually led to the US breakout into the open countryside.
4) Utah Beach
Of the two American sectors on D-Day, the landings at Utah Beach were the most successful. Here you will hear about the various factors that contributed to the American success, and you will have the opportunity to see monuments dedicated to the units involved in the landings on 6 June, as well as German bunkers.
5) Lunch
Lunch is normally stopping for a sandwich or other quick snack (not included in the price of the tour) and we will have a break for about 45 minutes.
6) Pointe du Hoc
On top of 100ft high cliffs, the Germans had established a long-range gun battery. It was the task of US Army Rangers to assault this position, scale the cliffs and destroy the German guns. This site has been preserved as a battlefield and you will be able to go into the many German bunkers, see the hundreds of bomb craters, and of course the cliffs the Rangers scaled.
7) Omaha Beach
At the second American sector, Omaha beach, we will visit the part of the beach that was depicted in opening scenes of the film Saving Private Ryan: here is where the heaviest casualties on D-Day were suffered. You will hear about the units involved, learn about how many things can and did go wrong here, but also how initiative, determination and leadership resulted in success.
8) Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
The final resting place of 9387 American servicemen and women from the Normandy campaign, located on high ground overlooking the eastern side of Omaha Beach. It covers 172.5 acres and is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Here you will have the opportunity to pay your respects and witness the lowering of the flags.
IN A NUT SHELL
Tour title: American D-Day tour
Tour price (not per person) from July 2023: €620.
Start: 8.30am
Finish: 5.30pm
Duration: 9 hours
Pick-up/drop-off location: your accommodation in or near Bayeux; other pick-up locations can be arranged
Capacity: this private tour accommodates 1 to 8 people
Lunch: includes 1 hour lunch break, price not included
Request a tour here
Please see the Info page for further details