Normandy U.S. D-Day Beaches Day-Trip from Paris with Lunch and Cider Tasting

Travelers who visit the historical battlefields of Normandy often come away describing the experience as moving, emotional and memorable. Standing in the midst of the landing beaches is certainly an experience that should not be missed, and choosing the right day trip from Paris will be defining in ensuring your day is comprehensive, informative and unhurried. 

Our meticulously studied itinerary is designed to bring together the most poignant historical sites of Normandy with the opportunity to appreciate the rich traditions that characterize this area – all woven together masterfully through the illuminating tales and knowledge of an expert guide. [readmore]We’ll depart from central Paris on a luxury motor coach in the early morning, heading toward the shores of northern France. 

We’ll first arrive at the exceptional Utah Beach Museum, housed in an original German bunker and built on the very beach where the first American troops landed. This internationally recognized museum offers the opportunity to learn about the complicated planning behind Operation Overlord but also the touching stories of the ordinary men and women whose actions during those momentous days and weeks shaped the face of Europe as we know it today.

We’ll stop for a brief visit in a traditional Norman cider-making orchard where we’ll enjoy a tasting of the cider and Calvados (an apple-based alcoholic drink for which this region is famous) in an original 17th century barn.

We’ll continue our exploration of Normandy with a typical Norman-style lunch, freshly prepared for us with only seasonal ingredients. We’ll enjoy our meal in a charming, local restaurant with a view overlooking the port of Grandcamp Maisy.

After lunch we will travel to Pointe du Hoc, a German defense situated on the cliff tops and heroically taken by US Rangers. This cliff overlooking the English Channel today remains very much as it was left over half a century ago by the Rangers. Many of the original German fortifications have been left in place and the area is still scarred by bomb craters.

We’ll also have the opportunity to pay our respects to the fallen at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. The cemetery is located on a bluff that overlooks Omaha Beach, which was one of the landing beaches of the D-Day invasion. Our stop in the area includes a visit to the Omaha Beach Visitor Centre, where we’ll learn that despite meticulous planning of the Omaha Beach landings, very little went as planned. Your guide will use the time spent driving to provide enriching commentary and answer questions, preparing you for each stop on the tour. This will leave plenty of time for you to explore freely upon arrival and focus on what is important to you.