Bayeux Normandy D-Day Tour

A captivating day trip from Bayeux to the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy

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Bayeux Normandy D-Day Tour Itinerary

For nearly two decades, our Normandy D-Day tour has reigned as our top seller—and for good reason. You’ll join a small group, be guided by a local expert, travel in comfort, and immerse yourself in the events of June 6, 1944, when Allied forces liberated France and set the stage for the end of World War II in Europe.

As with all our Normandy excursions, this is a small-group tour with a maximum of eight guests. The tour often sells out, so please reserve your spot early to secure your preferred date.

Famous Normandy D-Day Stops On The Tour

Begin your journey with a warm greeting at the Bayeux rail station by your guide. From there, you’ll head to Sainte-Mère-Église, the site of the pre-dawn parachute drops on June 6th. Next up are Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, followed by the Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Army Rangers famously scaled the sheer cliffs.

After lunch along the coast (cost not included), the tour continues to Arromanches Harbor before a solemn visit to the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, ideally timed for the playing of Taps (when possible).

About Bayeux

Bayeux is a small town nestled along the Aure River in Normandy near the English Channel. It’s about 16 miles west-northwest of Caen (the regional capital). Famous for its medieval Bayeux Tapestry, this charming destination is the perfect base for your Normandy D-Day adventure.

Sainte-Mère-Église

A pivotal crossroads on D-Day, Sainte-Mère-Église was secured by the 82nd and 101st Airborne despite severe losses. Many paratroopers landed in the town square, including John Steele, who famously hung from the church tower. He feigned death, survived capture, and later rejoined his unit. Their success here helped block German movements toward the landing beaches.

Utah Beach

Utah Beach was a pivotal link between airborne and infantry forces, bringing both together to secure the Cotentin Peninsula—often called the Cherbourg Peninsula. Ultimately, the objective was to retake the vital port city of Cherbourg, ensuring critical supply lines for the Allies.

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach was the code name for the main U.S. landing sector during the Normandy D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Nicknamed “Bloody Omaha” for good reason, as 2,400 American soldiers were killed there on that single day.

Securing the five-mile stretch of Omaha was crucial to link the British landings to the east at Gold Beach with the American landings to the west at Utah Beach. The Allies faced the German 352nd Infantry Division, a mix of inexperienced troops and veterans who had served on the Eastern Front.

It took the entire day on June 6th, with heavy losses, to establish just two footholds off the beach along that five-mile stretch. By nightfall, more than 34,000 Allied troops had landed at Omaha Beach.

The Pointe du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc is strategically situated between Omaha Beach and Utah Beach farther west. Remarkably, it remains much as it was when American Army Rangers scaled its sheer cliffs under deadly fire to silence massive coastal guns—unbeknownst to Allied intelligence, the guns had already been relocated there.

Pocked by enormous craters left by naval bombardment, most of the German bunkers are still intact. This cliff-side battlefield also offers a striking view of the French coastline, where some of the war’s fiercest fighting took place.

The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer

The most important stop on our Normandy D-Day tour is the Normandy American Cemetery. Situated above Omaha Beach, the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer honors the more than 9,000 servicemen who died on D-Day and during the campaign to liberate Normandy throughout the summer of 1944.

The 172-acre site is not technically American property, but is owned and run by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Graves are carefully noted on a grid map for visitors, and troops unaccounted for are honored on a Wall of the Missing. The opening scene of the movie “Saving Private Ryan” was filmed on location here.

The Artificial Harbor at Arromanches

Arromanches, a modest fishing and resort town at Gold Beach, played a pivotal role on June 6th. Remnants of the “Mulberry” harbor still lie offshore, where these ingenious structures tamed rough waters to anchor ships and supply the advancing Allied forces. From the nearby cliffs, you can grasp the immense scale of the invasion below. The town’s strategic importance stretches back through Celts, Gauls, and Vikings—Arromanches has long been a gateway to coastal Europe.

Return to the Bayeux rail station. End of day.

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Ready to Reserve Your Normandy D-Day Tour?

Should You Visit Normandy from Paris?

Absolutely! A day in Normandy immerses you in the heroic events of June 6th, 1944—walking Omaha Beach, honoring the fallen at the American Cemetery, and seeing history come alive through a skilled local guide. It’s our #1 bestselling day trip from Paris for good reason.

How Much Time Is Needed to Visit the Normandy Sites?

Our local guide paces the tour so you can fully absorb the story of June 6th in just one day. You’ll have ample time at each location, along with a comfortable lunch break, and some free moments at the American Cemetery Visitor Center.

If you’d like to stay longer, we offer an overnight package in Bayeux—complete with the option to visit Mont St. Michel. Check out our Overnight in Bayeux package for details.

What is the best time of year to schedule this tour?

A trip from Paris to Normandy is worthwhile any time of year. Situated along the English Channel, Normandy often experiences rainy, windy weather. While summer and fall are warmer, a late winter visit can be just as rewarding—especially with fewer crowds.

How To Prepare for Your Normandy Tour

If you have one, bring along a folding umbrella or a light raincoat. Comfortable, water-resistant shoes that keep out sand will make walking around much easier. Unless it’s the height of summer, plan to dress in layers to keep warm against the wind. A small backpack for your essentials is also perfectly acceptable on the van.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Due to the small group aspect of all of our tours, our cancellation policy is as follows. More than 7 days before tour date – 100% refundable; from 7 to 3 days before tour date – 50% refundable; less than 3 days – non-refundable. If cancelling please contact us as soon as possible to insure we can credit you properly.

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Normandy Tours From Paris FAQ’s

Tour Accessibility

Folding wheelchairs and strollers can be stored on the van. Some sites require walking to fully appreciate, such as the German gun emplacement, but most are accessible via a comfortable van ride. Please let us know in advance if you’ll be traveling with a wheelchair.

Restroom stops are available at lunch, at select museums along the route, and at the American Cemetery visitor center. Both 1st and 2nd class trains to and from Normandy also offer clean restroom facilities.

More About Us and Our Normandy Tours from Paris

We’ve been offering guided day trips from Paris since 2002. Every year, we have the privilege of connecting families to a loved one’s story, bringing history buffs to the very sites they’ve read about, and helping all our guests fully appreciate the tremendous sacrifice of D-Day and the invasion of Normandy.

We look forward to welcoming you on the ground in Normandy.

Read a friendly and informative article about our Paris to Normandy Day Trip.