There’s so much WWII history to see in Normandy, but when you’re short on time these Normandy tours from Paris can help you make the most of your visit to Normandy’s D-Day sites.
Why take Normandy tours from Paris?
While it would be great if we could all spend weeks driving around Normandy exploring the fascinating museums and historic landing beaches, that’s mostly just a dream. Instead, these tours are great options for when you really want to visit Normandy’s D-Day sites but don’t have a lot of time, money, or know-how.
With these tours, you can still visit some of the top D-Day sites, get expert commentary on the D-Day invasion and other events that took place there, and have someone else take care of all the logistics and planning for you. You won’t have to book a hotel, rent a car, worry about schedules, or keep wondering what the heck it is you’re looking at.
This post is only for Normandy tours originating from Paris that have you arriving back in Paris at the end. If you’ll already be in Normandy and thus looking for tours that start in Bayeux, Caen, or Le Havre, check out my post on the best local Normandy D-Day tours here.
Choosing the best Normandy tours from Paris
But which tours are the best? Which ones go to the right places and cover the most ground? Luckily, you have a World War II and travel expert at your disposal (hey there!) who’s also quite adept at traveling on a time budget. Let’s just say, day trips are my bread and butter. (I’m also a professional tour guide btw!)
I haven’t taken all the tours on this list, but I do have a keen sense of what the average Normandy visitor wants from a D-Day day tour. To create this list, I’ve compared all the available tours (there are a lot) against my stringent set of criteria. I’ve taken into account things like:
- Cost/value
- Customer rating and popularity
- Length of tour and start/end times
- Overall benefit
- Topic/focus of the tour
- Ease of logistics
…and more. All so you can be sure which of the Normandy tours from Paris is the most worth your time and money. I’ve only chosen English-language tours and all prices in this post are in U.S. dollars.
So how do I choose the best D-Day tours in Normandy? Well, I’m very particular when it comes to booking travel—be it hotel rooms, flights, or guided tours. I’ll never recommend anything that’s rated lower than 4 out of 5 stars, anything with no reviews, or run by a company that doesn’t even look reputable. As always, I only recommend the things I would personally book for myself.
And for your time in Paris, don’t miss all the fascinating WWII sites in Paris; there are many museums, memorials, and more to check out here.
My favorite tour companies for day trips
My go-to tour companies are Viator and Get Your Guide. I’ve booked many tours through these companies and have always been satisfied. They’re both well-known in the travel community (Viator is owned by TripAdvisor actually); booking through them is quick and easy; most tours offer free cancelation and/or “reserve now, pay later;” and their rates are more than reasonable. A day trip to Normandy from Paris the no-nonsense way, basically.
I’ve also taken into account the more boutique tour offerings from top-rated independent and local tour operators. My highly critical requirements still apply here. So, let’s get to it! All things considered, these are the best Normandy tours from Paris in 2025 to learn about the events of 1944.
If you want to know more about each of the sites and museums in this post, check out my articles on what to see at each of the five Allied landing beaches: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, Sword Beach.
Best Normandy tours from Paris: at a glance
In this post I’ll dig into all the best Normandy tours from Paris. I’ll tell you why I picked them, what makes them one of the ‘best,’ what they include (and what they don’t), and more. But first, here’s a brief look at the top D-Day tours in Normandy:
- Best overall: Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip from Paris w/ Cider Tasting
- Most popular: Normandy D-Day Beaches and American Cemetery Day Trip from Paris
- Best private tour: Normandy D-Day Private Full-Day Tour from Paris
- Best private tour on a budget: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Paris w/ Igor Rosen
- Best luxury tour: Normandy Battlefields D-Day Private Trip with VIP Services
- Best value tour: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Tour by Gray Line
- Best overnight tour: Normandy 2-Day Discovery Trip from Paris
- NEW! Most popular among my readers: Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip w/ Cider Tasting
That’s the simple list; now let’s dig deeper into which of these Normandy tours from Paris is going to be the best for you.
1. Best overall Normandy Day Tour from Paris
My pick for best overall: Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip from Paris (w/ Cider Tasting)
Okay, while it may seem weird that my top pick includes a cider tasting of all things, here me out. I picked this one as the best overall Normandy tour from Paris because it has the 3 things I look for most in tours: small group tour (maximum 8 people), a 5-star rating and tons of reviews, and the best combination of stops out of all the tour options.
What you’ll see on this tour
This tour includes stops at:
- Omaha Beach
- The Overlord Museum
- The German battery at Longues-sur-Mer
- The cliffs and German bunkers at Pointe du Hoc
- The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer
Of all the Normandy tours from Paris, this one includes 3 stops I feel everyone visiting Normandy for the first time must visit. (Please visit the American Cemetery, walk in the sands of Omaha Beach, and see the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc if you can.) Sadly, not all tours cover these sites.
This tour and these stops are perfect for first-time visitors who want to get a sampling of the best sites related to Operation Overlord and an overall impression of what the Normandy region is like today. This tour is great for those visitors who want to visit historic Normandy but don’t need a week-long battlefield engagement to get the picture.
To get more information on these and other sites you can visit on these tours, check out my post on the best D-Day sites.
I love small-group tours because of the individual attention each visitor receives and it’s just a more enjoyable experience for everyone. This tour also has a 5-star rating after almost 1,700+ reviews which says a lot! Reviewers’ favorite aspects of the tour are the excellent tour guides and the stress-free-ness of the whole experience. (How travel should be!)
What this tour includes
This 13-hour full-day trip includes:
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris
- An expert guide and driver
- Entrance fees to the Overlord Museum and skip-the-line guarantee
- The option to reserve now and pay later
- Free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour
- And yes, a cider tasting at a local orchard for what it’s worth!
It does not include gratuities for the guide and driver, lunch (there will be a stop for lunch but your meal is at your own cost), or hotel pick-up and drop-off. Instead, you’ll meet the guide at a meeting point in central Paris, as is common with these kinds of group tours. (In this case, it’s near the Arc de Triomphe.)
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $264 per person. All things considered, I feel this is a great value for everything this tour includes, especially based on all the positive reviews. I would absolutely book this tour for myself.
Honorable mention
There is a similar tour to the one above that also includes a cider and calvados tasting + a 2-course lunch. However, I felt the one I chose above stops at better sites. If you’d like to compare the two yourself or are particularly interested in trying Normandy’s famous apple brandy, check out this tour.
2. Most popular Normandy day trip from Paris
The most popular D-Day tour from Paris: Normandy D-Day Beaches and American Cemetery Day Trip from Paris
I have to admit I almost chose this one as best overall, but it was missing something I felt was super important: a stop at Pointe du Hoc. Otherwise, this is an excellent tour I would readily book for myself.
This tour has a 4.5-star rating and over 2,300 reviews! It’s the most popular of all the Normandy tours from Paris by a long shot. Most of the reviews praise the tour’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide as well as the great driver.
What you’ll see on this tour
This full-day trip from Paris stops at many of the key points in Normandy including:
- Omaha Beach
- The Normandy American Cemetery
- Arromanches les Bains
- The Arromanches 360° Museum
- Juno Beach
A stop at Arromanches les Bains to see the remains of the Mulberry Harbors is the one thing that’s missing from the No. 1 tour on this list. Arromanches is a worthwhile and unforgettable location I highly recommend you check out.
What this tour includes
This most popular tour includes:
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris
- A professional driver and licensed guide/expert on the events of June 6, 1944
- Admission to the Arromanches 360° museum
- The option to reserve now and pay later
- And free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour
It does not include gratuities, lunch (though you will have free time in Arromanches to get lunch on your own), or hotel pick-up and drop-off. (This tour’s meeting spot is near the Eiffel Tower.)
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour costs $185 per person. That means this Paris tour to Normandy is one of the most budget-friendly options as well. (It’s not super cheap of course, but it definitely costs less than most other tours and still hits many of the must-see locations.) All-in-all, a great value in my opinion.
What to know about this tour
There is one thing you should know about this tour before you book it. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but there’s a reason this tour is cheaper than the others and why I didn’t pick it as Best Overall.
This is not a small-group tour. They will take a maximum of 45 people on this tour. Again, this isn’t a deal breaker, but it just means you’ll likely receive less individualized attention and have to walk through these locations as a herd. Not ideal, but not bad for the price either.
3. Best private Normandy tour from Paris
My pick for best private tour: Normandy D-Day Private Full-Day Tour from Paris
If you’d prefer a private tour over spending your Normandy tours from Paris with a busload of people, there are options for that too! This tour has nothing but rave 5-star reviews, accommodates a maximum of 7 people, and lasts the standard 13 hours. Everyone loves the super knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating guides.
What you’ll see on this tour
This full-day tour visits many of the best D-Day sites in Normandy as-is, but remember you can customize it too. Out of the box, this tour stops at:
- Pointe du Hoc
- Omaha Beach
- Normandy American Cemetery
- The German battery at Longues-sur-Mer
- Pegasus Bridge
Most of these stops are actually all on my shortlist of must-see D-Day sites in Normandy, so that’s a huge plus. You’ll definitely leave this tour feeling like you saw everything you came to see!
What this tour includes
This awesome private D-Day invasion tour includes:
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris in your own deluxe private vehicle with pickup and dropoff at your hotel or other location of your choosing
- A scenic lunch stop in a beautiful fishing village
- An expert, local, independent guide
- Documents, photos, and maps to help you understand the destination’s history
- A highly personalized experience
It does not include the cost of lunch.
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour costs $2,707 for a group of up to 7 people, but will be going up to $3,008 in March 2025. (So, for 7 people that would be $386 pp; for 6 people $451 pp; for 5 people $541 pp; for 4 people $676 pp; for 3 people $902 pp; for 2 people $1353 pp; and if you’re coming by yourself, I think you can do the math there.)
While this is considerably more than the first two Normandy tours from Paris, it’s important to remember this tour is 100% private and personalized. Your small group has its own car and expert guide; you’ll be able to get so much more out of each destination by being able to ask questions, going where you want, and not having to wait for the entire group to gather.
People are always asking me for the best private and personalized Normandy tours and I’m totally going to recommend this one from now on. (This tour is offered every day of the week.)
4. Best private Normandy tour from Paris on a budget
Best private tour on a budget: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Paris w/ Igor Rosen
UPDATE: In 2023, this tour was a fantastic budget private tour option. But in 2024 he nearly tripled the price of this tour so I’m no longer recommending it as a budget option, obviously. (Although the price has dropped a little for 2025.)
That being said, he has changed the tour a little bit to add stops at Omaha Beach and (maybe) the battery at Longues-sur-Mer. So, I’m going to leave it here as an option for you to check out, and I’ll continue to monitor it to see if the price goes back down to a more reasonable number (because WOW).
What you’ll see on this tour
This tour includes stops at:
- The Pegasus Bridge
- Juno Beach
- Omaha Beach
- Arromanches les Bains
- Pointe du Hoc
- Normandy American Cemetery
- and possibly the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer (It’s listed in the summary but not in the more detailed description.)
A stop at the Pegasus Bridge is new on this list and I appreciate that this tour deviates from the norm while still hitting some must-see spots. This would also be a great tour option for Canadian visitors.
What this tour includes
This full-day Normandy tour from Paris includes:
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris in your own private vehicle
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Digital resources to use during the trip
- All entrance fees (even though everything on this list is free, but I guess in case anything pops up)
- Water and snacks during your drive to the coast of Normandy
- An English audio guide as well
Like the rest, this tour does not include lunch, though a lunch stop will be made.
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour costs $2,316 for a group of up to 6 people. And because this tour is offered through Get Your Guide, it also includes the option to reserve now and pay later, as well as free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Important note: This tour has limited availability and books up fast. Last year many of the dates were already limited by April.
5. Best luxury tour to Normandy from Paris
My pick for best luxury tour: Normandy Battlefields D-Day Private Trip with VIP Services
If too much travel has got you down, why not indulge a little with this private luxury tour of the Normandy D-Day sites from Paris? Another tour with a 5-star rating, reviewers can’t stop raving about the passionate and knowledgeable guides and all the little ways they went above and beyond.
This tour is offered every day of the week and has a maximum of 8 people. The transportation is even wheelchair accessible. (A rarity among Normandy tours from Paris!)
What you’ll see on this tour
With a focus on American troops, you’ll visit four of the most unforgettable D-Day sites:
- Pointe du Hoc
- Omaha Beach
- The Normandy American Cemetery
- Arromanches les Bains
This is the standard itinerary for this 13-hour tour but because this is a private tour it can be customized as you wish. (Maybe ask if you can swing by the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer while you’re in the area!)
What this tour includes
This private luxury Normandy tour from Paris includes:
- Private transportation for your group
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Paris
- All fees and taxes
- Wi-Fi for the drive to Normandy and back
- Expert guide
Like the others, it does not include the cost of lunch or any gratuities.
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour costs between $1612 and $1805 per group, depending on the size of your group (maximum 8 people). If you go it alone, you’ll pay the full $1612. For 2 people, you’ll pay $806 each. Three people will pay $547 each; etc. (Adjust the number of people in the availability box to see the price change.)
Because this is a Viator tour, you have the option to reserve now and pay later, as well as the benefit of free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour.
6. Best value tour of Normandy from Paris
My pick for best value tour: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Tour by Gray Line
If you want to get the most for your money on a Normandy tour from Paris, check out this option from Gray Line. It has excellent reviews—the guides and drivers receive the highest marks—and stops at only the most famous Normandy spots. It also includes things none of the other tours do!
What you’ll see on this tour
On your Gray Line Normandy tour from Paris you’ll stop at the following places:
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Pointe du Hoc
- Normandy American Cemetery
- Omaha Beach
- Arromanches les Bains
- Juno Beach
One thing I want to point out is the fact that this is the only tour I’ve found that visits the Caen Memorial Museum. The Caen Memorial is said to be one of the best World War II museums in Europe and I don’t disagree. Visiting this museum was a huge highlight of my own time in Normandy so I’m glad to see at least one tour stop here.
What this tour includes
This best deal of a tour includes the following:
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris on a comfortable and air-conditioned bus
- Entrance tickets to the Caen Memorial
- And a 3-course lunch with drinks
It includes lunch! This is a first as far as Normandy day tours from Paris go. It does not include gratuities or hotel pick-up and drop-off though.
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this tour costs $179 per person (that’s actually less than last year!) and includes free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Gray Line tours
I’ve taken a number of Gray Line tours (mostly in Iceland) and have found them all perfectly enjoyable. Basic, but always worthwhile.
This tour does not clarify how many people will be on the tour, but Gray Line tours typically serve large groups on large coaches, so it’s not exactly intimate. But for the deal you’re getting here, it’s all about compromise.
7. Best overnight Normandy tour from Paris
My pick for best overnight tour: Normandy 2-Day Discovery Trip from Paris
If you do have the time to spare and want to get a little more out of your Normandy tour from Paris, check out this option which includes a visit to everyone’s favorite Normandy and Brittany attractions. It has all 4 and 5-star reviews and is a pretty good deal for two days’ worth of touring.
What you’ll see on this tour
On the first day of this 2-day tour of Normandy you’ll visit:
- The towns of Rouen and Honfleur and their most notable spots
- Omaha Beach
- Normandy American Cemetery
- The newly renovated Musée du Debarquement in Arromanches
On the second day you’ll visit:
- The beautiful town of Saint-Malo
- And you’ll spend most of your 2nd day exploring the iconic village and historic abbey of Mont Saint-Michel.
You’ll love Saint-Malo if you’re a fan of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer. (And/or the new Netflix series based on the book.) This is one of my favorite books of all time and this beautiful World War II novel is set right here in Saint Malo. Visiting Saint Malo was a huge treat for me! Plus, it’s a very cool historic town regardless.
Likewise, so is Mont Saint-Michel, one of the most famous and iconic “attractions” in all of France. Visiting this place was unforgettable and I know it will be for you too.
What this tour includes
This 2-day tour of Normandy from Paris includes:
- Professional guide and driver
- Roundtrip transportation from Paris
- Entrance tickets to the attractions visited
- An overnight stay in a 4-star hotel in Caen
- Dinner the first night and breakfast the next morning
It does not include lunch on either day, hotel pick-up and drop-off, or gratuities.
How much this tour costs
As of November 2024, this 2-day tour of Normandy from Paris costs $611 per person which, considering everything you get on this tour, is probably the best deal out there.
Because of the nature of this tour (needing to reserve hotel rooms and whatnot), it includes free cancelation only up to 7 days before the tour. This tour is also offered in Spanish and only available for booking on Thursdays and Saturdays.
8. Most popular among my readers (New category!)
My readers’ pick for best Normandy tour from Paris: Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip w/ Cider Tasting
This was a new category I added for 2024. Since this post is about two years old, I’ve had the pleasure of learning about which of the many Normandy tours from Paris my readers have booked and enjoyed the most. This is the one that was most-booked by Destination: WWII readers in both 2023 and 2024.
The same tour that I recommend as the Best Overall is also the one that my readers loved the most. (By a mile actually!) So head back up to #1 on this list for the full tour description or just book it now: Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip w/ Cider Tasting.
The runners up
If you’re curious, there are two other Normandy tours from Paris that stand out among the rest as favorites of my readers. The two others that people booked the most last year are:
2nd Place: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Day Trip with Cider Tasting & Lunch from Paris
This is the one I listed as an ‘Honorable Mention’ under #1 on this list—it’s definitely a great alternative to the one I dubbed Best Overall.
3rd Place: Normandy D-Day Beaches and American Cemetery Day Trip from Paris
As one of the most budget-friendly Normandy tours from Paris, I’m not at all surprised that this one is also quite popular. (In fact, it’s also #2 on this list for ‘most popular.’)
6 things to remember when looking at Normandy tours from Paris
When shopping around for Normandy tours from Paris, here are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind.
1. Tour accessibility
Keep in mind that not all transportation offered is going to accessible for persons with disabilities. Some are; most aren’t. If it doesn’t say so in the listing though, reach out to them for more information. They may be able to accommodate you after all or at least give you more of an idea of what to expect so you can decide if the tour is right for you.
2. Drive time
Know that the trip between Paris and the D-Day sites in Normandy is going to be around 3-4 hours each way through the French countryside. This is a long time to be en route, so prepare for it.
Most tours will provide commentary on the sights you’re going to see, the area’s history, etc. Some may even play movies if they have the ability to do so. Regardless, plan to bring a book to read or download some movies ahead of time.
3. Where to buy souvenirs
Almost all museums in the Normandy area have at least small gift shops. Some, like the Caen Memorial, have massive ones. Otherwise, the town center in Arromanches les Bains has lots of gift shops where you can buy souvenirs.
4. Always arrive early
Unless you’re taking one of the private tours, always be sure to arrive to the meeting point at least 15 minutes early. And even allow extra time for getting there since the meeting points in Paris city center tend to be near popular monuments. Don’t underestimate how long it takes just to get across town.
5. Make sure it leaves from Paris
If you seek out other Normandy tours from Paris that aren’t mentioned here, be careful to note if it does in fact leave from Paris.
Many Normandy tours say “from Paris” in the description, but aren’t actually Paris tours at all. For instance, many of the tours that originate in Bayeux (which is already in Normandy) will say “from Paris” because they expect you to take the train from Paris to Bayeux where you’ll start your tour at 8:00am. Then after your tour in the late afternoon you’ll have to get yourself back to Paris.
I find this entirely manipulative and I can’t stand it, but I digress. Before you book a tour, be 100% sure it includes roundtrip transportation from and back to Paris.
6. Take lots of photos but…
As always, you can (and should) take lots of photos on your trip from Paris to Normandy. However, please refrain from selfies or inappropriate pictures at Normandy’s D-Day sites.
Yes, I’ve seen a father and son take ridiculous jumping photos at Normandy American Cemetery. (They also played a game of tag while running in and out of the headstones.) Yes, I’ve also seen women posing for sexy photos at war memorials. Get. A. Clue. Pay your respects, above all else.
Maybe now would be a good time to tell you to read this post on visiting WWII sites with kids.
What to pack for your Paris to Normandy day tour
When packing for your trip to France, be sure to keep these items in your travel checklist:
Comfortable shoes – There’s going to be a lot of walking on your Normandy tour; be sure to pack some comfortable walking shoes.
Unique WWII travel gear from the DWWII shop – There are lots of great D-Day items in the shop like t-shirts (this is the best-seller!), passport wallets, and more. (I donate a portion of all sales to a designated WWII charity each year.)
Refillable water bottle – It’s also going to be a very long day so make sure you stay hydrated.
European plug adapter – Whether or not you’ll be staying overnight, there’s a good chance you’ll need to charge your phone at some point. And you won’t be able to do it without a plug adapter.
Sunglasses and sunscreen – Especially if your tour from Paris to Normandy will be during the summer.
Anti-theft purse – Petty theft is common in Europe and especially in Paris. Keep yourself and your valuables safe with an anti-theft purse. These are the only kinds of purses I use when I travel. I have bags from both Travelon and PacSafe.
France customs and culture guide – I get one of these pocket-sized Culture Smart books for every new country I visit.
Movies and/or books for the road – Might I suggest:
Or these books:
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
- Six Armies in Normandy by John Keegan
Other Normandy tours from Paris
If you have questions about other Normandy tours from Paris that I didn’t cover in this post, let me know! I’ve examined all of them. So if you find one you’re curious about, leave a comment below and I’ll tell you why it didn’t make the list.
More info for your Normandy D-Day trip
- Hotels: Read reviews and find great places to stay here on Booking.com (my personal favorite). Hotels.com and Expedia usually have good deals too though.
- Save lots of money and time by getting some Paris GoCity passes.
- Rental cars: Check out the best deals in Paris here.
- For more tours in Paris, check out the great options from Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Don’t forget a Paris guidebook and this must-have France customs and culture guide!
Like this post? Have questions? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great time on your tour of Normandy! I hope I’ve made planning it a little easier for you.
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WWII Sites in Paris: 20 Fascinating Museums, Memorials, & More (+ Tips!)
A friend had suggested we visit Normandy during our European vacation. We moved our days around to have 2 nights in Paris so we could do an all day tour of Normandy. I enjoyed your blog and found it very helpful. However, I wanted to provide you information on one of the tours because it was not as they advertised – the Gray Line. And I know you said you had not been on the tour so I wanted to tell you from experience and so you can update your information.
The items and details of the Gray Line that were advertised were not correct and false advertising. We did not visit the memorial of Caen, nor did we stop at Point du Hoc, lunch was not included, and we did not visit Juno Beach.
I was surprised to find out upon arrival, this was not a Gray Line tour but was the same tour sold on the various travel websites at a price less than my paid price and with the others providing a correct description of the tour. I was misled with the highlights and itinerary that Gray Line post on their booking website. The tour guide was in a uncomfortable situation when he realized that I was sold items that were not planned for this tour and I was question him. The tour that GrayLine is selling is the same one listed cheaper as on Viator and Get Your Guide. The tour guide said those are the best place to book because their description is up to date. The tour Gray Line is selling is no longer offered but they keep selling it and then sending the customers on the other tours. People on the bus with me had booked on Viator and Getyourguide at a cheaper rate and with correct expectations.
Hi Amy! Thank you so, so much for your feedback! I will definitely look into that and make the necessary changes in this post. Can I ask… where did you go then, if not those sites? I hope you were able to at least get some enjoyment out of the experience.
We had 15 minutes at Ohama, 40 minutes at the American cementary, 1 hour and 15 minutes to eat lunch at Gold Beach and look around, 40 minutes at Arromanches les Bain where they had us watch a 20 minute movie (recommend skipping it to walk around – other documentaries provide much more insight) and then our tour guide added on Longues sur Mer for 15 minutes. Several of us had shown him what we were sold (others bought from different company with lots of stops listed that were not going to be visited as well). It was nice to quickly see some places but now we feel as though we need to come back to really experience it and stay for several days.
That’s unfortunate you missed Caen and Pointe du Hoc but at least you got to go to some of the best sites! But yes – that was definitely just a sample and now you know Normandy may be worth more of your time someday!
Ashley,
We are looking at the private trip from Paris to Normandy. It is thru Tripadvisor. the name of the trip is NormandyD-Day Private tour with Omah Beach from Paris. the cost of the trip is $1127.75 per person. It sounds like a good trip shows all the stops and how long you are there.
Thank you – Tammy
Hi Tammy, thanks for letting me know! I’ll give that one a look. 🙂
Hi Ashely,
Thanks so much for all of this information, it is so helpful. We are planning a trip in April and I’m deciding between one of your top two and the one linked below. It picks up and drops off at the train station in Bayeaux. It looks like it hits a lot of different spots and would love your thoughts before booking.
https://www.overlordtour.com/product/tour-2fs-omaha-utah-full-day-tour-week-days-only/
Thanks!
Hi Michael! About the Overlord tour: Before I’ve even read the details I’m already turned off. They call it a “full day round trip from Paris” tour which we both know it is not, and as a consumer I really don’t appreciate the manipulative description.
Then, they use the first couple paragraphs to only vaguely tell you how to get there, and to absolve themselves of any snafus. (When a tour description starts with the company absolving themselves of any responsibility instead of actually describing the tour, my alarm bells go off!) And it seems like there’s a high chance of snafus as well. You only have one train option—the earliest train—and there’s a quick train change in Caen. If you’ve traveled a lot by train in Europe, you may be totally comfortable doing this. But still, if there’s any sort of delay and you miss either the first train or the connection, you’re out of a tour and out your money. It just seems like there’s too much room for error here. This is why, for those looking to take a tour from Paris and back, I prefer the tours that take you to Normandy all the way from Paris on their own transportation. This eliminates (almost) all undue stress and the possibility of missing the tour but still having to pay for it. BUT… if the benefit of what the tour offers greatly outweighs the stress of getting yourself there from Paris, it may be worth the extra trouble. So let’s see…
It does visit some of the major spots like Omaha and Utah Beaches, the American cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, and Saint-Mère-Église, so that’s good. The rest of the tour visits a lot of more obscure sites and sites where there really isn’t much to “see.” Whether or not these will be of interest to you will have a lot to do with how interested you are in the topics and how good of a listener you are. 🙂 I imagine at these spots, it’ll be a lot of story-telling and having to use your imagination. Something else worth noting is that some of them (like the La Colombière Hospital and General Taylor’s Headquarters in Hiesville) are privately owned and therefore you’ll likely only pass by them to view from the road. (Which is probably how they manage to squeeze in so many sights into just one day.)
If you want to visit some of the more obscure battle sites and hear these particular stories, and you’re well-versed at train travel in Europe, then this would probably be an enjoyable tour for you! If you don’t feel super comfortable using the train system, have doubts about actually being able to make it there on time, or would rather see some of the more well-known and recognizable historical sites, you’d probably be happier with one of the other two that you were looking at.
For me personally, I would pass on the Overlord Tour, but this is just what I would personally do. I’m extremely experienced in European train travel and feel totally comfortable doing this, but if I’m going to pay for a round-trip tour from Paris, I want to be taken there from Paris and not have to deal with the stress of train travel. Eliminating the stress and unpredictability of transportation is a large part of the reason I, and most other people, opt for joining a tour in the first place. If this company has the means to drive your group all around Normandy to these different locations, they also then have the means to pick you up in Paris, they just choose not to (but charge you the same amount).
However, that being said, this company is well-known and has loads of rave reviews, so it appears they have (almost) nothing but satisfied customers. (Don’t forget to read the negative reviews too to see what particular issues they had problems with.) Another thing they have going for them over the other tours is that they probably have better/more knowledgeable tour guides that specialize in WWII topics. Some of the other tour companies are just “tour companies” who hire guides. This company is specifically centered around World War II and D-Day tours and (I hope) hires guides especially proficient in these topics.
So again, it really depends on how in depth of a D-Day tour you want. Do you want all the detailed historical information? (And are you already well-versed on the events?) Or do you simply want an overview of the events and to visit some of the locations you’ve heard about your whole life? Also note that the Overlord tour only takes place during the week, so if you’re planning to visit on a weekend, your choice may have just been made for you. 🙂
I hope that helps! Whichever tour you choose, I hope you have an incredible time in Normandy, Michael! And thank you for the kind words, it means a lot to me!