No visit to Normandy is complete without a visit to at least one of the five D-Day landing beaches that stretch from the east side of the Cherbourg peninsula along the coast of Calvados towards Caen.
Each one has its own monuments and museums that tell the heroic stories of the Allied troops who landed here on 6 June 1944 at the start of Operation Overlord And whether you are following in the footsteps of a family member or simply grateful to those who fought for our freedom, you can’t help but be moved as you walk the sandy beaches codenamed Utah and Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.
Gain an insider view of D-Day with Ophorus Tours
You can of course visit the battlefield sites under your own steam, but as Europe commemorates the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, there is no better way to get under the skin of the action than with a guided tour. Normandy’s historic beaches are just one area offered by tour specialists, Ophorus. Founded in 2005, this French-based company offers shared and private tours with expert guides to the most beautiful regions of France, from Alsace to the Dordogne, Provence to Normandy.
The company name refers to someone who keeps open house and offers a warm welcome, which is exactly what Ophorus clients can expect when they book a half-day or full-day tour. Your English-speaking driver and guide transports you in a comfortable, modern minivan, sharing their expert knowledge throughout the trip.
Tours to the Normandy battlefields run from the cruise ports in Le Havre, Honfleur and Cherbourg, as well as from the centre of Caen and Bayeux. From Bayeux, for instance, just inland from the D-Day beaches, individual travellers can join a choice of three tours with a minimum of two people and a maximum of just eight.
The US Sector and Omaha Beach
The Half-day tour to the US Sector and Omaha Beach from Bayeux provides a real inside view into the US battles that took place here on D-Day. Stop first at Pointe du Hoc, site of German bunkers and machine gun posts, then head to the famous sands of Omaha Beach, now a quiet seaside resort. And finish with a moving visit to the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach to tour the interpretation centre and walk in the landscaped gardens amongst the rows of gleaming marble crosses.
For a more in-depth experience, the Full-Day tour to the US Sector includes an additional visit to Utah Beach on the Cherbourg peninsula that lies at right angles to Omaha. Stop first in Sainte-Mère-l’Eglise, heart of the jump zone for the 82nd Airborne division then visit the Utah Beach landing area before heading to Pointe du Hoc. You will have free time to relax over a typical Norman lunch in a restaurant of your choice before afternoon visits to Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.
Mont-Saint Michel and Bayeux tour
After an emotional visit to the D-Day beaches, you may want to visit another of France’s most popular attractions that stands off the Norman coast in a tranquil bay. Book on to the Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel Village & Abbey Tour for a full-day visit to this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Tour the hilltop abbey before free time for lunch and exploration of the steep cobbled streets. Make sure your camera or smartphone is fully charged too – there are photo opportunities around every corner.
Private group day and half-day tours of Normandy
If you are visiting Normandy with friends or family, you could also consider a private tour with Ophorus in a minivan for up to eight people. As well as the two itineraries from Bayeux to the US sector of the D-Day beaches, a full-day private tour to the Canadian D-Day Beaches & Sights takes in Juno Beach and visitor centre and the Canadian War Cemetery at Bény sur Mer before free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the Abbaye d’Ardenne and the Hill 67 Memorial.
And for visitors from Great Britain, the half-day private tour from Bayeux to the Normandy D-Day British Sector starts at Sword Beach before driving the short distance to Pegasus Bridge and back to Bayeux to visit the largest Second World War Commonwealth Cemetery in France.
Away from the historic Landing Beaches, Ophorus also offers private tours to a range of cultural and gastronomic attractions in the lush Normandy countryside. The price of your minivan with expert driver and guide covers up to eight passengers, making this the perfect follow-up to a tour of the battlefield sites. Travel with your group on the Mont Saint-Michel Village & Abbey Tour or maybe a private Normandy Gourmet Culinary Tour for tastings at a cheese dairy and a cider and Calvados producer. This foodie favourite can be customised to suit your group’s interests and can include lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant and a visit to the delightful village of Beuvron-en-Auge with its traditional half-timbered properties.
Want to know more? Browse the Ophorus website for inspiration and either book online or contact the specialist team to book your insider tours to Normandy: ophorus.com/normandy
