D-Day Tour: Utah & Omaha Beaches, Sainte-Mère-Église & American Cemetery

FAQ

• Do you pick up at hotels on your Normandy shared tours?

  All our scheduled/shared tours have a precise departure location that is mentioned on your voucher in each city. If you wish to be picked up at your accommodation then you will need to book a private tour.

• What happens if we do not find the meeting point for our Shared Tour from Bayeux?

  You have to be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to tour departure. If you are having difficulties finding the meeting point you must call us on our office number +33 556 152 609 so that we may help you find the exact area. Please note that tours leave on time and if you are not there at the designated area and indicated time the driver/guide will leave. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

• What type of vehicles are used during a day trip from Bayeux?

  Our company uses only Mercedes Vito Tourer 8 seater minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows, large leg space and on board P/A system for commentaries by the guide.

• Who conducts these Normandy shared tours from Bayeux?

  We mainly employ accredited and licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of museums, guided walking tours in cities, visit of historical monuments such as Mont Saint Michel and so on. For some tours, such as the day trips from Bayeux dedicated to WWII, passionate guides that were history teachers, ex servicemen will be with you to explain the details of the battles that raged. All our guides are first and foremost very skilled drivers and all of them speak impeccable English.

• Is Bayeux the ideal town and departure point for Normandy D-DAY tours?

  If you are looking to experience Normandy in the best possible way, then our day trips from Bayeux make for an ideal departure point. The charming small town of Bayeux has a large number of options when it comes to accommodation and dining. Moreover, the historic medieval city centre as well as the famous Tapestry are part of the best things to do while in Bayeux.

• How did Utah beach get its name?

  Utah beach is the most westerly beach of operation Overlord. It was added at the last moment to the Allied Plan with the aim of seizing the Port of Cherbourg. It was one of two landing areas for the U.S forces, the other one being Omaha located between the villages of Colleville sur Mer and Vierville sur Mer. The names of both U.S landing beaches is believed to have come from the place of origin of 2 NCO's who were working for D-Day ground troops commander General Omar Bradley. The two men were carpenters and were assigned to prepare a London Headquarters for invasion planners. Even though this anecdote has never been proven, it is known that the names were random and that the most important was that the beaches were named with radio clarity in mind.

• What is the best way to experience Pointe du Hoc?

  The best way to experience Pointe du Hoc is to travel with one of our English speaking guides, who is an expert in WWII and especially the Normandy landings. You have the possibility of booking a private tour where you will have transportation and guide just for you and your party. We also offer full day shared tours from Bayeux that include the visit of Pointe du Hoc. These small groups are limited to 8 persons maximum.

• Where is Pointe du Hoc located ?

  Located halfway between Omaha Beach and Utah beach, Pointe du Hoc is at a distance of just under 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Bayeux. The site is famous for being one of the assault areas on June 6th 1944 Normandy Invasion of WWII. It was a key feature of the German defensive fortifications. The site reminds us of what an artillery battery looked like.

• What is the best way to experience Omaha Beach?

  The best way to experience Omaha Beach is to travel with one of our English speaking guides, who is an expert in WWII and especially the Normandy landings. You also have the possibility of booking a private tour where you will have transportation and guide just for you and your party. We also offer full day shared tours from Bayeux that include the visit of Omaha Beach. These small groups are limited to 8 persons maximum.

• Where is Omaha beach located ?

  Omaha Beach is one of the assault beaches part of the Normandy Invasion that took place on June 6, 1944. The beach is located 21 kilometers - 13 miles - to the west of Bayeux, on the coast of Normandy facing the English Channel. The town of Bayeux makes a perfect departure point to visit the D-DAY landing beaches of Normandy and all our shared tours depart from here.

• How many people died on Omaha Beach ?

  Omaha Beach was the largest of the D-DAY assault areas. It stretched over 10 kilometers (6 miles). The area was assigned to the U.S First Army under Lieutenant General Omar Bradley. From the beginning everything went wrong at Omaha. Special tanks sank in choppy waters of the Channel, no unit of the 116th landed were it was planned as strong winds and tidal currents carried the landing crafts from right to left. By the end of the day, the Americans had suffered 2,400 casualties but had landed 34,000 troops.

• What is the best way to experience the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial?

  The best way to experience the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is to travel with one of our English speaking guides, who is an expert in WWII and especially the Normandy landings. You have the possibility of booking either a private tour where you will have transportation and guide just for you and your party. We also offer shared tours that include the visit of the Cemetery located in Colleville sur Mer. These small groups are limited to 8 persons maximum and can be taken on a half day (morning & afternoon) or full day trip from Bayeux.

• Is it possible to lay flowers at the Normandy American Cemetery?

  Yes, it is possible to lay flowers at gravesites at the American Cemetery of Colleville sur Mer. However, if you would like to organize a formal wreath laying ceremony this can be done but you will need to book one of our private tours. Also, there is a Wreath laying ceremony request that must be made at the American Battle Monuments commission.