3 - Private D-Day, Omaha, Utah und Mont Saint-Michel

07:30 AM - Pick-up from your hotel in Paris and departure to Caen in our air-conditioned, comfortable car. The journey takes approximately 3 hours (240 km) to reach the Memorial of Caen. One stop at a rest area will be made along the way. This trip is live guided, providing you with expert commentary throughout the journey.

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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit the Caen Memorial and Museum, located in the British Sword Beach sector. Known as one of the best World War II museums in France, the Caen Memorial provides an in-depth overview of the Battle of Normandy. You will gain insight into the personal lives of those involved, with a special 19-minute film that showcases original historical footage.

12:00 PM - Departure to Arromanches-les-Bains. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes (30 km) along scenic national roads, passing through beautiful countryside and charming small villages.

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12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch break and visit to Arromanches-les-Bains. Arromanches is a charming seaside town renowned for its role during World War II, particularly for the construction of the Mulberry Harbour. Located in the heart of the British Gold Beach landing zone, this artificial harbour played a crucial role in the D-Day landings. By June 12, 1944, it had facilitated the unloading of 300,000 men, 54,000 vehicles, and 104,000 tons of supplies. You’ll have time to explore the town and learn about its historical significance.

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1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: "360° Circular Cinema" visit. Located atop a hill with the best panoramic view of the bay and the former Mulberry Harbour, this cinema offers a unique experience. You’ll watch a powerful documentary about the 100 days of the Battle of Normandy, delving into the details of Operation Overlord and the pivotal events of D-Day.

2:30 PM: Departure to the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center. It’s a short 30-minute drive (20 km) to the cemetery, where you'll pay respects to the fallen soldiers of the American forces who fought during the Normandy Invasion.

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3:00 PM - 4:10 PM: Arrival and Visit of the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center, located in Colleville-sur-Mer with a stunning view of Omaha Beach. The cemetery contains 9,387 U.S. soldiers, most of whom died during the Normandy Landings, and the Wall of the Missing, which honors 1,557 soldiers still missing in action. The site also includes remnants of German defenses, such as concrete casemates with memorials to the fallen soldiers. At the cemetery, you’ll see the semicircular memorial colonnade with the "Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves" sculpture, as well as large maps of military operations. The Visitor Center features an informative museum on the Battle of Normandy.

4:10 PM: Departure to the nearby Overlord Museum.

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4:15 PM - 4:45 PM: Visit the Overlord Museum, located just a few hundred meters from the Normandy American Cemetery. This museum is home to numerous World War II artifacts, including tanks, weapons, guns, military vehicles, a V-1 missile, personal belongings, and more. It offers an immersive experience, giving you a deeper personal connection to the events of D-Day.

4:45 PM: Departure to Omaha Beach, just a short 5-10 minute drive (5 km).

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4:50 PM - 5:20 PM: Arrival at Omaha Beach. Learn about the immense sacrifice made by the 34,000 men who landed here on D-Day. Omaha Beach is the most visited of the D-Day landing beaches and is a poignant symbol of the courage and loss experienced during the battle.

5:20 PM: Departure to Pointe du Hoc, a 15-minute drive (10 km).

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5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Arrival at Pointe du Hoc, a strategic cliff between Utah and Omaha Beach. This location was crucial due to its elevation, allowing it to fire upon both beaches. The site housed a gun battery, fortified with concrete casemates and gun pits, part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defenses. During your visit, you will learn about the bravery of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, who sacrificed greatly to capture this vital position on June 6, 1944. Many original fortifications and bunkers remain open to the public, including the fire control casemate, which features a monument to the 2nd Ranger Battalion.

6:30 PM: Departure to Bayeux, a 30-minute drive (32 km).

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7:00 PM: Arrival in Bayeux. Check-in and overnight stay at a 3* or 4* hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

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8:00 AM: Departure from Bayeux to Church Saint-Come-et-Saint-Damien in Angoville-au-Plain. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes (50 km).

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8:40 AM - 9:00 AM: Short stop at Church Saint-Come-et-Saint-Damien in Angoville-au-Plain. During D-Day, medics Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore from the 101st Airborne set up a field hospital here, providing medical assistance to both Allied and German soldiers, as well as a local child. The pews of the church were used as hospital beds, and remarkably, blood stains from that time remain on the pews. When several German soldiers entered the church, they saw the medics treating wounded from both sides and quietly left, marking the door with a Red Cross symbol.

9:00 AM: Departure to the Utah Beach Landing Museum, a short 10-minute drive (10 km).

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9:10 AM - 10:00 AM: Arrival at Utah Beach. Free time to explore and learn about Utah Beach. Located next to Omaha Beach, Utah Beach is the westernmost of the five D-Day beaches. It was stormed by 23,000 American soldiers on June 6, 1944, with the objective of capturing the town of Cherbourg and its strategic deep-water port. Casualties were relatively light, with 197 killed (including 60 missing). The units landing here included the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, 4th Infantry Division, 90th Infantry Division, 4th Cavalry Regiment, and 70th Tank Battalion. Nearby, you’ll find several important monuments and museums commemorating the landings. The expansive and peaceful Utah Beach makes it easy to reflect on the events of World War II as you stroll along the shore.

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10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit to the Utah Beach Landing Museum, located atop a former German bunker. The museum showcases an extensive collection of historical artifacts, military vehicles, and even an original B26 bomber—one of only six remaining in existence. The museum offers a powerful glimpse into the D-Day landings, with exhibits documenting the bravery and sacrifices made by Allied forces.

12:00 PM: Departure to Sainte-Mère-Église town and the Airborne Museum. The journey takes about 20 minutes (13 km).

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12:20 PM - 12:50 PM: Short stop in Sainte-Mère-Église in front of the Airborne Museum. Sainte-Mère-Église played a crucial role in World War II as it was one of the first towns liberated during the D-Day landings. Early on June 6, 1944, units from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions parachuted into the town as part of Mission Boston. You will hear the story of paratrooper John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), who became famous for hanging from the church steeple during the battle—a moment immortalized in the film The Longest Day (1961), starring John Wayne and Sean Connery. A mannequin still hangs from the steeple in tribute to Steele. Nearby, the Borne 00 marks the spot where General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. landed and led the assault.

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12:50 PM - 1:50 PM: Lunch break in Sainte-Mère-Église, in front of the Airborne Museum. You can enjoy a relaxed lunch at one of the local cafes or restaurants with views of the church and the iconic site where the paratroopers made their heroic landing on D-Day.

1:50 PM: After lunch, a short walk to the Airborne Museum for your visit. The museum is dedicated to the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, who played a pivotal role in the D-Day landings and the liberation of France. Inside, you will find a fascinating collection of artifacts, personal items, and military equipment, including uniforms and parachutes, that bring the history of these brave soldiers to life.

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2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Arrival at the Airborne Museum, dedicated to the U.S. paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. The museum consists of five buildings, including one showcasing the only WACO glider in France, and another with the legendary C-47 aircraft. Visitors can experience interactive exhibits and explore a collection of military vehicles, aircraft, and artifacts related to the D-Day landings.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Experience the D-Day Night Jumps from a C-47 aircraft in a hyperrealistic museum setup! Feel like you're part of the action as you embark on a nighttime mission from England, parachuting into the square of Sainte-Mère-Église amidst the chaos of battle. The exhibit also features an American reconnaissance plane, a Piper Cub, allowing you to truly experience the intensity of the combat. 4:00 PM: Departure from Sainte-Mère-Église to Bayeux, approximately a 40-minute drive (55 km), with a brief stop at a rest area.

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4:40 PM: Arrival in Bayeux. Check-in at a 3* or 4* hotel for an overnight stay.

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8:00 AM: Departure from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel. The drive is approximately 130 km and takes around 1.5 hours on the highway.

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9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel. Depending on availability, we will join the guided visit organized by the Abbey itself

otherwise, audio guides will be provided. Your guide will lead you through the narrow streets of the medieval village towards the top of the island, where the stunning Abbey awaits. Perched on the island, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding bay. The Abbey, first established in 709, is a masterpiece of Medieval architecture and a place of historical significance. Construction of the Benedictine Abbey continued from the 700s to the 1200s, and it has been a major pilgrimage site throughout history. After the Abbey visit, you’ll have free time to explore the city of Mont Saint-Michel and enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.

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12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch break in Mont Saint-Michel. You’ll have time to enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants, soaking in the picturesque surroundings.

1:30 PM: Departure to Cabourg. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (160 km). You’ll drive through scenic Normandy landscapes as you head towards this charming seaside town.

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3:15 PM - 4:30 PM: Arrival at Cabourg. Enjoy some free time to explore this charming Normandy seaside town, famous for its beautiful beach, gardens, and the stunning architecture of its grand villas.

4:30 PM: Departure to the Calvados Distillery. The drive will take approximately 30 minutes (35 km). You’ll head towards the heart of the region known for its apple orchards and the production of Calvados, a delicious apple brandy.

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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Arrival at Calvados Christian Drouin Distillery. You will have a guided tour where you will learn about the centuries-old process of making Calvados, the apple brandy of Normandy. After the tour, you’ll enjoy a tasting session, sampling several varieties of Calvados, with detailed explanations of the production methods and unique characteristics of each.

6:00 PM: Departure to Paris. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours (200 km). Enjoy the scenic journey back to the city.

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8:00 PM: Arrival in Paris and drop-off at your hotel. You will be dropped off at your accommodation after a memorable day exploring the best of Normandy, including Mont Saint-Michel, Cabourg, and the Calvados distillery.

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