The D-Day Landing Grounds in Normandy

A SIX NIGHT HOLIDAY | 20 AUGUST 2023

This tour is designed to tell the story of the famous D-Day landings in June 1944 that launched the invasion of France and opened the Battle for Normandy, which led directly to the capture of Paris in August. Thereafter, the Allies would advance steadily towards Nazi Germany where the European war would end in May 1945. The beaches are extremely evocative with so much of the original battlefields remaining intact replete with bunkers, gun emplacements and many of the farm buildings and villages that were used as defensive positions during the fighting. Apart from the WWII interest, Normandy is a beautiful area to tour with glorious scenery, ancient churches, strong local character and a fascinating history that has for centuries been so closely intertwined with that of the British Isles. Time will be found to explore beyond the battlefields and to take full advantage of the Normandy cuisine.

Omaha Beach

the itinerary

We leave London by coach and travel to Portsmouth where we visit the Portsmouth D-Day Museum. Then we continue to the port terminal for the afternoon ferry service to Caen. On arrival we will transfer to the 3* Manoir de Mathan, which is in the village of Crépon where the only D-Day Victoria Cross was won.

This morning we visit the Green Howards’ D-Day Memorial in Crépon before continuing to the new British Memorial and Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. Our morning ends at Gold and Juno Beaches. This afternoon there will be free time to explore Bayeux’s cathedral and the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

We begin at the German command post at Hillman Bunker above Sword Beach and follow the fighting inland through the bunker system in front of Caen to Perier Ridge where the German Panzers were beaten off. We will view Pegasus Bridge where Lovat, famously accompanied by his piper, linked up Major Howard’s glider force.

We dedicate the morning to the excellent Caen Memorial Museum. After an included lunch in Falaise, we visit the wonderful Norman castle where William the Conqueror was born. Our day ends at the Falaise Pocket where the Allied Armies inflicted vast casualties on the retiring German forces but failed to cut them off entirely.

DAY DAY 5

We head to La Fiere Bridge and the town of St Mere Eglise, which US paratroops defended against furious counter attacks, followed by Utah Beach. After a picnic lunch, we follow the progress of the landing and the link up with the airborne troops. Our day ends at the German Cemetery at La Cambe.

6

We view Omaha Beach where the American army suffered the largest casualties of D-Day. We will also see the Pointe du Hoc, a promontory overlooking the English Channel which was captured by US Rangers scaling a cliff face. We visit the American Cemetery before ending at the great gun battery at Longue sur Mer.

We leave on the early ferry from Caen back to Portsmouth and then travel back to London by coach, arriving late afternoon.

DAY

DAY 7

DAY TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 20 August £2,448 £360

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FERRY DETAILS

Brittany Ferries: Depart Portsmouth 14.45, arrive Caen 21.30 Depart Caen 08.30, arrive Portsmouth 13.15

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return ferry from Portsmouth to Caen • Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Five dinners • Two picnic lunches • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of a Kirker Tour Lecturer