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In the West, the Normandy landings (or D-Day) in France was perhaps the most famous engagement of the Second World War (or at least of the War in Europe to the Americans). It was one of the most important of all the engagements of the war and the largest seaborne invasion in history (a much larger one was planned for Japan but fortunately, it never came to that).
Today one can visit many memorials, historic sites, and museums dedicated to the Normandy landings as well as plenty of tours of the many historic sites. There are some things that one should know before visiting Normandy and learning about one of the most pivotal battles of World War Two.
D-Day And Visiting The Beaches Of Normandy
The Normandy Landings were a joint Anglo-American campaign with the Americans contributing around half of the assault force and landing on Utah and Omaha, while the British and Canadians contributed the other half and landed on Sword, Gold, and Juno beaches.
- Code Name: Operation Overlord
- Date: Tuesday, 6 June 1944
- Location: Normandy France
- Result: Allied Victory
- Overall Commander: Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Largest: Seaborne Invasion In History
Omaha was the most heavily defended beach and was assigned to the American 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division. They faced off against the German 352nd Infantry Division when they had anticipated only a single regiment. The struggle on this beach was exceptionally difficult, and the American casualties were high.
While the landings ultimately proved a success, the Allies actually failed to achieve any of their goals on the first day. It was two weeks until Caen - a French town and major objective was captured.
Today the area is full of museums, memorials, and war cemeteries which host many visitors each year. Tours can be half-day, full-day, or multi-day tours with the shorter tours just focusing on the American, Canadian, or British sectors. Often the tours are available as a group or as private tours. Destinations for private tours can often be requested with a tour being tailor-made.
If one is short on time, then a half-day tour of Omaha Beach is enough to see the most iconic of the five beach landings. But to really learn about Normandy and see all the beaches, one needs 3-4 days.
Full-Day Tour Of Omaha Beach
To Americans, Omaha Beach is perhaps the most significant of the five beaches at Normandy. An example of a full-day tour of Omaha Beach is offered by Overlordtour (they also offer many other tours of various parts of the Normandy Landings).
The tour begins at 8.20 am at Place de Québec, in the center of Bayeux in Normandy. On the tour, guests will see the sectors where the American V Corps and VII Corps landings occurred at Omaha and Utah beaches. They will follow in their footsteps and those of the famous 1st, 29th, and 4th American Infantry Divisions as they bravely fought their ways off the beaches.
Guests will see misplaced drop zones of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Units while learning more about what went so wrong and how mistakes and challenges were overcome.
- Cost: €120.00 ($130.00)
- Key Attractions: Omaha Beach and Utah Beach
- Duration: From 8.20 am to 6.00 pm
- Number of Spots:16 Spots
As well as the famous beaches assigned to the Americans, guests will see a number of American cemeteries, batteries, memorials, and more.
Two-Day D-Day Tour
For a more in-depth tour of the Normandy landings, consider taking a two-day tour of the famous beaches. D-Day Battle Tours offers a two-day group tour of the most significant events of the invasion of France. This tour is also mostly focused on the activities of the US Airborne troops in Normandy - although time permitting they do briefly visit the British sector at Arromanches - Gold Beach.
On day one visit the Sainte Mère Eglise & Airbourne Museum, the Crisbecq Battery (a restored German gun position), Utah Beach, Brécourt Manor, Sainte Marie du Mont, and more.
On the second-day visit to Omaha Beach, the American National Cemetery at Colleville, Longues Battery (the only German fortification with guns still intact), and Arromanches (remains of Mulberry, the famous British floating harbor), and more.
- Group Size: Maximum 8 People
- Price: 575 Euros ($600) Per Day (Total For Group)
It is worthwhile to also visit the British and Canadian sectors and learn how this wasn't just an American operation, but a true combined Allied invasion where one could not have pulled it off without the other.