Normandy 2026

Day 1: Arras to Bayeux

Meet at Hotel Mercure Arras at 8:30am for a 9:00am start.

If you're adding on we'll have some breakfast before heading to Normandy. If you are joining us, welcome aboard. On our way to Bayeux we will stop in at Rouen, a Norman city that combines the First and Second World War. It is where base hospitals were set up in the racecourse and in particular, was home to the 1st Australian General Hospital ("1AGH"). Immediately adjacent is the St Sever Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery where those who sucumbed to their wounds are buried.

We farewell the Great War and officially cross over into the Second World War here as Rouen was also the target for the first B-17 'Flying Fortress' daylight raid carried out by the 8th Airforce in 1942,when they went after the Sotteville marshalling yards. We stop at the famous Pegasus Bridge where the British paratroopers held the vital bridge across the Orner River 'until relieved'

We continue on to the beautiful town of Bayeux where we take a walking tour back in time. Our walking tour includes the Cathedral that dates back to the time of William the Conqueror, and the famous 11th Century Bayeux Tapestry recounts his victory at Hastings in 1066. 

We stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B (If add-on)  L

Day 2:  Utah Beach, Rangers & the US Airborne

We head behind Utah Beach sector to explore the landing grounds and famous actions of the 82nd and 101st Airborne where legends were born in the early hours of 6 June 1944. We head to Sainte-Mère-Église and the famous church, before walking in the footsteps of 'Easy Company' at Brecourt Manor and on the road to Carentan.

We also make a stop at the striking La Cambe German War Cemetery where famous 'Tank Ace' Michael Wittman is buried.

We stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B 

Day 3: Omaha, Mulberries & Gold

One of the significant achievements on D-Day was the Ranger action at Point du Hoc. Marvel at the agility and bravery of these young Americans as we tour the bunkers and craters of this stunning coastal area.

We venture to Omaha Beach where the troops coming ashore met a hail of bullets. Heavy casualties and hard fighting ensued before small groups of determined men were able to get off the beach and on to the bluffs to eliminate the German defenders. After this we venture up to the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where many of those brave boys now rest.

It wasn't just the 'Yanks' who saved the day on 6 June 1944, their British and Canadian cousins landed at beaches to the east code-named, Gold, Juno and Sword. Hopefully the tides are kind and we can get out and explore the amazing remains of the 'Mulberry Harbours'. We will also have the opportunity to walk through the Longueval Gun Battery. 

We stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B 

Day 4: Le Mont St Michel (Wittmann)

We have a real treat today with a visit to the remarkable Le Mont Saint-Michel sat atop a tidal island just of the coast. It is something often photographed and wondered about, but you will wonder no more as we spend several hours exploring the island town with origins back to the 8th century.

On our return to Bayeux we will take the opportunity to visit other Second World War sites, including Villers-Bocage where a particularly intense tank action took place on 13 June 1944, a week after the D-Day landings. 

We stay in Bayeux for the evening. Best pack your bags as we will be farewelling Bayeux tomorrow.

B D

Day 5: Breakfast & Farewell

After the breakfast, the tour concludes in Bayeux and it is time to head our separate ways with many fond memories. Train fare to Paris Saint-Lazare station is included in your booking fee and the Bayeux train station is only a short walk or taxi ride away.

B 

The letters refer to:

(B) Breakfast included.
(L) Lunch included.
(D) Dinner included.