Travelers who visit the historical battlefields of Normandy often come away describing the experience as moving, emotional and memorable. Standing in the midst of the landing beaches is certainly an experience that should not be missed, and choosing the right day trip from Paris will be defining in ensuring your day is comprehensive, informative and unhurried. This meticulously studied itinerary is designed to bring together the most poignant historical sites of Normandy with the opportunity to appreciate the rich traditions that characterize this area – all woven together masterfully through the illuminating tales and knowledge of an expert guide.
You’ll first arrive at the exceptional Utah Beach Museum, housed in an original German bunker and built on the very beach where the first American troops landed. You’ll stop for a brief visit in a traditional Norman cider-making orchard, where we’ll enjoy a tasting of the cider and Calvados in an original 17th century barn.
You’ll continue our exploration of Normandy with a typical Norman-style lunch, freshly prepared for us with only seasonal ingredients. After lunch, we will travel to Pointe du Hoc, a German defense situated on the cliff tops and heroically taken by US Rangers. This cliff overlooking the English Channel today remains very much as it was left over half a century ago by the Rangers. Many of the original German fortifications have been left in place, and the area is still scarred by bomb craters.
