Place de Québec

Place de Québec is situated just around the corner from The Bayeux Tourist Information Office. We depart here daily at 09:00 & 14:00, for a half-day D-Day PRIVATE Tour. There are toilet facilities here, as well as a cafe nearby – ‘La Garde Manger’ – perfect for passengers who wish a quick coffee prior to departure.

1. Pointe-du-Hoc (*or opt for US Cemetery Visitor Centre – See below #4)

Pointe-du-Hoc, a 100ft promontory cliff overlooking the English Channel on the coast of Normandy in northern France was heavily fortified with concrete casemates and gun pits and protected by the German 352nd Infantry Division. On D-Day the United States Army Ranger Assault Group under lieutenant colonel James E. Rudder assaulted and captured Pointe du Hoc after scaling the cliffs. Disabling the six 155mm guns there was crucial to the successful completion of the Allied Land Invasion. There was however a cruel surprise in store for Colonel Rudder’s men…

2. Vierville-sur-Mer {‘Saving Private Ryan} – Omaha Beach

On D-Day at 06:30, the U.S. Army’s 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, along with units of the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions, landed on Omaha Beach, below Vierville-sur-Mer. The 29th Division & The Rangers suffered extremely heavy losses in the very first few minutes. On this stop you’ll find out how the courageous soldiers persevered on ‘Bloody Omaha’, and how in the face of all odds and at the prospect of certain death, they finally cut through the formidable German defenses.

3. Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer : ‘Les Braves’

The only monument in Normandy to stand on one of The Allied Invasion Beaches can be seen here in Sainte-Laurent, directly on Omaha Beach. Inaugurated on June 5, 2004, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the landing of Normandy, it is in tribute to the 35,000 Allied soldiers who landed in this place, on June 6, 1944, and to the 3,000 victims, dead, missing and wounded by the evening of D-Day. Here we will learn how a petition was required to revoke the fate of the temporary edifice in 2004, and we will take a look at the significance of its magnicicent design in relation to the events which transpired here on D-Day, and in the weeks and months that followed…

4. Normandy Colleville American Cemetery (*plus optional Visitor Centre – an additional 45 mins)

On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established the temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. After the war, the present-day cemetery was established a short distance to the east of the original site. Come and honour the graves of our fallen Heroes, discover the gold-embossed gravestones of the three Medal of Honour recipients – listen to some stories from their lives – and peruse the wall of the missing upon which are engraved the names of 1557 servicemen never recovered…

5. *Omaha Beach + WN 62 (*Time-permitting).

Omaha Beach, was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of United States Army troops of the First Division nicknamed ‘The Big Red One’. However faced with the 12,020 experienced combat troops of the German 352nd Infantry Division, the battle-hardened 1st Infantry Division had its work cut out. During this memorable visit you’ll find out why nothing here went according to plan on D-Day. Thus we shall discover how ‘Bloody Omaha’ earned its name…

Return to Bayeux, Place-de-Québec, at 13:00 or 18:00

Following the 09:00 morning tour, we will return you to Bayeux Place de Québec at 13:00, in time for lunch. There are plenty of bistros, cafés and restaurants in the vicinity. At the end of the day, we always depart our last stop on schedule at 17:40 in order to ensure that we arrive back in Bayeux at 18:00. For clients returning to Paris or Caen, we can drop you at the Train Station in plenty of time to catch the Bayeux to Paris train (via Caen). During our relaxing drive back to Bayeux you will have 20 minutes to reflect on the half-day tour and have a casual chat with your Guide. We always appreciate feedback about your D-Day experience and welcome any last-minute questions. Please do not hesitate to let your driver know if we can be of any further assistance. Thank you for choosing NormandyONtour.