D-Day Discovery: American sectors, A 12 hour tour for 1-4 people
Description
Discover the Normandy landing beaches with our WWII expert. Rodolphe Rutman, who will accompany you, brings to life the events of the battle of Normandy, using his knowledge of the subject acquired over more than 30 years of private research. He has been connected to the events of June 6 1944, since he was involved in the 50th anniversary of D-Day, in 1994. That year, he assisted a group of 41 American veteran paratroopers who came to perform a commemorative jump near Sainte-mère-église. Afterwards, Rodolphe became a filmmaker specialising in history. He has directed 4 TV documentary films about D-Day which were broadcast internationally. This enabled him to interview more than 200 people who witnessed the events of summer 1944, including 13 American veterans who landed on Omaha Beach. Today, he lives in Normandy and likes to share his passion for this subject by leading visits to memorial sites. So be ready for an immersive and unforgettable exploration of the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit to Sainte-mère-église square and it's church. The story of the tragic arrival of American paratroopers on the night 5th/6th of June 1944 will be told there.
Visit to the Airborne museum, a very well furnished museum with a lot of interesting pictures, maps and military equipment giving an overview of the American airborne actions on D-Day. Entry fees: Adult: 11,50€, Children: 7,50€
One hour can be spent in Sainte-mère-église square to do some shopping and to have lunch.
"La Fiere Bridge" was a site where American troops (mainly paratroopers) had a very hard fight against nazi forces from 6th to 9th of June 1944, causing more than 750 American casualties (wounded or killed) to keep this bridge in allied hands.
Utah beach was one of the two landing beaches used by American troops on DDay. The units that arrived there will join the American paratroopers, who arrived inland during the night, to take control of the Cotentin peninsula roads and later Cherbourg harbor.
Visit to the seafront German artillery position at Pointe du Hoc, assaulted from the cliffs by American Ranger battaillons on the morning of D-Day.
Stop at the cliffs of Vierville-sur-mer, dominating Omaha beach. An opportunity to discover American military equipment displayed around the local museum, including American LCVP landing craft.
Visit to the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer. This exceptional memorial site is located on Omaha beach battlefield. An opportunity to discover the D-Day events from a place that was at the center of the battle that day.
Visit to the reinforced WN62 German position. Located on the cliffs of Colleville-sur-mer dominating Omaha beach, we will discover, with some German soldiers' testimonies, what D-Day was like seen from that side of the battle. On the same site we will visit the monument dedicated to the American 1st Infantry Division.
Visit to Saint-Laurent-sur-mer, to the first monument dedicated to the American troops who landed on Omaha beach, on the morning of June 6, 1944.
Visit to the site temporarily used as a cemetery for American soldiers killed on D-Day and in the following days.
Visit to the memorial monument dedicated to the landing troops from the American 29th Infantry Division who took part in the Omaha beach invasion, in the early hours of D-Day.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up locations can be specified on booking to suit individual needs.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
Rodolphe was a fantastic guide. We had a really full day with him. His historical knowledge is very deep and his work as a film maker, with the personal stories he tells, brings a whole extra dimension to the day. His gallic charm and sense of humour made it a wonderful day. I would highly recommend him, and would definitely use him again.
Not only did we see the sights, our guide had made films about D Day and interviewed survivors of both sides in the conflict. He recounted memories of these survivors which personalized the day.
Bring a jacket. Be ready to talk about your priorities so Rodolphe can adapt the plan. He really catered to our wishes. We had a great day!
Excellent tour. If you’re interested in WWII history then this tour is a must! Rodolphe is very knowledgeable of the Normandy aspect, but can also tie other aspects of the war and area together to provide a very comprehensive and informative tour. Loved it!
