Normandy: D-Day Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc & Cider Tasting Tour

Summary

Omaha Beach footsteps, Pointe du Hoc craters, Normandy cider moments

You’ll walk Omaha Beach where history feels close enough to touch, explore bunkers at Pointe du Hoc, pause among white crosses at the American Cemetery, and end your Normandy day trip with local cider tasting under apple trees. Expect quiet moments and honest stories that stay with you long after you’re back in Paris.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed at Omaha Beach was the wind — sharp and salty, carrying this strange mix of quiet and memory. Our guide, Pierre, just let us stand there for a minute before saying anything. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t that odd hush or the way the sand felt under my shoes (softer than I thought). He pointed out where the soldiers landed — you could almost see it. Someone in our group asked if he had family here; he nodded but didn’t say more. That stuck with me.

We climbed through the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc after that. The grass was still wet from last night’s rain and my jeans got muddy — which felt weirdly right. Pierre explained how the Rangers scaled those cliffs with grappling hooks (I can’t even climb a ladder without complaining). The bomb craters are still there, huge and silent. It’s hard to imagine all that noise now. The Overlord Museum was next: tanks, uniforms, a Higgins boat with its ramp down — honestly, I didn’t expect to feel much in a museum but something about seeing those things up close made it real.

Lunch was at this tiny place near the coast — old wooden tables, chalkboard menu, locals chatting over crepes and omelets. Not included in the tour price so you pick what you want (I went for an omelet; no regrets). Later at the American Cemetery, Pierre walked us among the rows of white stones. He told us about the Niland brothers — I recognized their story from “Saving Private Ryan.” There were flowers on some graves; someone in our group left a little flag. That part was quiet too.

Before heading back to Paris we stopped at an orchard for Normandy cider tasting. The air smelled like apples and earth. The owner poured us tiny glasses and tried to teach me how to say “cidre bouché” properly (I definitely failed). It was sweet but not too sweet — just enough to cut through everything else we’d seen that day. On the drive back I kept thinking about that beach wind and how different it all looks now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Normandy D-Day sites and cider tasting

• Walk on Omaha Beach
• Explore Operation Overlord Museum
• Enter German bunkers at Battery
• Lunch at local mom-and-pop restaurant
• Walk around Pointe du Hoc cliffs
• Visit Normandy American Cemetery
• Taste local Normandy hard cider

Top questions

How long is the Normandy D-Day day trip from Paris?

The tour is a full-day trip departing from Paris by minivan and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Normandy tour?

No, lunch is not included. You can choose your own meal at a local restaurant (expect to spend 10-20€).

What sites are visited on this D-Day tour?

The tour visits Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Overlord Museum, German bunkers, Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial, plus a local cider orchard.

How many people are in each group?

The small-group tour has a maximum of 8 people per group.

Is transportation included from Paris?

Yes, round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from Paris is included.

Are children allowed on this tour?

The minimum age is 7 years old; children younger than 7 cannot join.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions—dress appropriately for rain or wind.

Do we get to taste real Normandy cider?

Yes, cider tasting at a local Normandy orchard is included in your day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport from Paris by minivan with an expert guide throughout; skip-the-line entry to the Overlord Museum; guided visits to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc cliffs and bunkers, plus time at the Normandy American Cemetery; as well as tastings of Normandy apple juice and hard cider at a local orchard before heading back home.