Normandy D-Day Sites: Small Group Tour from Bayeux

Summary

American D-Day beaches, cemeteries and the stories that linger

You’ll walk Utah and Omaha Beach with a small group and local guide, stand among white crosses at the American Cemetery, pause at Pointe du Hoc’s battered cliffs, and hear stories in Sainte-Mère-Église that stay with you long after you return to Bayeux.

What’s the experience like?

"Is it always this quiet here?" I asked our guide, Pascal, as we stepped onto Utah Beach. He just nodded, hands deep in his jacket pockets. The wind carried this salty chill that woke me right up — not much chatter from our group at first, just boots crunching on sand and the distant sound of gulls. I kept thinking about how different it must have sounded back in June 1944. Pascal pointed out where the landing crafts would’ve come in; he had this way of telling stories that made you picture it all happening right there, even if you didn’t want to.

The drive between sites felt short — Normandy’s fields rolling by outside the minivan window, green and a bit muddy from last night’s rain. At Sainte-Mère-Église, we stopped for coffee near the Airborne Museum. There’s still a parachute hanging from the church steeple (I’d seen photos but seeing it up close is something else). An older man waved at us as we crossed the street; Pascal chatted with him in French for a minute before translating a joke about Americans always asking for “un café allongé.” I tried one — strong enough to keep you alert through any history lesson.

La Cambe German War Cemetery was quieter than I expected. Rows of dark crosses under low clouds — nobody really talked much here. Then Pointe du Hoc: wind whipping so hard my hat nearly flew off, cliffs jagged and raw above the sea. You could still see craters left behind. It wasn’t until Omaha Beach that I felt it hit me — just standing there, shoes sinking into cold sand, looking out at gray waves and thinking about all those young guys who never made it home. Someone behind me whispered something about their grandfather being here once; I don’t know why but that stuck with me all day.

The last stop was Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. White crosses stretching out forever, flags snapping in the breeze. Pascal let us wander on our own for a while — no pressure to rush or pose for photos or anything like that. I found myself reading names until my hands got cold and then just stood there for a bit longer anyway. The ride back to Bayeux was mostly quiet; everyone staring out at those same fields but seeing them differently now, maybe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit American D-Day sites in Normandy

• Depart from Bayeux
• Visit Airborne Museum Sainte-Mère-Eglise
• Explore La Cambe German War Cemetery
• Tour Pointe du Hoc
• Visit Omaha Beach
• See Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Top questions

How long is the Normandy D-Day tour from Bayeux?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours and returns to Bayeux around 6pm.

Which D-Day sites are included on this tour?

The tour visits Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église (Airborne Museum), La Cambe German War Cemetery, and Normandy American Cemetery.

Is hotel pickup included for this Normandy Battlefields tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Bayeux is included for the 8:30 am option; otherwise pickup is from central Bayeux.

How many people are on each tour group?

The minivan holds a maximum of eight passengers per group.

Are entry fees included for museums or cemeteries?

Entry fees are included where applicable during the tour stops.

Can infants or small children join this D-Day day trip?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Does this tour depart from Paris?

No, this Normandy Battlefields Tour departs only from Bayeux in Normandy.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is provided; you may want to bring snacks or buy food during stops.

What’s included

Your day includes small-group transport by minivan with a professional guide throughout; hotel pickup (for morning departures) or central meeting point in Bayeux; entry fees at all scheduled sites including Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église’s Airborne Museum, La Cambe German War Cemetery and Normandy American Cemetery before returning to Bayeux early evening.