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1944 – 2024: 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

Normandy Tourism, France

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Updated on 23 April 2024

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Throughout Normandy

1 - 16 June 2024 (D-Day Festival)

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Normandy will forever be marked by the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe. 2024 will mark the 80th Anniversary of this historic event, and with it, a momentous occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation. A rich and unprecedented programme of events will be put together to bring the memory of this tragic period of world history to life, all while emphasizing the spirit of hope.

The memory lives on

On 6th June 1944, and during the long summer which followed, soldiers from the world over came to fight in Normandy to defeat Nazism and to re-establish Freedom. Normandy will bear the scars of the moment in history forever, and every year we remember and pay tribute to the veterans from America, Britain, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Poland, Australia, France and their brothers in arms, to those many heroes who lost their lives here during that summer, and are at rest in the cemeteries to be found throughout the area. It is often forgotten that the people of Normandy also paid a heavy price in those terrible battles. Each anniversary year is the occasion to pay tribute to the fallen and to the veterans who will come to attend the commemorative events and celebrations organized in Normandy. Lest we forget.

The Normandy region is encouraging all those who wish to express their gratitude to leave a testimonial on this webpage .

An important anniversary

In 2024, Normandy will honour the memory of these events and the men and women who came from all over the world to liberate us. A regional mobilisation will take place to celebrate this major ten-year anniversary. It will be the perfect occasion for visitors to discover, or rediscover, the main memorial sites, the cemeteries, the key places and the museums which bear witness to this tragic period of time. These important places are today imbued with fundamental and universal values such as Reconciliation, Peace and Freedom. Our hope is that your visit will present a special moment for you to share with your loved ones.

a unique event

For this very special occasion, Normandy’s ambition is to offer a major family-friendly event, aimed at Normans and visitors alike, who have little or no access to official ceremonies. The date of Saturday 1st June, at nightfall, has been chosen for this event, on the weekend ahead of 6 th  June. Over 20 huge firework displays will light up the sky simultaneously over the 5 Landing Beaches. A beautiful family-friendly and free event.

THE INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY

It’s official:

The official international ceremony will take place on Thursday 6 June 2024 on Omaha Beach. Many heads of state, veterans and officials will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (by invitation only).

On this day, please take note that for security reasons many beaches and sectors will be cordoned off with no access to visitors, vehicles etc

Below is a map of the Restricted Traffic Zone on 6th June:

A VERY SPECIAL FESTIVAL

Each year from end May to mid-June, the tourist offices of the Landing Beaches area invite you to celebrate freedom! During the D-Day Festival Normandy , visitors will enjoy a popular program of festive and cultural events to mark the anniversary of the Allied Landings. The D-Day Festival Normandy takes place along the entire coastline of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, from Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mère-Eglise, including Ouistreham, Arromanches, Pointe du Hoc, and of course the five iconic sectors of Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach. Parachuting, parades, concerts, historical re-enactments, fireworks, exhibitions, projections… The festival offers over 100 events, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before in 2024!

events certified by the Normandy Region

To put together a schedule of events that will take place throughout Normandy during this anniversary year, the Normandy Region has worked on a label to certify several hundreds of them, over a period stretching from 1 March to 15 October 2024. Synchronized fireworks at the major D-Day sites, giant picnic on Omaha Beach, Liberation balls, bagpipe parades, international parachuting of hundreds of soldiers above Sainte-Mère-Église, etc. The festivities will take place throughout the year and particularly in fine weather. A great way for everyone to join in this spirit of fraternity.

The programme and map of events is available HERE (in French).

Standing with Giants installation

A total of 1,475 silhouettes by ‘Standing with Giants’ will appear in Spring 2024 at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, representing the number of fatalities under British command on 6 June 1944. This art installation will be part of D-Day 80 commemorations at the Memorial and will be available to visit throughout Summer next year. Standing with Giants is a community project, set up in 2019 by Oxfordshire community artist, Dan Barton, and a group of local volunteers. They create large scale art installations using recycled building materials and provide meaningful spaces for people to visit and reflect.

NORMANDY FOR PEACE

The  Normandy for Peace World Forum  was created in 2016 on the back of an initiative to promote the values of peace and freedom to the general public and in particular with the young in mind. It now takes place every year at the Women’s Abbey in Caen and consists of a series of conferences that bring together leading international thinkers and Nobel Peace Prize winners. The programme also includes cultural activities and social events.

When will the official programme be available?

The full programme of events for the D-Day Festival is available HERE . The programme of events certified by the Normandy Region is available HERE (in French for the moment).

Where can I get a map of the Landing Beaches?

You can download and print the map right here .

You can also download the official visitors guide here .

Where can I find accommodation?

Please take note that most hotels located in Bayeux, Caen and close to the D-Day Landing Beaches are already fully-booked for early June. We recommend looking for accommodation in Le Havre, Rouen or Dieppe, which have many options, in the Cotentin or in towns inland such as Lisieux, Bernay, Pont-Audemer, Pont-L’Evêque, Evreux or Louviers. All of these towns are located close to the A13 motorway.

Can I visit the beaches and museums with my children or grandchildren?

Yes of course, and most museums and remembrance sites are committed to sharing this period of history in a way that’s suitable for children and teenagers. You’ll find full information here . However, please be aware that some images and exhibitions in museums may be disturbing for younger children.

Where can I find a guide?

You can book an official English-speaking guide for a private tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches and sites here .

You can also take group tours with several companies such as Normandy Sightseeing Tours , Beaches of Normandy Tours , Gold Beach Company , Bayeux Shuttle , HQ Company Tour , Normandy D-Day Tours , Bayeux Sightseeing Tours …

When is the best time to visit the Landing Beaches this year?

The beaches and cemeteries can be visited year-round, although January can be challenging as many museums and restaurants are closed that month. Early June will be very crowded and most accommodation is already fully-booked, so we recommend visiting a little later that month or throughout the summer, when there will still be many events going on. Weather is fair in Normandy from early spring to end autumn, and can even get pretty hot during the summer.

I don’t have car, how can i get to the Landing Beaches and visit the major sites?

You’ll find comprehensive information and insights on ways to visit the D-Day Landing Beaches without a car on this webpage .

SPEND LESS WITH THE EXPLORE NORMANDY PASS

For just 1 euro, make the most of the reductions on offer with the Explore Normandy Pass on entry tickets and in the shops of museums and sites linked to the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy.

You will also have access to extra articles, fun games and exclusive testimonies about the history of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. The App and website are available in May > explorenormandypass.com

Don’t miss

The D-Day Landing Beaches D-Day 1944 Visitor Guide D-Day sites and museums

Opening of the new D-Day Museum in Arromanches

Updated on 11 July 2023

Sea kayaking amid iconic D-Day landmarks

Updated on 26 January 2024

the D-Day Landing Beaches with children

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80th Anniversary of D-Day Cruise: D-Day & The Bomber War

For the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, honor the men and women who helped to liberate a continent. Sail from Hamburg aboard Seabourn Ovation on May 29, 2024, with world-renowned historians and a custom itinerary emphasizing the land, sea, and air campaigns of World War II. Stand where history was made in Normandy for an unforgettable 80th anniversary ceremony on June 6, 2024.

TOUR OVERVIEW

The 80th Anniversary of D-Day cruise features a custom itinerary emphasizing the land, sea, and air campaigns of World War II. Sail from Hamburg, which was systematically destroyed by an Allied bombing campaign in July 1943. Sail aboard the exquisite Seabourn Ovation towards Amsterdam and learn about the Dutch Resistance during the war.  A two-day stop in East Anglia, England, provides a special emphasis to the airmen and their ground support who helped make D-Day possible. Next, a stop in Dunkirk to learn more about Operation Dynamo.  Finally, land in Normandy for four days of touring  the rural countryside and beaches that became the backdrop for the largest amphibious invasion in history. Special guest President and CEO Emeritus and Founder of The National WWII Museum, Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, along with featured tour historians Donald L. Miller, Alexandra Richie, John McManus, and Keith Lowe provide a signature lecture series during the voyage.

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• Tour Inclusions
• Tour Itinerary
• Optional Three-Night Pre-Cruise Tour
• Optional Three-Night Post-Cruise Tour
• Tour Pricing
• Featured Tour Historians

Commemorate D-Day's 80th Anniversary

As a guest of the Museum, you’ll enjoy privileged access to top WWII sites and special invitations to events both on board and ashore during this major commemoration. This tour is for both the advanced and amateur historian in search of the most authentic experience of Normandy as it was. For a more robust experience, you may choose to add a specially arranged pre-cruise tour in Hamburg or post-cruise tour program in London.

BOOK YOUR TRIP WITH US!

 We have a handful of spots left! Call 1-877-813-3329 x257 to explore availability.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• Travel with Special Guest President & CEO Emeritus and Founder of The National WWII Museum Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, and featured authors and historians Donald L. Miller, PhD, Alexandra Richie, DPhil, John McManus, PhD, and Keith Lowe.
• Comprehensive lecture series from world-renowned historians throughout the program
• “Build Your Perfect Journey” included shore excursions with expert local battlefield guides at each port
• Video oral history presentations from The National WWII Museum’s Digital Collection
• Roundtrip airport transfers (when arriving and departing on scheduled cruise dates or the optional pre-tour)
• VIP access to sites not offered on other tours
• Ten nights aboard Seabourn Ovation
• Private, first-class, air-conditioned motor coach transportation on all shore excursions
• Personal listening devices on all included touring
• Gratuities to shipboard staff, local guides, and drivers
• All meals on board including specialty restaurants, as well as select meals ashore as identified in final program itinerary
• Unlimited beverages including premium wines, spirits, beer, coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, and juices, plus en-suite minibar, replenished daily
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Welcome, farewell, and veteran recognition receptions
• Commemorative map book including useful battlefield maps and archival images to be used throughout your journey
• Personalized luggage tags and customized name badge
• Keepsake travel gifts to remember your voyage

A portion of your booking value is tax deductible.

For Additional Services Please Call:  1-877-813-3329 x 257

ABOUT THE TOUR

Operation gomorrah: the devastation of hamburg.

OPTIONAL THREE-NIGHT PRE-CRUISE TOUR

Featuring Five-Star Accommodations on Land

May 26–29, 2024 Bomber warfare was a new concept in the years leading to World War II. Japan’s war against China in the 1930s employed bombs that specifically targeted civilians. In 1940, the German  Luftwaffe razed large sections of Rotterdam through aerial bombardment. The escalation of tactics,material, and destruction continued from 1940–1945 with numerous cities turning to rubble. 

For one week in July 1943, a combined operation by the Royal Air Force and the American Eighth Air Force systematically destroyed Hamburg. Several factors influenced Hamburg’s destruction. First, the city was a hub of manufacturing and shipbuilding. Its location near the coast meant that Allied bombers had little resistance from the ground. Also, Hamburg was one of five “Fuhrer Cities,” designated for massive construction projects that would demonstrate the power of the Third Reich.

On this two-day tour of Hamburg, visit St. Nikolai Church, preserved for more than 80 years in its state of wartime destruction. Several massive flak towers dot the city, evidence of the German efforts to combat the Allied Bombers. Ohlsdorf Cemetery, one of the largest in the world, contains a mass grave to the victims of the attack overlooked by a statue showing the crossing of the River Styx.

Accommodations: Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 receptions, 1 dinner)

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1: may 29, 2024, embarkation: hamburg.

The voyage begins in the city where the bomber war reached a pinnacle in July 1943. For nearly a week, British and American bombers pounded the city “‘round the clock.” Firestorms ripped through the city, creating a refugee crisis that shocked Germany. The invincibility of the Nazi regime was shaken as stories of the city’s destruction spread with the fleeing citizens. Keith Lowe provides commentary on Operation Gomorrah during a special presentation this evening.

Accommodations: Seabourn Ovation (R, D)

Day 2: May 30, 2024 - At Sea | Day 3: May 31, 2024 - Amsterdam

At sea & amsterdam.

After the Netherlands fell in 1940, the oppression by the Nazi regime clamped down on Dutch society. The country’s Jewish population was forced into hiding as the Nazis deported Jews to the death camps. The Diary of Anne Frank tells just one family’s story during their time in hiding. Throughout the country, thousands of Jewish families fled into hiding with fears of discovery or betrayal. On a canal cruise of the city and a visit the Dutch Resistance Museum, learn more about the families who went into hiding and the Dutch citizens who chose to collaborate or resist.

Accommodations: Seabourn Ovation (B, L, D)

Day 4: June 1, 2024

Great yarmouth.

From 1942–1945, the east of England was the most heavily trafficked air space in the world. Airfields popped up every few miles, creating miniature cities populated with young American flyers and the ground crews that sustained them. Dubbed “The Friendly Invasion,” this influx of Americans transformed this rural landscape. Those who are alive today and still remember the presence of the aircrews have lovingly restored many of the control towers, runways, and Nissen huts, turning them into small museums.

Day 5: June 2, 2024

Imperial War Museum Duxford is the UK’s largest aviation museum. Aircraft restoration and maintenance takes place on site, allowing visitors to view vintage planes in various stages of display or readiness. The American Air Museum occupies a large space on the campus. With displays focusing on Americans in World War II and after, this museum is a slice of American history in the east of England.

Day 6: June 3, 2024

From May 27 to June 4, 1940, the British Expeditionary Force mounted Operation Dynamo, a dramatic evacuation of Allied soldiers who were trapped by the Nazis near the beaches of Dunkirk.

Augmented by air support over the English Channel, hundreds of ships ferried nearly 340,000 British and French soldiers away from Dunkirk to ports in England. The 2017 film Dunkirk dramatized this rescue with points of view from the beaches, the English Channel, and the cockpit of a Spitfire. On tour, visit the evacuation beaches, the East Mole, and a few of the film sites.

Day 7: June 4, 2024

Honfleur | the british side of d-day.

Arriving in Normandy, begin the tour of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. The British and Canadians landed on the three easternmost beaches—Sword, Juno, and Gold—while the 6th Airborne Division secured vital bridges and neutralized several German gun batteries. Just after midnight on June 6, 1944, three British gliders under the command of Major John Howard scored the first Allied victory of the day at a bridge soon to be known as Pegasus Bridge. Along the coast, troops fought their way on shore and moved toward the highway connecting Caen and Bayeux.

Day 8: June 5, 2024

Cherbourg | omaha beach.

The men who faced the landing at Omaha Beach knew that they faced formidable terrain. Backed by a steep 100-foot bluff, Omaha Beach favored the German defenders. Along the western sector of the beach, the 29th Division faced intense German firepower that opened up as soon as the ramps on their Higgins Boats dropped. Toward the east, the 1st Infantry Division faced similar firepower from positions such as WN-62. Through several gaps in the defenses, the first Americans began to scale the bluffs. One by one, the German guns started to fall silent, and Omaha Beach was ready for unloading operations by the next morning.

Day 9: June 6, 2024

Cherbourg | 80th anniversary of d-day.

Every five years, people travel from across the world to pay their respects to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the D-Day operation. Moving tributes, inspirational speeches, and emotional moments are the hallmarks of this day.

Day 10: June 7, 2024

Cherbourg | the cotentin peninsula.

The capture of Cherbourg was a primary objective for the Americans who landed at Utah Beach and for the paratroopers who seized the bridges, causeways, and crossroads. In towns and villages such as Sainte-Mère-Église, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, La Fière , Amfreville, and Picauville, heroic actions paved the way for the eventual capture of Cherbourg. The first Americans to enter the port city found the docks in disarray. Engineers arrived shortly after the front-line soldiers, and repairs put the port into operation by August 1944. This evening, sail across the English Channel back to England.

Day 11: June 8, 2024

Disembark in dover.

After breakfast, disembark in Dover and transfer to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or continue on to the post-tour in London. (B)

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

OPTIONAL THREE-NIGHT POST-CRUISE TOUR

June 8–11, 2024

Disembark in Dover and transfer to London for an examination of the Battle of Britain. During the summer of 1940, the Royal Air Force (RAF) dueled the Luftwaffe over the skies of the United Kingdom. As the British population sought refuge in bomb shelters, the RAF developed numerous tactics to keep the damage from German bombers to a minimum.

Journey into the operations of Fighter Command with visits to the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge and Bentley Priory. The underground control room in Uxbridge served as the main information center for approaching aircraft. Information from radar and coastal observers would be tracked on the plotting table as an ingenious system of clocks and switchboards relayed the information to Fighter Command Headquarters at Bentley Priory.

The air war comes into context at the Imperial War Museum, where new exhibitions on World War II and the Holocaust opened in 2021. In the new displays, a V-1 flying bomb straddles the galleries to emphasize it as a product of slave labor and its role in terrorizing the British population during World War II. As the RAF learned to tip the missiles with the wings of a Spitfire, the Germans unleashed the V-2 rocket, a weapon that caused more death through its production than its use in combat.

Accommodations: Rubens at the Palace (3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Reception)

TOUR PRICING Extremely limited availability. Call 1-877-813-3329 x257 to discuss availability and wait list options.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS – Call 1-877-813-3329 x 257 to book

Guests booking optional extension programs will be registered preliminarily at this time. When daily itineraries and pricing are finalized, the Travel Team will be in contact to collect deposits and confirm bookings.

OPERATION GOMORRAH: THE DEVASTATION OF HAMBURG – Three-night pre-cruise program

BATTLE OF BRITAIN – Three-night post-cruise program

EXPERIENCE OVATION

Travel aboard Seabourn Ovation and enjoy the all-inclusive experience of small-ship cruising with every amenity included, a relaxed social atmosphere, and plenty of space for private contemplation.

Introducing the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line

As the foremost experts in WWII historical travel, The National WWII Museum Educational Travel Program has the reputation for exemplary programming and world-class expertise while offering only the finest in accommodations.

Seabourn Ovation has been exclusively chartered by The National WWII Museum for its valued guests. Delivering a wealth of amenities and a fresh vision to small ship cruising, the Ovation is the perfect host for this once-in-a-lifetime, illuminating journey.

To learn more about Seabourn Ovation , and to explore amenities and suite options, visit the Seabourn website:

FEATURED TOUR HISTORIANS

Featuring an exclusive lecture series by our esteemed historian authors and all-inclusive touring, this unique educational program combines learning and sightseeing with a whole new level of luxury.

GORDON H. “NICK” MUELLER, PHD

Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller is President and CEO Emeritus The National WWII Museum in NewOrleans. Dr. Mueller assisted historian Stephen Ambrose in founding the institution, initially known as The National D-Day Museum, and led the organization as Chairman of the Board from 1998, through its fundraising and construction to the Grand Opening on June 6, 2000.Before stepping into the museum world, Dr. Mueller enjoyed a 33-year career as Professor ofEuropean History at the University of New Orleans. During his tenure there he also served asDean, Vice Chancellor, and founding President of the Research and Technology Park. He is also founder of UNO’s Metropolitan College, Business-Higher Education Council, and the university’s International Study Programs.

DONALD L. MILLER, PHD

Donald L. Miller, PhD, is the John Henry MacCracken Professor of History Emeritus at Lafayette College and one of the outstanding historians of World War II, along with other topics in American history. His books on World War II include The Story of World War II , D-Days in the Pacific , and Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany . Masters of the Air , named “outstanding book of the year” by World War II magazine, is the primary source for Apple TV’s upcoming miniseries, in which Miller is serving as chief historical consultant. He was also a consultant for HBO’s miniseries The Pacific , and served as writer and chief historical consultant for WWII in HD , a 10-hour series that aired on the History Channel. His works on other history subjects include City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America , and Vicksburg: Grant’s Campaign that Broke the Confederacy , which was released in October 2019. Miller is a longstanding member of the Museum’s Presidential Counselors advisory body. He is among scholar participants in the Museum’s overseas tours and has been a leading figure in summer workshops for teachers.

ALEXANDRA RICHIE, DPHIL

Alexandra Richie, DPhil, is a historian of Germany and Central and Eastern Europe, with a specialization in defense and security issues. She completed her B.A. (Hons) in Political Science at the University of Victoria and went on to study at St. Antony’s College, Oxford, where she wrote her doctoral thesis, “The Political Manipulation of History in East and West Germany.” Richie is also the author of Faust’s Metropolis: A History of Berlin , which was named one of the top ten books of the year by American Publisher’s Weekly , and Warsaw 1944: Hitler, Himmler, and the Warsaw Uprising , which won the Newsweek Teresa Torańska Prize for best nonfiction book of 2014 and the Kazimierz Moczarski Prize for Best History Book 2015. She has contributed to many articles, documentaries, radio, and television programs, and is the Convener of the Presidential Counselors at The National WWII Museum. She is also a member of the Senate at the Collegium Civitas University in Warsaw, Poland, and the Władysław Bartoszewski co-chair of History and International Studies at the Collegium Civitas.

JOHN C. MCMANUS, PHD

John C. McManus, PhD, is Curators’ Distinguished Professor of US military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). As one of the nation’s leading military historians, and the author of 14 well-received books on the topic, he is in frequent demand as a speaker and expert commentator. In addition to dozens of local and national radio programs, he has appeared on CNN.com, Fox News, C-Span, the Military Channel, the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, Netflix, the Smithsonian Network, the History Channel, and PBS, among others. He also served as historical advisor for the bestselling book and documentary Salinger , the latter of which appeared nationwide in theaters and on PBS’s  American Masters series. During the 2018-2019 academic year, he was in residence at the US Naval Academy as the Leo A. Shifrin Chair of Naval and Military History, a distinguished visiting professorship. His current project is a major three-volume history of the US Army in the Pacific/Asia theater during World War II. The first volume, Fire and Fortitude: The US Army in the Pacific War, 1941-1943 , received the Gilder-Lehrman Prize for Military History.

Keith Lowe is the author of several major works of history. His first book, Inferno , was a critically acclaimed study of the bombing of Hamburg in 1943. His second book, Savage Continent , became a Sunday Times top 10 best seller and went on to win both the Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History and Italy’s national Cherasco History Prize. It is now a standard work on the wave of violence and revenge that swept Europe after the war. The Fear and the Freedom is an intimate history of the long-term consequences of the Second World War and the shadow that it still casts over our lives today. It was shortlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Non-fiction Crown, and has been adapted as a 12-part radio series in the Czech Republic. His latest book,  Prisoners of History , examines our monuments to the war, and asks what they are really saying about our history and ourselves. Written at a time when statues around the world were being torn down by both governments and protesters, it is a timely look at some of the world’s most important symbols of our collective past. Lowe regularly speaks on TV and radio, and he often lectures on postwar history at venues across Europe and North America. He has written for a variety of newspapers and journals, including The Daily Telegraph , The Times , The Wall Street Journal , El Paìs and the NeueZürcherZeitung . He lives in London with his wife and two children.

D-Day Landings 80th Anniversary Tour

Tour Dates: June 4 to 8, 2024

Mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with our outstanding commemorative tour to Normandy. We go back to the beaches, the drop zones and strategic battle points. We'll take part in the official ceremonies and pay our respects at the cemeteries and memorials. We'll visit famous landmarks and fascinating museums. Lead by our expert battlefield tour guide, we guarantee a tour you'll never forget.

Depart Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at 10:00 hrs. View SWORD beach. Visit Pegasus Bridge and the Pegasus Memorial Museum and the British Airborne Cemetery in Ranville. Lunch on own. Drive to Normandy hotel. DBB.

Pointe du Hoc, captured by the U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion. Vierville Draw and 29th Infantry Division sector of OMAHA Beach. Drive up 'Les Moulins' Draw to the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Laurent sur Mer. Box lunch. DBB

We take part in the American ceremony at the US Normandy Cemetery and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Box lunch. DBB.

The German military cemetery at La Cambe and see the famous Ste Mere Eglise church with its Airborne stained-glass windows and the Airborne museum. Visit La Fiere bridgehead and its 'Iron Mike' U.S. Airborne statue. Drive through the 101st Airborne drop zones. Pass Brecourt Manor, captured by The Band of Brothers Company E of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. UTAH beach. Lunch on own. DBB.

Visit the Normandy Memorial. GOLD and UTAH Beach. Lunch on your own. Drive to Paris, arrive Gare du Nord station at approximately 18:00 hrs.

Picture Gallery

What Our Clients Say

I was very fortunate to be on their 70th and 75th D-Day celebration tours. The service and attention to details was exceptional. It was very moving to go back.

As a Jane Austen enthusiast, this tour was perfect - and the Jane Austen Festival in Bath was just fabulous to see!

Words fail me...The Downton Abbey was a perfectly wonderful travel experience! We did not know we would be the ONLY guests at the Abbey. When we realised how truly exclusive our tour was we were speechless! Surreal being there and actually meeting Lady Carnarvon.

What is the difference between a twin and a double room?

A twin room has 2 separate beds and a double room has 1 large bed for 2 people to share. 

As part of the tour will we be attending any special events?

On June 6 you will attend the commemoration ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy. Further details will be released closer to the date. 

Where is the meeting place for the tour?

The meeting place will be at Charles de Gaulle airport, in Paris. Exact location will be communicated closer to the date. Meeting time will be 9:30am and the coach will depart at 10am. 

What time will we return to Paris on the last day?

The arrival back into Paris is estimated to be at 6pm. This will be dependant on traffic conditions. The tour will finish at Gare du Nord train station.

Are children welcome on the tour?

Absolutely! We have both adults and children booked on this tour. 

Band of Brothers Tours

Bringing history to life.

If you are looking for military historical tours in Europe, we are the best local experts you can find. In terms of World War II tours, no one comes even close to offering the quality you get from us. Our Tour Directors and local guides are professionals who have perfected their craft. All our hotels and restaurants are tried and true, and our local knowledge is evident and all of our staff speak fluent English. Our secure and guaranteed payment systems allow you to shop online with the utmost confidence. Once you book your trip, we will guide you through everything related to your tour, from what travel documents you need and what to pack to a recommended list of books to read and movies to watch before your departure. We are not an assembly line company focused on mass production – our goal is to give you a once in a lifetime experience.

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

This is an adventure designed for your bucket list and your pocket book. Feel the sands of the landing beaches between your toes, stand at the very foxholes where heroes fought for your freedom and breathe the Alpine air at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

The ultimate trip through the American WWII effort: our Band of Brothers Tour is an epic journey from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest via the battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company.

80th ANNIVERSARY BULGE TOUR

Remember the bloodiest battle for the American forces in World War II. On this tour you can see where the brave soldiers held their ground during the siege of Bastogne, and experience the citizens “throwing nuts” to commemorate their liberators.

THIRD REICH TOUR

Numerous historical sites tell the tales of the rise, the fall and the aftermath of Hitler’s Third Reich on this tour. Join us at the epicentre of WWII, where the Führer rallied followers, commanded armies, held events and eventually met his demise.

BRITAIN AT WAR TOUR

Hit all the essential sites on this streamlined 10-day tour combining the air war related sites with the iconic vehicles on display at the Bovington Tank Museum and finishing off with a cultural intake of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge.

BEACHES OF NORMANDY TOUR

Our signature tour gives you an opportunity to thoroughly explore the beaches and the sites of Normandy connected to the D-Day landings. This tour is designed for people who want to enjoy military history and culture alike on their vacation in Normandy.

Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the Normandy beaches to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world. Band of Brothers Tour is a registered brand and protected trademark in the European Union by Beaches of Normandy Tours.

The first days of the tour dive into all five landing beaches, with a special focus on the American landing sectors. We then head east through the Ardennes to Belgium, where passengers can crouch in the foxholes of Bois Jacques and learn about the vehicles that defined the Allied war effort during the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. Our journey ends in Germany, where we learn about the context of the Nazi regime, a sobering visit to the very first concentration camp of Dachau and we top off the tour with a day trip to the Bavarian Alps, where we visit the famous Eagle's Nest on top of the Kehlstein mountain.

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80th anniversary of D-Day

Program from june 1 to 12, 2024.

The 80th anniversary of D-Day is a historic anniversary. The whole of Normandy is mobilised to pay international tribute to those who reopened the gates of freedom in Europe. As it does every year, the Normandy Victory Museum is taking part in this tribute with a varied programme.

This major event, which has been certified by the Normandy Region, will be held from 1 to 12 June 2024 at the Normandy Victory Museum, both indoors and outdoors.

The programme is updated regularly. To be kept informed of updates, we invite you to subscribe to our dedicated newsletter.

Program subject to change (Updated 04/19/2024)

Table of contents

Saturday 1st june, sunday 2 june, monday 3rd june, tuesday 4 june, wednesday 5 june, thursday 6 june, friday 7 june, saturday 8 june, sunday 9 june.

• From 10 to 12 June

All day long

HVCA (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande/ Living History of German Cavalry) exhibition: Presentation of German carriages and artillery

• Where : Outside the museum
• Price and conditions : free/open to all

Around 9.45 a.m.

The “ La voie de la liberté ” bike ride, bringing together several hundred cyclists, will stop off at the Normandy Victory Museum.

From 8.30pm to 10pm

Show: “Mon Jour le plus long” (My longest day): columnist on Vivement dimanche and press cartoonist, Emmanuel Chaunu is well known to audiences in Normandy. In an interactive show that evolves with the audience, the caricaturist sketches his vision of the longest day.

• Where: Greenfield room
• Price and conditions : €20 / booking required
• Performance in French

During the day (3 demonstrations, times to be announced)

Horse-drawn convoy by the association (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande): parade of German and civilian carriages.

From 10:00 a.m. to noon

Signing session: Philippe Esvelin is a member of the association Les Ecrivains combattants (The Fighting Writers) and the National World War II Glider Pilots Association. He worked for eight years on this work of more than 400 pages which relates the history of American gliders during the Second World War: Winged Commandos . It is a very detailed reference work including maps, portraits, more than 600 photos and unpublished documents.

• Where : reception hall
• Price and conditions : free/open to all – The book will be available in stores at the price of €69

In the afternoon

Presentation and demonstrations of airborne troop equipment by the ETO Group re-enactment group.

In the evening

40s/50s concert with the Madeeson band

• Where : A10 Canteen Restaurant terrace

From 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

Book signing: Maxime Mainguet, journalist, signs his first novel, Heure H, set in the early days of the Normandy Landings.

Between 11.30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Exhibition of some sixty US military vehicles: The UNIVEM association (Union Nationale des collectionneurs de Véhicules Militaires) is organising a convoy that will stop off at the Normandy Victory Museum for a few hours.

• Where: Outside the museum

Between 2.30pm and 5pm

Sylvie Caillard will dedicate her brand new book: “ La mode des années 40, s’habiller sans renoncer” (Fashion of the 40s, dressing without giving up).

• Price and conditions : free / the book will be available in store

1940s civilian fashion competition: If you would like to take part in this fashion show, please register with Séverine AVON on +33 6 26 17 29 28. Around fifteen people will be selected.

• Where : Greenfield room
• Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

At 9.00 a.m.

Departure of the Harley 80th Liberator’s Run War Horse trip: Briefing followed by the departure of a convoy of around 150 vintage Harley motorbikes.

• Where : Greenfield room/outside the museum
• Price and conditions: free/open to all

9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

Departure of the “NOTEK” column: Display of several dozen German vehicles and departure of the convoy

9.30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Martin LONG will be signing his book : La voleuse des marais.

• Price and conditions : free / the book will be available in our store (French or English version)

Historian Benoit Lelandais will be on hand with a dozen re-enactors to present American uniforms and equipment.

• Where : in the museum
• Prices and conditions : admission with museum ticket
• The presentation takes place in French. The speaker is bilingual French/English.

From 12pm to 3pm

Return, exhibition and departure of the Harley bikes. The 150 bikers return for lunch and display their bikes.

Around 5 p.m.

Return of the NOTEK column: The NOTEK column returns and displays the vehicles until the museum closes.

Screening of the documentary “Little Black Devils”: using archive footage, eyewitness accounts and reconstructions, the film tells the story of the men of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (3rd Canadian Infantry Division) who landed on Juno beach on 6 June 1944.

• Price and conditions: €5 with reservation (on our website)
• Presentation in French and bilingual presenters (French/English) – Duration: 52 min.

From 10 am to 7 pm

Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean , Sylvie and Eric Kersch).

• Where : inside the museum

From 11.00 am to 3.30 pm

Gathering of vintage tractors and trucks: Around ten Chevrolet vehicles will be on display.

2.00 pm to 4.30 pm

At least five American veterans will be present for several hours at the museum to share their stories and answer questions from the public (the exact number and names will be published shortly).

• Testimonials and discussions in English with a bilingual presenter

From 4.30 pm to 6 pm

Lecture “The Germans in Normandy”: Historian Valentin SCHNEIDER, a specialist in the Second World War in Europe, presents the life of German soldiers in Normandy before and during the battle.

• Conference in French

Saumur tanks exhibition: you can get up close to the tanks and talk to members of the armoured museum

• Where : designated area outside the museum
• Prices and conditions : access with museum entrance ticket

Schedules to be determined

Dynamic tank demonstrations: the Musée des Blindés in Saumur ( French Army) will be giving several demonstrations of working tanks.

At 4:00 p.m.

Conference “ The US Air Force in Normandy “: Conference on American aviation in Normandy, by Grégory PONS, historian and author of several works on the subject.

From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Book signing: Historian and author Benoit Rondeau will be signing several of his books before his lecture on the preparations for D-Day.

• Price and conditions : Free (books available for purchase in the museum shop)

From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Conference “Preparing for D-Day”: Benoit Rondeau looks back at the long and meticulous preparations for D-Day by the Allies

• Price and conditions : Free / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Conference “Influencers and the duty to remember”: Romain from Militarymachine.fr, Jordan from Passion militaria and Yan from Good Morning Army will look back on their journey as influencers on social networks. How can you share your passion for military history while preserving the duty of memory on the internet?

US Army Orchestra : around twenty American soldiers will be present for a military music concert. This performance will be preceded by a speech given by a US army official and an overview of the museum will take place (the type of aircraft will be revealed to you later)

• Where : A10 Canteen terrace
• Prices and conditions : Free / open to all

Swing Melodies Orchestra concert

Signing session: Scriptwriter Jean-Blaise DJIAN signs the various volumes of the must-have Normandie Juin 44 comic strip series.

From 4pm to 5pm

Concert by the Dutch group Band of Brothers – Music from WWII: covers of the main Anglo-Saxon songs of the 1940s

Swing Melodies Orchestra Concert

From 10 to 12 June 2024

Ongoing programming.

A number of events are in the pipeline for the remaining three days, and details will be announced shortly.

The final programme is now largely set. A few other events may be added, and any missing items will be confirmed shortly. Sign up to receive email updates.

Tours in DODGE

For a few days, our guided tours in DODGE will be adapted to the event by offering a route created for the occasion: the D-DAY Special (if you are interested, book quickly , many slots are already full).

Catering on site

Throughout this period, the A10 Canteen, a brasserie restaurant, is open next to the museum. Reservations strongly advised on +33 2 33 54 51 83.

See the restaurant website

The DDAY 80 ticket is valid for twelve days

The DDAY 80 ticket is a skip-the-line ticket valid from June 1 to June 12, 2024. Between these two dates, you can enter and leave the museum as many times as you like!

Of course, you can always buy our traditional one-day ticket.

Some memories of previous editions

Photo credits Gregory Oswald and NVM

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D-Day 80th Anniversary - The Optimum Experience

Join us for an awe-inspiring journey across the English Channel, following in the footsteps of the over three hundred thousand Allied soldiers and personnel who took part in the Normandy Landings eighty years ago.

• Detailed Overview
• Tour Itinerary
• Other Information
• Pick-up Points
• Departure Dates

2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, so join us for an awe-inspiring journey across the English Channel, following in the footsteps of the over three hundred thousand Allied soldiers and personnel who took part in the Normandy Landings eighty years ago. Explore Pegasus Bridge, where the first action of D-Day occurred, Caen Memorial Museum and the beaches stormed by British forces, accompanied by a specialist battlefield tour guide.

Return luxury coach travel

Return ferry crossings

Escorted by a Skills Representative

1 night half board, 2 nights bed & breakfast

D-Day tour with specialist tour guide (stops at the Sword, Juno & Gold beaches, the British Normandy Memorial & Arromanches-les-Bains)

Admission into Caen Memorial Museum & Pegusus Bridge Museum

Visit to the Ranville War Cemetery

After this morning’s early pick-ups, we depart for our channel crossing to Calais and onto our hotel in the small Normandy coastal town of Ouistreham - why not take the opportunity to visit the nearby 80th D-Day Anniversary Memorial on the beachfront? Dinner will be included at the hotel this evening.

We begin the day at the Caen Memorial Museum, where a self-guided tour will give you key insight into the events of World War 2 and D-Day. This afternoon, we travel the short distance to Pegasus Bridge and the nearby Museum, which saw the brave 6th Airbourne division retake the bridge in the first action of D-Day before paying your respects at the Ranville War Cemetery.

After meeting our experienced tour guide, we set off for the Normandy beaches (Sword, Juno & Gold), where the British troops landed eighty years ago. The day will also include stops at the British Normandy Memorial and Arromanches-les-Bains, where remnants of the famous Mulberry Harbour can be seen to this day.

After this monumental trip, we return home today.

ibis Styles Ouistreham 3*, France

Hotel Facilities

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Pick-up Point Times

To make a booking firstly select the correct number of passengers that will be travelling. This will perform an availability check to see that there is sufficient space on the tour. If the date you want is available select the Book Now button and you will be guided through the online booking process. If your date is unavailable you can use the Call Back facility to discuss further options.

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• Tours 8-day 80th ANNIVERSARY BULGE TOUR 9-day BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR 11-day BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR 12-day D-DAY ANNIVERSARY TOUR 12-day D-DAY LUXURY TOUR 6-day BEACHES OF NORMANDY TOUR 6-day AMERICAN NORMANDY TOUR 11-day WAR IN POLAND TOUR 11-day THIRD REICH TOUR 10-day BRITAIN AT WAR TOUR 11-day ITALIAN CAMPAIGN TOUR 12-day WORLD WAR I TOUR

12-day 80th ANNIVERSARY SILVER TOUR

• Average 4-6 miles walk a day
• Some uneven terrain
• Medium to long travel times
• Moderate pace
• D-Day Anniversary commemorations
• All five beaches of Normandy
• Normandy American Cemetery
• Pointe du Hoc
• Utah Beach Museum
• Luxembourg American Cemetery

Dachau concentration camp

• Eagle's Nest

This special 80th Anniversary D-Day Tour in 2024 takes you on an epic 12-day journey celebrating the heroes, courage and sacrifice that changed history in 1944. This tour features the unparalleled experience of being in Normandy during the 80th Anniversary commemorations of the greatest amphibious assault in history. From the beaches of Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, this tour hits the highlights of the American WWII war effort, with special stops focused on collectively honoring the sacrifice of our American heroes. We follow the path from D-Day to V-E Day, roughly in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company, who were present for the most pivotal moments in the later years of war. This trip is tailored for patriots who want to pay their respects and learn new details along the way.

Detailed Highlights and Itinerary

Passengers are greeted at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and transferred by coach to Normandy. After an orientation dinner to get to know your fellow patriots, we spend the next few days exploring the iconic shores of the Normandy Landings. Two days of this leg will focus on the American landing beaches Utah and Omaha, where we will pay our respects to the heroism that contributed to this battle that changed history. An entire day will focus on D-Day anniversary ceremonies, giving Passengers a chance to commemorate the occasion. We then visit the British landing beaches, where our fellow Allied troops fought to secure a foothold in Europe.

Utah Beach Memorial

82nd Airborne Commemoration

Sainte-Mère-Église

Omaha Beach

Veteran at the Normandy American Cemetery

Tank show on Gold Beach

Anniversary march in Carentan

Juno Beach Centre

Pegasus Bridge Memorial

The second leg of our journey heads east to Belgium, where we visit the sites of the Battle of the Bulge, the foxholes of Bois Jacques, and the military vehicles at the Bastogne Barracks. You’ll have ample time to explore these quaint areas independently and appreciate the incredible history and awe-inspiring monuments of this vital region. We cross border to Luxembourg to visit the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. The museum exhibits a collection of military vehicles and weaponry among lifesize dioramas. We pay our respects to the fallen soldiers at Luxembourg American Cemetery where General Patton is also buried.

McAuliffe Square

Patton Monument

Foxholes of Bois Jacques

Mardasson Monument

Bastogne Barracks

Bastogne War Museum

General Patton's Grave

National Museum of Military History Diekirch

M45 Quadmount in the Diekirch Museum

Our journey culminates in Germany, where we will explore the genesis and defeat of Hitler’s Nazi Party. We begin by exploring the somber site of the first Nazi concentration camp, where we can pay our respects to the victims of Hitler’s genocide. We then head to Munich to learn about the Third Reich before we visit Obersalzberg and the Eagle’s Nest. The tour ends with a chance for reflection and community over a farewell drink. The next day, our Passengers are brought to Munich’s airport for their return flights.

Eagle’s Nest

Restaurant in the Eagle's Nest

Mussolini's gift to Hitler

Tunnel under the Eagle’s Nest

Hitler's Bunker

Hofbräuhaus Munich

Marienplatz

Dates and prices, 80th anniversary bulge tour.

• Day 8: Departure

80th ANNIVERSARY OVERLORD TOUR

• Day 11: Departure

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

• Day 9: Departure

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY TOUR

• Day 12: Departure

D-DAY LUXURY TOUR

Beaches of normandy tour.

• Day 6: Departure

AMERICAN NORMANDY TOUR

War in poland tour, third reich tour, britain at war tour.

• Day 10: Departure

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN TOUR

World war i tour, 80th anniversary d-day tour, 80th anniversary gold tour, 80th anniversary silver tour, hotels, motorcoach, guides and other services.

Relax after a long flight and ease your mind knowing that your Tour Director will meet you at the airport on the first day of the tour, avoiding extra navigating and expensive taxi fares. Our economic package feature carefully planned and curated itinerary to ensure you get the full historical experience. These tours include a 24/7 Tour Director and several local guides. Our dynamic, knowledgeable Tour Directors are with you from your arrival at the airport to departure on the final day. They proactively smooth the way for your entire tour experience. Our handpicked, trusted local guides are fluent in English and expert historians, who deliver their impressive wealth of knowledge, anecdotes, and local insights with skill that shows their years of research and experience. They always address topics onsite so that you get to experience history where it happened as they guide both popular destinations and obscure locations only the locals would know. Do not worry about availability, wait times, or ticket costs as all museum and site admissions are pre-arranged and included in the cost of this 80th Anniversary Silver tour. You will sleep soundly each night at 3-star hotel accommodations.

3-star Hotel in Normandy

3-star Hotel room in Normandy

3-star Hotel room in Germany

3-star hotel bar in Germany

Motorcoach 2

Motorcoach interior

Local guide in Normandy

Local Guide at the Bastogne barracks

Breakfast in France

Dinner in France

Restaurant interior in Bastogne

These rooms are a bit smaller than what you are used to in the US, but we do ensure that each hotel room has en-suite bathroom. Each morning begins with a basic breakfast buffet included at the hotel before heading out for the day’s program. Aside from breakfasts at the hotels, meals are not included in our economic package. Your Tour Director will always be available to make suggestions from the local options, ranging from street food to fine dining restaurants. The tours will break for meals in areas that offer multiple options for you to enjoy. On this tour you ride in style in our motorcoaches complete with climate control, video entertainment and extra leg room. Our skilled, professional drivers maximize your tour time by navigating the busiest highways and tightest country lanes, giving you more time at sites and less time subjected to the inflexible scheduling, delays and crowded areas that accompany public transport. For those who want to stay connected, Wi-fi is available at all our hotels and on all of our buses.

Beaches of Normandy Tours Band of Brothers Tours 48 Rue de Thouays, 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy, France

Phone: +1 855-473-1999 Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm ET e-mail: [email protected]

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COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE: 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY TOUR

80th Anniversary of D-Day Tour

Click here to register or learn more.

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in 2024, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours are again offering a special tour to friends of the CAF. This is the only tour specifically designed for the CAF and includes special aviation related activities that may not be offered on other historical tours.

Tour cost is $6,900 per person (based on double occupancy).

DAY 1 - May 30 - Overnight Flight to London

Book your overnight flight to arrive in London the following day.

DAY 2 - May 31 - London

Guests arrive by 10 a.m. at London Heathrow and make their way to the tour's city hotel. We will depart around noon for a half-day tour of London, including the Churchill War Rooms. An evening welcome reception and dinner will follow at the Royal Air Force Club.

DAY 3 - June 1 - London

Day 3 will be a full day at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. It served as a base for many of the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots during World War II. Several American C-47 transport aircraft are planning to journey to Europe in 2024. We will have an opportunity to meet up with them in Duxford. There are fly-overs scheduled, along with the chance to sit in Spitfires and Lancasters.

DAY 4 - June 2 - Coastal England

Goodbye London, Hello coastal England. We will visit several sites: Battle of Britain Bunker and Greenham Common, the airfield from which CAF's famed That's All, Brother , the aircraft that led the main aerial invasion, departed 80 years ago.

DAY 5 - June 3 - Normandy

Retracing the steps of so many Allied troops during the invasion, we cross the English Channel by water on Brittany Ferries, arriving in Normandy just after lunch. We will then see a few sites before our first night in Normandy.

DAY 6-9 - June 4-7 - Normandy - 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Four full days in Normandy will include visits to all of the American sites, as well as some British, Canadian and even German sites to give guests the full picture of the Battle of Normandy. The days will likely include frequent aerial displays of aircraft flying over the historical sites.

June 6, 2024 will be the anniversary ceremony at the American Cemetery. This will be a full day activity.

DAY 10 - June 8 - Paris

After checkout from our Normandy hotel, we will have a full day of aviation on our way to Paris. This includes the D-Day Wings Museum CaenCarpiquet and the Paris-Le Bourget National Air and Space Museum of France.

DAY 11 - June 9 - Home

Breakfast, then transfers to Paris CDG airport. For guests taking the optional post-tour extension, you will take the high-speed train to Brussels.

Optional Post-tour Extension: Operation Market Garden and Battle of the Bulge

Day 11 - june 9 - brussels.

Extension guests continue the tour to the Netherlands where we start the exploration of Operation Market Garden. Sites include the famous "bridge too far," drop zone of Easy Company Market Garden, and Airborne Museum “Hartenstein.”

DAY 12 - June 10 - Lanzareth

We start our study of the Battle of the Bulge in Lanzareth where the main thrust of the German forces came in. Sites include: the Ardennes, Dragon's Teeth at Aachen, Malmedy Massacre Memorial, and several more locations.

DAY 13 - June 11 - Luxemborg

Battle of the Bulge sites continue as we move south to Luxembourg, including the NUTS! Museum, Bois Jacques, and other 101st sites.

DAY 14 - June 12 - Frankfurt

Before departing Luxembourg, we will visit the American Cemetery, final resting place of Gen. George Patton. Our last night is near Frankfurt, where we will have a farewell dinner and commemorate the sacrifice of the Allied troops from 80 years earlier.

DAY 15 - June 13 - Home

Breakfast, then transfers to Frankfurt FRA airport.

Costs & Payment Information:

$6,900 per person double occupancy

$1,000 single occupancy supplement

($800 is a tax-deductible donation to support CAF activities related to the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.) *Note: This price does NOT include trans-Atlantic flights.

Optional Post-Tour Extension (Compiègne to Frankfurt)

$2,000 per person based on double occupancy

$400 single occupancy supplement if rooming alone

Payment Terms

$1,000 deposit - Due at registration to hold your seat

50% - August 1, 2023

Balance due - December 31, 2023

Cancellation and Refund Deadlines

• $1,000 deposit - refundable up to August 1, 2023, minus a $100 per person admin fee • Cancellation after August 2, 2023 - You will forfeit your deposit. • Cancellation after December 31, 2023 - You shall be responsible for fifty (50%) percent of the tour cost. • Cancellation after February 28, 2024 - You shall be responsible for the total tour cost. • For guests who made payments by credit card, the 3% credit card processing fee incurred during your original payment(s) will also be withheld from the refund. • Cancellation must be communicated by email. • Travel insurance may protect you in some cancellation situations.

Payment Options

You have two options: • Credit Card- call our office to give us credit card info, 504-821-9283. The 3% credit card processing fee incurred during your original payment(s) will also be withheld from any refund. • Check by mail, sent to SAHT, P.O. Box 19354, New Orleans, LA 70179 If you make all payments by check, we save on credit card processing fees and will add a $100 per person discount to your reservation. If you intend to make all payments by check to get this discount, let us know so we can add the discount to your reservation immediately. Please send in $1,000 per person for the deposit; the discount comes off the final payment of the grand total.

Included with Tour Price

• Professional historian and tour manager with group for the full tour
• Three- and four-star accommodations
• Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage and service charges
• Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motor coach
• 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners and a Welcome Reception
• Channel crossing to Normandy via ferry
• All entrance fees to museums and attractions, including ground tours of GAF aircraft. Rides on GAF aircraft may be available for an additional fee

Not Included with Tour Price

• Trans-Atlantic Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Soft Drinks and alcohol at group meals
• Several lunches and dinners will be on-your-own, but you will have lots of walkable options for these meals
• Gratuities for ground staff

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours: Office: 504-821-9283 [email protected] We are located in New Orleans (central time zone) and available 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays. Mailing address: SAHT - P.O. Box 19354, New Orleans, LA 70179

D-DAY Tours

Bringing history to life.

Celebrate the linchpin moment in World War II on our D-Day Anniversary Tour that visits the iconic sites and commemorates American heroes. This special 12- day trip only happens once per year, on the anniversary of D-Day . Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the Normandy beaches to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps, we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world.

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Celebrate the linchpin moment in World War II on our D-Day Anniversary Band of Brothers Tour that visits the iconic sites and commemorates American heroes. This special 12-day trip only happens once per year, on the anniversary of D-Day.

D-DAY LUXURY TOUR

Honor the Greatest Generation at the annual D-Day anniversary ceremonies on the luxury version of our Band of Brothers Tour. Visit iconic sites while you enjoy your 5-star hotel rooms and appreciate the services the best local restaurants can offer.

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

This is an adventure designed for your bucket list and your pocketbook. Feel the sands of the landing beaches between your toes, stand at the very foxholes where heroes fought for your freedom and breathe the Alpine air at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

The ultimate trip through the American WWII effort: our Band of Brothers Tour is an epic journey from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest via the battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company.

BEACHES OF NORMANDY TOUR

Our signature tour gives you an opportunity to thoroughly explore the beaches and the sites of Normandy connected to the D-Day landings. This tour is designed for people who want to enjoy military history and culture alike on their vacation in Normandy.

AMERICAN NORMANDY TOUR

This is designed for people who want to combine culture and military history on their vacation in Normandy before or after the high season. It studies American operations during D-Day and explores exemplary cases of the heroism of American soldiers.

This annual take on our Band of Brothers Tour is a commemorative 12-day journey celebrating the heroes who changed history on D-Day. From the beaches of Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, this tour hits the highlights of the American WWII war effort, with special stops focused on collectively honoring the sacrifice of our American heroes. We follow the path from D-Day to V-E Day, roughly in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company, who were present for the most pivotal moments in the later years of war. This trip is tailored for patriots who want to pay their respects and learn new details along the way.

Detailed Itinerary

Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the Normandy beaches to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world. Band of Brothers Tour is a registered brand and protected trademark in the European Union by Beaches of Normandy Tours.

The first days of the tour dive into all five landing beaches, with a special focus on the American landing sectors. We then head east through the Ardennes to Belgium, where passengers can crouch in the foxholes of Bois Jacques and learn about the vehicles that defined the Allied war effort during the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. Our journey ends in Germany, where we learn about the context of the Nazi regime, a sobering visit to the very first concentration camp of Dachau and we top off the tour with a day trip to the Bavarian Alps, where we visit the famous Eagle's Nest on top of the Kehlstein mountain.

Boost your knowledge

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The B-17 Flying Fortress The Flying Fortress that bombed Fortress Europe April 5, 2024 Read more

Daily Itinerary

Normandy - the 80th anniversary d-day tour, including london and paris, june 1 - 10, 2024.

Day 1 – Jun 1

Depart USA to Heathrow, London

Day 2 – Jun 2

Arrival into London Heathrow airport. We will enjoy a guided city tour of London’s West End, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and 10 Downing Street, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace. Dinner and overnight London. (D)

Day 3 – Jun 3

Today is a full day guided tour of the City of London. Sites to be visited include St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. We will experience the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum. The day ends with a cruise on the River Thames. Overnight London (B)

Day 4 – Jun 4

We will have an early morning departure to Paris via the Eurostar and then be transported by private motor coach to Normandy. Our first visit will be the British 6th Airborne zone of operations to see the “Pegasus Bridge”, Pegasus Memorial Museum and the British Airborne cemetery in nearby Ranville. We will also see the shell damaged church. The day will end with a Normandy welcome cocktail and dinner. Overnight Normandy (B)(D)

Day 5 – Jun 5

Today we drive to Pointe du Hoc, the cliff top climbed and captured by the men of the U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion. We then travel down the Vierville Draw to the 29th Infantry Division sector of OMAHA Beach. After a walk on the beach, we drive east on the coast road then up the “Les Moulins”  Draw to the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Laurent sur Mer to pay our respects and lay a wreath. Visit the emotive Visitor Center. Dinner and overnight Normandy (B)(L)(D)

Day 6 – June 6

80th anniversary of the normandy landings.

Today we will join in the various ceremonies and celebrations to remember those who gave their lives to help defeat Hitler and his Nazis. There are many events planned which will be attended by Heads of State from many countries. We will attend as many as possible once the program of events is published. Box lunch. Dinner and overnight Normandy (B)(L)(D)

Day 7 – Jun 07

After breakfast, we will visit Saint Mere Eglise to view its famed 13th century church with its Airborne stained-glass windows and the Airborne Museum. This afternoon we will visit the La Fiere bridgehead and its “Iron Mike” U.S. Airborne statue. Later, we drive through the 101st Airborne drop zones C and D then onto the Division command post. We will pass the Brécourt Manor captured by Company E of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment to UTAH Beach where the 4th Infantry Division landed. Dinner and overnight Normandy (B)(D)

Day 8 – Jun 08

This morning we will drive along the British Beaches GOLD, JUNO and SWORD to the British 6th Arromanches to see the remnants of one of the two artificial harbors erected by the Allies after D-Day. This afternoon, bid farewell to Normandy and return to Paris. Upon arrival at our central Paris hotel, evening is at your leisure. Overnight Paris (B)

Day 9 – Jun 09

Today we will enjoy a morning tour of Paris and see many of the emblematic monuments of this grand city. Sites will include the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, The Eiffel Tower, The Invalides, The Alexandre III bridge and others. The afternoon is at leisure before we enjoy a farewell dinner in Paris. Overnight Paris (B)(D)

Day 10 – Jun 10

Transfer to the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for our return flight home (B)

(B) – Breakfast included    (L) – Lunch included     (D) – Dinner included

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