Calvados Region

Our most recommended things to do in Calvados Region

Paris: Normandy D-Day Beaches Guided Day Trip with Lunch

Paris: Normandy D-Day Beaches Guided Day Trip with Lunch

Explore the beautiful Normandy countryside on a fully guided day trip of the D-Day landing sites, and discover the rich traditions of Normandy at a typical cider and Calvados farm. The tour departs Paris for the historical battlefields and landing beaches along the coast, including the Utah Beach Museum, housed in an original German bunker on the very beach where the first American troops landed. Learn about the complicated planning behind Operation Overlord, and hear touching stories of ordinary men and women whose actions shaped the face of Europe as it is known today. The museum also offers unparalleled views over Utah Beach and is home to one of the only remaining B-26 airplanes in the world. Enjoy a Norman-style lunch of freshly prepared seasonal produce in a restaurant overlooking the port of Grandcamp Maisy. Next, stop at a traditional cider-making orchard, and taste the ciders and Calvados (apple brandy) typical to the region in a 17th-century barn. After that, travel to the Pointe du Hoc to see the German cliff-top defense that was heroically taken by US Rangers during the D-Day landings. Overlooking the English Channel, the site remains much as it was over half a century ago, with original German fortifications and the crater scars of bombs. Pay your respects at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of President Roosevelt, and a Medal of Honor recipient, is buried here, along with almost 10,000 soldiers.

From Bayeux: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour

From Bayeux: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour

Meet your guide at Place de Québec and then begin your D-Day exploration adventure, retracing history as you uncover the day of June 6, 1944. The first stop of the tour is Omaha beach, where the deadliest landings of the day took place. From your guide, learn about the landings here and the soldiers who risked their lives. After Omaha, visit the US military cemetery for the chance to pay respect and honor the soldiers of World War ll. The tour continues to Pointe du Hoc next, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel. The site was built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans because it was the highest point between the Omaha beach and provided a great observation spot to notice any arrivals from the sea. Tailor your half-day experience to your meet interest and schedule.

From Paris: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Full-Day Tour

From Paris: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Full-Day Tour

Enjoy an unforgettable day trip from Paris, and visit the Normandy Landing Beaches, where the outcome of changed World War II and the future of Europe forever. Learn about the dramatic events of 6 June 1944, with round-trip minibus transfers from Paris. Drive through the Normandy countryside to discover some of the most significant sites of the campaign. During the day, go to Omaha Beach, see the German Bunkers, visit Operation Overlord Museum, and travel to Pointe du Hoc. Gaze in wonder at more than 10,000 white crosses that mark the fallen soldiers in the American Cemetery. Listen as your guide brings the battlefields to life, telling unique stories of the soldiers who fought and died to put an end to Hitler’s plans for Europe and the world.

From Bayeux: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Full-Day Tour

From Bayeux: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Full-Day Tour

Meet your guide at Place de Québec and then begin your D-Day exploration adventure, retracing history as you uncover the day of June 6, 1944. The first stop is at the village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the heart of the jump zone for the 82nd Airborne U.S. forces. Listen to stories of how paratroopers rained on the village, and how one of them famously got caught in the tower of the church. Visit Utah beach, the second location where American troops landed on D-Day Then, continue to Pointe du Hoc, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel.  The site was built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans because it was the highest point between the Omaha and Utah beaches and provided a great observation spot to notice any arrivals from the sea. Head to Omaha beach, where the deadliest landings of the day took place. From your guide, learn about the landings here and the soldiers who risked their lives. Your D-Day sightseeing tour of Normandy ends with a visit to the US military cemetery where you will have the chance to pay your respects and honor the soldiers of World War ll. 

From Paris: Normandy D-Day Beaches Day Trip

From Paris: Normandy D-Day Beaches Day Trip

Enjoy a full-day trip from Paris to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy in the company of a guide, who'll bring these historic sites to life. Learn about the military operation, and visit the American Cemetery, Arromanches, and Juno Beach. Board the air-conditioned coach in central Paris and get set to enjoy a unique day in Normandy. Relax and admire the beautiful landscapes of the French countryside. Visit the well-known American Cemetery at Saint Laurent. Explore this 170-acre site that features 9,387 white marble headstones lined up perfectly across the grass, a memorial, a chapel, and the Garden of the Missing. Follow a small trail down to Omaha Beach, too. Visit the german betteries at Longues sur Mer. The next stop is in Arromanches, a historic town known for its artificial port that was built to assist the Normandy landings. On D-Day, the harbor saw the unloading of almost 10,000 tons of equipment. You can still make out the floating reinforced concrete Phoenix constructions in the water. Before returning to Paris, make a short stop near sandy Juno Beach and its cemetery, one of the key D-Day landing beaches for Canadian troops on June 6, 1944. Get the opportunity to see everyday objects from life under occupation, maps, and models of military vehicles, as well as film screenings recreating the emotions of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. The itinerary and times listed may be subject to change depending on traffic conditions or changes in site schedules

Caen: Memorial Museum Entry Ticket & Optional Audio App

Caen: Memorial Museum Entry Ticket & Optional Audio App

Discover one of Europe's leading memorial centres and experience the dark chapters of 20th Century history with this entrance ticket to the Caen Memorial. Learn about the events of World War II that destroyed most of Caen, the tribulation of occupation, and the joy of liberation as you walk through the numerous exhibits. Step into the museum and begin your visit with a film about D-Day to understand the events that took place during World War II. Find out how Normandy and the 100 days following the invasion of Normandy changed the course of history. Walk through the various fascinating exhibits spanning from the end of the First World War to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Discover original battle artefacts, historical documents, film and audio testimonies. Pause to reflect on peace and gain unique perspectives to understand the world and its transformations. To wrap up your experience, make your way to the three memorial gardens dedicated to the three allied forces that helped liberate France. Take a break at one of the museum's two on-site restaurants or pack a picnic on the museum lawn. Enhance your visit to the Caen Memorial Museum with the official audio guide application.

Caen: Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket

Caen: Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket

Learn about the history of World War II and the D-Day events with a small group guided tour of key D-Day sites, along with admission to the unmissable Mémorial de Caen Museum. The tour consists of a self-guided visit of the Mémorial de Caen Museum and a guided tour of the D-Day key sites. You can spend as much time as you wish discovering the Mémorial de Caen on the same day as your D-Day guided tour or another day.  The Mémorial de Caen is a museum and war memorial which you can explore at your own pace. Here, go on an historical journey through the 20th century, discovering major events from the end of World War I to the fall of the Berlin Wall. The museum features an entire section devoted to D-Day, and is the only museum in Normandy to relate the intensity of the invasion and explain its preparation in both enemy camps. You'll get the chance to visit the Normandy landing beaches in the company of an expert guide from Le Mémorial de Caen. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the key sites: the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 7 passengers.

Bayeux: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Full-Day Guided Tour

Bayeux: Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches Full-Day Guided Tour

Discover the historic significance of Normandy and the events of World War II on a guided tour of D-Day landing beaches from Bayeux. Take a full-day exploration of the most pivotal battle sites, providing you with invaluable insights into the sacrifices made during this critical period in history. Follow your guide to key battle sites, including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église, and Utah Beach. As you stand on the hallowed grounds where history was made, read the names of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. With Normandy's diverse history, take part in experiences ranging from delicate art to robust medieval life and strategic military events. Whether you find yourself in the shoes of a GI from 1944 or in the medieval times of Mont St Michel, the guides will transport you through time.

From Le Havre: D-Day Beaches Shore Trip with Packed Lunch

From Le Havre: D-Day Beaches Shore Trip with Packed Lunch

Join this guided shore trip, tailored for cruise ship passengers docking at Le Havre port. This relaxing but fascinating excursion provides an in-depth look at the D-Day landing sites aboard a comfortable modern bus, led by a guide who is both passionate and knowledgeable about WWII history. To ensure your comfort during this comprehensive tour, we include a complimentary homemade packed lunch featuring a baguette, water, and a dessert. This allows you more time to absorb the sites and stories without the need to rush. From the moment we pick you up at Le Havre port, your day of historical exploration begins. We'll visit key locations such as Omaha Beach, where the significant battles of D-Day unfolded, and Pointe du Hoc, renowned for the daring ascent by U.S. Army Rangers. These sites offer a real sense of the scale and ferocity of the battles that took place. Another poignant stop is the American Cemetery, where you can reflect on the vast sacrifice made for freedom, underscored by the endless rows of white crosses and Stars of David. Throughout the tour, your guide will provide detailed narratives that bring the courage and strategy of these historic events to life. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the monumental challenges faced during Operation Overlord and the immense bravery that led to the eventual success of the Allies. We guarantee a timely return to Le Havre port, ensuring you reboard your cruise ship with both a deeper appreciation of Normandy's critical role in WWII and plenty of time to prepare for the evening's activities.

From Bayeux: Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Tour

From Bayeux: Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Tour

The Mont Saint Michel is an island off the coast of Normandy in the English Channel, and sees some of the biggest tides in Europe. The first church was built on the mount in 709 at the request of Archange Michael. The construction of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey as we know it today was finished in the 13th and 14th centuries. Those hundreds of years of architectural prowesses have left us with a magnificent monument, now referred as the “Wonder of the Western World” and deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. Travel with a friendly driver and professional English-speaking guide from Bayeux to the Mont Saint Michel, which you will access via shuttle across the bridge in accordance with local requirements. Head to the very top of the mount and enter the abbey. The history of its construction will be explained in detail, while you marvel at stunning views of the surrounding bay. After visiting the abbey, explore the town at your own pace and pick up some souvenirs for friends and family. Your guide will suggest some great restaurants for lunch, suitable for all budgets. At the end of the tour, your chauffeur will take you back to your original meeting point in Bayeux.

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What people are saying about Calvados Region

Overall rating

4.7
(1,014 reviews)

This day trip was absolutely amazing and it exceeded all of our expectations. The visit to Mont Saint-Michel was the perfect start, it's such a magical place! The stunning abbey perched on a rocky island surrounded by the ocean was a sight to behold. We had plenty of time to explore the charming streets and take in the incredible views, while our guide shared fascinating stories about the history of the site.

This trip to Normandy was above and beyond what we were expecting and the highlight of our week in Paris! It was lovely to get out into the Normandy countryside with Brune and we were very grateful for her background in history (Masters degree) to guide us through this special day! She was so kind to help our small group to order a traditional French lunch ( our own expense) Thank you Brune from Brie ☺️

It was a wonderful tour! Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, respectful and engaging, wich made the experience even more enriching. The comfortable bus ride made it easy to relax between destinations. If you're in Paris and want to experience both natural beauty and profound history, this is a unmissable tour.

Wow. What a day of learning, experiencing and remembrance! Our guide was a real pro and historian.

Matt was an incredible guide. Very engaging and knowledgeable. Could not recommend more