D-DAY Landing beaches + Mont st Michel (2 Days)

DAY 1

After the arrival in Normandy, we start our journey with the visit of Pegasus Bridge, one of the 3 most famous bridges in World War II (with Remagen and Arnhem) that was captured by Major John Howard and his gliderborne company in a coup de main operation.
Drive to Arromanches where we will visit the remains of the artificial harbour, build by the Allied Forces in less than 15 days and watch a 360° movie that makes you relive the feelings of the Allied soldiers in first hours of D-Day.

Then onto the German coastal artillery battery at Longues sur Mer which played a vital role in the D-Day landings firing on the Allied shipping.

After lunch in a typical norman restaurant (at your convenience), visit of the moving American Cemetery of Saint Laurent followed by a drive to Omaha Beach where so many young Americans lost their lives.

The tour will end with the visit of the visually spectacular Pointe du Hoc where Colonel James Rudder and his Rangers accomplished a memorable feat of arms on the cliffs on June the 6th 1944. Night in Bayeux

DAY 2

Many writers have tried to define the “Marvel of the Occident”, some say that it is to the sea what the pyramid of Keops is to the desert, some describe it as an imaginary manor-house, stupefying as a dream palace, others say that is is not dry land and yet not the sea. Surrounded by the sea with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world the Mont St. Michel is simply unique.

After a brunch at Carrouges Castle (summer) or on the Mont St. Michel (winter), the tour begins with a guided visit of the Abbey founded by Aubert at the beginning of the 8th Century and that became a major cultural and pilgrimage centre during the middle ages . You will admire the Romanesque Church, the Gothic “Marvel” with the monk’s Cloisters and Refectory, the Knights Room, the Guest Room, the Undercroft, the Refectory, as well as various chapels: St. Stephen, St.Martin, Our Lady Underground, St. Mary Magdalene, Crypt of the 30 Candles.

After lunch (on the Mont St. Michel, I recommend “La Mère Poulard”), stroll through the steep-sided narrow streets of the town and its ramparts.

On the drive back, stop in the town of Villedieu les Poêles, famous for its numerous craftsmen-shops selling exceptional creations of leather goods, lace, copper and tin goods.
Entrance to the Mont St. Michel Abbey included.

Return to Paris.