D-Day Tours of Normandy Three Day Tours
Comprehensive and detailed three-day tours of Operation Overlord
Suggested Itineraries
Please note that the itineraries outlined here for a three day tour are suggestions only. We are always happy to create a custom itinerary for you or your group. Please let Malcolm know if there is anything you would like to see that isn’t included on the suggested itinerary.
Our three-day tour is an ideal tour for small parties of up to four people who want to really find out more detail about what happened in the early hours and days of Operation Overlord and what happened as the battle for Normandy progressed.
Although nearly 80 years have passed since D Day, and the Normandy countryside has changed with the times, walking the ground is still the best way to understand the battlefields and the strategies employed. You can see the terrain for yourself and judge the sight-lines, the vantage points and the targets over which such fierce battles were fought. We will help to recreate the difficulties faced by the Allies in mounting the largest sea-borne invasion in history. Conversely we shall explain how for ten weeks, the German Army forced the Allies’ advance to a snail’s pace before they were finally driven back and defeated.
Over the three days you will visit the significant sites of the D-Day battles. The major sites, like the Pegasus Bridge, St Mere Eglise, Omaha and Utah Beaches have excellent museums. Some sites still have the original concrete relics of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall which in some cases are well preserved. Others are now simply fields with a marker or memorial. At all of the sites your will visit will be supported by an explanatory talk to provide you with the background information to understand the action which took place.
More than just a tour
Whilst we pride ourselves on the bespoke nature of our tours, each one being tailor made to suit our guests, we would like to present a sample of the type of itinerary that’s possible on a three day tour. Please note that this itinerary is just a sample. We are always happy to modify tours or to build a particular tour from scratch if you want to concentrate on a specific aspect of the D Day landings or the battles that ensued.
We offer a choice of three day tours with either a British/Canadian or U.S. Emphasis
Please click this link for our D Day Tour Prices page.
British / Canadian Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY ONE
Pegasus Bridge
The famous bridge across the Orne Canal at Benouville was captured by a daring glider assault in the early hours of D-Day. We follow a visit to the bridge by taking coffee at The Café Gondree before visiting the Memorial Pegasus Museum.
The Merville Battery
The silencing of the German battery at Merville in an improvised attack by an ad-hoc force of paratroopers from 9th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a story of outstanding courage and leadership.
Ranville Cemetery
The village of Ranville was one of the first to be captured during the early hours of 6th June 1944. The cemetery which holds 2,563 burials is known as The Airborne Cemetery
British / Canadian Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY TWO
Sword Beach
The landing of British 3rd Infantry Division at La Breche in the face of stubborn resistance from the German Strongpoint ‘Cod’
Hillman Fortress
The British advance on Caen on D-Day was significantly delayed by this well defended and strongly defended underground complex.
Juno Beach
The Canadian landing at Bernieres sur Mer. The original sea wall, concrete bunkers, machine gun and mortar emplacements which inflicted heavy casualties on The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
Gold Beach
Landing on King Sector of GOLD Beach, Sgt Major Stanley Hollis, D Company The Green Howards, was the only British & Commonwealth soldier to win the Victoria Cross on D-Day.
The Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
The story of the Mulberry harbour must rank amongst the most remarkable to emerge from the Second World War. In terms of engineering achievement it is surely one of the greatest of all time.
The Longues sur Mer Battery
When compared with other D-Day coastal batteries. The site at Longues sur Mer with the original guns still in place is quite unique.
British / Canadian Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY THREE
Omaha Beach
It was at OMAHA Beach that the Allies found the strongest resistance on D-Day. Where the Americans took the heaviest casualties and where the Allies came closest to defeat.
St Mere Eglise. The fighting in the village
Dominated by the church of Notre Dame de la Paix in the town square. The strategically important town of St. Mere Eglise is the centerpiece of the airborne battle.
Brecourt Manor and the 506 PIR
Following the success of the T.V. Drama ‘Band of Brothers’ Brecourt Manor is a popular site to visit. This assault is still referenced in West Point as a textbook example of small unit tactics against superior numbers in a fixed position.
Utah Beach
The original D-Day plan called for the first landings on UTAH Beach to be made amongst the Dunes of Varreville a mile to the North of the actual successful landings by 4th Infantry Division, which spearheaded the drive across the Cotentin Peninsula.
The Pointe Du Hoc
The daring and incredibly difficult cliff assault by the American 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col James Rudder to neutralise the German gun battery.
The US Cemetery and Memorial
The sight of the brilliant white headstones at Colleville, laid in immaculate lines and set against the dark greens of the surrounding trees is beautiful, moving and tragic.
U.S. Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY ONE
St. Mere Eglise Paratrooper Drop Zones
Darkness, fog and anti-aircraft fire led to the scattering of American paratroopers amongst the cramped fields, dense hedgerows and swamps west of St Mere Eglise.
La Fière, Cauquigny Causeway and Chef du Pont
The fierce and protracted fight for this crossing over the River Merderet is is testimony to the fighting spirit of the Airborne soldier.
Amfreville, ‘Timmes Orchard’ and Hill 30
By holding their positions around Amfreville and Hill 30, the Paratroopers of the 507th & 508th Parachute Infantry prevented the Germans from mounting an effective attack towards Chef du Pont and la Friere bridges
St Mere Eglise. The fighting in the village
Dominated by the church of Notre Dame de la Paix in the town square. The strategically important town of St. Mere Eglise is the centerpiece of the airborne battle.
Azeville and St. Marcouf Batteries
The heavy naval battery at St. Marcouf was the most powerful in the UTAH Beach area, the nearby battery at Azeville was also a potent threat to the landings.
Utah Beach
The original D-Day plan called for the first landings on UTAH Beach to be made amongst the Dunes of Varreville a mile to the North of the actual successful landings by 4th Infantry Division, which spearheaded the drive across the Cotentin Peninsula.
Brecourt Manor and the 506 PIR
Following the success of the T.V. Drama ‘Band of Brothers’ Brecourt Manor is a popular site to visit. This assault is still referenced in West Point as a textbook example of small unit tactics against superior numbers in a fixed position.
U.S. Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY TWO
Angoville au Plein
The church at Angoville stands out as a beacon of humanity surrounded by the chaos of war.
The Capture of Carentan
The story of ‘Dead Man’s Corner, Purple Heart Lane and the eventual capture of Carentan which was the final link between UTAH and OMAHA Beaches.
La Cambe, the German Cemetery
The German Cemetery at La Cambe is such an understated and melancholy place. It reflects the human losses of war.
The Pointe Du Hoc
The daring and incredibly difficult cliff assault by the American 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col James Rudder to neutralise the German gun battery.
“Bloody” Omaha Beach
It was at OMAHA Beach that the Allies found the strongest resistance on D-Day. Where the Americans took the heaviest casualties and where the Allies came closest to defeat.
The US Cemetery and Memorial
The sight of the brilliant white headstones at Colleville, laid in immaculate lines and set against the dark greens of the surrounding trees is beautiful, moving and tragic.
U.S. Emphasis Three Day Tour
DAY THREE
Pegasus Bridge
The famous bridge across the Orne Canal at Benouville, captured by British Airborne soldiers in a daring glider assault in the early hours of D-Day.
Sword Beach
The landing of British 3rd Infantry Division at La Breche in the face of stubborn resistance from the German Strongpoint ‘Cod’
Hillman Fortress
The British advance on Caen on D-Day was significantly delayed by this well defended and strongly defended underground complex.
Juno Beach
The Canadian landing at Bernieres sur Mer. The original sea wall, concrete bunkers, machine gun and mortar emplacements which inflicted heavy casualties on The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
Gold Beach
Landing on King Sector of GOLD Beach, Sgt Major Stanley Hollis, D Company The Green Howards, was the only British & Commonwealth soldier to win the Victoria Cross on D-Day.
The Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
The story of the Mulberry harbour must rank amongst the most remarkable to emerge from the Second World War. In terms of engineering achievement it is surely one of the greatest of all time.
The Longues sur Mer Battery
When compared with other D-Day coastal batteries. The site at Longues sur Mer with the original guns still in place is quite unique.
We’re open and available for tours all year round.
Our famous tours continue, even during the winter months.
Custom, Private Tours
Please note that all our tours are private tours and your party will be the only people in the group. This means we can do whatever YOU want to do and see whatever YOU want to see. The itineraries outlined here are suggestions only. We are always happy to create a custom itinerary for you and your group. Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see that isn’t included on the suggested itinerary.
Check Availability
Check your dates here:
This calendar will give you some idea of the dates on which we are available for tours. If your chosen date is in RED on this calendar, I’m afraid it means we are not available that day. If the date is WHITE, there is a good chance we are available. This calendar isn’t always fully up-to-date but we try to keep it as accurate as possible.
If you are limited to particular dates and those dates are showing on the calendar as free, please get in touch as soon as possible as things can change very quickly.