Normandy Walking Tour : WWII sites
Dive into History with this hiking tour. From the landing beaches of Normandy to Caen’s war memorial and the famous tapestry of Bayeux, embark for a journey through time.
The tour starts in Caen where you can visit the memorial or just visit an interesting city. Tour the Normandy beaches where the troops landed in WW2. The itinerary contains a lot of other memorials and museums such as the one in Arromanches, but also the war memorial overlooking Omaha Beach. From Caen you will then transfer to Bayeux, famous for its 11th century tapestry and its cathedral.
Normandy is also well known for its delicious gastronomy and regional dishes, especially based on their famous apples. Don’t miss out!
Region : Normandy
Duration : 5 Days / 4 Nights
Level :
Type : On the way
Category : Hiking
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Walking
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day 1 : Arrive in Caen
Arrival in Caen - the main city of the region and home of the WWII Peace Memorial. Check in to your hotel and then free time of your own choosing. A museum visit of the Caen Memorial is a highly informative and complete start of your tour. Orientation in the evening.
Accommodation : Hotel Le Dauphin - "Caen"
Accommodation : Hotel Le Dauphin - "Caen"
Day 2 : Loop walk from Caen
Distance 1 : 10 Miles - 16 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 76 Meters
After breakfast, a taxi will transfer you to the Battery Museum of Merville in the Calvados area, from where you follow a part of a local GR (Grand Randonnée/Long Distance trail) along the Orne River. During this walk you will, at several places, have a view on the sea of Sword Beach. The trail brings you via the fauna and flora of the Orne river estuary to the Benouville Bridge, renamed Pegasus Bridge where you can visit the Pegasus Memorial and museum, dedicated to the first liberators who arrived in Normandy on the night of 5th/6th June 1944. The west bank of the canal will bring you to Ouistreham where, on Riva Bella you will have an overview on the landing area of Sword Beach. Here you can visit the Atlantic Wall Museum, a former German headquarters. The Belvedere has an interesting orientation table and in front of the casino you can visit the Landing museum. Return to the hotel by taxi transfer.
Accommodation : Hotel Le Dauphin - "Caen"
Accommodation : Hotel Le Dauphin - "Caen"
Day 3 : Arromanches and Normandy beaches on to Bayeux
Distance 1 : 9 Miles - 15 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 121 Meters
Today starts at an interesting point about 500 m east from Arromanches-les-Bains. On the descent to Arromanches you walk past Arromanches 360, a circular theatre where The Price of Freedom is shown on nine screens. In the D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches you learn about the construction and operation of the artificial harbors assembled in front of Arromanches on the days following D-Day. After a short walk along the cliffs we take some country lanes to pick up the trail to the Longues sur Mer battery site in front of Omaha and Gold Beach. More country road lanes bring you to Port-en Bessin. As soon as you walk in the town, the shipyard and trawlers of the fishing fleet will tell you that you are in important fishing harbor. After a taxi transfer to Bayeux, you may take the opportunity to visit one of the many points of interest of this town of art. The Bayeux Tapestry –70 m long and 50 cm high, completed in the 11th century-is unique in the world. Other visits include the recently re-opened Musée de la Bataille de Normandy and Mémorial du Général de Gaulle.
Accommodation : Le Lion D'or - "Bayeux"
Accommodation : Villa Lara - "Bayeux"
Day 4 : Loop Walk around Bayeux
Distance 1 : 10 Miles - 16 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 125 Meters
Colleville-sur-Mer, a nice quiet village will be our point of departure of today. A nice walk brings you to the see where you have a superb overview of Omaha Beach. You walk along the vacation resort and reach, after an uphill through a former battery site, the US Military Cemetery. You can visit the cemetery (172.5 acres) , the chapel and the memorial dedicated to the youth of America. There is also a viewpoint which overlooks Omaha Beach. The GR brings you up to the coastline where you can walk on the beach (part of Omaha Beach) until les Moulins. Here again you have to follow the trail until the Omaha viewpont and museum of Vierville-sur-Mer. Return to Bayeux.
Accommodation : Le Lion D'or - "Bayeux"
Accommodation : Villa Lara - "Bayeux"
Day 5 : Departure Day
Departure from Bayeux : You can take your time getting started in the morning to have breakfast and depart at your leisure. Trains from Bayeux to Caen and Paris possible.
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : 1, 2
Le Dauphin is a charming hotel offering quiet rooms and a delightful restaurant. Located in the heart of William the Conqueror's ancient city it is easily accessible to many of the areas attractions. From Caen you can choose to visit the D-Day beaches or shop in the famous cities of Deauville and Honfleur.
Day : 3, 4
The 3-star hotel Le Lion d'Or, member of Relais du Silence and Logis de France, is located in Bayeux town centre and boasts an elegant, family ambiance.This welcoming hotel, steeped in history and formerly the headquarters of the English press during the last World War, is situated a stone's throw away from the Musée de la Tapisserie (Tapestry Museum) and not far from the landing beaches.For your comfort our reception staff are at your service to ensure you enjoy a pleasant stay. We offer excellent hotel services, a full balanced breakfast, a lounge bar where you can relax and a gourmet restaurant which serves refined cuisine... We strive to ensure that our guests' stay in Normandy is one to remember.
Day : 1, 2
Le Dauphin is a charming hotel offering quiet rooms and a delightful restaurant. Located in the heart of William the Conqueror's ancient city it is easily accessible to many of the areas attractions. From Caen you can choose to visit the D-Day beaches or shop in the famous cities of Deauville and Honfleur.
Day : 3, 4
The Villa Lara is a 4 star brand new boutique hotel in the historic centre of Bayeux, nested in a very quiet and arbored square facing the 11th century majestuous cathedral and along the Aure River, the famous Bayeux Tapestry is 2 minutes away.The 28 elegantly appointed rooms in a French style with 8 different colour schemes, all the furniture is made by Moissonnier a well known company founded in 1885, its French cabinetmaking skills have been passed on down the generations, bringing the past to life with light touches... suggesting without imposing... breathing new life into traditions to make the present feel magical again, and creating jewellery for the hotel while cultivating an offbeat style: such is the spirit of Moissonnier today.
Accessories
INCLUDED
Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.
All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).
INCLUDED
Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
INCLUDED
Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...
Option 1: 10 Miles - 16 Km Elevation gain 1 : 76 Meters
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Option 1: 9 Miles - 15 Km Elevation gain 1 : 121 Meters
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Option 1: 10 Miles - 16 Km Elevation gain 1 : 125 Meters
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Included
- 4 nights of accommodation in superior hotels of charm with private shower and/or bath
- Daily breakfast at each hotel, 1 dinner included (no dinner included with the Upgraded package)
- Orientation on Site.
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
- Guidance Application (phone not provided)
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
What's not included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Drinks
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
- Option for an in-person orientation with a supplement.
Informations & Recommendations
Arrival city is Caen. Train access via Paris. Trains from St Lazare station.
**We do not recommend taking this tour around the anniversary of D-Day, June 6th. Hotels fill up very far in advance, there is more traffic on the roads and some of the routes may be closed.
Tour rates
Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.
| Price from* & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Standard | 990 € | 290 € | 1530 € |
| Upgraded | 1190 € | 480 € | 1990 € |
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Guidance Application | Included |
| Biking Roadbook | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions