Normandy D-Day Tour from Paris : Canada Focus

Meet up in the morning with your guide near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and head off in a small group of 8 people to retrace the amazing events of D-Day and the Normandy Invasion. Juno Beach is only 2 hours away from Paris! You'll enjoy the ride through the beautiful French countryside in our luxury van with leather seats and A/C.

Arriving in Normandy we'll go down to the sands of Juno Beach. Using detailed maps and pictures your guide will explain how the landings unfolded. You'll even see the famous Canada House, said to be the first house liberated by the Allied Troops on D-Day.

Then we'll visit the Juno Beach Center in Courseulles-sur-Mer. It is the most comprehensive museum detailing the Canadian operations in Normandy. After your visit to the Museum is over, you'll follow one of the official Juno Beach Center guides into two of the original German bunkers that had been part of the Atlantic Wall. These bunkers, normally closed to the public, are a real treat to to explore!

The guide will then take you to a nearby restaurant that has many local specialties, all very reasonably priced. You'll be able to purchase whatever your taste and budget allows. You'll have one hour to rest and enjoy your lunch (own expense).

We'll then visit the Canadian Cemetery in Beny-sur-Mer and learn the personal stories of some of the more than 2,000 Canadian men buried there. Afterwards your guide will take you to Hell's Corner, the furthest point reached by Canadian troops on D-Day. Hell's Corner is located only 5km from the city of Caen, which was the actual objective for the Canadian troops on D-Day.

Due to the ferocious defenses of the Germans it took the Allied troops another 30 days to reach Caen itself. During the battle for Normandy 156 Canadians were captured and then executed in cold blood by a group of fanatics trained as Hitler Youth. At the Ardenne Abbey you'll pay your respects to some of these men who died unjustly during the Ardenne Abbey Massacre.

Afterwards you'll have free time to explore inside of The Grand Bunker: Atlantic Wall Museum. This museum is inside of the former Shooting Command of the German forces and has an amazing panoramic view over the English Channel. Its collection details the Atlantic Wall's impressive defenses.

The last thing we'll visit in Normandy will help you to experience something that is locally famous and specific to the Normandy region. You'll be taken to a family run cider house where you'll be able to taste some traditional hard apple cider and Calvados brandy. These tastings are included in our tour price.

The ride back to Paris will take a little over two hours and include a stop to use the restroom and stretch your legs. You'll arrive back in Paris at about 8:00pm, right next to the Arc de Triomphe.