world war 2 tours in normandy

Band of Brothers Tours

If you are looking for military historical tours in Europe, we are the best local experts you can find. In terms of World War II tours, no one comes even close to offering the quality you get from us. Our Tour Directors and local guides are professionals who have perfected their craft. All our hotels and restaurants are tried and true, and our local knowledge is evident and all of our staff speak fluent English. Our secure and guaranteed payment systems allow you to shop online with the utmost confidence. Once you book your trip, we will guide you through everything related to your tour, from what travel documents you need and what to pack to a recommended list of books to read and movies to watch before your departure. We are not an assembly line company focused on mass production – our goal is to give you a once in a lifetime experience.

BAND OF BROTHERS ESSENTIAL

This is an adventure designed for your bucket list and your pocket book. Feel the sands of the landing beaches between your toes, stand at the very foxholes where heroes fought for your freedom and breathe the Alpine air at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

BAND OF BROTHERS COMPLETE

The ultimate trip through the American WWII effort: our Band of Brothers Tour is an epic journey from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest via the battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company.

Normandy Beach Tours: Expert Guides Bring D-Day History to Life

Band of Brothers Tours brings history to life by giving you the experience of a lifetime and by honoring the legacy of our heroes. Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the D-Day landing beaches, such as Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Sword Beach and Juno Beach, to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps, we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world. As an organization, we are dedicated to preserving the memory and courage of American heroes and helping you trace their footsteps to connect with the Nation's past.

Band of Brothers - The Screaming Eagles

Easy company's heroic journey.

Easy Company's key battles and contributions from D-Day to VE Day and beyond: The 101st Airborne Division came into existence on August 16, 1942, and the "Screaming Eagles" quickly soared to legendary status. With a proud service history in World War II, Vietnam, and more recently Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations, they are a shining example of American military excellence. The division’s WWII actions were depicted in several movies and series, the most famous being HBO’s Band of Brothers miniseries based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose. Read on here: Band of Brothers

Related World War II Historical Tours

80th anniversary bulge tour.

Remember the bloodiest battle for the American forces in World War II. On this tour you can see where the brave soldiers held their ground during the siege of Bastogne, and experience the citizens “throwing nuts” to commemorate their liberators.

THIRD REICH TOUR

Numerous historical sites tell the tales of the rise, the fall and the aftermath of Hitler’s Third Reich on this tour. Join us at the epicentre of WWII, where the Führer rallied followers, commanded armies, held events and eventually met his demise.

BRITAIN AT WAR TOUR

Hit all the essential sites on this streamlined 10-day tour combining the air war related sites with the iconic vehicles on display at the Bovington Tank Museum and finishing off with a cultural intake of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge.

BEACHES OF NORMANDY TOUR

Our signature tour gives you an opportunity to thoroughly explore the beaches and the sites of Normandy connected to the D-Day landings. This tour is designed for people who want to enjoy military history and culture alike on their vacation in Normandy.

What you can expect on a Band of Brothers Tour

With each new tour season, we at Beaches of Normandy Tours strive to broaden our horizons to ensure that we are meeting our travelers’ needs and desires. The past years have shown us that despite our shared interest in history, our ideas of relaxing, yet rewarding vacation are as varied as the strategies employed in military planning. This is what has driven us to give you more choices than ever before in the form of categorizing all our tours in 3-star economic, 4-star all-inclusive and 5-star luxury tour packages. Following the popularity of our 3-star 9-day Band of Brothers Tour, we keep offering our economic tour packages, which are designed for travelers on a tighter schedule or a smaller budget and those who prefer more control over culinary options. As in years past, we continue to broaden our 4-star all-inclusive tour packages, which are perfect for those who have more time available for travel and prefer to sit back and have all the details of their vacation taken care of. We have added new 5-star luxury tour packages, offering unbeatable style and elegance, with unlimited drinks and the finest dinners at iconic locations. No matter what your style, budget or timeline, we have a tour that will work for you.

Our first-class historical tours take you on a journey through iconic World War II sites around Europe, as well as the most emblematic moments of American heroism of the time. From the Normandy beaches to Bastogne and the Bavarian Alps we guide you through the significant events and experiences of the war that changed the world. Band of Brothers Tour is a registered brand and protected trademark in the European Union by Beaches of Normandy Tours.

The first days of the tour dive into all five landing beaches, with a special focus on the American landing sectors. We then head east through the Ardennes to Belgium, where passengers can crouch in the foxholes of Bois Jacques and learn about the vehicles that defined the Allied war effort during the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. Our journey ends in Germany, where we learn about the context of the Nazi regime, a sobering visit to the very first concentration camp of Dachau and we top off the tour with a day trip to the Bavarian Alps, where we visit the famous Eagle's Nest on top of the Kehlstein mountain.

Connecting Generations Through Normandy D-Day Tours

What sets us apart as America’s favorite historical tour operator located right at the D-Day sites is our dedication to ensuring your safety, security and comfort. Because there is no minimum number of participants required, you won’t have to worry about your tour being cancelled. All our departures are guaranteed, which allows you to book your flights with confidence even far in advance. Another difference Beaches of Normandy Tours and Band of Brothers Tours offer is that our prices do not change after you booked your tour with fluctuating gas prices and exchange rate. All taxes and credit card fees are included, and we will never hit you with last minute hidden fees or extra costs. Enjoy hand-on history, instead of lecture hall discussions. We maximize your time at historic sites, learning directly from our local expert guides. With their extensive knowledge and first-hand experience, they bring the sites, battles and stories to life for you. This exciting website you are exploring is only the beginning. We respond quickly to interest and demand, so new departure dates or new tours may be added any time. Check in with us regularly for temporary special promotions we offer throughout the year and keep up with all that is going on at beachesofnormandy.com and our newsletters. We truly believe that where you go becomes who you are. When you walk in the footsteps of some of history’s greatest heroes, their spirit lives on in you, which is why we are dedicated to giving you an unforgettable experience and bringing history to life.

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A World War II Travel Blog

The 10 Best Local D-Day Tours in Normandy for 2024: Beaches, Battlefields, & Beyond

Last Updated: July 6, 2024 //  by  Ashley Smith 6 Comments

While many travelers can only squeeze in a day trip to Normandy from Paris , just as many others dedicate a couple of days here to take advantage of the many available Normandy D-Day tours. Booking a local day tour of the many worthwhile D-Day sites is the best way to get the most out of your visit.

Table of Contents

Why book one of the Normandy D-Day tours?

Day tours in Normandy are great for many reasons, for instance:

• Transportation – There’s not a lot of reliable public transportation here, so booking a tour will ensure you can get to all the sites you want to see without having to rent a car .
• Expertise – The Normandy tour guides are experts in their field and can provide loads of historical background on the sites you’ll visit.
• Planning – Or really, the lack thereof. Book yourself on a tour and you won’t have to deal with any of the logistical planning.
• Like-minded travelers – On tours like these you get to meet like-minded travelers excited to discuss the topics at hand and share these experiences. This is especially great if you’re traveling solo.

This post only covers D-Day tours originating in Normandy . You have to already be here to join them, or be able to easily get here before the start time. With the exception of two, all the rest start and end in the town of Bayeux (a great Normandy base BTW). If you’re looking for Normandy day tours starting and ending in Paris, check out my post on Normandy day tours from Paris .

Choosing the best Normandy D-Day tours

But which of the many available tours out there are the best ones? Which ones go to the best places and cover the most ground? Luckily, you have a World War II travel expert at your disposal to scrutinize them all and help you choose!

I haven’t taken all the tours on this list, but I do have a keen sense of what the average Normandy visitor wants from a tour of the D-Day sites . To create this list, I’ve compared the many available tours against my stringent set of criteria. I’ve taken into account things like:

• Customer rating and reviews
• Length of the tour and start/end times
• Overall benefit (Is it worth your valuable time?)
• Topic/focus of the tour
• Ease of logistics

…and much more. All so you can be sure which of these Normandy D-Day tours are the most deserving of your precious time and money. All the tours in this post are English-language tours and all prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

So how do I go about choosing which tours are the “best?” Well, I’m extremely particular when it comes to booking travel. I’ll never recommend anything that’s rated lower than 4 out of 5 stars, anything with no reviews, or anything that’s offered by a company that looks less than reputable. As always, I only recommend the things I would personally book for myself. (And I’m a hard sell.)

And if you do find yourself in Paris, be sure to check out the many interesting WWII sites in Paris . There are some great museums and memorials here not to miss.

My favorite day tour companies

The two companies I always go to for day tours (anywhere I go) are Viator and Get Your Guide . I’ve booked many tours through them and have always been satisfied. They’re both well-known in the travel industry; Viator is owned by TripAdvisor. They’re both super easy to book with; most tours offer free cancelation; and they always have competitive prices.

So, let’s get to it! All things considered, these are my choices for the best D-Day tours in Normandy for 2024.

For more information on each of the sites and museums mentioned in this post, check out my articles on what to see at each of the five Allied landing beach sectors: Utah , Omaha , Gold , Juno , & Sword Beaches.

Best D-Day tours in Normandy: at a glance

In this post, I’ll dig into what makes these the best D-Day tours to take in Normandy. I’ll tell you why I picked them, what makes them stand out among the others, what they include (and what they don’t), and more. But first, here’s the quick list of my picks for the 10 best Normandy D-Day tours:

• Best overall : Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best half-day tour : American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour
• Best private tour : Private Full-Day American D-Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best shore excursion : D-Day Landing Beaches Shore Excursion from Le Havre
• Best Band of Brothers tour : Omaha and Band of Brothers Full Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best tour for Canadian visitors : Full-Day Canadian Battlefields and Sites of Normandy Tour
• Most unique Normandy D-Day tour : Half-Day Sidecar Excursion to the Landing Beaches
• Best tour from Caen : Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum
• Best D-Day tour for British visitors : Private Guided British D-Day Tour from Bayeux
• Best bonus D-Day sites tou r: Utah & Omaha Beaches D-Day Group Tour from Bayeux

That’s the simple list; now let’s dig deeper into which of these Normandy D-Day tours is going to be the best for you .

Also check out: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Normandy’s D-Day Sites

1. Best overall Normandy D-Day tour from Bayeux

My pick for best overall: Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux

Without a doubt, my pick for the absolute best D-Day tour in Normandy is this one, for 3 main reasons: it’s a small group tour (maximum 8 people); it has a 5-star rating after almost 1,000 reviews; and it stops at all the right places.

What you’ll see on this tour

This tour includes stops at:

• Omaha Beach
• St-Mère-Église
• Pointe du Hoc
• Utah Beach and the Utah Beach Museum
• Normandy American Cemetery
• La Cambe German Cemetery*

*This stop isn’t listed in the tour description, but many recent reviews say they also stopped here. If you read my post on the best D-Day sites to visit , you’ll know why I recommend a stop at the German cemetery as well.

Why it’s the best

This tour includes all sites I absolutely recommend visiting and no unnecessary fluff. This tour is also ideal for American visitors since it focuses on the American landing zones of Utah and Omaha Beaches. If you have to choose just one day tour for Normandy, this is your best option!

I also love small-group tours because of the individual attention each visitor receives and it’s just a more enjoyable experience overall . (No being herded or not being able to ask questions, etc.) Plus, this tour has a 5-star rating and almost a thousand rave reviews ! Reviewers’ favorite aspects of this tour have been the knowledgeable tour guides and the choice of stops.

What to expect on this tour:

This is a full-day (9-hour) tour that starts and ends in Bayeux . It includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux
• Your own knowledgeable guide
• Air conditioned private transportation
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your tour’s start time

It does not include lunch, optional gratuities, or other personal expenses.

How much this tour costs

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs just $139 per person . All things considered, I feel this is a fantastic value for such a highly-rated tour that visits many of the best sites. I would absolutely book this tour myself.

A similar option

There’s another tour that’s similar to this one but that trades in the Utah Beach Museum and La Cambe Germany Cemetery for a visit to the small village of Angoville-au-Plain . If you’d like to visit a small local village where a lot of fighting took place (by the 101 st Airborne), check out: Utah & Omaha Beach D-Day Tour from Bayeux Station .

This tour also has a 5-star rating and tons of rave reviews and is also a small-group tour with a maximum of 8 people.

2. Best half-day Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for best half-day Normandy D-Day tour: American D-Day Sites in Normandy Half-Day Tour from Bayeux

If you find yourself on a time budget here in Normandy but still want to see some of the top D-Day sites, this is the tour for you. This 4-hour tour visits the key American locations, has a maximum of 8 passengers, and has a 5-star review rating.

This half-day Normandy tour includes stops at:

If you have limited time for a D-Day tour , these are three sites you shouldn’t miss . It caps the tour at 8 people for a more personalized experience, and it has a 5-star rating after hundreds of rave reviews . All the best reviews go to the tour guide Matt!

Another thing I love about this tour is that you can choose between morning or afternoon start times . Because it’s just a half-day tour, you can opt for either a 9:00 am start or a 2:00 pm start.

What to expect on this tour

This is a half-day tour (4 hours) that starts and ends in Bayeux . It includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux city center
• Private, air conditioned transportation
• Your own knowledgeable tour guide
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your tour

It does not include lunch, optional gratuities, or your own personal expenses.

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week, two times per day, and costs $109 per person . For a small group tour that visits the three main American D-Day sites with a passionate and knowledgeable guide, this is a great deal.

3. Best private D-Day Normandy tour

My pick for best private D-Day tour in Normandy: Private Full-day American D-Day Guided Tour from Bayeux

There was some stiff competition here for best private tour, but ultimately I chose this one, for many reasons.

The greatest thing about hiring a private tour guide for Normandy is you get to choose which sites you visit . Most guides have a list of sites they think are best, but all are open to amending your tour to your preferences. For instance, on this tour, you’ll visit

• Utah & Omaha Beaches (the two American landing beaches)
• Pointe du Hoc (American battleground)
• Sainte-Mère-Église

But again, the guides are happy to work with you to choose which sites to visit in order to create the D-Day tour you’ve always wanted.

I chose this particular tour for the best private option for a few reasons. First, the reviews. Nothing but 5-star satisfied customers here! (A rarity!) Specifically about the guide–the terms most often used are “phenomenal,” “exceptional,” and “a pleaser to work with.”

Additionally, this tour is available for groups up to 8 people (whereas many of the others can only accommodate 4) and as such is a much better (per-person) value than many others

This is a full-day (9-hour) private tour that starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Fully customizable itinerary of sites that you choose (or go with the pre-planned ones)
• Your own private expert local guide people can’t say enough good things about

It does not include lunch and other personal expenses, optional gratuities, or museum admission if you choose to visit an extra museum.

As of July 2024, this tour costs $662 for a group up to 8 people , for everything mentioned above. This is a great option for larger groups or families, but at this price point is just as awesome for couples looking for a personalized experience.

4. Best shore excursion Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for best shore excursion to Normandy’s D-Day sites: D-Day Landing Beaches Shore Excursion from Le Havre

If you’re planning to arrive to the area via cruise ship and are looking to spend a day exploring Normandy’s historic sites, this is the best D-Day tour for you, tailor-made for cruise ship passengers.

This full-day Normandy D-Day tour includes visits to:

If you’re visiting Normandy via cruise ship, you’ll most likely dock at the port in Le Havre. But seeing as how most Normandy D-Day tours leave from Bayeux, your options are limited. This particular tour is tailor-made for cruise ship passengers like you.

You’ll get picked up and dropped off right there at the port near your ship by a guide who understands your particular needs as a cruise ship passenger on a shore excursion . The three sites it includes are my top 3 recommendations for anyone visiting Normandy for any amount of time. And most importantly, it has a 5-star rating and rave reviews .

This full-day (10-hour) shore excursion starts and ends at the cruise port in Le Havre. It includes:

• Expert guide to tell you all about the sites you’ll visit plus the relevant history of Le Havre as well
• Round trip transportation to and from your cruise port
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your scheduled tour

As of July 2024, this tour ranges in cost depending on which month of the year you book, but starting rates are $220 per person (in the summer). When rates are higher (like in the spring), the price goes down the more people you have in your group. Take a look at their availability calendar to see the different prices.

5. Best Band of Brothers tour

My pick for the best Band of Brothers -inspired tour: Omaha and Band of Brothers Full Day Tour from Bayeux

There’s a good chance that if you’re here looking at Normandy D-Day tours then you’ve either read the book by Stephen Ambrose or watched the Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks miniseries Band of Brothers . (And if you haven’t, go do that… NOW.) If you’re as big a fan of the story as I am, you’ll love this tour.

This full-day tour of Normandy’s D-Day sites includes visits to:

• Airborne Museum
• Plane crash site at Beuzeville-au-Plain
• Marmion’s Farm
• Brécourt Manor
• Angoville-au-Plain
• Drop Zone D

This tour is specifically tailored to intrigue fans of the show Band of Brothers so you’ll visit many lesser-known sites and learn more about the history.

You can watch Band of Brothers here on Amazon and it’s also currently available on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.

This tour is operated by Overlord Tour, a leading tour company in the area specifically dedicated to D-Day history. Its itinerary and guides have rave reviews and it’s a favorite among Band of Brothers fans and WWII buffs in general.

I like that it visits the top sites, but also many more obscure sites that the majority of visitors don’t get to see or learn about . You’re sure to make some good friends on this group tour. I also really like the price point—good value here for sure.

This full-day (9-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Round trip transportation
• Small-group limited to 16 people
• Free cancelation up to 24 hours before your start time

It does not include the cost of lunch, any optional gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $157 per person . Something I’d like to note about the cost: When you book this tour directly with Overlord Tours instead of through Viator, the cost is slightly lower (€130 which is about $141 US ).

While this may be tempting, consider this: when you book through Viator , you get the benefit of a full refund if you need to cancel anytime up to 24 hours before the start of your scheduled tour.

When you book directly with Overlord, if you should need to cancel or you simply change your mind, you’ll be subject to a 6% cancelation fee no matter what. If you need to cancel within 14 days of your tour, you now owe a 50% cancelation fee . And if you should want to cancel within a week of your tour, you lose 100% of your booking cost .

That’s just something to think about. Don’t always be so quick to choose the lowest price without digging a little deeper. (Personally, I’d be happy to pay the $16 more for the peace of mind because I know how unpredictable travel planning can be.) By booking with Viator, you still get the highly-rated Overlord tour, but you also get a little bit more freedom and forgiveness.

6. Best D-Day tour for Canadian visitors

My pick for the best D-Day tour for Canadian visitors: Full-Day Canadian Battlefields and Sites of Normandy Tour

You’ve probably noticed that most of these tours center around the American D-Day achievements, but Canada and Great Britain also participated in this monumental invasion. Canadian visitors, this tour focuses on the struggles and achievements of your fellow countrymen.

This full-day tour of Normandy D-Day sites includes stops at:

• Juno Beach and the Juno Beach Center
• Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
• The communes of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Bernieres-sur-Mer, Authie, Abbey d’Ardenne, and Carpiquet to follow the Canadian advance

As far as Normandy D-Day tours go, there are very few that specifically focus on the battles and achievements of Canadian troops . This tour does not only that, but it also maxes out at 8 passengers , has a 5-star rating , and tons of rave reviews about the tour guides. Plus, the price tag makes this a fantastic value.

This full-day (8-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Your own expert tour guide
• Small-group tour of 8 passengers or less
• Pick-up and drop-off in Bayeux as well as transportation between the sites
• Juno Beach Center admission costs

It does not include lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses. For a full refund, you must cancel within one week of your chosen tour’s start time.

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $148 per person . This is a great deal, especially considering this is one of the only tours of its kind dedicated to Canadian-only D-Day sites.

7. Most unique Normandy D-Day tour

My pick for the most unique Normandy D-Day tour: Half-Day Sidecar Excursion to the Landing Beaches

For something quite different than all the other Normandy D-Day tours out there, check out this tour of the D-Day sites via fully restored vintage sidecars!

This half-day D-Day sites tour includes visits to:

• Arromanches-les-Bains (one of my favorite spots)
• Longues-sur-Mer
• The commune of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain

And all of your travel between the sites will take place aboard some awesome vintage sidecars. What a unique way to explore Normandy!

I love this tour because it’s something totally different from the rest. Rather than drive between the sites in a sedan or multi-passenger van (or worse, a giant tour bus), you get to see Normandy from a totally unique (and fun!) perspective .

Beyond that, this is one of the few Normandy day tours that visits Arromanches-les-Bains and the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer . The commune of Arromanches is located in the Gold Beach sector and is famous for being the location of the artificial harbors that helped the Allies win the war (which you can still see out in the ocean today).

The Longues-sur-Mer battery is another great site I recommend visiting. Here, you’ll find the most intact German battery that still exists and it really helps to put German defense of the “Atlantic Wall” into perspective.

This tour also has a 5-star rating and nothing but rave reviews . I also love how hard they work to make visiting these somber locations fun and interesting.

This half-day (4-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Private, round-trip transportation
• Use of vintage helmets, gloves, glasses, and jackets for some fun photo ops
• Fully licensed and insured professional tour guides
• Maximum of 8 people on this tour
• Full refund if canceled up to 24 hours before your tour’s starting time

It does not include the cost of lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $261 per person . For such a unique and fun tour, and one of your only chances to visit Arromanches and Longues-sur-Mer, this price point makes sense, even if it is just a half-day tour. This will definitely be an experience you’ll never forget.

8. Best Normandy D-Day tour from Caen

My pick for the best Normandy tour from Caen: Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum

It’s true that most of the best Normandy D-Day tours start and end in Bayeux, but what if you’re staying in Caen? Rather than having to make your way to Bayeux to start your tour, check out this one that starts and ends in Caen.

This full-day tour includes visits to:

• Caen Memorial Museum

This is one of the only available Normandy D-Day tours that includes a self-guided visit to the Caen Memorial Museum, widely believed to be the best World War II museum in France . I personally consider this museum a must-visit, so I love that this tour includes it. I also like that the museum portion of the tour is self-guided since everyone visits museums in their own way.

This is another small-group tour (capped at 7 people) and it has tons of rave reviews, especially of the guides (5/5).

This full-day (7-hour) tour starts and ends in Caen. It includes:

• Admission to the Caen Memorial Museum
• Maximum of 7 people total
• Full refund if canceled within 2 days of your tour

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $129 per person all year long. Since this includes museum admission (about $22 US), that makes this tour one great value to visit these top locations.

9. Best tour for British visitors

My pick for best D-Day tour for British visitors: Private Guided British D-Day Tour from Bayeux

Despite the fact that Great Britain was a massive participant in the D-Day landings, landing at two of the five beaches, there are shockingly few tours that focus on the British sectors. However, there is one really great option.

• Pegasus Bridge
• The Hillman Site
• Gold and Sword Beaches
• German battery at Longues-sur-Mer
• Arromanches and its artificial harbors
• Bayeux War Cemetery

So few Normandy D-Day tours visit the British sectors and this one is great because it visits so many (without a lot of fluff in between). You also have some very knowledgeable and passionate guides leading you. (And nothing but 5-star reviews!)

This full-day (8-9-hour) tour starts and ends in beautiful Bayeux. It includes:

• Pick-up, drop-off, and round-trip transportation between all sites
• Private transportation in an air conditioned vehicle

It does not include lunch or other personal expenses.

As of July 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week (but does sell out!) and costs $879 per group up to 8 people . This is one of the best per-person rates of all the private Normandy tours I’ve seen.

10. Best bonus D-Day sites tour

My pick for best bonus D-Day sites tour: Utah & Omaha Beaches D-Day Group Tour from Bayeux

This tour visits many of the same sites as the others, but I’m calling this a “bonus” tour because it passes by a number of additional sites you might not otherwise see. Even though these are just “pass-by” stops, they still might interest you.

• Commune of Angoville-au-Plain, drop zone of the 101 st Airborne
• Site of the hedgerows battle (pass by)
• Major Richard Winters Memorial (pass by)
• Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (pass by)

On this tour, even in between stops you’ll get to see interesting things like the famous hedgerows (“bocage”) and the monument to Maj. Dick Winters whom you may know from Band of Brothers .

This tour also has a 5-star rating and is one of the most popular Normandy D-Day tours on Viator (with over 1,100 rave reviews).

This full-day (8.5-hour) tour starts and ends in Bayeux. It includes:

• Admission to the Airborne Museum
• Round-trip transportation
• Air conditioned minivan
• Professional tour guide

This isn’t necessarily a small-group tour since it has a maximum of 20 passengers (if it fills up). It does not include lunch, gratuities, or other personal expenses.

As of January 2024, this tour is offered 7 days a week and costs $159 per person . This price point is par for the course and you get to see so much.

Other Normandy D-Day tours

If you have questions about other Normandy D-Day tours that I didn’t cover in this post, let me know! I’ve examined nearly all of them. So if you find one you’re curious about, leave a comment below and  I’ll tell you why it didn’t make the list .

More info for your Normandy D-Day trip

• Hotels:  Read reviews and find great places to stay  here on Booking.com  (my personal favorite).  Hotels.com  and  Expedia  usually have good deals too though.
• Save lots of money and time  by getting some  Paris GoCity passes .
• Rental cars:  Check out the  best local rental car deals here.
• For more Normandy D-Day tours,  check out all the options from  Viator  and  Get Your Guide .
• Don’t forget a   France guidebook  and this must-have  France customs and culture guide !

Have a great time on your tour of Normandy! I hope I’ve made planning your trip a little easier.

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a World War II historian and travel expert who has visited 39 countries. She specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas with a focus on World War II museums, memorials, battlefields, and other sites of interest. Originally from Memphis, TN, she currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline commanders.

Reader Interactions

April 28, 2024 at 1:30 pm

what itinerary would you recommend if you have a day and half to visit the area. I’ll be staying in Bayeux.

April 29, 2024 at 4:55 am

Hi Ray! I would definitely check out the sites in this post , and then add in another museum or two according to your interests. Check out this post to see which area you might want to focus on.

April 29, 2024 at 12:48 pm

Thanks Ashley. Can you recommend a private tour for my second day?

April 30, 2024 at 2:33 am

Yes – take a look at the many options here on Tours By Locals . They always have great reviews and are usually customizable.

June 27, 2024 at 1:14 pm

Thank you for making this so easy. I am very interested in the Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux. I have a group of 3 that will be staying in Paris. What is best, a tour from Paris where you are picked up in Paris and shuttled to Normandy or a tour where we take the train out to Bayeux? It looks as if we are able to get more sites if we do a tour from the Bayeux train station. Just want to maximize the day and not afraid of a long day – we can sleep on the train:).

June 27, 2024 at 5:11 pm

Hi Scott! I agree that getting yourself to Bayeux and beginning your tour from there would be the most time-efficient way to go about it. That is, if you are comfortable using public transportation in France and you’re willing to get started pretty early. (Some people aren’t, lol.) That’s probably the route I would personally go!

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• Tours 8-day 80th ANNIVERSARY BULGE TOUR 9-day BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR 11-day BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR 12-day D-DAY ANNIVERSARY TOUR 12-day D-DAY LUXURY TOUR 6-day BEACHES OF NORMANDY TOUR 6-day AMERICAN NORMANDY TOUR 11-day WAR IN POLAND TOUR 11-day THIRD REICH TOUR 10-day BRITAIN AT WAR TOUR 11-day ITALIAN CAMPAIGN TOUR 12-day WORLD WAR I TOUR

11-day BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

Tour overview.

• Average 4-6 miles walk a day
• Some uneven terrain
• Medium to long travel times
• Moderate pace
• All five beaches of Normandy
• Normandy American Cemetery
• Pointe du Hoc
• Utah Beach Museum
• Luxembourg American Cemetery
• Dachau concentration camp
• Eagle's Nest (The visit is strongly dependent on weather conditions)

Our Band of Brothers Tour is an unforgettable 11-day journey from the shores of Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest hitting all of the highlights of the American WWII war effort. We will walk in the footsteps of the famous Easy Company immortalized by HBO’s Band of Brothers miniseries based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose. The first days of the tour dive into all five landing beaches, with a special focus on the American landing sectors of Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. We then head east through the Ardennes to Belgium, where Passengers can crouch in the foxholes of Bois Jacques and learn about the vehicles that defined the Allied war effort during the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. Our journey ends in Germany, where we learn about the context of the Nazi regime, a sobering visit to the very first concentration camp of Dachau and we top off the tour with a day trip to the Bavarian Alps, where we visit the famous Eagle's Nest* on top of the Kehlstein mountain. *The visit is strongly dependent on weather conditions, which can change even last minute.

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR: Detailed Highlights and Itinerary

Passengers are greeted at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and transferred by coach to Normandy. After an orientation dinner to get to know your fellow patriots, we spend the next few days exploring the iconic shores of the Normandy Landings. The first two days of this leg will focus on the American landing beaches Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, where we will pay our respects to the heroism that contributed to this battle that changed history. We will visit the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach to discover the sacrifice of those servicemen who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We then visit the British landing beaches, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach, where our fellow Allied troops fought to secure a foothold in Europe. On the landing beaches, we will learn more about Hitler’s feared Atlantic Wall and see at remnants of the fortifications how the German forces tried to stop the Allied invasion forces.

Locations You Can Expect to See

The second leg of our journey heads east to Belgium to follow the war stories of the American paratroopers described in the famous book by Stephen Ambrose. We will visit the sites of the Battle of the Bulge, the foxholes of Bois Jacques, and the military vehicles on display at the Bastogne Barracks. You’ll have ample time to explore these quaint areas independently and appreciate the incredible history and awe-inspiring monuments of this vital region. We cross border to Luxembourg to visit the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. The museum exhibits a collection of military vehicles and weaponry among lifesize dioramas. We pay our respects to the fallen soldiers at Luxembourg American Cemetery where General Patton is also buried. This will be followed by a walking tour in the nearby, vibrant Luxembourg City, the capital of this small country.

Our journey culminates in Germany, where we will explore the genesis and defeat of Hitler’s Nazi Party. We begin by exploring the somber site of the first Nazi concentration camp, where we can pay our respects to the victims of Hitler’s genocide. We then head to Munich to learn about the Third Reich before we visit Obersalzberg and the Eagle’s Nest*. The tour ends with a chance for reflection and community over a farewell dinner. The next day, our Passengers are brought to Munich’s airport for their return flights. *The visit is strongly dependent on weather conditions, which can change even last minute.

Dates and prices

80th anniversary bulge tour.

• Day 8: Departure

80th ANNIVERSARY OVERLORD TOUR

• Day 11: Departure

BAND OF BROTHERS TOUR

• Day 9: Departure

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY TOUR

• Day 12: Departure

D-DAY LUXURY TOUR

Beaches of normandy tour.

• Day 6: Departure

AMERICAN NORMANDY TOUR

War in poland tour, third reich tour, britain at war tour.

• Day 10: Departure

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN TOUR

World war i tour, 80th anniversary d-day tour, 80th anniversary gold tour, 80th anniversary silver tour, premium tour services: from lodging to local insights.

Relax after a long flight and ease your mind knowing that your Tour Director will meet you at the airport on the first day of the tour, avoiding extra navigating and expensive taxi fares. With our all-inclusive tour package, we handle all the details of your tour, so you can focus on experiencing this trip of a lifetime. Sit back and let us wine and dine you as you explore history with our carefully planned itinerary, with all breakfasts, dinners and entrance fees included. You will sleep soundly each night at 4-star accommodations. Breakfasts are delicious and authentic, while the two-three course dinners are mix of buffet and limited menu dining options which offer a chance to taste some of the local wines or beers as well. This tour includes a 24/7 Tour Director and several local guides. Our dynamic, knowledgeable Tour Directors are with you from your arrival at the airport to departure on the final day. They proactively smooth the way for your entire tour experience. Our handpicked, trusted local guides are fluent in English and expert historians, who deliver their impressive wealth of knowledge, anecdotes, and local insights with skill that shows their years of research and experience.

They always address topics onsite so that you get to experience history where it happened as they guide both popular destinations and obscure locations only the locals would know. Do not worry about availability, wait times, or ticket costs as all museum and site admissions are pre-arranged and included in the cost of our all-inclusive tours. On this tour you ride in style in our motorcoaches complete with climate control, video entertainment and extra leg room. Our skilled, professional drivers maximize your tour time by navigating the busiest highways and tightest country lanes, giving you more time at sites and less time subjected to the inflexible scheduling, delays and crowded areas that accompany public transport. For those who want to stay connected, Wi-fi is available at all our hotels and on all of our buses.

Beaches of Normandy Tours Band of Brothers Tours 48 Rue de Thouays, 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy, France

Phone: +1 855-473-1999 Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm ET e-mail: [email protected]

A World War II historic guide to discover the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy

Travel normandy guide françois gauthron offers tours of the normandy landing beaches, world war ii battlefield. come and discover the most famous part of normandy where took place the landing and the battle of normandy in june 1944 to liberate france and europe. you will be escorted by a qualified bilingual guide who will show you round the major sites of the beaches. visit the highlights of world war ii sites in normandy with an expert license guide, first the most important sites of the landing beaches., cool d-day american tour from paris.

• 5 D-Day Beaches Highlights from Paris

American Landing Sectors Highlights 1 Day

• British and Canadian Highlights 1 Day
• 5 D-Day Beaches Highlights 2 Days

American Landing Sectors 2 Days

American airborne battleground in normandy 2 days.

• British Landing Sectors 2 Days
• Canadian Battleground 2 Days
• Customized Tours
• The Loire Valley
• A Taste of Brittany
• Canadian Battlefields in Europe

Normandy Travel

Travel in normandy with francois gauthron, d-day tours on landing beaches - world war ii battlefield tours in normandy.

• All the Tours
• The Books on line
• Practical details

D-Day Tours: the American Sectors

D-day tours on utah beach, omaha beach and airborne battleground.

4 hours tour

9 hours tour

18 hours tour

Utah Beach, major sites of the american D-Day tours

The Church. The parachute and John Steele mannequin.

Sainte-Mère-Église

One of the most disastrous drops (in a night filled with disasters) occurred in Sainte-Mère-Église. Around midnight, a stray incendiary bomb had set fire to the house of Monsieur Harion, located to the east of the square.

Wakened by the mayor and the tolling of the church bell, the townspeople turned out in large numbers to form a bucket brigade supervised by members of the German garrison. (The hand pump used that night still sits on the east side of the square.) While the house continued to burn, the drone of planes could be heard over the tolling bell. The fire-fighters, looking skyward, saw ghostly silhouettes drifting down on them. Two sticks from the 1st and 2d battalions had gotten their green jump light directly over the village. Illuminated by light from the burning house and tracers from German AA guns, the paratroopers were easy targets for the Germans below. Few survived.

One who did was Private John Steele, whose parachute caught on the steeple of the church in front of you. The wounded paratrooper hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner.

The less fortunate hung from the trees all around the square where they had been shot. Once the fire in Monsieur Harion's house had burned itself out and the last of the paratroopers were killed or captured, the German garrison (a transportation company) quite inexplicably called it an evening and turned in.

A mile northeast of Sainte-Mère-Église, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Krause, commanding the 3d Battalion, assembled ninety men within an hour of landing and promptly ordered an advance on the village. Around dawn, the German garrison was again turned out, this time by the rattle of small-arms fire. Krause's men cleared the village in a rush, capturing thirty Germans and killing another eleven. With Sainte-Mère-Église in American hands, Krause ran a worn American flag to the top of the village flagpole, a flag that he had carried with him from Sicily.

Sainte-Mère-Église Stain glass signification dedicated to 82nd Airborne

This stain glass has been offered by the 505th Regiment to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.

American Airborne Museum

Inside of the glider displayed in the American Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mère-Église. I highly recommend the visit of this great Museum.

Merderet Bridge.

General Gavin's fox hole at La Fière.

La Fière Bridge and Merderet River

The 82nd airborne division astride the merderet.

One of the most confused fights took place west of the village at La Fière Bridge, over the Merderet River. Uncoordinated groups from the 505th, 507th, and 508th regiments hold the position and finally went over the bridge on the 7th. The Monument Iron Mike is overlooking the site, its twin statutes is at Fort Benning. Alongside the road is General Gavin's fox hole. The photo of flooded marshland, a common occurrence that Germans exploited, shows the conditions as they were in 1944.

A piece of cake

«general omar n. bradley called the assault landing on utah beach «a piece of cake», and it was, compared to that on omaha».

General Omar N. Bradley called the assault landing on Utah Beach «a piece of cake», and it was, compared to that on Omaha. The landing plan called for the 4th Infantry Division (Major General Raymond O. Barton) to land along 2,200 yards of sandy beach on a two-regiment front, two battalions abreast. Colonel James A. Van Fleet's 8th Infantry (including the 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry) was to land at 0630, followed by the 22d Infantry in eighty-five minutes and the 12th Infantry at 1030.

DD tanks were to lead the way in, preceded by an intense naval and air bombardment. Various engineer units were scheduled to land close behind the infantry to clear beach obstructions and to blow gaps in the low sea wall paralleling the beach.

The landing of the thirty-two DD tanks was delayed when one of the control ships was sunk by a mine. Four of the tanks were lost when the LCT carrying them sank before they could be launched. In contrast to the heavy losses off Omaha, twenty-eight DD's made it to the beach able to provide fire support for the infantry already ashore.

In proud memory of our dead

In addition to a D-Day museum, La Madeleine is the site of these monuments:

• an obelisk commemorating the D Day landing of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division,
• a stone commemorating the 90th U.S. Infantry Division.

The first (designated 00) of the 1182 cylindrical milestones marking the «Voie de la Liberté», the route that the U.S. Third Army followed from Normandy to Bastogne. All bear forty-eight stars and a symbolic torch of liberty patterned after that held aloft by «Liberty» in New York harbor. They are similar to the stones which line La Voie Sacrée (the Sacred Way), the road from Bar-le-Duc to Verdun along which hundreds of thousands of French soldiers moved in 1916. A monument to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade, raised in 1945 atop a blockhouse of the W5 strongpoint. This massive blockhouse, captured on D-Day and used as the Brigade HQ, contains a memorial crypt (protected by a locked iron grill) commemorating the members of the Brigade who died on Utah Beach. Another plaque commemorates Maj. General Eugene Mead Caffey and the achievements of the Brigade he commanded. Other plaques in French and English commemorate the assault on Utah Beach. An imposing stone plinth, unveiled by General J. Laughton Collins on 5 June 1984, commemorating «in humble tribute... its sons who lost their lives in the liberation of these beaches, June 6, 1944». A stone plaque marking the presence of the heads of state of the United States, France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands for the 40th anniversary of D-Day. A stone plaque commemorating General Dwight D. Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander. Some fifty-nine road signs named after members of the 1st Engineer Special Brigade who died in the fighting on Utah Beach.

Azeville, Casemates.

German Batteries

Crisbecq, german battery.

I highly recommend this visit. Take an hour or so to discover an amazing number of bunkers, which were buried for years after the war and finally exhumed by the landowner. This fortified complex contained casemates housing 210-mm guns which easily reached Utah Beach. Despite shelling from large-caliber guns and repeated infantry assaults, the battery held out until 12 June, all the while harassing landing operations. It was the one major battery in the lodgement area that actually became a factor in the post-D-Day battle.

Azeville, German Battery

The casemates, that housed four French 105-mm guns, flank the road just before you enter the village. The casemates are not open to visitors. After withstanding attacks from the 22d Infantry for two days, the battery surrendered after a flamethrower, triggered by Private Ralph G. Riley, set off ammunition inside one of the casemates. Riley was awarded the Silver Star for his single-handed attack.

Foucarville, Prisonners Camp No. 19

By the end of June a camp for 20,000 German prisoners was established, which finally was extended to 40,000 men including 18 Generals and 6 Admirals. The Camp was commanded by Lt. Col. Kennedy.

This CCE was almost a town, with hospital, prison, churches, theatre, pub, bakery etc... The total surface was 306 acres including 48 acres of garden, circumference 3.2 miles, roads and side walks 3.9 miles, barbe wired fences 180 miles, water pipe lines 24 miles, high voltage line 19 miles, communication lines 64 miles, phone installed 275, squad tents 1100, pyramidal tents 370, 50 kitchen...

Unfortunately nothing subsists today apart a barn made with field stones use as explosive storage and use as private living home today.

Les Dunes-de-Varreville, 2nd DB Memorial

Les Dunes-de-Varreville (WN 10), the original D-Day landing objective of the 4th Division.

In 1944, this area was strongly defended, and many of the original blockhouses still squat ominously amid the dunes.

Today, the site is marked by a monument, a Sherman tank with French insignia which commemorate the 1 August landing of the 2d French Armored Division, a half-track and an armored car M18.

The D-Day tours with Utah Beach

Cool-d-day-american-tour-from-paris, american-landing-sectors-highlights-1-day, american-landing-sectors-2-days, american-airborne-battleground-in-normandy-2-days, 5-d-day-beaches-highlights-from-paris, 5-d-day-beaches-highlights-2-days, the parts of my books about utah beach, battlefield guide book , chap. 1: tour a, utah sector, battlefield guide book , chap. 2: tour a/a, utah sector special, battlefield guide book , chap. 3: tour a/b, utah sector special historical 101st airborne & band of brothers tour, omaha beach, major sites of the american d-day tours.

Quentin Roosevelt grave.

American Cemetery

The garden of the missing.

Its semi-circular wall contains the name of 1.557 MIAs, they come from 49 of the 50 States. The tragic night of December 24th is engraved on that wall. German U-Boats were trying to prevent Allied reinforcements from reaching «The Battle of the Bulge». The 66th Infantry Division was not going to the Bulge, but Saint-Nazaire. At 6.00 pm on Christmas Eve, a torpedo exploded into the starboard aft hold of the transport ship «Leopoldville», packed with 2,235 G.I.'s from the Division. The ship remained afloat for 2-1/2 hours before sinking into the English Channel 5-1/2 miles north Cherbourg. Because of the holiday celebrations, rescue was slow in coming to the ship. When rescue ships arrived while the ship was taking on sea water, many different scenarios developed around victims and survivors. Approximately 516 G.I.'s were missing and presumably went down with the ship, and another 248 died from injuries, drowning, or hypothermia from the 48° sea water. The huge loss of lives proved embarrassing to the governments of France, England, Belgium, and the U.S.A. Wartime security kept the tragedy details buried for fifty years. Many families of the 764 victims and the 1,471 survivors still do not know details about the Christmas death of their sons.

The Memorial

The Memorial is centered by a 22 foot bronze statue, on both sides two enamel maps, representing the Battle of Normandy in South loggia till August 1st and the Battle of Europe in North loggia, notice the shingles on the ground, reminding the beach. The four scenes on the urns in the north loggia are the same in the south one. The Statues and the urns were made by De Lue.

Theodore J. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt

Theodore J. Roosevelt, President Theodore son's and President Franklin D. Roosevelt nephew's. Born: 9/13/1887. Medal of Honor. Dead from heart attack at Méautis on July 12th during the night. Plot D, Row 28, grave 45.

Quentin Roosevelt, President Theodore son's and President Franklin D. Roosevelt nephew's. Theodore's youngest brother. Born 11/19/1897.Dead in a Nieuport 28 fighter, was shot down behind German lines by Sgt. Thom, a German ace with 24 victories on Jul 14th 1918 WWI. Plot D, Row 28, grave 46.

Pointe du Hoc

To reach the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument, now maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, follow the direction signs west along D 514 to the car park outside the monument (6 m).

The Pointe du Hoc today retains much of its battlefield character because of the destruction left by the rain of bombs and shells the Allies unleashed to neutralize this rocky point. The much feared battery was bombed three times before D-Day, then hit from the air again that morning. 600 tones of bombs were dropped. The battleships Texas and Arkansas battered the area with their 14- and 12-inch guns just after dawn. The destroyer Satterlee saturated the position with her 5-inch guns in direct support of the Rangers.

This concentration of fire left craters and ruined casemates which over sixty years have yet to erase. From the barbed-wire fence along the cliff top, you can look down the hundred-foot cliff to the east beach where three companies of the 2d Ranger Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder, landed on D Day. Their mission was to scale the cliff, then silence the six 155-mm GPF thought to threaten the landing operations on both American beaches.

Omaha Sector First Wave

«every man who set foot on omaha beach that day was a hero», the american planning.

H-Hour was 6.30 am on June 6th 1944. The landing window had to consider the availabilities of landing craft, Navy and air support. Plus the combination of daylight, tide and moonlight. Low tide was at 05.30 am, sunrise was at 05.58 am. The D-Day planners decided to land at 06.30 for several reasons: LCA's could come closer to the bluff, minimizing the uncovered distance for the GIs, and all the obstacles would be exposed. The sunrise hour permitted the Navy and the Air Force to optimize their shelling and Bombardment.

In military times are discussed from the moment an operation begins thus: D-Day for the invasion of France in 1944 was June 6th. H-Hour is the beginning hour and minute of an operation. For the 29th, 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions H-Hour was 06.30 am, for the paratroopers 82nd and 101st H-Hour was 01.30 am on D-Day June 6th 1944.

«Two kinds of people are staying on this beach, the dead and those who are going to die now let's get the hell out of here» Col. George A. Taylor

Medal of honor in the cemetery and 1st id memorial, «we too born to freedom and believing in freedom are willing to fight to maintain freedom - we and all others who believe as deeply as we do would rather die on our feet than live on our knees» f.d. roosevelt 19 june 1941, ike head quarter on continent.

On April 27th 1944 was established the first Headquarter «SHARPENER» located at 0.8 mile from Southwick House, close by the huge SHAEF Camp «SHIPMATE». General Eisenhower stayed there from June 2nd to June 12th 1944.

Regarding the inland movement on the continent, it had been decided to establish an advance HQ in the village of Maison in-between Port-en-Bessin and Bayeux on D6 road. Maison was selected because of its immediate proximity with Longues Air Strip (B11) and Tour en Bessin Airstrip (A13) and also a midway position between Omaha and Gold Sectors. This CP will be operational from July 31st and will be referenced as CP12.

But it wasn't used by Eisenhower, only as a SHAEF transit camp in August 1944. It was decided to organize a new CP at Le Planitre near Molay Littry close by A9D, this camp will be use from August 5th but still not by Ike. Another one is activated on August 7th at Tournières, referenced as CP21 «SHELLBURST» where Ike welcomed Prime Minister Churchill, Gen. Montgommery, on August 20th Gen. De Gaulle with Gen. Koenig and many other celebrities. An airstrip was built in the next field. After the Saint-Lô breakthrough («Cobra» Operation) the SHAEF HQ was transferred near Grainville, on August 16th, Communication Service was established in the Hôtel Normandy, code-named «LIBERTY».

On September 15th the new Grand HQ was moved to Saint-Ouen at Jullouville. Almost 3000 people worked there, and on August 30th Ike stayed at Château Montgommery at Saint Jean le Thomas 4 miles away from Jullouville. On September 10th the Grand HQ was transferred to Versailles (Palace Trianon).

The D-Day tours with Omaha Beach

The parts of my books about omaha beach, battlefield guide book , chap. 4: tour a/c, omaha sector first wave, battlefield guide book , chap. 5: tour a, omaha sector, normandy travel: françois gauthron, wwii battlefields expert licensed guide.

François Gauthron is an official tour guide.

He has been guiding Battlefields for more than 15 years, Normandy is his region of birth.

More about François Gauthron

Read my books on line.

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Band of Brothers® Tour

Home > All Tours > Band of Brothers Tours

This tour is the ultimate Band of Brothers® Tour , an experience unparalleled in its accuracy and insight. Our founder, Stephen E. Ambrose, wrote the book. We meticulously crafted the ORIGINAL Band of Brothers® Tour based on the recollections of the paratroopers themselves and the extensive research of Professor Ambrose and the editors of Military History Quarterly and World War II magazines.

Immortalized by the Stephen Ambrose bestseller Band of Brothers and brought to millions more in the epic Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks HBO miniseries of the same name, the men of Easy Company were on an extraordinary journey during WWII. From D-Day to V-E Day, the paratroopers of E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, participated in some of the war’s most critical battles and proved to truly be a company of heroes.

You will follow the path of Easy Company from its training bases in Toccoa, Georgia, and England into combat in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and on to final victory at Berchtesgaden, Germany, Adolf Hitler’s Alpine retreat. You’ll stand where the men of Easy Company fought in some of the most climatic battles of World War II.

Aldbourne, England

Visit the site where the men of Easy Company did their pre-invasion training

Invasion Beaches of Normandy

Walk the hallowed beaches of Utah and Omaha

Brecourt Manor in Normandy

See the actual site where the men of Easy Company silenced the Nazi artillery on a VIP tour

Sainte-Mère-Église

Learn the true story of what happened at Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy

St. Catherine’s Church

Tour the church where Dick Winters went up into the steeple and spotted a German tank column

Operation Market Garden

See the site of the famous Bridge of Nijmegen, the objective of Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands

Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge

Explore the locations of the epic eight-day stand against the Germans in December 1944 in Belgium and Luxembourg

Hitler’s Alpine Retreat

Visit Eagle’s Nest, the remains of the vast Nazi Party complex liberated by Easy Company

Zell Am See

See where the men of Easy Company celebrated the anniversary of their jump into Normandy by parachuting into the waters of Zeller See Lake

Optional Toccoa Extension

Begin where the men of Easy Company began—at the training camp in Toccoa, Georgia

Day 1 • Flight to London, England

Guests fly independently to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), arriving on Day 2.

Day 2 • Arrive in London

Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). You will join the other guests at an airport hotel, where you will gather for an evening welcome meeting. You will be on your own for dinner, giving with the option to taking the tube to London proper or to having a relaxing dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 3 • England

Our morning starts with a visit to Littlecote House, the historic English manor that was headquarters for the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment for the six months prior to the invasion. You will tour Aldbourne, the tiny Wiltshire village that was the home of Easy Company, and visit many of the buildings used by the men of Easy as they prepared for the greatest invasion in history. When in the village you will have an opportunity to enjoy a traditional lunch in the same pubs frequented by the men of the Easy Company.

Day 4 • Crossing the English Channel

You begin your day in Portsmouth with a visit to the award-winning The D-Day Story Museum and Southwick House, the elegant country house that became the location of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. In the months leading up to D-Day, Southwick House became the headquarters of the main Allied commanders: Allied Supreme Commander, General Eisenhower; Naval Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Ramsay; and the Army Commander-in-Chief, General Montgomery. Large wall maps that were used in planning D-Day are still in place in the house, with markers showing the positions of the involved forces at the moments of the first landings. After a visit to Southwick House, we board the cross channel ferry to France.

Day 5 • Sainte-Mère-Église, France

At the start of the invasion, several members of Easy Company landed in and around Sainte-Mère-Église, including Richard Winters, Carwood Lipton and Bill Guarnere. Here you begin the historical tracings of the 506th in France. This is where Dick Winters took command after the tragic death of Lt. Thomas Meehan. From Sainte-Mère-Église you will follow the route Lieutenant Winters and a handful of men took on the first night of the invasion to Brecourt Manor. In 1944, the manor was the site of a German battery that threatened the invasion beaches at Utah.

From the manor, you will proceed to Utah Beach and the Utah Beach Landing Museum. From Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, you will travel past Dead Man’s Corner and into Carentan, the Norman town that was one of the Allies’ earliest objectives. You will see the site of Easy Company’s battle as they entered the town on June 12, and the square from which General Maxwell Taylor presented awards to his men for their gallant performance during the invasion.

Day 6 • Normandy Coast

Rising early the next morning, we will drive to Omaha Beach where the Americans took the German fortifications after a stupendous fight. The six-mile-wide invasion beach is surrounded by cliffs that made the landing and attack extremely difficult. Landings here were necessary in order to link with British landings to the east at Gold Beach with the American landing to the west at Utah Beach, thus providing a continuous foothold on the Normandy coast. Very little went as planned during the landing at Omaha Beach. Many landing crafts missed their targets throughout the day. German defenses were strong and inflicted heavy casualties on U.S. troops. Losses were especially high in the first wave of landings; there were 2,400 casualties on Omaha Beach alone. You will study the battlefield and hear accounts of the action, cross the beach, analyze the maps and imagine the courage that saved our freedom that day.

Today the Normandy American Cemetery stretches along the bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. It covers 172 acres and contains the remains of American military dead, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations in World War II. The names of the Americans who lost their lives in the conflict but could not be located and/or identified are inscribed on the walls of a semicircular garden at the east side of the memorial. You will spend some time at the cemetery to pay your respects. In the afternoon you will visit the bridge over the Caen Canal, today called Pegasus Bridge after the symbol of the British airborne forces. Pegasus Bridge, captured by a glider-borne company of the 6th Division British Airborne Troops, was the first engagement of D-Day, and the turning point of World War II.

Day 7 • Netherlands

Today you will study Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of the war. In broad daylight, the 101st Airborne Division parachuted into the Netherlands in a bold strike in order to seize bridges across rivers and adjacent canals from Belgium to Arnhem. From there you will head to Son, the location of the 506th’s drop zone and the bridge over Wilhelmina. Under the command of Colonel Sink, their mission was to capture the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal and then advance south to Eindhoven. You will then follow the company’s route into Eindhoven and visit Saint Catherine’s Church where many of the original liberators gathered in September 1944. Your last stop of the day will be the site of the Battle of Veghel, where all of the 101st Airborne Division fought to keep Hell’s Highway clear of enemy troops.

Day 8 • Netherlands

Your travels continue along Hells Highway, the route followed by the British XXX Corps as it attempted to reach its embattled 1st Airborne Division, in Arnhem. Your travels will also take you to the famous bridge over the Waal River that was a key objective of Operation Market Garden, the Bridge at Nijmegen. Following lunch at the De Westerbouwing restaurant, which in 1944 was a German observation position, you travel to the Island, a 5-kilometer strip of land between the Neder Rijm and the Waal and the northernmost point of Allied territory. While at the Island, you will visit the E Company positions during the month-long stalemate at the end of Operation Market Garden.

After a stop at Schoonderlogt, a farm which was the 2nd Battalion Headquarters, you will visit Easy Company’s jump-off point for Operation Pegasus, a mission to rescue trapped British paratroopers. You will walk the site of the fight at the Crossroads, where E Company attacked and destroyed a company of elite SS soldiers, preventing over 300 German soldiers from joining an attack on the 506th regimental headquarters. You will stand in the very spots where American and German forces stood, and will understand what Stephen Ambrose meant when he said that the best way to understand history is to study the places it was made.

Day 9 • Bastogne, Belgium

Your next destination is Bastogne, Belgium, the site of the division’s epic eight-day stand against the Germans in December 1944. Along the way, you will stop at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial and Memorial at Margraten to pay your respects at the graves of Easy Company men killed in the Netherlands and Belgium. In Bastogne, you will visit the Bastogne War Museum and General Anthony McAuliffe’s headquarters during the siege.

Day 10 • Belgium and Luxembourg

Saturday starts with a visit to the Bois Jacques in the village of Foy. From Foy you will follow the company’s route through Recogne, stopping to visit the German cemetery, Cobru, Noville, and Luzory. You conclude your day at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where General George S. Patton is buried with members of his 3rd Army.

Day 11 • France

From Bastogne, you will head to France to visit Fort Simserhof, a beautifully preserved Maginot Line fortification, and the Musée National de la Fortification Maginot. Your day concludes with a visit to Hagenau, the site of some of Easy Company’s final battles and several daring patrols.

Day 12 • Germany

On April 29, 1945, as they advanced into the Bavarian Alps, Easy Company liberated a satellite of the Dachau concentration camp at Landsberg. You will visit Dachau, the site of some of the most nefarious acts of and against humankind during the war, as you travel south through Bavaria. Constructed in a disused gunpowder factory, Dachau was the first concentration-style camp after which all subsequent concentration camps were modeled. In total, over 200,000 prisoners from more than 30 countries were housed in Dachau, with at least 30,000 registered prisoners are believed to have died in the camp and its subcamps: notably Jews, resistance fighters, clergymen, politicians, communists, writers, artists, and royalty. The second camp liberated by British or American forces, Dachau was one of the first places where the west was exposed to Nazi brutality.

Day 13 • Germany

Your study of Easy Company battlefields ends at Adolf Hitler’s Alpine retreat at Berchtesgaden, where you will visit the Eagle’s Nest and the remains of the vast Nazi Party complex liberated by Easy Company in May 1945. Eagle’s Nest was built as a 50th birthday present to Hitler from the Nazi party. Perched at 6017 feet, the Eagle’s Nest and the road network leading to it were considered feats of engineering as they were completed in only 13 months’ time in 1937-38.

Day 14 • Austria

As it did for the men of Easy Company, your travels will end at Zell am See and Kaprun, Austria, where they celebrated the anniversary of their jump into Normandy with a parachute drop into the waters of the Lake Zell. In the evening we will gather for a final special banquet, where you can reflect on your experience and the Band of Brothers’ role in securing victory in Europe.

Day 15 • Flight Home

There will be one morning drop-off at Munich International Airport (MUC) to catch your flight home.

Pre-tour Extension

Day 1 • arrive atlanta, georgia.

Arrive at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). The tour begins in Atlanta with a a group dinner at the airport hotel, where you will have an opportunity to get acquainted with other guests and meet the historians and tour staff. Your historian will provide a brief overview of the legacy of Easy Company, which will set the stage for the days ahead.

Day 2 • Toccoa, Birthplace of the 506th

Ask any of the original members of Easy Company what made the unit so special and they will answer: “Toccoa.” This training ground in the north Georgia woods was where the bonding process of the 506th began. As it did for so many of the men of Easy Company, your tour of Toccoa will begin at the train station where recruits for the 506th first arrived. The station also houses the Stephens County Historical Society, the 506th Museum, and the unique collection of artifacts and memorabilia from Camp Toccoa.

Following lunch, you will travel to the site of the Camp and then proceed up Mount Currahee, the 1,000-foot mountain the men of the 506th ran daily for training. Here they drew their inspiration and motto “Currahee,” an Indian word meaning “We Stand Alone.”

The group will be dropped off at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) by 4:30 p.m. Guests are on their own to book a trans-Atlantic flight at 6:30 p.m. or later.

Historians on this tour

Dates & Prices

• 2024 Dates & Prices
• 2025 Dates & Prices

Tour Includes

• Professional historian traveling with you throughout the tour, lecturing and answering questions
• Tour manager to handle guest needs and on-the-ground logistics
• Educational road book of maps and historical information
• 3 or 4-star hotel accommodations
• Rooms with private bath or shower
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• Touring by private first class, air-conditioned motor coach
• Channel crossing to Normandy via ferry
• All breakfasts, some lunches, most dinners
• All entrance fees to museums and attractions

Flights are not included in the cost of the tour.

Activity Level

As with all of our tours, we prefer to spend our time on the battlefields. There will be some museum stops, but please be prepared to walk on sandy beaches and cobblestone streets. There is a fair amount of walking, especially in Normandy.

If you use a wheelchair, please read our Wheelchair Policy .

Recommended Reading

Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose

Customize this Tour

If you would like to customize this itinerary for your alumni travel association, educational organization, high school, family or other private group, please see our custom tour page .

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Guest Reviews

20 reviews for ' Band of Brothers® Tour '

We had very high expectations. And this tour exceeded every one of them.

The tour description is not hype… When it tells you that you will walk in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne, that is not hyperbole or exaggeration. It’s exactly what you do. And doing it with Chris Anderson (who knew and spent considerable time with the men) gives you the privilege to know their thoughts, their feelings, their experiences in a way that you’d otherwise never be able to do. If you can do this, please do. You will not regret it.

Ambrose tour with Chris Anderson and George Luz Jr.

I can’t imagine anyone anywhere who could provide a more enjoyable and informative event (it’s far more than a tour). This tour is non pareil for sure. Chris and George were delightful and incredibly knowledgeable as both had many interactions with “the men” of the 506th. Thanks for a memory of a lifetime!

Exceeded expectations!

Day 14 of my Band of Brothers tour – Points (Going Home).

What an amazing two weeks! I thought I knew the story of the Band of Brothers. I have seen the complete series countless times. I have read the book by Stephen Ambrose several times. I have read just about every book authored by historians and/or by the men from Easy Company. This tour gave me a perspective that none of those stories could.

On this tour, I was able to walk the ground and see where the history actually took place. I was at Camp Toccoa and went to the top of Mount Curahee. I was at Brecourt Manor and saw where the German guns were located. I saw the tree line that Winters and Compton used to attack each gun. We were explained the tactics used and why. I was able to look down on Foy from the Bois Jacques. I saw the remnants of Easy Company fox holes. We were taken into Foy and were told how the battle progressed. We saw battle damage on buildings that were a direct result of Easy Company fire. We stood on the bank of the river in Haguenau where Easy’s last patrol crossed. I sat in the main hall of Hitler’s Eagles Nest.

But our trip wasn’t just about Easy Company and all they accomplished. I saw the D-Day planning maps at Southwick House. I saw Pegasus Bridge where the first Allied soldiers landed on D-Day. I walked the ground of Pointe du Hoc and marveled at how the US Rangers could have scaled the cliff. I saw French fortifications on the Maginot line. I visited US cemeteries at Omaha Beach, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. We even stopped at a German cemetery outside of Bastogne.

There are so many more examples that I could go on of how special this trip was. I met some great people, stayed at some amazing hotels, and ate wonderful food.

If you have an interest in Easy Company, this trip through Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours is the only way to go. Our historian Matt and tour coordinator Connie did an amazing job of making this trip a once in a lifetime experience. It exceeded all expectations. I would travel again with Stephen Ambrose Tours in a heartbeat. After each day, I didn’t think the next day could be better but unequivocally it was. If this trip would have ended after just the first few days, where we studied all aspects of the Overlord invasion, I would have felt that it was worth every penny.

We traveled 1,873 miles, through 8 different countries during the 14 day tour. I have memories of a lifetime. I will pass on my experiences to anyone who will listen because history has to be retold so it does not repeat itself.

There are a lot of other “Band of Brothers” type tours out there but, this is the ORIGINAL one. Developed by Dr. Ambrose who met and traveled with the men from Easy Company. Dr. Ambrose walked the actual ground with Dick Winters and the other members of Easy so every aspect of tour was correct. Don’t be fooled by imitations. Chose the first and the finest!

Band of Brothers tour: 7-21 July 2023

The best trip that I’ve ever taken : Bar none. Chris Anderson, George Luz and Klaus the bus driver where 3 of the best team members ever. I don’t know, but I think Chris knows everyone in Europe whom has anything to do with BOB’s. George Luz had first hand experience, because he is the son of George Luz an Easy Company member. Because Chris and George have had many experiences with the men of Easy Company, it made all the difference in this tour. I could go on for hours and hours talking about this tour, but if you are a history buff it is something that you need to make your best efforts to try and make it happen.

Best of the Best!

This was my third SAHT tour with Chris Anderson and it far exceeded my expectations. Just when I think it can’t get any better, Chris puts it over-the-top. With his firsthand accounts from the dozens of Easy Company survivors that he personally knew as well as his personal friendship with Major Dick Winters, he brings the events to life and you can’t help but feel that you’re actually there as an eyewitness. Chris has developed unique and personal relationships with the de Vallavielle family at Brecourt Manor (behind Utah Beach), the Overveld family at the drop zone in Son, Holland and other contacts on the tour that will leave you with memorable experiences that NO other guide can offer. He is a master historian and storyteller that is not afraid to show his true emotions as he shares the well documented accounts through seven countries and 3,000 miles of travel. Oh, and don’t miss the Toccoa extension; even if you have to make a separate trip, do it BEFORE you take the tour with Chris.

Band of Brothers - October 2022 - Unforgettable, Outstanding, and Fun!

This was our first Stephen Ambrose tour, and we wanted to go with Chris Anderson, because we enjoy his History Happy Hours each Sunday. Having a cursory knowlege of the subject area, we really didn’t know what to expect, but having said that, the context, knowledge base, details, locations, and Chris’s personal relationship with most of the Easy Company men all added to the fantastic experience. We were able to go to places along the route that were not seen by many tours based on the personal relationship that Chris has with many of the “locals.” Keith Smith, tour manager for this trip took constant care of all of us, and our driver, Klaus, maneuvered our tour bus into every nook and cranny on the way. Food was exceptional as were the majority of the accommodations. This is a tour that will touch everyone’s hearts and minds — the bravery of the 101, et. al. No one should hesitate to take this tour … get on the list! We have already booked tours for 2023!

Best Trip I Have Ever Taken

I took the trip in May 2016 as a birthday gift to celebrate my 5oth year of life. I took along a buddy of mine who knew very little about the Band of Brothers series or World War II. I was surprised how much he enjoyed the tour as well. It was no doubt the best trip I’ve been on. It was well worth every penny I spent, and actually exceeded expectations! Ron Drez was our guide and we couldn’t have asked for a better one. He was so knowledgeable with so many stories. He made the trip so special. Every day was a new adventure. I would suggest starting the trip in Toccoa, GA. It is longer and more money but worth it. It’s been almost 6 years later and I still have great memories of this tour! Simply the best!! I would go again, it was that good!

The Best Tour by far.

My dad and I travelled from Australia to do this tour back in 2005. We had Easy Co veterans Forrest Guth and Buck Taylor on the tour with us. Chris Anderson did an amazing job. The tour was an experience that I will never forget. I can not recommend it highly enough. Thanks Chris and team.

Band of Brothers

Best trip I have ever been on! You really can’t appreciate what our boys did for us until you go on this trip and actually see where they had to go and the hardships they had to endure

Band of Brothers Historical Tour

This tour was beyond our expectations. My husband’s Dad trained at Camp Toccoa and participated in the forced march from Toccoa to Atlanta. Even though he was transferred to the 502nd at Fort Benning, we were able to visit each place he jumped and fought. For my husband to be at the jump zone where his Dad landed 75 years earlier was an unforgettable experience. The celebration of liberation in Eindhoven was another experience we shall never forget. To actually visit the places I had taught about for so many years made this the trip of a lifetime. I only wish I had taken this trip earlier to share with my students and my father-in-law!

Over the years I have taken many tours but without question the origianal Band of Brother’s tour I took in 2013 was the best historical tour I’ve ever experienced. Ron Drez was our leader and he did a masterful job of weaving the experiences of Easy Company losing sight of the bigger picture. One can not walk away from the tour without a deep understanding and lasting admiration of leaders such as Richard Winters. What leadership! On more than one occasion I’ve been tempted to repeat the experience.

Band of Brothers Tour

I had been thinking about this tour for some time & Dave Meyer decided to join me. Chris Anderson & George Luz Jr. made it a truly unforgettable experience with the research & personal contact with the Easy Company guys. We were hoping for a good trip but had a great tour filled with some extras we did not expect that are much appreciated. We had a super group & met some new friends that made it even more special. A big thanks to Chris, George & our driver Henny for a memory of a life time tour. We will recommend SAHT to anyone thinking about this tour, could not be better.

Band of Brothers - September 2018 - Wonderful Tour

This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime. I have wanted to do this tour for years and I finally set aside the time to do it. Chris Anderson, George Luz, Jr. and Henny (our great driver) made the tour truly unforgettable. Every day was a new adventure for me and my wife – – made even more special by the personal experiences relayed to us by Chris and George because of their friendships with the men of Easy Company (and George’s stories of his dad). Thanks to Chris, George and Henny for a job that went “above and beyond the call of duty.” For my fellow tour guests (who are now my new good friends)… “What time is it?”….

Band of Brothers Tour Sept 2016

This was as amazing trip and opportunity to learn more about Easy Company. This was my third trip with Stephen Ambrose Tours and was the best of the trio. Our group was wonderful and resulted in a couple of friends we still remain in contact with. The historian was Ron Drez, his knowledge of the Band of Brothers and their story was second to none. At every stop on the tour Ron was able to relate the story in a way that painted a picture that even someone with only a casual knowledge of history, could follow along. All accommodations and meals were first class and impeccably arranged. I highly recommend SAHT to all that our looking to learn more about the Band of Brothers. Looking forward to my next trip with them, this time for the 75th anniversary of DDay.

The tour and our June 2018 guides

An experience of a lifetime. Not just information. An exercise of the heart as well, that lingers long in its memories. Great that teenagers were along with their parents as well as old geezers like me, and a group in the middle whose parents or grandparents had participated in WWII. Chris Anderson & George Luz were the perfect team of guides. Chris the historian who interviewed Stephen Ambrose and Easy Co’s survivors and George the son of an Easy Co soldier depicted in the book and HBO series

I’ve wanted to take this trip ever since Stephen Ambrose lead it. When Mike and I first started talking about it and researching options he mentioned another company, but to me there was only one choice: Stephen Ambrose wrote the book on the Band of Brothers. I regretted not being able to make the trip with Ambrose but still felt the group he started would provide the best tour. The trip was better than I ever hoped for – the personal stories and insights, and the passion for the men of Easy Company, that George and Chris shared with us could not have been duplicated by any other team. I am very grateful! I still believe taking the trip with Ambrose would have been wonderful, but recognize that Band of Brothers was a book project for him. Chris and George literally grew up with them. No other team can match that! My wife and I are planning to take the tour together in 2019, maybe 2020, provided that Chris and George are still leading it as a team. It has been my stories about the two of them that convinced her to go.

Fantastic, Excellent, Outstanding....

I was on the June 2016 tour…Fantastic, Excellent, Outstanding are just some of the terms that come to mind when I remember this tour.

We stayed in very nice hotels, the bus was first rate (especially our driver Henne…the man could drive a bus anywhere). The historian/guide Chris Anderson was informative, knowledgeable and most importantly cared deeply about the subject (he also had some great back stories to tell). Our logistics Guide Matt Brogge did a fantastic job (he had us running like a well oiled machine).

I’ve read comments from people who have not taken this tour and they seem to believe that this tour is a victory lap for Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne. It is not that at all.

While the tour does concentrate on Easy Company it does not skimp or leave out other units who were involved in action in the areas where you will visit. For example, standing on Omaha Beach at the Vierville Draw and looking at the terrain and the defensive positions that had to be taken and overcome, will fill you with awe for the men of the 29th Infantry Division who assaulted the beach.

Following Easy Company will give you a good idea of what the average combat infantry man went through. This tour put into perspective the large scale of the war and also the personal human toll paid for in blood by common everyday Americans. (Not a very easy thing to do, in my opinion)

I would not mess around with any other tour company, if you want a fantastic experience, tour with this group. They hit the ball out of the park!

Thanks again, Chris, Matt and Henne! (I am already looking at my next tour)

A bucket list trip

We took this trip in 2015. It was an awesome trip and we are so thrilled we did it. I highly recommend this particular tour. I’m sure we went places and saw things other tours are not able to do. It was a bucket list trip and totally worthwhile. Loved it! The promotions are not hype. Accommodations, food, transportation all as advertised.

The best trip we have ever taken

We have both traveled a great deal, in this country and abroad, and this (Band of Brothers tour with Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours) was truly the best trip we have ever taken. Our historian was an incredible guide and wealth of information. We feel truly blessed that we had such a wonderful team and such a memorable experience.

Unforgettable experiences

Each day was filled with unforgettable experiences. The details about the places and events made the tour so memorable and I learned so much.

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Ronald Drez is an award-winning and best-selling author and historian. Along with Stephen Ambrose, he designed the D-Day to the Rhine Tour. Dr. Ambrose hand-picked his Eisenhower Center deputy to lead those tours and to help develop other tours like the Band of Brothers® Tour and The Italian Campaign Tour.

Drez, a decorated Marine combat veteran from the Vietnam War, was the first to encounter the now legendary Band of Brothers in 1988. He has interviewed more than 4,000 WWII veterans, showcasing their stories in his many writings (see ronalddrez.com ).

His passion and enthusiasm leave our guests with the memories of a lifetime. To quote one of our travelers, “Ron Drez was the history professor you wanted in college but couldn’t get because his classes were always full. His stories are fascinating.”

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson is a historian who is well versed in many aspects of American history with special expertise in the Normandy Invasion, Band of Brothers, 101st Airborne and the American Revolution. Anderson is one of the original creators of the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours Band of Brothers® Tour and was a personal confidant of Major Dick Winters, Commander of Easy Company, as well as many other veterans of WWII.

As the former editor of WWII Magazine , Anderson edited and wrote about all areas of the U.S. involvement in that war. He is the co-host of History Happy Hour , a weekly livestream that features fascinating, knowledgeable guests such as Andrew Roberts, Joe Balkoski, Lynne Olson, and Hampton Sides for entertaining history discussions. He lives in London, where he chronicles his visits to the places where history happened and the fascinating people he meets along the way in his blog, History Hikes .

Matt Broggie

Matt Broggie has extensive knowledge of World War II battlefields and is a contributor to WWII History Magazine . While a graduate student in Military History at Austin Peay State University, he focused his study on WWII and wrote his thesis on the D-Day invasion of Utah Beach and the ensuing campaign to capture the port at Cherbourg. Broggie graduated with honors and earned the distinguished graduate award in his class. He went on to teach U.S. and World History to students at Austin Peay and soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at the university’s campus at Fort Campbell.

Broggie is currently earning his doctorate from the University of Birmingham in the UK and is writing his dissertation on the 4th Infantry Division’s combat experience in Normandy. He earned his B.A. in History from California Lutheran University and his M.A. in Military History from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Jonathan Carroll

Jonathan Carroll is an Associate Professor of Military History at the British Army’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Receiving his doctorate from Texas A&M University, Jonathan has taught courses on U.S. and European Military History, Leadership, Combat, and Command, Air Power in Contemporary Warfare, and U.S. Social and Political History from 1865 to the Present. A major focus of his teaching is the First and Second World Wars. He has taught at Texas A&M, the University of Wolverhampton, University of Birmingham, King’s College London, and the University of Buckingham.

A native of the Republic of Ireland, and an avid violinist and sci-fi fanatic, Carroll served for 12 years in the Irish Army. In 2023, he published his first book on contemporary Irish defence. His second, God’s Work in Hell: Nation-building and Counterinsurgency in Somalia, 1992-1995, is the first military history of the U.S. and UN military intervention in Somalia from 1992-1995. Known primarily for the 15-hour Battle of Mogadishu, the “Black Hawk Down” incident, it is due for publication in 2025. He is currently working on his third book focusing on the Bosnian War.

In his spare time he wanders the battlefields of Europe in search of new stories to tell and has a particular interest in the Allied Airborne and Amphibious operations in the European Theater of the Second World War.

Erik Flint, Lt. Col (retired)

Erik Flint is an experienced historian who specializes in the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation. In 2022, Flint retired as a lieutenant colonel after spending 35 years as both an enlisted United States Marine and U.S. Army officer. During his time in uniform, Flint served throughout the world, including deployments to Iraq as a U.S. Special Operations Combat Historian and as a faculty member of the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Flint has commanded Army organizations at all levels, from infantry rifle squad to platoon, company, and battalion.

From 2015 to 2024, Flint worked for the U.S. Army Center of Military History as the Director of the Lewis Army Museum on board Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State. He continues to serve the soldiers and military family members as a museum volunteer and director emeritus.

Flint holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in International Land Warfare Studies from American Military University. He resides in Tacoma, Washington, where he volunteers with a number of local history and heritage organizations.

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World War II

World war ii tours, choose from three exciting world war ii tours.

Our WWII guided tours include Normandy, Berlin and Battle of the Bulge. Click on the name of a tour below to reveal more information about each tour.

On June 6, 1944, the picturesque coast of Normandy became the scene of the largest and most complex military operation in world history. On that day alone over 130,000 Allied soldiers, supported by over 6,000 ships and 12,000 aircraft, attacked beaches whose names have become legendary; while 24,000 more troops entered the battle by glider and parachute.

Over the next eleven weeks, fierce combat raged across a once-bucolic Normandy landscape. By the end of the battle in August, the Allies had won a key success that would put them on the road to eventual victory over Nazi Germany.

Come with us and visit the places where brave men fought for freedom, and where the history of the world was changed forever.

Click here for Normandy tour details to learn whats included, travel information, and to get a glimpse of some of the many places we will visit during our tour. 

We are pleased to announce that we are again offering a tour of ‘Battlefield Berlin.’ Our weeklong visit will primarily focus on three crucial aspects of the city’s recent past. You will walk the same streets as some of the most detestable villains of the modern age as we discuss Berlin’s role as capital of the Third Reich and witness the legacy of their crimes at places like Sachsenhausen concentration camp. As that regime collapsed, the city became a battlefield. There, in the last days of April 1945, teenage boys and old men fought the Red Army street by street while their Führer issued orders to long-destroyed units from his underground bunker just off Wilhelmstrasse and a terrified civilian populace merely tried to survive.

Click here for tour details to learn whats included, travel information, and to get a glimpse of some of the many places we will visit during our tour. 

The Battle of the Bulge was the largest engagement ever fought by the United States Army, and it resulted in the defeat of Germany’s last reserves. The war in Europe would end less than four months later.

Our most recent tour concluded on October 24th 2015. Visit our Battle of the Bulge page here for a recap and slideshow of our recent tour. Please  Contact us for upcoming tour dates.

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Discover Normandy

During World War II, Normandy was one of the pivotal battlegrounds that gained global significance. On June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, the Allied forces landed in Normandy to launch an invasion on the European mainland and combat the German occupiers. The Allied troops landed on various beaches along the Normandy coast, including Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach. Operation Overlord, as it was known, was the largest amphibious landing operation in history and marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi rule. The battles were highly intense, with the Allies facing strong German defensive lines and bunker systems. The casualty rates were high, but the determination of the Allies ultimately led to success. The Normandy landings set in motion a series of further offensives that eventually led to the collapse of the Nazi regime. Today, the beaches of Normandy serve as important memorials, commemorating the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of Europe. Normandy has become a symbol of bravery, unity, and liberation from war, attracting visitors from around the world who wish to learn about the history and significance of this pivotal moment in World War II.

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• Location Normandy, France
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11 Day Battlefield Tour of UK, Belgium and France

11 days, 3 countries and 11 cities

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10 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

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Travel to the front lines of Europe, where brave soldiers once fought for freedom. On this epic battlefield tour through the countryside of Britain, Belgium and France, you’ll explore the tragedy and triumph of two World Wars.

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11 days itinerary trip from London to Paris visiting 3 countries and 11 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore London and Paris

Discover  Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, Rouen, Normandy and the Somme Region 

Visit the Imperial War Museum in London, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Amiens Cathedral, military cemeteries throughout northern France and Belgium, the Australian National Memorial, the Caen Memorial, WWI & WWII Battlefields, the Dunkirk War Museum and evacuation beaches, and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele

View Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower, Saint-Sulpice church and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Menin Gate in Ypres

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optional Experiences and free time

Eurostar high-speed train from London to Brussels

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Frequently asked questions

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A departure is shown as 'Definite Departure' once it has reached a minimum number of guests. That particular departure will definitely run, barring any extraordinary circumstances. We update these regularly, and you can book any departure. While it is highly unlikely a departure doesn't meet the minimum number of guests, you will be offered the best alternative dates or a full refund of any payment made if this is the case. If there are ever any changes to your departure, we will contact you.

How can I book flights for my tour? What about extra hotel nights?

You can add flights and extra hotel nights directly through Trafalgar, so that everything is taken care of, leaving you to relax and enjoy your tour. If you're booking online, once you've selected your travel dates and room type, you'll be offered an option to add extra hotel nights and flights. Alternatively, you can call us to book and one of our travel experts can advise on your options.

How much is the deposit for a Trafalgar tour?

On most of our departures, you can secure your trip today with a low deposit from just $200.

What are the different kinds of experiences available?

Each Trafalgar tour has a carefully-selected range of included experiences to help immerse yourself in a destination. But did you know that every tour also has a Be My Guest and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience? Be My Guest Experiences are the original local travel experience, letting you step into the lives of hosts who will share stories about their families and communities. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences that give back to the local communities, which support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our tours also include a selection of Optional Experiences which are available for an additional cost, allowing you to make your trip your own.

Can I join a Trafalgar tour as a solo traveller?

A guided tour is the perfect way to solo travel. You'll meet like-minded people traveling with Trafalgar, and you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease, forming genuine connections as you go. To find out more solo room types and pricing select your preferred departure date and continue to the next page.

Where can I find room options?

Once you've selected your preferred departure date, on the next step add the number of guests to review the available room options and find the one that suits you best.

How can I apply my past guest discount?

It's great to have you back on board - the loyalty of our guests means everything to us. To access your Global Tour Rewards discount, please confirm the name and date of your past trip once you've added your passenger details. The discount will be applied before you book.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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Watch to Learn More About Normandy American Heroes

Tailor-made tours of the U.S. Army's WWII European campaign

Walk in the footsteps of heroes.

Explore the rich history of WWII on a tour that has been designed just for you. Our international team of experts will plan a private experience for your group based on your bucket list, your unique interests in culture, history, art, music and gastronomy, and your travel experience and preferences.

On our custom tours, there are no restrictions on your time spent abroad. We can travel from the United Kingdom to Morocco, France to Germany, Italy to Finland, Luxembourg to Austria, Belgium to Czechoslovakia, and beyond—all in first-class accommodations.

Make your next holiday an unforgettable adventure where luxury meets history, as you walk the hallowed paths of heroes.

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Surprise European Tour

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Full-Time Escort & Historian

Our founder Rudy Passera provides unparalleled knowledge, qualifications, & experience

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Sit back in first-class comfort, as you enjoy air conditioning and Wi-Fi in between tour stops

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Relax from the moment you arrive. Transportation provided on the first and last day of tours.

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Decompress from the day in private rooms at refined, stylish hotels in every town (free Wi-Fi included)

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Explore breathtaking places, from the Roman city of Bath to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna

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Choose your activity level, from full days of walking tours to a more balanced blend of walking and rest

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Enjoy delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of your tour, for a full sensory experience

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Enrich your tour with curated, emotionally moving museum experiences at no additional cost

All of our European private tours are fully customizable based on your preferences.

Why Tour With Rudy?

Rudy Passera is the founder of Normandy American Heroes, and serves as the guide for private group tours. To Rudy, historical tours are his business—but they mean much more than that. He intends for Normandy American Heroes tours to be a bridge between Europe, the U.S. and its allies, providing lessons that we all must learn from.

Rudy is the the only Interpretive Guide who has worked both for the Normandy American Cemetery/La Pointe du Hoc and the Utah Beach Museum. He has also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the International Commemoration at Utah Beach since 2015.

There is no one better than Rudy to have by your side as you experience the true meaning of courage, competence and devotion to duty as demonstrated by the heroes of WWII.

“There’s never a week that passes that we don’t recall something Rudy told us or showed us, Donavon and I obviously needed a longer tour or perhaps a repeat."

Submit the form on this page to download a tour brochure. Someone from our team will be in touch ASAP.

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Wwii D-day Landing Beaches & Battle Of Normandy

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1. Choose your dates

With Pegasus Battlefield Tours you are not tied to specific tour dates. You are in complete control so you can arrange your personalised battlefield tour at your own convenience.

2. Choose your tour

Once you have your dates in mind choose from our wide selection of subjects and we will tailor the tour to suit your interests. Multi-day tours are established by assembling a string of tours and applying a discount. Or maybe you want to follow a particular unit or relative? We can discuss all your requirements.

3. Meet your battlefield guide

My name is Gary Weight and I will be your personal battlefield guide. I will lead you on a historical journey, bringing to life the battles of World War I and World War II. Stand on the very battlefields the action took place. Read more about Gary here .

4. Follow in the Footsteps

With pin-point accuracy you will follow in the footsteps of the brave men and women of World War I and World War II. As a result of our extensive resources, your educational journey will be charged with pride, respect and emotion.

You can manufacture weapons and you can purchase ammunition, but you can't buy valor and you can't pull heroes off an assembly line - Sgt John B. Ellery US 1st Infantry Division

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Ready to discuss your battlefield tour?

“Dear Gary A brief email to thank you for such an excellent and well structured tour of the Normandy landings and penetration from the beachhead. The depth and detail of the information you gave us was exceptional and all the action was vividly brought to mind. Have already recommended you to friends! Regards John Roberts”

Adam Roberts Group - UK

“Dear Gary, Thanks ever so much for the wonderful tour. I will fondly remember following my father’s footsteps for the rest of my life.  Your special preparations were above and beyond what I had expected. I will be sending you some additional things when we return home. Best regards, Bruce.”

Father landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day with the US 29th Infantry Division

Bruce Beyer Family - USA

“Thank you Gary, you were incredibly knowledgeable and patient with my family. You provided an incredible background and understanding to our experience. Thank You again – The Shackelford Family.”

John Shackleford Family Group - USA

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16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe

NORMANDY, FRANCE

The Higgins boat monument at Utah Beach

Colleville-sur-mer, france.

The American Cemetery near Omaha Beach honors over 9000 fallen soldiers

Paris, france.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue

Amsterdam, the netherlands.

Quaint row houses line the canals of this influential city

Antwerp, belgium.

The main city square is lined with 16th-century Flemish Guildhouses

Dachau, germany.

The memorial at Dachau Concentration Camp was designed by Holocaust survivor Nandor Glid

Munich, germany.

Get a taste of Oktoberfest all year round at the Hofbräuhaus beer hall

Caen, france.

The Caen Peace Memorial & Museum

Nuremberg, germany.

The colossal Congress Hall was built to seat the Nazi Party congress

Rhine river, germany.

This legendary waterway is lined with castle ruins, vineyards, and romantic villages

Pricing disclaimer.

16-day tour through Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and France, revisiting the dramatic history of World War II at famous battle sites, war museums, and memorials. This journey offers scenic and cultural highlights. Contemplate the past at Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds and the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp. Listen to the Glockenspiel chime in Munich’s main square, tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg, and explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge.” Enjoy a scenic Rhine River boat ride past castles and vineyards, and see firsthand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Experience a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam and tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery. Join us for an unforgettable journey through history and culture! Highest Elevation : 2,500 feet in the Apline Village of Austria.

Tour Year 2024

Tour itinerary.

DAY 1 - Overnight flight to Europe.

The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in and for your arrival in Europe. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport – Bavaria.

Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . Nuremberg - Bavaria.

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center (visit the temporary exhibit during the 2023 renovations).  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Tyrolean Village.

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your tour manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your hotel. Your Alpine Village offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular mountain scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Ulm – Bad Herrenalb.

After breakfast, travel to Ulm to view the imposing Ulm Minster with the tallest church steeple in the world. This afternoon, make a stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel, the German general who was forced to commit suicide when Hitler suspected him of treason. End the day with a buffet dinner at your hotel in Bad Herrenalb, on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Trier.

Follow a scenic route through the Alsace Region and the Vosges Mountains. This area was the site of heavy fighting in the fall of 1944. You will make a stop at Lorraine’s American Cemetery in St. Avold, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The afternoon is reserved for a tour of Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line, which was constructed between the world wars as a defense against any future German invasions. Your hotel for the next two nights will be in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, located near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier.

The morning stop is at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Patton is buried. Continue into the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne to view the star-shaped Mardasson Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Battle of Ardennes. You will also see the fox holes used by Easy Company, whose stories inspired the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Your travels this afternoon take you to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Trier's famous Porta Nigra provides an intriguing backdrop for your independent dinner before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 9 - GERMANY . . Rhine River – Remagen – Rhine-Ruhr Region.

Motor to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River where you will board a river steamer for a boat ride past endearing villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards known for producing the distinctive Rhine wines. Continue through the Rhine River Valley to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last standing bridge on the Rhine, which was captured by U.S. soldiers on March 7, 1945. By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr region hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 - HOLLAND . . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your South Holland hotel for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit begins with a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 12 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & FRANCE . . Caen.

Today consists of a full day of travel from Holland to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - FRANCE . . Normandy Landing Beaches – Caen.

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Visit Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum before continuing to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - FRANCE . . Caen – Paris.

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides additional impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 - FRANCE . . Paris.

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

DAY 16 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.

Transfer to the Paris Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

Travel Time

Overnight flight from the U.S.A. to Frankfurt.

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport . Meet your tour manager, board your deluxe motor coach and travel (1¾ hrs) through the Franconian Wine Region . After a rest stop, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel located in the festive state of Bavaria for a "Welcome to Europe" dinner. ( Dinner )

During an introductory sightseeing (1 hr), experience the history of Nuremberg and view the site of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the Congress Hall, and the Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Return (½ hr) to your hotel in Bavaria  for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Alpine Village.

Depart Nuremburg (1¼ hrs) and after a morning stop travel (1¼ hrs) to Dachau Concentration Camp . In the afternoon continue (½ hr) to the elegant Bavarian capital of Munich . Depart Munich in the late afternoon and head south (2 hrs) to an Alpine Village hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Alpine Village.

Enjoy a day of leisure or join your tour manager for the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle's Nest with Dinner  excursion, including a guided visit to Hitler's mountain hide-a-way (1 hr), sightseeing in Salzburg (½ hr) and an authentic Austrian dinner (1 hr) before returning (1 hr) to your Alpine Village hotel. (Breakfast)

Return to Germany (2 hrs) and after a morning stop proceed (1½ hrs) to Ulm for an independent lunch and views of the imposing Ulm Minster. Next, travel (1 hr) to the Rommel Memorial. Continue (2¼ hrs) to Bad Herrenalb , on the northern edge of Germany's Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Igel.

Follow a scenic route (1¾ hrs) through the Alsace Region and Vosges Mountains. On to (1 hr) Lorraine's American Cemetery, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. From here continue (1 hr) to Fort Hackenberg , part of the Maginot Line. After a visit, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier – Igel.

It's a short ride (¾ hr) to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg . Drive (1½ hrs) through the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne . In the afternoon travel (¾ hr) to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch . Transfer (1 hr) to Trier , the oldest city in Germany, for an independent dinner before returning (¼ hr) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast)

In the morning, travel (2 hrs) to the legendary Rhine for a boat ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. After disembarkation, proceed to Remagen (1 hr) to view the Ludendorff Bridge. Continue (1¼ hrs) to your hotel in the Rhine-Ruhr Region . (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cross the border (2¼ hrs) on the way to Nijmegen to focus on the sites significant to WWII liberation efforts in the Netherlands. Visit (½ hr) one of the local museums before traveling (1½ hrs) through the Dutch countryside to your South Holland hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1½ hrs) to Amsterdam where a boat ride through the canals is followed by ample free time. In the evening, return (1½ hrs) to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

A full day of travel. Head south (1¾ hrs) into Belgium to visit the historic town of Antwerp . After free time in Antwerp, drive (2 hrs) to a lunch break near the French/Belgian border. Continue (2¼ hrs) to an afternoon stop in northwestern France. Just before dinner time, arrive (2 hrs) at your hotel in Caen . (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches , including a visit to Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum and stops at Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and Arromanches (travel time between stops varies from ¼ hr to ¾ hr). Short transfer (½ hr) back to Caen . (Breakfast)

Transfer (¼ hr) to the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum for a visit and then continue (½ hr) onto the Pegasus Bridge. Stop for lunch (1¾ hrs) in the French countryside on the way (1¾ hrs) to Paris . Spend the evening in the Montmartre District, an ideal place for your independent dinner (¼ hr). (Breakfast)

A full day for individual exploration (¾ hr transfer in each direction) of Paris , during which you may wish to join the optional Seine River Cruise excursion. This evening, join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” at an authentic Parisian bistro. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1 hr) to Paris Charles de Gualle Airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)

Favorite Traveler Experiences

•   View Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds with solemn contemplation
•   Examine the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Listen to the chiming of the Glockenspiel on Munich’s main square
•   Tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg
•   Explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge”
•   Glide past castles and vineyards on a scenic Rhine River boat ride
•   See first hand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris
•   Take a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery
•   Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class or First Class hotels
•   14 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners in addition to any in-flight meals
•   Tour Manager for the full European duration of the tour
•   Land Transportation in Europe by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
•   Image Tours Touroclopedia® trip preparation tips
•   Trip Documents with luggage tags, final details and travel guidance

Traveler Reviews

Kenneth & tammie j., andrew & jean b., paul & tammy k..

The Availability, Departure Dates, and Rates are for illustration and planning purposes only. Since final pricing and single availability can only be confirmed with a travel agent, steps 4 & 5 of this on-line booking module is reserved for your travel agent only. (Please Call) indicates that we still have some tour availability; however, you should have your travel agent call our office to confirm air availability.

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Upcoming departures, sep 04, 2024, sep 19, 2024, $4,940 p.p.d.o., sep 11, 2024, sep 26, 2024, may 07, 2025, may 22, 2025, $4,990 p.p.d.o., jun 11, 2025, jun 26, 2025, sep 03, 2025, sep 18, 2025, oct 01, 2025, oct 16, 2025, tour hotels.

NH Collection Nürnberg City

• Air Conditioning
• Satellite TV
• In-Room-Safe

Seminaris Hotel Nuremberg

• satellite TV
• in-room safe
• fitness center

Landhotel Kirchenwirt

• wellness area

Parkhotel Luise Bad Herrenalb

• indoor swimming pool
• safety deposit box at reception

Vienna House Easy Trier

NH Hotel Capelle

• air conditioning
• in room safe

Van der Valk hotel Ridderkerk

Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre

• restaurants

Holiday Inn Express - Canal de la Villette

• internet center

Optional Excursions

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS DETAILS

Our tours are carefully planned to offer a comfortable balance of sightseeing, entertainment and leisure time. Optional Excursions provide the flexibility to choose between leisure time or additional guided sightseeing activities. Unless otherwise noted, optional excursions must be booked with and paid to your tour manager during the tour. Prices are in U.S. Dollars. MASTERCARD®, VISA®, or DISCOVER® (no other credit cards are accepted) are recommended to avoid carrying excessive cash and exchange rate fluctuations. You must be able to present the actual card to your tour manager. If you bring a DISCOVER® card, also bring a VISA® or MASTERCARD®, as DISCOVER® is not widely accepted in Europe. Cash payments during the tour must be in Euros. Personal checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted. The operation of all excursions is subject to sufficient participation, and some excursions are subject to favorable weather conditions. Your tour manager reserves the right to make changes or cancel excursions at their sole discretion.

SALZBURG & EAGLE'S NEST WITH DINNER

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, we will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. After an independent lunch, become acquainted with nearby Salzburg, famous home of the “Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant.

SEINE RIVER CRUISE

Glide along the Seine River by boat, while viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and several other impressive sights in Paris. This excursion provides for excellent photo opportunities.

Tour Extensions

Paris post-tour extension, paris and london post-tour 3-night extension, tour year 2025.

Today begins your World War II Memorial Tour of Europe adventure. The Image Tours "Departure Instructions" will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center. Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your Tour Manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your Tyrolean Village hotel, which offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular alpine scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 10 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, see sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your hotel, in the region of Holland, for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit includes a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today consists of a full day of travel from The Netherlands to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église: the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Continue to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history, including those following World War II. Your Tour Manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

•   Examine the sobering exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Take a boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour Manager for the full duration of the tour within Europe
•   Trip Documents with final details and travel guidance

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, joined by a local guide, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, your Tour Manager will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. Return to Austria to become acquainted with Salzburg, famous home of “The Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant before returning to your hotel.

16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe Map

During World War II, the Liberation of Paris Saved the French Capital From Destruction

Adolf Hitler wanted Paris razed. Dwight D. Eisenhower wanted his troops to stay out of the city. In August 1944, an uprising by French resistance fighters forced the Allies to intervene

Erick Trickey

The square outside Notre-Dame Cathedral, usually empty early on a Saturday morning, filled with hundreds of policemen on August 19, 1944, all of them converging on the fortress-like Prefecture of Police headquarters. A flag unfurled atop the building: the blue, white and red French tricolor, banned by Paris’ German occupiers and last flown officially four years prior. The French police, on strike against the occupation, had returned, this time in revolt. Paris’ uprising against the Nazis had begun.

Across the City of Light , gunfire crackled as Frenchmen hunted and shot German soldiers. Here and there a car roared by, painted with the letters FFI, an abbreviation for the French Forces of the Interior , a coalition of resistance fighters. American and British troops, who’d invaded Normandy two months earlier, were pushing the German Army east, but they were still 150 miles away from the French capital. Parisians rose up to avenge France’s 1940 defeat by the Nazis and their subsequent years of oppression, hoping to liberate the city themselves.

The risk was huge, the decision contentious. Some resistance leaders had feared starting a bloodbath and provoking German reprisals that might destroy the city. Their fears were justified. Just a few weeks earlier, Adolf Hitler had ordered Dietrich von Choltitz , his top general in Paris, to “stamp out” any insurrection “without pity.” Since then, Choltitz had also received orders to destroy Paris’ waterworks and power plants, as well as dozens of bridges over the River Seine: historic landmarks, from the centuries-old Pont Neuf to the stunning Pont Alexandre III .

As Paris’ revolt grew, Hitler’s orders to Choltitz escalated. On August 20, the Nazi leader demanded “the widest destruction possible” in the city. On August 23, Hitler dictated another order. “Paris must not fall into the hands of the enemy,” read the führer’s cable to Choltitz, “or, if it does, he must find there nothing but a field of ruins.”

Why didn’t the German Army destroy Paris, as Hitler wanted? The answer is surprisingly simple: Because the Paris uprising forced Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower ’s hand.

Eisenhower hadn’t planned to liberate Paris, but rather to encircle it so he could use the Allies’ limited fuel to drive Hitler’s armies back to the German border. The Paris uprising made the American general “damned mad,” he later told Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, authors of the 1965 nonfiction book Is Paris Burning? It was “just the kind of a situation I didn’t want, a situation that wasn’t under our control, that might force us to change our plans before we were ready for it,” Eisenhower said.

On August 20, Free French leader Charles de Gaulle , anxious to get to Paris and claim leadership over liberated France, arrived in Normandy and visited Eisenhower’s advance headquarters, located in an apple orchard in Granville, near Mont-Saint-Michel on the Atlantic coast. The supreme commander met de Gaulle in his map tent. Tapping the charts with a pointer, he explained the United States Army’s plans to surge around and past Paris.

“Why cross the Seine everywhere but Paris?” de Gaulle asked . He urged Eisenhower to reconsider. Liberating the capital was a matter of national importance to France, de Gaulle argued. He warned that the communists , a major force in the Paris resistance, might try to take over the city. Eisenhower told de Gaulle it was too early, concerned, he later recalled, that “we might get ourselves in a helluva fight there.”

Meanwhile, back in Paris, the 2,000 police inside the Prefecture had used Molotov cocktails to thwart an attack by three German tanks. A fragile cease-fire, negotiated by the Swedish consul in Paris, saved the French police just as their pistol and rifle ammunition was about to run out.

Resistance fighters erected around 600 street barricades —made of paving stones, trees, carts and sandbags—to stall and harass German troops. They seized government buildings, including the Hôtel de Ville (the city hall), where they pulled down a bust of Philippe Pétain , the French leader who’d collaborated with the Nazis, and replaced it with a portrait of de Gaulle. Uncensored newspapers appeared, their headlines celebrating Parisians’ fight: “France is resurrected!” “Paris wins its freedom.” “The Allies are approaching.” But the poorly armed resistance couldn’t push the Germans out of their strongholds around the city. According to Julian Jackson’s France: The Dark Years, 1940-1944 , 901 FFI members and 582 French civilians died in the fighting.

Communist resistance leader Henri Rol-Tanguy sent an emissary, Roger Gallois , west through the war’s front lines to ask the Americans to airdrop arms. But as Gallois slipped across the German lines on August 22, he decided to urge the Allies to send troops instead. The insurrectionists could not liberate the city alone, a worried Gallois told American commanders; they would be killed if Allied soldiers didn’t arrive soon.

That same day, Choltitz sat in the German Army headquarters in Paris’ Hotel Meurice, struggling with his conscience. Hitler’s military operations chief, Alfred Jodl , had just repeated his orders to demolish Paris’ industry and the Seine’s bridges—orders that Choltitz had stalled rather than carry out. Choltitz had seen Hitler in person in Germany just weeks earlier, and the führer’s ragged condition and spittle-flecked rants about “final victory” had convinced him of two things: first, that the Nazi chief was falling apart fast, and second, that Germany would lose the war.

Choltitz calculated that his 22,000 troops in Paris weren’t enough to stop a general uprising. He knew that the German high command was planning to withdraw more forces eastward. Paris would eventually fall to the Allies. So why destroy it? “To defend Paris against an enemy, even at the cost of its destruction, was a militarily valid act,” wrote Collins and Lapierre. “But wantonly [ravaging] the city for the sole satisfaction of wiping one of the wonders of Europe from the map was an act without military justification.”

To defuse the situation, Choltitz turned to Swedish Consul Raoul Nordling , a neutral diplomat. He told Nordling that Hitler had ordered him to destroy large parts of the city. If he ignored the demands much longer, he feared he would be relieved of command. The German general asked Nordling to pass a message to the Allied enemy: Come to Paris quickly. Emissaries, including Nordling’s own brother, headed west and crossed the front lines, with Choltitz’s permission.

Also on August 22, Eisenhower changed his mind about protecting the French capital. De Gaulle’s arguments had stuck with him. “It looks now as if we’d be compelled to go into Paris,” Eisenhower wrote to his chief of staff that evening, scribbling on the top of a letter from de Gaulle. He ordered a Free French division toward the capital. “Information indicated that no great battle would take place,” Eisenhower recalled in his 1948 memoir, Crusade in Europe .

What influenced Eisenhower’s decision besides de Gaulle? Some sources, like Collins and Lapierre , credit Gallois’ personal plea to U.S. commanders. Others, including Charles Williams ’ 1993 biography of de Gaulle, note that the U.S. Army’s G-2 intelligence division had told the Allied commander that the situation in Paris was worsening and that the Germans might counterattack.

“ [General Omar] Bradley and his G-2 think we can and must walk in,” Eisenhower wrote to his chief of staff. And though Nordling’s emissaries didn’t reach the American commanders until August 23, de Gaulle biographer Don Cook later wrote that a diplomatic cable from Nordling had reached Eisenhower via London, predicting that a quick advance would lead to a German surrender.

On August 25, 1944—80 years ago this week—the Free French Second Armored Division rolled into Paris, with the American Fourth Infantry Division close behind. Rapturous crowds jammed the streets to greet the Allies, who encountered “15 solid miles of cheering, deliriously happy people waiting to shake your hand, to kiss you, to shower you with food and wine,” as a U.S. Army major recalled.

French and German tanks exchanged fire on the Champs-Élysées and fought around the Jardin des Tuileries . The French troops reached the nearby Hotel Meurice , where Choltitz surrendered after a short firefight. The general spent the next several hours convincing German holdouts around the city to lay down their arms. The French division liberated the capital, losing around 100 to 150 soldiers. “Is Paris burning?” Hitler ranted inside his military headquarters. It wasn’t.

That night, Parisians and American and French troops celebrated all across the city. One U.S. soldier quoted by Collins and Lapierre ended up at “a café where everything was free, the French were wild with joy, the women danced on the piano tops, [and] we all got high and kept singing the ‘Marseillaise’ even though we didn’t know the words.”

The next day, August 26, de Gaulle led a parade from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Élysées. Paris was liberated—and saved.

When Choltitz died in 1966, the Associated Press called him “a central figure in saving Paris from destruction.” Eisenhower biographer Jean Edward Smith , meanwhile, wrote that “Paris was saved” by the actions of several leaders, including Choltitz, who “disobeyed the führer’s instruction to demolish the city; … de Gaulle, who steadfastly exerted every ounce of influence as president of the provisional government to save Paris; and Eisenhower, who rejected textbook military doctrine and let common sense prevail.” He added, “When confronted with the most important decision of his career to that point, [Eisenhower] made it without flinching.”

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Erick Trickey | | READ MORE

Erick Trickey is a writer in Boston, covering politics, history, cities, arts and science. He has written for Politico  magazine, Next City , the Boston Globe , Boston  magazine and Cleveland m agazine.

Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 30-Sept. 1

1. Riverfest and WEBN Fireworks

Celebrate the final days of summer with an all-day party that culminates in one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest. The family-friendly festival takes place on both sides of the Ohio River and includes food, live music and entertainment. The fireworks, provided by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks, are set off from barges in the middle of the river at 9:05 p.m. with a music soundtrack simulcast on radio station WEBN 102.7 FM.

Details: noon-10 p.m., Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown; and Festival Park, 100 Riverboat Row, Newport and Covington Plaza, 144 Madison Ave., Covington. cincinnati-oh.gov ; newportonthelevee.com .

2. Ohio Renaissance Festival

This immersive festival will transport you back in time to a re-created 16th century English village, where you'll encounter over 150 costumed characters and be entertained by dueling swordsmen, daring fire jugglers and even a full-armored jousting tournament. There are also numerous unique shops throughout the sprawling village, master artisans demonstrating timeless arts like glassblowing, leather crafting and weaving, fun games of skill, human-powered rides for the littles, and dozens of food and beverage options.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Details: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Monday, Renaissance Park, 10542 State Route 73, Harveysburg. Runs weekends Aug. 31-Oct. 27. $32-$38, $10-$12 ages 5-12. Renfestival.com .

3. 1940s Day

Another time-traveling immersive event this weekend spotlights the decade of classic cars, big band music, swing dancing and a war that reshaped the world. Inside and outside Union Terminal you can enjoy live reenactments of radio programs and history-inspired cooking demonstrations, take part in the costume contest and hear firsthand stories of hope, resilience and survival. The Omnimax Theater will be screening "D-Day: Normandy 1944" throughout the day, you can take tours of historic Union Terminal, and on the Concourse you can step back in time with Kinetic Vision's virtual reality experience.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Included with museum admission: $22.50, $15.50 seniors and children. Cincymuseum.org/1940sday .

4. Lunken Airport Aviation Days

This free, family-friendly festival gives you the chance to see a variety of historic aircraft on display, as well as a classic car show behind the terminal. There will also be military vehicles, big band music all day, reenactments, exhibitor booths, food trucks and the opportunity to take a ride in historic WWII aircraft B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey," and B-25 "Maid in the Shade." Helicopter rides will also be available. To book a flight in the B-17 or B-25, visit azcaf.org or call 480-462-2992.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave., East End. Free gate admission and parking. Warbird flights start at $375. Ground tours of the warbirds are $30 for a family of four, or $15 each. Warbirds.clubexpress.com .

5. Mum's the Word

Enjoy displays of fall blooms and a multitude of mums in fiery oranges, deep purples, soft pinks and creamy whites at the Krohn Conservatory's fall show.

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Aug. 31-Oct. 13. cincinnati-oh.gov .

6. Bluey’s Big Play: The Stage Show

When Dad feels like having a little Sunday afternoon relaxation, Bluey and Bingo have other ideas. This theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children's television series is brought to life through puppetry, live actors and iconic stage sets. It's based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, noon and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $48.75-up. Cincinnatiarts.org .

7. The Liberty Home Oktoberfest

Enjoy live music and dancing, authentic German food and desserts, a biergarten with German beer – including Paulaner, Ayinger, Kostritzer, Andechs and others – wiener dog races, bounce houses and games for kids, and a car show on Sunday.

Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Deutscher Hausverein, 2361 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton. Runs Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Free parking. Facebook.com/libertyhomeassociation .

8. Art After Dark: Finesse

Get an exclusive sneak peek at BlaCk OWned Outerwear's fall collection, enjoy music by DJ Prymetime, immersive experiences, and free admission to the museum's latest special exhibition The Culture: Hop Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. There's also a cash bar and food for purchase.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org .

9. KSO Summer Park Series: Pops, Inc.

Bring the whole family for an old-fashioned "pops" concert on the lawn as the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra celebrates the treasure trove of classics by composers Leroy Anderson, Richard Hayman, and Henry Mancini. Saturday's performance will be at Devou Park, 1201 Park Drive, Covington and Sunday's at Tower Park, 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. On Monday, the orchestra performs at Woodside Arboretum (1401 Woodside Blvd., Middletown). Shuttle service ($1 each way) is available for the Covington performance from the parking lot of Covington Catholic High School, 1600 Dixie Highway, Park Hills.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday. Free. kyso.org .

10. Tri-State Antiques Market

This market is a great source for collectors, renovators, decorators and those with an eye for the chic and unique to find vintage furnishings, decorative arts, jewelry, historical artifacts, architectural/industrial salvage and pop culture memorabilia. Early birds are welcome during vendor set-up at 6 a.m.

Details: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg. Admission: $5. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com .

Honorable mention: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

Spend a spooky evening delighting in the macabre at this interactive show and cocktail experience, where historians of Edgar Allan Poe – the American writer who pioneered the mystery and horror genres – retell four of his most infamous works of literature. Ages 21-up.

Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Thursday-Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, 20 Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. $55-$62. Edgarallanpoebar.com .