Normandy is one of the most historic places in France, and Europe, and visiting the region is truly eye-opening. If you want to learn more about the history of Normandy and the role that it played during WWII, taking a history tour is the best way to see the sites and learn about the war and lasting impacts of the war. These are the history tours that I recommend based on whether you’re traveling from Paris or Bayeux.
If you’re visiting the Normandy region, don’t miss…
- The Perfect 4 Day Normandy Road Trip
- Exploring Normandy’s WWII History: 5 Best Historic Sites Near Bayeux
- Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen, France
- A Weekend Trip to Mont Saint-Michel
Best Normandy History Tours (Traveling from Paris)
Normandy D-Day Beaches Day Trip
A touching day trip from Paris to Normandy to see the WWII D-Day landing beaches. You’ll get a guided tour of the most symbolic sites of the allied landings and visit the Normandy American Cemetery. Book your tour here.
- Visit Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains (for lunch), Juno Beach Memorial
- 14 hours
- English speaking tour guide
- Not included – lunch & hotel transfers
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
NORMANDY D-DAY BEACHES DAY TRIP
Normandy D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Hotel in Paris
Explore the best of Normandy’s D-Day beaches on a private tour from your hotel in Paris to Normandy, ending back at your hotel in Paris. Drive through the beautiful Normandy countryside and discover the region’s historic sites as well as its charming villages. Book your tour here on Get Your Guide or here on Viator.
- Visit Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and Normandy American Cemetery; possibility to customize tour
- English, Spanish, and French speaking tour guides
- 12 hours
- Not included – lunch, dinner, tip
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
NORMANDY D-DAY BEACHES PRIVATE TOUR FROM HOTEL IN PARIS
Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches and Full-Day Tour
Visit the D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy on a full-day tour from Paris. You’ll learn about events leading up to and during the allied invasion on June 6, 1944 while seeing the most famous memorial sites in the region. Book your tour here.
- Visit Longues-sur-Mer Battery, Omaha Beach, Overlord Museum, Pointe du Hoc, Normandy American Cemetery, plus a wine tasting
- English speaking tour guide
- 12 hours
- 8 people maximum
- Not included – food and tips
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
NORMANDY D-DAY LANDING BEACHES & FULL-DAY TOUR
Normandy Rouen, Honfleur, Étretat Day Trip
- Visit Pont-l’Évêque village for a calvados tasting, Honfleur, Étretat, and Rouen
- English speaking tour guide
- 13 hours
- 7 people maximum
- Not included – food and tips
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
NORMANDY ROUEN, HONFLEUR, ÉTRETAT DAY TRIP
Best Normandy History Tours (Traveling from Bayeux)
2-Hour Tour of D-Day Beaches by Vintage Sidecar
Riding in a vintage sidecar, you’ll visit Omaha Beach and its military cemetery, and travel the picturesque roads taken by soldiers on June 6, 1944. Book your tour here.
- Visit Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Longues-sur-Mer Battery, and Widestandsnest 62
- English & French speaking tour guides
- 2 hours
- Not included – food and tip
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
2-HOUR TOUR OF D-DAY BEACHES BY VINTAGE SIDECAR
Normandy D-Day Beaches Private Tour US Sector
When you book this tour, a local guide will take you on an emotional day through the D-Day sites. Learn more about D-Day and the history of WWII on this private tour. Book your tour here.
- Visit Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-l’Eglise, and more
- English & French speaking tour guides
- 8 hours
- Not included – lunch
- Free cancellation – full refund in cancelled 24-hours in advance
NORMANDY D-DAY BEACHES PRIVATE TOUR US SECTOR
Omaha and Band of Brothers Full-Day Tour
- Visit Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte Mère Eglise, Airborne Museum, Beuzeville-au-Plain, Marmion’s Farm, Brecourt Manor, Angoville-au-Plain, Drop Zone D, and Carentan
- English speaking tour guide
- 9 hours
- 13 people maximum
- Not included – food and hotel pickup/drop off
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
OMAHA AND BAND OF BROTHERS FULL-DAY TOUR
Omaha Beach, Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc Tour
Learn about the battle of Omaha Beach on a tour to Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc. You’ll see the bunkers and bomb craters of a WWII battlefield. Book your tour here.
- Visit Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc
- English speaking tour guide
- 4 hours
- 7 people maximum
- Not included – hotel pickup/drop off, food, and tip
- Free cancellation – full refund if cancelled 24-hours in advance
OMAHA BEACH, CEMETERY, AND POINTE DU HOC TOUR
France Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France
TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE
- The easiest way to book train tickets in France is through Omio
- To book a flight to France, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
- For car rentals in France, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through France – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN FRANCE
- To easiest way to book hotels in France is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN FRANCE
- For tours and activities in France, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in France, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in France, I recommend Take Walks
- For tickets to museums and attractions, I recommend Tiqets
WHAT TO BRING TO FRANCE
- Don’t forget a France guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (France uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
I hope that if you’re visiting France and considering a trip to Normandy, this post helps you. If you have any questions about tours in Normandy or visiting Normandy in general, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re visiting France, don’t miss…
- The Best France Packing List
- A Guide to Renting a Car in France
- Everything You need to Know About Planning a Trip to France
For more information on things to see and do in Normandy, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France” or “Normandy”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
