Follow in the footsteps of heroes
on our In The Footsteps®
Classic D-Day Tour
Our Classic D-Day Tour is based in Bayeux and you will visit the most significant sites of the Allied invasion that took place on 6th June 1944. Your battlefield historian will recount some of the events that took place and tell you some of the true stories behind the epic films and television series that have been made about that momentous day. You will visit the site of the real Brécourt Battery, of "Band of Brothers" fame; discuss the true story behind the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan"; and the many acts contained within the all-star film "The Longest Day". You will hear about acts of valour performed by the men who took part in the Allied landings and remember the fallen who gave their lives so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. You will follow in the footsteps of the heroes that shaped the world in which we live and defined modern civilisation.
Our Classic 3-days / 2-nights Tour of D-Day
Day 1: The American Airborne and UTAH Beach Areas
Our tour begins when we depart from your agreed pick-up point at 09:00 am. Our first stop of Day 1 is Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated. Here, your battlefield historian will discuss the exploits of the 82nd 'All American' and 101st 'Screaming Eagles' Airborne Divisions before taking you to the excellent Airborne Museum. It is then on to La Fière, the bridge and causeway that had been briefly in American hands on D-Day. That was changed by a moment of indecision and a three-day epic struggle to breakout across the base of the Cotentin Peninsula ensued. Here we discuss the many actions that took place, including that of Private First Class Charles DeGlopper who posthumously received the Medal of Honor.
We then head to Picauville to pay our respects to the US 9th Air Force and remember those who flew the C—47 Skytrains that delivered the American Airborne to their drop zones. It is then on to Hiesville where the gliders of the 101st Airborne Division landed and Brigadier-General Don Pratt met his untimely end, before heading to the Brécourt Battery where Lieutenant Dick Winters and the men of 'Easy' Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the Band of Brothers, destroyed the German guns.
From Brécourt we head toward UTAH Beach, stopping off at the Richard Winters Leadership Memorial on the way, before continuing to the beach where the US 4th Infantry Division came ashore. Here we discuss the actions of Brigadier-General Theodore Roosevelt Jr whose personal valour, courage and leadership on D-Day led to the award of the Medal of Honor.
Our final stop of Day 1 is at Le Cambé Germany Military Cemetery where, amongst others, the German Tank Ace Michael Wittmann is buried.
Day 2: Pointe-du-Hoc, OMAHA Beach, Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, New British Normandy Memorial, Musée du Débarquement Mulberry Harbour Museum and Longues-sur-Mer German Coastal Artillery Battery
Day 2 of our tour begins when we depart from your agreed pick-up point at 09:00 am. The first stop of the day is at Pointe-du-Hoc, the cliff top German Coastal Artillery Battery that was assaulted by Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder's 2nd Ranger Battalion.
We then head for the western end of OMAHA Beach at Vierville-sur-Mer where we discuss the landing by the US 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division and shed some light on the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. It is then on towards St Laurent-sur-Mer to discuss the landings of the US Rangers and tell you how they got their motto "Rangers lead the way".
We then head to the eastern end of OMAHA Beach to discuss the landing by the US 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st (Big Red One) Infantry Division. Here we explore the area where First Lieutenant Jimmie Monteith Jr of Company L, 16th Infantry Regiment carried out the actions that led to him being awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor before heading to the 1st Infantry Division's Memorial. Here we discuss the actions of two more American soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor, Technician 5th Grade John J Pinder Jr and Private Carlton William Barrett, and how the 'Big Red One' fought their way off the beach.
It is then on to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial where we visit the Memorial to remember those who died and have no known grave and the Cemetery to pay our respects to the fallen.
Our next stop is the new British Normandy Memorial near Ver-sure-Mer where we pay our respects before heading to Arromanches-les-Bains and the Musée du Débarquement. Here you learn about the artificial 'Mulberry' Harbours that were transported across the English Channel as part of the invasion and the Arromanches Mulberry, Port Winston, where a staggering 2.5 million men, half a million vehicles and 4 million tonnes of supplies were brought ashore to support the liberation of Northwest Europe.
Our final stop of the day is at the German Coastal Artillery Battery at Longues-sur-Mer, with its guns still in their casements and intact observation post looking out over the English Channel from the cliff top.
Day 3: The British and Canadian Beaches and Pegasus Bridge
Our final day is spent exploring the British and Canadian Beaches and the British Airborne area and begins when we depart from your agreed pick-up point at 09:00 am. Our first stop is at the British landing beach at Ver-sur-Mer where we discuss the landings at GOLD Beach and the actions of Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis, the only person to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on D-Day. We then head to the beach at Bernières-sur-Mer to discuss the Canadian landings at JUNO Beach before continuing to the beach at La Brèche to discuss the British landings at SWORD Beach.
From the British and Canadian beaches, we head to Bénouville, the site of the first action of D-Day, and its famous Pegasus Bridge. Here we discuss the glider borne coup de main operation by Major John Howard's D Company the 2nd Battalion the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry before giving you the option to take afternoon tea in the Café Gondrée, the very first house to be liberated, or visiting the nearby Mémorial Pegasus. We then take you to your agreed drop-off location, where your battlefield historian bids you farewell.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.
The cost of your tour
The typical cost of our 3-days / 2-nights Classic D-Day Tour is £850.00 GBP * per person.
This price per person are based upon:
- Two people sharing a twin/double room.
- A minimum of 4 people touring. If less than 4 people travelling we will produce a specific proposal for your consideration.
- Travel in a dedicate tour vehicle driven by our expert battlefield historian.
A supplement of £150.00 GBP * applies where single occupancy is required.
A supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated costs.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Standard Tour Terms and Conditions
* Costs may vary from those shown above due to availability and the selection of hotels and other associated costs, and variations in the exchange rate.
What your tour includes
- In-tour land travel only.
- 3-days escorted tour of the battlefields with one of our expert battlefield historians.
- Comprehensive touring of all the major battlefield sites, including many of the less frequently visited out-of-the-way sites.
- All museum admission fees.
- 2-nights accommodation at one of our 3-star partner hotels.
- The opportunity to visit specific cemeteries and graves within tour area (as agreed prior to your tour).
- The opportunity to discuss your battlefield travel plans with our expert team.
What your tour does not include
- Meals.
- Drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Gratuities.
Optional Extras
All of our tours can have optional extras added to them. We can, for example, add any of the following to your tour: -
- Transfer to the battlefield area.
- Ferry crossings or Eurostar from the UK.
- Accommodation the night before the tour.
- Accommodation the night night after the tour.
- Lunches.
- Full-board.
- All inclusive.
- Additional days.
Customising your tour
This classic tour has been designed to give a balanced view of the American or British Sectors. We can of course adjust the tour to concentrate on the American, British or Canadian landings, or even to follow in the footsteps of a particular unit or individual. These personalised tours are designed specifically for you so that you get to see what you want to see.
Where changes to the standard itinerary are made there may be an additional charge to cover any associated additional costs.
Financial Protection
We do not require a deposit† and will plan and organise your tour ready for your arrival without you having to spend a single penny.
Full payment for your tour is required eight weeks prior to your tour’s start date and even then, your money is safe. We are members ot the TTA and all monies paid to us are held in a trust account and
cannot be drawn down by us until the tour is over.
In addition, we guarantee that you will receive a full refund should your tour be cancelled due to Government imposed COVID restrictions.
† Group tours will require a deposit to meet the requirements of our partner hotels.
Why travel with In The Footsteps?
- We have over 16 years experience in designing and operating Private Battlefield Tours, Battlefield Studies and Staff Rides.
- Our team of battlefield historians have been selected for their experience, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to tell the story in an entertaining and engaging way. The majority are accredited members of the prestigious Guild of Battlefield Guides. This means they endeavour to maintain high levels of good practice commensurate with the Guild's ethos.
- We operate a full booking, planning and design service.
- Office is open 24-hours a day whilst the tour is operating.
- Combined Employers and Public Liability Insurance (a copy can be supplied upon request).
Enquire About Your D-Day Beaches of Normandy Tour Today
To enquire about your In the footsteps® Classic D-Day Tour click on the button which will take you to our Enquiry Form. On the form tell us that you want the Classic D-Day Tour and the dates you would like to travel.
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Page last updated: 6 January 2021.