Le Havre - Paris Private Tour Option 11

Bayeux Tapestry & D-Day Beaches

Starting from the pier in Le Havre

Tour Summary-
Type: D-Day History, Historic Monuments, Scenic Drive, WWII Memorial
Length: 9 Hours and 15 Minutes
Walking: Medium
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Licensed Guide
Languages: English
Prices: Scroll Down or Click here for Prices

Le Havre, France- This full day tour includes visits to the famous Bayeux Tapestry, plus sights related to the D-Day Landings, including the American Cemetery. After meeting your guide at the pier, you depart for Bayeux.

Bayeux, the former capital of the Bessin, was the first French town to be liberated by the Allies after D-Day. The town, fortunately, was not damaged during the war. The cathedral still keeps watch over the town and the Bayeux Tapestry presents its unique record of events of 1066 (from the rivalry between Harold and William to the conquest and final Norman victory).

The Bayeux tapestry is displayed in the William the Conqueror Center which is located in an impressive 18th century building which was a seminary until 1970. The famous tapestry is 230 feet long and about 3 feet high and is made of wool embroidered onto linen. On the tapestry the story of the Battle of Hastings and the events that led up to it are told in a series of 58 individual scenes, much like a comic book story. This is considered the most accurate and lively document to survive from the Middle Ages by providing detailed information about the clothes, ships, arms and general manners of the period.

Next, you drive to the town of Arromanches which was chosen by Winston Churchill as the location of a harbor to be built for the invasion. To build it, 300 foot long cement blocks were floated across the English Channel and sunk in place. Named Port Winston, this harbor and breakwater was over 7 miles long, and allowed the arrival of over 50,000 vehicles and 500,000 troops in just 6 days time. Today you can see the remains of the harbor from the beach, or get a better view from the bluffs above. While you are here, you enjoy a guided visit of the Landing Museum, which uses models and films to explain the landing operations.

Free time is included so you can enjoy lunch on your own. After lunch you drive to Colleville sur Mer and stop at the American Cemetery which is located just above Omaha Beach. This large park like cemetery was donated to the Americans by the French, and contains over 9000 white marble crosses and Star of David grave markers with the name and home state of each soldier who died on the beaches below while fighting the Germans.  A centerpiece of the cemetery is a memorial to those who lost there lives, and to the 1577 missing or unidentified soldiers. Look for this quote from a posted sign near the entrance:

"Visitor, Look how many of them there were.  Look how young they were.  They died for your freedom.  Hold back your tears and keep silent."

At the end of the day you return to the pier in Le Havre.

Tour Breakdown:
1- Meet guide and drive to Bayeux- 2 Hours
2- Guided visit of the Tapestry museum- 1 Hour
3- Drive to Arromanches- 15 Minutes
4- Guided visit of Landing Museum- 1 Hour
5- Free time for Lunch on your own- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
6- Drive to Colleville sur Mer- 30 Minutes
7- Visit American Cemetery- 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
8- Return to pier in Le Havre- 2 Hours

See More Options in this Port

Private Sightseeing Tours and Shore Excursions from Le Havre