Embark on a memorable shore excursion from Rouen Port of Call to the main Normandy landing beaches and D-Day sites, retracing the pivotal events of June 6, 1944 that led to the liberation of France. This private tour focuses on key locations of the American sector, with flexible pacing and in-depth commentary from your expert guide.
Pick Up at Rouen Cruise Port
In the morning, your English-speaking private guide meets you directly at your ship in Rouen. After a brief overview of the day’s itinerary, you board your comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and begin the scenic drive to the Normandy coastline. As you cross the countryside, your guide explains the objectives of Operation Overlord and how the beaches you will visit fit into the wider Battle of Normandy.
Omaha Beach Landing Area
Your first major stop is Omaha Beach, the deadliest of the American landing zones. Despite intense pre-landing bombardments, many German defenses remained intact, and troops and amphibious vehicles were often landed too far from shore. Walking along the sands and looking up at the bluffs, you learn how these factors, combined with strong enemy fire, led to heavy casualties and a battle that came close to failure before becoming a hard-fought success.
Pointe du Hoc (or Longues-sur-Mer Battery)
The tour also aims to include Pointe du Hoc, the dramatic cliff-top strongpoint between Utah and Omaha where U.S. Rangers carried out one of the most daring assaults of D-Day. Among bomb craters, bunkers, and shattered gun positions, your guide shows how vital this section of the Atlantic Wall was and why its capture became legendary.
⚠️ Please note: Due to road and construction works at Pointe du Hoc, access to the site may be limited in 2026 & 2027. If the site is closed, the visit will be replaced by the Longues-sur-Mer Battery, one of the best-preserved German coastal artillery positions in Normandy, with original guns, intact casemates and sweeping views over the Bay of the Seine.
Normandy American Cemetery
End the tour at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, established in June 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil during World War II. Overlooking the eastern end of Omaha Beach, this moving site honors thousands of U.S. servicemen who fell during the Battle of Normandy. You have time to walk among the impeccably aligned white crosses, visit the memorial, and explore the Visitor Center, which places the D-Day landings in their broader historical context.
After your visit, you return to Rouen for drop-off at your ship. The order of visits may vary depending on traffic and your preferences, and the itinerary can be customized within the available time for up to 8 guests per minivan. Throughout the day, your expert English-speaking driver-guide remains at your side to share insights, answer questions and ensure a comfortable, engaging discovery of Normandy’s D-Day sites.
