trips to normandy from uk

How to get to Normandy from UK: flight, ferry and tunnel options

Normandy is one of the closest overseas places to the UK and as such it’s a really popular destination for Brits. If you’re wondering how to get to Normandy from the UK then this post is for you as I’ll be detailing the options.

We’ve travelled a number of different ways when visiting Normandy and the North of France so I feel like I can give you a good run down of the choices available!

Whether you’re visiting the wondrous Mont St Michel, the historic city of Bayeaux with its tapestry, or making a pilgrimage to the D-Day beaches , Normandy promises and delivers a LOT!

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Our Top Pick

Best ferry to Normandy – Brittany Ferries

With the most options available to get you from the UK to the Normandy coast I highly recommend checking out Brittany Ferries

Table of Contents

When thinking about your trip to Normandy and how to travel there from the UK it will likely be determined by your starting point. Having grown up in Scotland, lived in the North of England and currently way down in the South West – I know it’s a bit different when it can take a lot longer for you to reach the south coast of England than for others!

I’ve also added in some options for flying to France and getting public transport as well which may well be of use to those who don’t relish a ferry trip or the long drive south to the ports!

Useful links:

• Brittany Ferries
• P&O Ferries
• AFerry (checks all operators)
• Trainline (for Eurostar and French trains)
• DiscoverCars – car rental comparison site

How to get to Normandy by Ferry or Channel Tunnel

Ferry is probably the most popular way to get to Normandy from the south of England because it can get you right in the heart of the region straight away.

I’ve also included the channel tunnel crossing here as it’s similar in where it departs and arrives from to the short ferry trips.

The following ferry ports are used to get to the Normandy region (distance and driving time to Caen in centre of Normandy in brackets) :

• Cherbourg (130km / 1 hour 30 mins)
• Saint Malo (170km / 2 hours) closer to Mont St Michel though!
• Caen/Ouistreham (16km / 20 mins)
• Le Havre (95km / 1 hour 15 mins)
• Dieppe (190km/ 2 hours)
• Calais (350km / 3 hours 40 mins)
• Roscoff (340km / 3 hours 45 mins)

Check the map above to see where they are and how close they might be to your destination.

Some ferries are overnight and some are a good 4 hour sailing time. If you don’t fancy a long sea trip you can also head to the short Dover-Calais route and drive from there (which is what we’ve done in the past).

A note about travelling with pets:

Many people will be wanting to take their pets on their Normandy trip. It’s worth checking what is available, especially if like us you have a nervous dog, before committing to a route.

Some ferries only allow dogs to stay in the car for the crossing, some have pet cabins. Some ferries also expect your dog to be muzzled when on board and outside of your vehicle.

The channel tunnel i s my preferred option with a dog (like I say, mine is nervous and would hate to be left in a car on a deck) as you stay in the vehicle for the duration. It does have a longer drive on the other side to get to Normandy mind you!

Good for travellers from London and the South West, or from the North. Well linked by public transport.

Portsmouth has the most options for ferries to Normandy from the UK and you have options to set sail every day to a number of ports. No matter what you’re doing in Normandy, you can arrive at a few different places along the coastline.

While you have a couple of options of destinations, it’s only one operator that sails from Portsmouth – Brittany Ferries .

• Ferry time – 8 hours (overnight)
• 2 sailings a week

Ouistreham / Caen

• Ferry travel time – 6 hours
• Up to three sailings per day
• Daytime or overnight sailings
• Ferry travel time – 11 hours
• Travels most days through the year
• Overnight sailings

A good option if you want a nice quick ferry trip that will get you in to the heart of Normandy coast.

• Poole – Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries)
• Ferry travel time – 4 hours 30 mins
• Daily morning sailings

Good for travellers in the South West and from Wales or those travelling down the M5 in the west.

If, like me, you’re living in the South West you might want to arrive in France in the west and explore from there. Plymouth does a sailing to Roscoff in Brittany which, is a little way from Normandy, but might be preferable to driving through the UK to a different port.

• Plymouth – Roscoff
• day time and overnight crossings
• up to 2 per day
• sailing time – 5 hours 30 mins (day), 11 hours (night)

Dover / Folkestone

Good for travellers in the South East or those who want the quickest crossing times.

There’s a lot to recommend travelling to Normandy via Calais. It’s a popular route, there’s a lot of options and cheap ferries and it’s quick. If you’re not keen on sailing then it’s a must! Although you might prefer the tunnel!

If you’re driving with pets this is my recommended route

The downside is that it’s a good distance to Normandy so you’ll need to be prepared for a decent drive on the other side.

• P&O – Dover to Calais
• DFDS – Dover to Calais (and also Dunkirk which is a little more east)
• Euro Tunnel – Folkestone – Calais

Good for travellers on the South East coast.

DFDS has a ferry to Dieppe from Newhaven. Its a short trip and gets you very close to the east of Normandy and Paris if that’s also a destination for you.

• Newhaven – Dieppe
• 4 hours sailing time
• up to 3 daily sailings in high season

How to get to Normandy from London

If you’re travelling from the city of London to Normandy you have a number of options. Of course, you could drive down to any of the ports listed above but you also have flight options (see below) and public transport options.

Whatever you choose you’ll be arriving in France in Paris and will need to make your way to Normandy from there.

Eurostar / Train

The Eurostar train is great way to get some distance under your belt quickly and without having to get on a ferry. It’ll get you into Gare du Nord and from there you can get the metro to Gare St Lazare for trains to Bayeux or Caen and many other places in Normandy.

The train from London to Paris is around 2 hours 40 mins and from Paris to Caen it takes another 2 hours.

I recommend having a look at Trainline where you can book the Eurostar but also trains in France as well. Train can be a good option from elsewhere in the UK too – we travelled it from Sheffield a couple of years ago.

Another option is to take a coach from London to Paris and from there either train or coach to Normandy.

Coaches to Paris from London normally go on the Dover-Calais ferry and onwards from there. Flixbus travels from Paris to Caen and takes around 3 hours.

You might also like: 3 day self drive tour of Normandy beaches

Flying from the UK to Normandy

If you really don’t want to waste time on ferries or travelling the length of the UK to get there then it’s worth exploring the idea of flying there.

There’s no direct flights to Normandy from the UK, but Paris is very close and has plenty of options.

It’s recommended to rent a car from the airport to explore Normandy to the fullest – check out DiscoverCars which will check out all options and compare them for you.

The following cities all have direct flights to Paris and from there you can make your way to Normandy:

I like to check out Skyscanner when planning flights to get the best options – always check which airport it will land at as Paris has a couple.

If you’re driving to Normandy it’ll take you from 2.5 – 3 hours to get to Caen, depending on which airport you start from.

If you’re looking to take public transport onwards to Normandy then train gives you the best options. You’ll need to travel into Paris first and then to the departing train station.

Kirsty Bartholomew

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• Battlefield Tours from London >

D-Day 81st Anniversary Tours from London to Normandy

Join our exclusive 81st Anniversary D-Day Tours from London and embark on a remarkable journey to Normandy. Experience the historic events that unfolded on the Calvados Coast on June 6, 1944, with our expertly crafted tours. Our small group tour runs between 5-8 June 2025, and our private tour dates to suit your requirements.

D-Day 81st Anniversary Tours

Our tour begins with a convenient pickup from London, followed by an introduction to the invasion and then a scenic ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Normandy. Our tours can accommodate up to 7 people and offer an intimate setting where you can either connect with fellow travelers who share a similar background, or you can opt to have a private tour of your own. Whether you’re American, British, Canadian, or from any other nation, we can customize the tours to bring together individuals with a common heritage, enhancing the camaraderie and depth of the experience.

Immerse yourself in the significant sites of the D-Day landings, including the iconic Sainte-Mère-Église, La Fière bridge and causeway, Brécourt Battery, UTAH Beach, OMAHA Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Longues-sur-Mer Battery, GOLD Beach, JUNO Beach, SWORD Beach, Pegasus Bridge, and the Café Gondrée. Accompanied by our expert Battlefield Historians, you’ll gain a profound understanding of the events that shaped history.

A special highlight is attending the commemorations that take place throughout Normandy and paying tribute to those who fought in the epic battle that changed the course of history and honoring their legacy.

Pricing & Further Information

To inquire about further details and availability, please use the inquiry form. Our dedicated team will be delighted to assist you in planning your unforgettable 81st Anniversary D-Day Tour.

Indicative prices as of June 2024.. 2025 hotel room rates and ferry rates have yet to be published.

Small Group Tour Indicative price £1698 GBP per person $ 2200 USD per person (indicative price in US dollars)

Private Tour Indicative price £2765 GBP per person based on two sharing one room. $3580 USD per person (indicative price in US dollars)

Normandy D-Day Memorial

terms and conditions

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Tours of Normandy

D-day with our in-depth tour.

Discover the most iconic sites involved in D-Day with our in-depth tour. We take you across the channel and onto the iconic beaches of Normandy, exploring the local areas and the pivotal roles they played in WW2.

You will stand on the iconic beaches  Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword. Visit and see where the British and US  airborn  operations took place.

The Tour in Detail

• We start our trip with a drive to Folkstone to take the Eurotunnel train 
• Under the channel to Calais (the train takes 35 minutes)
• We then drive through northern France across the great bridges over the river seine at le harve and down into Normandy
• We stop for comfort breaks, most of the route 3 hours is on the motorway
• Our first stop is Merville battery and the night assault story by the British 9th airborne on the night of the 6th of June. The museum and bunker complex are a story of British airborne spirit to capture an important strategic objective against terrible odds. Entry is approx 8 euros each
• Onto the Orne river bridge and the assault and capture and then the holding of this vital bridge until relieved
• Visit the museum here is 8 euros each, then a break at the café Grandide the first place liberated on D-Day
• We then visit the airborne cemetery at Ranville
• Hotel in Normandy - Dinner + Breakfast
• We go to and see the grand bunker just back from Sword beach and the landing on D-Day story
• Onto the D-Day beach coast road, past the Canadian Juno beach sector 
• Then down to the great gun battery at Longues Sur Mer and go into these great gun bunkers
• We then go on down into Arromanches, gold beach to see the Mulberry harbour and visit the 360 degrees day cinema with its unique d day British Memorial
• Lunch in Arromanches
• We move on then into the US zone, the great cemetery at Coleville onto Omaha beach and its memorials and bunkers
• We finish our day at the scene of one of the great assaults by the US rangers at Pointe du Hoc
• We then pass the bunker complex at grand camps Maisy and its incredible story
• Hotel in St. Mere-realise, where we have dinner and then at night we experience Church Square and the US airborne story of tragedy and victory. The paratrooper on the steeple is still there! 
• We start with the incredible story at the bridge over the Merderet River at la frere, where the legend of iron mike was born
• Onto the story of the medics and the church at Angloville, which is truly amazing. In the midst of a battle between the US paratroopers of the 101st and the german paratroopers, 2 amazing young medics make history
• The go through saint Marie du mont and pass the scene of easy company's battle at Brecourt Manor
• We move onto Utah beach and the great museum
• Grainger is a story to be told at this little church on a strategic hill where a group of the 82nd paratroopers held off a division of SS for 2 days. the price those civilians left behind paid
• (if time permits, we can stop at the D-Day experience museum at dead man's corner where the d day Dakota simulator gives a unique experience) 
• We arrive at the beautiful medieval city of Bayeux
• Hotel - Those that wish can venture into Bayeux to visit and see the Bayeux tapestry
• Dinner + Breakfast in Bayeux 
• Then a short drive to the commonwealth war cemetery at Bayeux 
• Then into the Bayeux D-Day museum
• Depart 11.30 
• Drive to Calais  
• Eurotunnel - UK - Home

Customer Briefing

Welcome to the briefing note on the four-day trip to Normandy and Battle of the Bulge with D Day story and experiences.

The objective is to give a bespoke experience. We meet and depart on day 1; we travel to the Eurotunnel at Folkstone.

Please be advised that, prior to the crossing, I will require your passport details for the compulsory checks made.

A Personal Note

I have been doing my tours now ever since 2005, everybody has found it a relaxing and interesting experience, above all be comfortable and enjoy our company as I take you to the Normandy experience.

In 4 days will we see it all, no, there is too much to show you. But I do promise you that you will see some places that the usual tourist groups never experience.

Advanced Passenger Information

• The dress code throughout is entirely casual
• Please feel free to bring any drinks, water or snacks you want
• We will stop on our journey for comfort breaks as requested
• Once we have crossed the channel, we go via the main motorway for approx
• 3 hours to get to the Normandy area. We will cross the great bridges at le harve - a great spectacle in itself
• There is no heavy walking at all, the whole trip is on the flat
• It is the custom for the group to dine at the local French restaurants in the evenings, a great way to unwind and enjoy glorious French food
• If you would like to dine another way then please feel free, this is a casual no-pressure experience
• Normandy, in my opinion, is very like Devon and is very affluent
• If you wish to sample the main local drink, its Calvados, an apple brandy. 
• The 3 nominated hotels are very comfortable, and you can breakfast at each if you wish, breakfast is approx 8 euros. 
• Entry to the museums is approx 8 euros each we stop at 4 in all
• All museums and restaurants accept debit/credit cards
• Bring euros if you wish (when we reach Bayeux, you may wish to visit and see the Bayeux tapestry, this may cost approx 10 euros)
• It is a courtesy to meet at the appointed times, not to be late as it upsets the schedule
• Take as many pictures as you like and enjoy my tour
• Using your mobile in France is the same as the UK

Normandy and the D-Day Landings (four-day tour)

Over the years, this has become our most popular tour and will grip you straight from the start to finish. You’ve seen all the films from The Longest Day , Saving Private Ryan and the award winning television series Band of Brothers . Now let Rifleman Tours take you to see where the action really took place and walk in the footsteps of those who liberated Europe.

The Normandy invasion was one of the largest undertakings in military history and it effectively signalled the beginning of the end of the Second World War . The logistics for this operation were unparalleled from the assembly of the largest and most powerful armada, to the landing of three airborne divisions on the five landing beaches.  Overlord , as it was codenamed, is quite simply a military feat to be marvelled at.

Day One: Depart from your chosen UK collection point and proceed to Dover or Folkestone for our channel crossing by ferry or Eurotunnel to Calais and then on to the city of Caen where we will book into our centrally located hotel . The rest of the evening is at your leisure when you can explore this vibrant and historic city. There’s a large choice of restaurants and bars on your doorstep as well as William the Conqueror’s castle to explore.

Day Two: We begin our tour of the British and Canadian sector by visiting Pegasus Bridge  which was taken by the Ox and Bucks in a stunning coup de main operation. Here we visit the Pegasus Bridge Museum (entrance fee included) and Café Gondree , the first house liberated in France, before moving on to Ranville War Cemetery  where we pay our respect at Lt Brotheridge’s grave. Brotheridge was the first allied soldier killed on D-Day .

A packed lunch is provided (included in the price)  and taken at  Arromanches  where the British established their  Mulberry harbour  and impressive remnants remain in the bay to this day. After lunch we visit the beaches of Sword, Juno and Gold and discuss the actions that took place as the allied troops came ashore and formed a bridgehead before moving inland. At Gold Beach we hear the story of Stanley Hollis  , the only VC winner of D-Day .

We will then move on to the stunning British Normandy Memorial , opened in  2021.  Overlooking Gold Beach , the site consists of 160 stone columns inscribed with the names of the 22,442 people who were killed on D-Day and at the Battle of Normandy , a bronze sculpture of three charging infantrymen and a wall featuring the names of those who were killed on D-Day itself.

Day Three : Today we travel into the American sector looking at the airborne drops of the 82nd and 101st Divisions . We stop at La Cambe , the German War Cemetery and visit the grave of Michael Wittmann , the panzer ace who is famous for his ambush of the 7th Armoured Division in the town of Villers-Bocage.

We’ll then head to  Sainte-Mère-Église . Here a company of the 82nd airborne dropped on to the market square in the early ours of June 6 and were cut down by the waiting Germans. One John Steele was snagged on the church steeple and a model of him is suspended there as a reminder of the event. At Sainte-Mère-Église we explore the town before partaking of a packed lunch (included in the price) .

The afternoon sees us look at the exploits of ‘Easy Company’ made famous in the television series Band of Brothers . We visit their memorial and the site at Brécourt where they silenced four guns on the morning of the 6 th June before looking at the first of the American beaches, Utah .

We then travel along the coast to Omaha where we descend down to this sandy crescent-shaped beach via the Verville draw . draw. The beach became known as  ‘Bloody Omaha’ and as we move along the beach road to the bottom of the steep bluffs you can see how it received this name.

We finish this sector with a visit to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer . This stunning cemetery contains three Medal of Honour winners and two of the Niland brothers; the film Saving Private Ryan was based on.

As we travel back to the hotel we visit the Longues-sur-Mer gun battery whose mighty guns are still in place and threatened the ships on the morning of 6 June.

Day Four: Today sees us leave Caen and make our journey back to the UK.

Omaha Beach Memorial

Included In Your Tour

Battlefield visits as described in itinerary

Battlefield Guide and tour manager

Central Accommodation including breakfast

Lunch on tour days where specified

Entrance to museums and places of interests visited where listed in itinerary

Return ferry or Eurotunnel crossing

Information pack

Executive coach or minibus travel including complimentary hot and cold drinks, bottled water and light snacks during the tour

20  – 23 June 2024

£699* per person.

*Price is based on two people sharing

Total single supplement – £138

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Toddington Services, M1 Motorway

South Mimms Services, M25

Ashford, Kent

Port of Dover

Hotel Accommodation

The Royal offers modern, elegant accommodation with free WiFi, a 24-hour reception and serviced by a lift.

All of the air-conditioned rooms at the Royal feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom.

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Now that ferries are making a comeback and that many tourists are staying away from flying, Normandy is back on the map as a greener and easily-accessible holiday destination. With five different routes from England and two from Ireland to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs and tastes!

ferries are back in style!

These days, as people become more aware of their carbon footprint and the international health crisis is changing our travel habits, the ferry is seeing a real resurgence in popularity. Seen as a cleaner alternative to flying, ferry travel is also considered less stressful. Airport delays, increased security and luggage restrictions have had passengers tearing their hair out, and the recent Covid-19 measures haven’t made things easier. When catching the ferry, you can travel in the comfort of your own car and enjoy lots of space and fresh air once on board! If you’re a cycling enthusiast, you can take your bike too. Dogs are also accepted on several lines. Our beautiful part of France boasts four ferry ports linking us to Portsmouth, Poole and Newhaven in the UK, and to Dublin and Rosslare in Ireland. Take a closer look at the different options you have:

From the United-Kingdom:

Portsmouth to caen-ouistreham.

• Service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Crossing time: approximately 6 hours (option of 9h overnight travel)
• 3 sailings a day in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by two ferries: MV Mont St Michel and MV Normandie
• Crossing capacity: 2 100 passengers
• Cabins available for overnight sailings
• Ferry port located just 10 miles from Caen city centre

newhaven to dieppe

• Service operated by DFDS
• Crossing time: approximately 4 hours
• Up to 4 crossings a day in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by two sister ships: MS Seven Sisters and MS Côte d’Albâtre
• Crossing capacity: 600 passengers
• Ferry port is located one mile from Dieppe town centre. Dieppe is the closest port and beach to Paris.

PORTSMOUTH TO CHERBOURG

• Twice weekly overnight sailings on the brand-new cruise ferries, Galicia, Salamanca and Santoña 
• Crossing time: approximately 5-8 hours
• 2 sailings a week in each direction
• Crossing capacity: 1 100 passengers
• Ferry port located two miles from Cherbourg city centre

POOLE TO CHERBOURG

• Seasonal service (March – November) operated by Brittany Ferries
• Crossing time: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes
• 1 sailing a day in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by the MV Barfleur
• Crossing capacity: 1 200 passengers

Portsmouth to le havre

• Crossing time: approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes (option of 9 hrs 45 mins overnight travel)
• 1 sailing a day in each direction (4 days a week)
• Crossings are carried out by the MV Cotentin
• Crossing capacity: 200 passengers
• Ferry port located one mile from Le Havre city centre. This is Brittany Ferries’ closest crossing to Paris, just 2 hours drive from Le Havre.

HIGH-SPEED PORTSMOUTH – CHERBOURG – POOLE SERVICE

• Seasonal high-speed service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Fastcraft will operate Friday – Sunday from 24 May to 2 June, and from 12 July to 1 September 2024
• Crossing time: approximately 3 hours
• Crossings are carried out by the Liberation fastcraft ferry
• Crossing capacity: 850 passengers

FROM IRELAND:

Dublin to cherbourg.

• Service operated by Irish Ferries
• Crossing time: approximately 17 hours (overnight travel)
• 3 crossings a week in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by the W.B. Yeats
• Crossing capacity: 1885 passengers
• 435 individual cabins available for all sailings
• Ferry port is located two miles from Cherbourg city centre

Rosslare to Cherbourg

• Crossing time: approximately 19 hours (overnight travel)
• 3 sailings a week in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by MV Galicia, MV Salamanca, MV Santoña and MV Cotentin
• Crossing capacity: from 200 to 1100 passengers depending on the ferry
• Cabins available for all sailings

ROSSLARE TO CHERBOURG

• Service operated by Stena Line
• Crossing time: approximately 18 hours (overnight travel)
• 3 to 6 crossings a week in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by the Stena Vision and the Stena Horizon ferries
• Crossing capacity: from 660 to 1300 passengers

FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS:

• Manche Iles Express *: From Diélette, Barneville Carteret and Granville, to the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney, and to the Chausey Islands
• Condor Ferries* : From Cherbourg to Guernesey
• Jolie France *: From Granville to the Chausey Islands

*Please note some ferry crossings are seasonal

DUTY FREE IS BACK!

Duty free has now returned on ferry routes between the UK and France for the first time in more than 20 years. The end of the Brexit transition period saw duty free shopping make a comeback on 1 January 2021. Passengers are now able to load their luggage with tax-free tobacco, alcohol and perfumes again. Yet another reason to hop on the ferry and visit Normandy! 

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How to get to Normandy? Unmissable Caen Unmissable Cherbourg Unmissable Dieppe Unmissable Le Havre

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Are you already in Normandy?

Plan what to see and do while you’re here by visiting normandy-secrets.com, which lets you in on all of the local secrets and hidden gems in the immediate vicinity!

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D-Day Tours of Normandy Three Day Tours

Comprehensive and detailed three-day tours of operation overlord, us emphasis three-day tour.

See the action from the perspective of the American troops.

An experience you’ll never forget.

British / Canadian Three-Day Tour

Follow the landings, routes, battles, losses and victories

of the British and Canadian soldiers in 1944.

Suggested Itineraries

Please note that  the itineraries outlined here for a three day tour are suggestions only. We are always happy to create a custom itinerary for you or your group. Please let Malcolm know if there is anything you would like to see that isn’t included on the suggested itinerary.

Our three-day tour is an ideal tour for small parties of up to four people who want to really find out more detail about what happened in the early hours and days of Operation Overlord and what happened as the battle for Normandy progressed.

Although nearly 80 years have passed since D Day, and the Normandy countryside has changed with the times, walking the ground is still the best way to understand the battlefields and the strategies employed. You can see the terrain for yourself and judge the sight-lines,  the vantage points and the targets over which such fierce battles were fought. We will help to recreate the difficulties faced by the Allies in mounting the largest sea-borne invasion in history. Conversely we shall explain how for ten weeks, the German Army forced the Allies’ advance to a snail’s pace before they were finally driven back and defeated.

Over the three days you will visit the significant sites of the D-Day battles. The major sites, like the Pegasus Bridge, St Mere Eglise, Omaha and Utah Beaches have excellent museums. Some sites still have the original concrete relics of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall which in some cases are well preserved. Others are now simply fields with a marker or memorial. At all of the sites your will visit will be supported by an explanatory talk to provide you with the background information to understand the action which took place.

More than just a tour 

Whilst we pride ourselves on the bespoke nature of our tours, each one being tailor made to suit our guests, we would like to present a sample of the type of itinerary that’s possible on a three day tour. Please note that this itinerary is just a sample. We are always happy to modify tours or to build a particular tour from scratch if you want to concentrate on a specific aspect of the D Day landings or the battles that ensued.

We offer a choice of three day tours with either a British/Canadian or U.S. Emphasis

Please click this link for our  d day tour prices  page. .

British / Canadian Emphasis Three Day Tour

Pegasus bridge.

The famous bridge across the Orne Canal at Benouville was captured by a daring glider assault in the early hours of D-Day. We follow a visit to the bridge by taking coffee at The Café Gondree before visiting the Memorial Pegasus Museum.

The Merville Battery

The silencing of the German battery at Merville in an improvised attack by an ad-hoc force of paratroopers from 9 th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a story of outstanding courage and leadership.

Ranville Cemetery

The village of Ranville was one of the first to be captured during the early hours of 6th June 1944. The cemetery which holds 2,563 burials is known as The Airborne Cemetery

Sword Beach

The landing of British 3rd Infantry Division at La Breche in the face of stubborn resistance from the German Strongpoint ‘Cod’

Hillman Fortress

The British advance on Caen on D-Day was significantly delayed by this well defended and strongly defended underground complex.

The Canadian landing at Bernieres sur Mer. The original sea wall, concrete bunkers, machine gun and mortar emplacements which inflicted heavy casualties on The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada

Landing on King Sector of GOLD Beach, Sgt Major Stanley Hollis, D Company The Green Howards, was the only British & Commonwealth soldier to win the Victoria Cross on D-Day.

The Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches

The story of the Mulberry harbour must rank amongst the most remarkable to emerge from the Second World War. In terms of engineering achievement it is surely one of the greatest of all time.

The Longues sur Mer Battery

When compared with other D-Day coastal batteries. The site at Longues sur Mer with the original guns still in place is quite unique.

Omaha Beach

It was at OMAHA Beach that the Allies found the strongest resistance on D-Day. Where the Americans took the heaviest casualties and where the Allies came closest to defeat.

St Mere Eglise. The fighting in the village

Dominated by the church of Notre Dame de la Paix in the town square. The strategically important town of St. Mere Eglise is the centerpiece of the airborne battle.

Brecourt Manor and the 506 PIR

Following the success of the T.V. Drama ‘Band of Brothers’ Brecourt Manor is a popular site to visit. This assault is still referenced in West Point as a textbook example of small unit tactics against superior numbers in a fixed position.

The original D-Day plan called for the first landings on UTAH Beach to be made amongst the Dunes of Varreville a mile to the North of the actual successful landings by 4th Infantry Division, which spearheaded the drive across the Cotentin Peninsula.

The Pointe Du Hoc

The daring and incredibly difficult cliff assault by the American 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col James Rudder to neutralise the German gun battery.

The US Cemetery and Memorial

The sight of the brilliant white headstones at Colleville, laid in immaculate lines and set against the dark greens of the surrounding trees is beautiful, moving and tragic.

U.S. Emphasis Three Day Tour

St. mere eglise paratrooper drop zones.

Darkness, fog and anti-aircraft fire led to the scattering of American paratroopers amongst the cramped fields, dense hedgerows and swamps west of St Mere Eglise.

La Fière, Cauquigny Causeway and Chef du Pont

The fierce and protracted fight for this crossing over the River Merderet is is testimony to the fighting spirit of the Airborne soldier.

Amfreville, ‘Timmes Orchard’ and Hill 30

By holding their positions around Amfreville and Hill 30, the Paratroopers of the 507th & 508th Parachute Infantry prevented the Germans from mounting an effective attack towards Chef du Pont and la Friere bridges

Azeville and St. Marcouf Batteries

The heavy naval battery at St. Marcouf was the most powerful in the UTAH Beach area, the nearby battery at Azeville was also a potent threat to the landings.

Angovi l le au Plein

The church at Angoville stands out as a beacon of humanity surrounded by the chaos of war.

The Capture of Carentan

The story of ‘Dead Man’s Corner, Purple Heart Lane and the eventual capture of Carentan which was the final link between UTAH and OMAHA Beaches.

La Cambe, the German Cemetery

The German Cemetery at La Cambe is such an understated and melancholy place. It reflects the human losses of war.

“Bloody” Omaha Beach

The famous bridge across the Orne Canal at Benouville, captured by British Airborne soldiers in a daring glider assault in the early hours of D-Day.

Your Essential Travel Guide to Normandy

What to do in Normandy

An unforgettable getaway to France is just across the channel! Take a UK to Normandy ferry and arrive in the heart of Seine-Maritime in just 4 hours.

Rich in history and boasting stunning coastal areas as well as picturesque French villages, you won’t want to miss a visit to this beautiful region. Take a ferry to Normandy and upon disembarkation in Dieppe, you’ll be just over 2 and a half hours away from Disneyland Paris , and even closer to the City of Love itself.

There are endless opportunities to discover in Normandy. From speciality gastronomy to breath-taking countryside, there is something for everyone.

Looking for a getaway to Normandy with everything taken care of? Check out our three fantastic Normandy city break packages , which includes both ferry transport and hotel accommodation in Le Havre , Dieppe or Rouen .

What to see in Normandy?

Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Normandy! For your cultural indulgences, one of the region’s most famous landmarks is Mont St Michel , an island commune that defies time with its traditional cobbled streets and abbey perched on a rock above the village.

If history is your thing, why not marvel at the Bayeux Tapestry ? This unparalleled masterpiece dates back to the 11th Century and tells the unique story behind battles and conquests 1000 years ago! The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is one of countless captivating places to visit in Normandy.

And, if you’re wondering what’s the best month to visit Normandy, June to August promises the best weather. Make the most of the sun and take a tour along Cider Route though orchards, farmhouses, and picturesque French villages. One of the best cities to visit in Normandy is Rouen : explore its majestic medieval quarter with ancient winding streets on a walking tour that will transport you back in time. There is no better way to explore all that Normandy has to offer - an unforgettable experience await

What famous landmarks to see in Normandy?

Crossing the Channel with a ferry to France has long been the gateway to countless journeys of inspirations and exploration. The region is especially famous for being the site of the D-Day Landings during World War II, as well as being home to some of France's most magnificent cathedrals, including Rouen , Bayeux and Lisieux.

If you’re craving a holiday by the sea surrounded by natural beauty, Normandy is the place for you. Whether traveling with friends, with family or exploring solo, there is plenty to see and do, from exploring charming medieval villages to hiking through picturesque forests.

What is Normandy famous for?

Normandy is a region that truly celebrates delectable gastronomy! If you’re wondering what to eat and drink in Normandy, you will be spoiled for choice. There’s something for everyone, from the production of locally made cider, perry, apple juice and calvados (why not try this tour and tasting experience? ) to its delectable shellfish. Not forgetting it was also where this delightful treat brioche originated from.

If you're looking for something really special, be sure to visit President Cheese Farm in the heart of Camembert. Check out their traditional cheese-making methods while you’re there too – an experience not to be missed during your stay here in Normandy's fabulous cuisine scene!

Dover-Dunkirk Ferry Crossings

With a journey time of just 2 hours, our Dover to Dunkirk ferry crossing gives you access to Belgium, France, the Netherlands and more. Enjoy dining and duty free shopping on board.   

Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings

Hop aboard our most popular ferry crossing, Dover to Calais, and arrive in Calais in just 100 minutes. There are many ways to spend time onboard, from dining to duty free shopping.

Newhaven-Dieppe Ferry Crossings

Arrive in Dieppe in 5 hours with our Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing. Enjoy our facilities while you sail, including restaurants and an onboard shop.

Dieppe City Break

You’re just a crossing away from a coastal break in Dieppe! Combine your sailing from Newhaven with a hotel in one, convenient booking.

Rouen City Break

This city boasts stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. Enjoy a relaxing weekend or an action-packed trip with our Rouen hotel + ferry package.

Le Havre City Break

Enjoy a charming city break in Le Havre with our ferry + hotel package. Perfect for a relaxing or adventure-filled weekend!

Travel guides

Travel from Newhaven to Dieppe and use our Dieppe Travel Guide to plan your Normandy getaway. Rich in history and culture, this charming fishing port is full of hidden gems.

GetYourGuide

Planning a trip to France? GetYourGuide is the perfect companion to your holiday with great deals on the best attractions, guides and tours in our port cities and further afield.

Côte d'Albâtre

Located in Normandy, the Alabaster Coast in Seine-Maritime is a stunning French coastline famous for its white cliffs, seaside towns, fresh seafood and outdoor activities.  

Driving in France

Read our tips on driving in France to help you prepare for your trip. Travel by ferry to make your drive to France as stress-free as possible.

Travel to France with Your Motorbike

Take your motorcycle on one of our ferries to France and discover Europe at your own pace.

Take your bike to France

Travel to France with your bike or with your vehicles on a DFDS ferry to France. Find scenic cycle routes and top tourist spots near our ports!

Traveling to Normandy from the UK

Destination normandy.

Normandy , situated in Western France, is renowned for its picturesque seaside resorts, charming fishing ports, and verdant meadows. This splendid region encompasses the historic Duchy of Normandy , established during the 10th century.

With its coastline adorned with sandy and pebble beaches along the English Channel, Normandy offers a scenic and inviting landscape to visitors.

Normandy also holds profound historical significance as the site of the Allied invasion during World War II. The iconic D-Day landings, which took place on June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal moment in history, as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to initiate the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

Whether by plane, ferry, or car, reaching Normandy from the UK is easily achievable, allowing travelers to explore this captivating region with ease.

Here are the links to the various official sites you’ll need:

Traveling to Normandy from the UK – Air travel information and car rental

The Aéroport Caen-Carpiquet is located 9km west of Caen.

The Aéroport Deauville Saint-Gatien is conveniently situated just 10 kilometers northeast of Deauville.

You’ll find all the pertinent links for public transportation, car rental services, and other resources on their websites.

Traveling to Normandy from the UK – Ferry travel information

Brittany Ferries operates from: – Portsmouth to Caen-Ouistreham , Cherbourg, Le Havre – Poole to Cherbourg

Condor Ferries operates a weekly ferry service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, from late May to early September, and Catamaran services from Poole and Weymouth to Saint Malo via the Channel Islands.

P&O operates regular crossings from Dover to Calais .

DFDS Seaways operates services from Newhaven to Dieppe and Dover to Calais or Dunkirk.

Traveling to Normandy from the UK – Car travel information

Here are the distances using motorways (with tolls) and/or dual-carriage ways from:

• Caen-Ouistreham to Caen (17km), Deauville (41km), Le Havre (98km)
• Cherbourg to Caen (122km), Deauville (181km), Le Havre (216km)
• Dieppe to Caen (183km), Deauville (131km), Le Havre (113km)

Traveling to Normandy from the UK – Rail travel information

Eurotunnel-LeShuttle links Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes.

Eurostar links London St Pancras to Paris – Gare du Nord in 2h20 or 2h30, with an average of 15 trains per weekday.

You’ll then have to connect on a TGV ( SNCF ) from Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare Montparnasse to your destination in Normandy.

Here’s a list of seaside resorts and tourist sites to visit in Normandy

Normandy – Latest content

British Normandy Memorial – Gold Beach

Standing With Giants silhouettes – Normandy

Christian Dior, from Granville to Paris

Maison de Monet and gardens in Giverny

The cliffs at Etretat, Normandy

A region known for its produce of rustic cheeses and ciders in its pretty rural areas, Normandy has an important history from William the Conqueror to WW2 with a dramatic coastline that includes the D-Day Landings beaches, stylish beach resorts and the stunning Mont St Michel

With our ports in  Caen ,  Cherbourg  and  Le Havre , Normandy couldn't be easier to reach, or more rewarding when you get there. Stylish beach resorts, a wealth of major historical sites, fabulous countryside, and the most delicious seafood imaginable are just a few of the many attractions that will all vie for your attention.

With a long, dramatic stretch of beautiful coastline and superb attractions, from the picturesque harbour of Honfleur to the magnificent Gothic abbey of Mont St Michel this region has long been a favourite with British holidaymakers.

Inland has a landscape patterned with grand châteaux, fine parks and gardens, half-timbered houses and sleepy villages that come to life with colourful fêtes in the summer.

For those keen on outdoor pursuits the Suisse Normande area is ideal - its lush countryside, rocky crags and deep river gorges are very scenic and perfect for kayaking, climbing, mountain biking and walking. We also have a range of different car & motorcycle tours available which takes you down the coastal routes. Check out our blog surrounding camping holidays in France .

Our top places to visit in Normandy

With a choice of routes to choose from, Normandy couldn't be easier to reach, or more rewarding when you get there.

MONT ST MICHEL

D-DAY & WW2 IN NORMANDY

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• Coach Holidays
• Battlefield Tours
• D-Day Landings in Normandy

There are departures on most Mondays (5 days) and Fridays (4 days) throughout the year.

Prices range from  £459 - £849 per person

Departure Dates Available upto 9th November 2026

Based on 2 adults sharing. Single rooms available at a supplement. On selected tours, children 8-17 are half price. 

Deposit £150.00 Per Person

Call 01226 345381  to check availability and prices.

"D-Day Landings in Normandy - By Coach"   See the landing beaches and battlegrounds, military cemeteries and museums of the single biggest invasion force ever assembled. 

Day 1 - Local departure by coach, then to Caen in Normandy for a three-night stay.

Day 2 - Britain’s D-Day: Pegasus Bridge and British Beaches - We start at Pegasus Bridge, the scene of the first actions of D-Day where Airborne troops stormed the position from gliders and held on until the link-up with ground forces from Sword Beach was made. We see where the gliders landed, the Gondrée Café – arguably the first house liberated on D-Day – and visit the Memorial Pegasus Museum where the original bridge is located. In Ranville we see the Airborne graves and after lunch, proceed into the British landing beaches, starting at Sword Beach. At Juno Beach we visit the superb Juno Beach Centre which explains the story of the Canadian role in the Battle of Normandy, and at Gold Beach, see where some of the heaviest casualties were suffered by British troops storming the tough defences at Asnelles. We end the day at Arromanches where the Mulberry Harbour was constructed, much of which is still visible out to sea.  Day 3 - America's D-Day: Bloody Omaha and American Airborne - The story of ‘Bloody Omaha’ and the terrible American sacrifice here on D-Day has been immortalised in 'Saving Private Ryan'. Uncover the real story with a visit to the American Normandy Cemetery and Omaha Beach where the landings took place, seeing the memorial to the 29th Division. We also take time to visit the newest Normandy war museum, the superb Overlord Museum-Omaha Beach before taking lunch in St. Mere Eglise, and then looking at the story of the US Airborne forces at the new Richard Winters Leadership Memorial; Dick Winters commanded Easy Company of 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, otherwise known as ‘Band of Brothers’. At Utah Beach we follow the story of the successful landings and visit the expanded Utah Beach Museum. We end the day at the German Cemetery at La Cambe, where German Tank Ace Michael Wittmann is buried among thousands of others who fell in Normandy.  Day 4 - To Calais, then return home. 

For 5 day tours, Day 4 includes the Battle of the Bocage:Falaise Gap with a return home on Day 5. Please ring for more details.

• Convenient local joining points (supplement applies for certain locations) 
• Travel by executive coach, or upgrade to Silver Service or Luxuria 
• 3 or 4  nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast 
• Specialist Battlefields Guide 
• Battlefield visits as described 

Whats Extra:

• Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost 

You will stay for three or four nights at either the 2-star Kyriad Caen Sud-Ifs or the 2-star Hotel Carline Caen Nord, both situated on the outskirts of Caen. Both hotels have a bar and restaurant, and the Hotel Carline has a lift. The Kyriad has no lift, but rooms are only on two floors.

Due to demand, other hotels of a similar standard may be used.

Call 01226 345385   for more details or  Click Here  for a quote by email.

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Normandy Beaches & Battlefields

• Private car/minibus

TOUR PRICES

Prices include:.

Prices are per car/minibus not per person and include your private tour guide, collection and return to your central Paris hotel and tax but not entrance fees where applicable, parking or meals unless stated. Please add £20 for collections from Paris Train Stations.

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

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About The Tour

Never will you get a more comprehensive insight into the history of the D-Day landings or the stunning Normandy region than with your own expert British Tours driver/guide.

D-Day, great food, William the Conqueror, all are synonymous with Normandy, and on this magnificent tour of this delightful region of France you will sample a little of all of these things. Your Paris day tour will take you past the sites of the major battles and your expert Paris tour guide will regale you with the remarkable history of the most crucial battle the world has ever known, the Battle of Normandy.

You will travel through the stunning Norman countryside first to the town of Ranville, a small unassuming place, where the famous Pegasus Bridge is situated and where many British soldiers lost their lives in a successful attempt to take the bridge.

Then on to Longues, the site of the only German coastal battery to have kept its guns, and then to Arromanches. It is here that an artificial Mulberry Harbour, ‘Port Winston’, protected the landings of two and a half million men and half a million vehicles during the invasion. The sea front war museum, recounts the whole story by use of models, machinery and movies. Omaha beach is a beautiful four mile stretch of sand, which denies the ferocity of the fighting that befell it, on June 6th 1944. Pointe du Hoc situated on a cliff top overlooking Omaha beach, which displays a shocking revelation of the obdurate plight of the Allies in their battle for liberty. The cliff heights are still deeply pitted with German bunkers and shell holes and the coast line is dotted with shrapnel. Here is one the largest of the wartime cemeteries, the Normandy American cemetery, featured in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan , where so many brave allies are laid to rest in endless rows of impersonal graves.

Your guide will collect you at 7.30 am for this tour. If you have the choice, we recommend avoiding this tour on a Sunday. As this tour involves long distances the itinerary can sometimes be affected by unexpected traffic. Please let us know when inquiring which of the Normandy sights are your ‘must-sees’.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN.

Normandy, private plane from london, normandy, mont-st-michel, the loire, overnight normandy from london, our guide in paris and normandy was fantastic. we left as old friends with memories for the rest of our lives.

Gary and Susan Ratliff

Why choose us?

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our Paris guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central Paris location and guide you inside places of historic importance.

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Travel to Normandy

Find out about how to travel to Normandy. Here are various ways to get to Normandy in north France.

From the UK

Getting to normandy by ferry from the uk.

Taking the ferry is the most popular way to travel to Normandy from the UK. There are several major ferry ports in Normandy and two major ferry companies serving them.

Brittany Ferries runs from Poole and Portsmouth to Cherbourg and from Portsmouth to Le Havre and Caen.

DFDS runs between Newhaven and Dieppe.

Brittany Ferries to Cherbourg

Portsmouth to Cherbourg only runs May to September during the day. Because of the tides, departure times can change by up to an hour. The ferry takes from 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes depending on which ferry you take.

Portsmouth to Cherbourg Timetable .

The ferry from Poole to Cherbourg takes between 4 hours 15 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes depending on which ferry you take.

Brittany Ferries . Tel: 0330 159 7000 (reservations and enquiries)

Why choose Cherbourg?

Choose Cherbourg if you want to stay in the pretty Cotentin Peninsula. It has long, sandy, empty beaches. It boasts large and small harbours full of fishing boats like Barfleur where William the Conqueror set out on his conquering mission to England. To the south west Mont Saint-Michel beckons; Utah Beach is the most easterly of the famous D-Day landing beaches with nearby World War II sites to explore.

Brittany Ferries to Caen

Portsmouth to Caen offers day and night sailings. They operate from late January to December. There are 2 daytime sailings, taking 6 hrs 45 mins on the daytime sailing and from 7 hours to 7 hours 15 mins. This is my preferred route; you get on board, have a nightcap then take an ensuite cabin for an overnight sleep. Just remember that France is one hour in front of us.

Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Caen timetable .

Why choose Caen?

Caen is the preferred stop for exploring the D-Day landing beaches. It’s a lively city, largely rebuilt after World War II but with a delightful old centre. It’s also near Bayeux with its glorious tapestry.

Brittany Ferries to Le Havre

Portsmouth to Le Havre offers a cheap equivalent with a no frills service (self service restaurant only; basic cabins, etc.) Brittany Ferries has crossings from £79 one way in the off season. Depending on the season, there are 2 daytime crossings and 2 night sailings. Off season there is only a night sailing from Portsmouth to Le Havre; crossings from Le Havre to Portsmouth are more frequent.

Le Havre , France’s second largest port, is a surprisingly interesting place where Impressionism and contemporary architecture hold equal billing. Don’t miss the concrete interior of St. Joseph’s church.

Brittany Ferries to Le Havre timetable

Why choose Le Havre?

Le Havre has some surprises. It has some excellent contemporary architecture, recognised internationally when the urban complex was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new Ocean of the Future exhibition opened in April at the La Cité de la Mer museum. The André Malraux Museum of Modern Art – MuMa, has a stunning collection of Impressionist paintings.

DFDS Ferries to Dieppe

DFDS is the only operator to Dieppe. They offer 3 daily sailings in both directions from May to September; 2 daily sailings off season, taking 4 hours. Off season tickets for a car and 2 people start at £49 each way.

DFDS ferries to Dieppe timetable.

Why choose Dieppe?

Dieppe itself is delightful with a castle museum, old streets and plenty of good fish restaurants. It’s also near some pretty seaside resorts and rolling countryside.

Fly to Rouen

If you want to fly to Rouen from the UK, it’s either moderately expensive or takes time, changing at Paris or Lyon.

The major airline BA, AirFrance and KLM fly from London; EasyJet and other discount airlines fly from Luton or Gatwick.

Fly to Caen

Flybe operates seasonal flights from Southend to Caen, beginning at £34.99 Thursdays to Mondays.

Getting to Normandy by train

Let the train take the strain. From the UK take Eurostar to Paris.

From Paris , it’s an easy journey from Paris Gare Saint Lazare, 13 rue Amsterdam, Paris 8. Paris to Rouen takes 1 hr 11  mins.

From Dieppe , it takes from 46 minutes to Rouen.

Getting to Rouen by car

Paris to Rouen is 131 kms (81 miles) taking around 1 hr 32 mins. There are tolls on the autoroutes.

Dieppe to Rouen is 63 kms (39 miles) and takes around 1 hour.

By coach to Rouen

Flixbus and Ouibus offer one-way journeys from as little as £5, taking from 1 hr 35 mins.

Why choose Rouen?

Rouen , capital of Normandy, is a stunning town with a cathedral, old buildings like the Bishop’s Palace, memories of Joan or Arc, and enough good bars and restaurants to satisfy the most demanding.

Getting around Normandy

The best form of transport in Normandy is your own car if you want to travel around the region.

There is a good regional rail network , which connects the major towns but at no stage runs along the coast. The line from Paris to Rouen passes close to Giverny and Monet’s house and garden (nearest stop Vernon), and trains continue to both Dieppe and Le Havre. Trains between Cherbourg and Paris call at Bayeux and Caen.

Bus routes radiate from both Rouen and Caen; Bus Verts serve the lower Normandy coast, with special services to tour the D-Day beaches.

More about Normandy

Normandy Travel Guide – what to see and do Bayeux Tapestry Impressionism and Normandy Where to stay near the D-Day Landing Beaches – from hotels to Bed and Breakfasts

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Normandy recently marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and has a wealth of events happening all year

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With millions of visitors poised to descend on Paris for the Summer Olympics, it might be the impetus travellers need to explore another region of France.

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8 things to see when visiting charming Normandy Back to video

Normandy recently marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and has a wealth of events happening all year, as well as charming towns and villages. Here are eight things to check out.

1. SECOND WORLD WAR SITES

With conflicts raging in Ukraine and Gaza, and tensions building around the globe, suddenly war seems uncomfortably close to home. But concrete reminders of war have always been part of daily life in Normandy. While official D-Day commemorations were held June 6, the region has many places where the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers can be honoured year-round.

Chief among them is the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-su-mer. It pays homage to Canadian service members, including the 44,090 who lost their lives in the Second World War. Established by veterans and volunteers, it offers guided tours of the museum, the beach where Canadians came ashore on D-Day and German bunkers.

Two special exhibits are currently running. Rising to the Challenge details the role of the Royal Canadian Air Force and celebrates its 100th anniversary (on through 2025). Grandad, Grandma, What Was It Like During The War? (to Dec. 31) is based on accounts by locals who lived through Nazi occupation and witnessed the arrival of Canadians on D-Day.

Also of interest : Canadian military cemeteries, the Caen Memorial (France’s largest war museum) and a small museum in Dieppe, commemorating that disastrous battle.

2. MAKING AN IMPRESSION

France is marking the 150th anniversary of Impressionism this year with an enormous lineup of exhibitions and events. The movement, started by a group of artists who wanted to break away from static traditional painting and capture scenes from real life, was initially ridiculed.

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During an early exhibition, one journalist derided Claude Monet’s misty seascape Soleil Levant, calling it merely an “impression” or a “sketch” and not serious artistic work. Over time, the name stuck and the movement, which includes some of the world’s most famous painters (Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, Berthe Morisot, Paul Cezanne and more) soared in popularity.

Normandy, along with the Paris region, is considered the birthplace of Impressionism and this year’s annual Normandy Impressionist Festival is hosting a head-spinning 150 exhibitions, street art displays, performances, concerts and other events through Sept. 22.

Monet is considered the superstar of Impressionism and fans will want to make a pilgrimage to Giverny , his home from 1883 until his death in 1926.

Monet and his second wife, Alice, raised their blended family of eight children in the wide two-storey home surrounded by one-hectare of gardens.

Like the artist’s work, the property is riot of colour. The home’s pink exterior is accented by green shutters. Inside, the sitting room is blue with darker blue trim, and the large dining room is yellow, accented by another shade of yellow, and furnished with yellow furniture.

When not painting or cooking, Monet worked tirelessly in his gardens, planting cherry and apricot trees plus thousands of flowers (daffodils, tulips, irises, poppies, peonies and more). The tranquil water garden he created is a highlight. It inspired his famous Water Lilies series of some 250 oil paintings.

4. LE HAVRE

Despite being established in 1517, Le Havre’s straight streets and cement apartment blocks look as if they sprung up mid-20th century, which they actually did.

As a major port on the English Channel, the strategically located city had been occupied by Germans for most of the Second World War. During the Battle of Normandy, which raged from June 6 through August, most of Le Havre was decimated by Allied bombs.

After the war, the city was rebuilt. The project was headed by Auguste Perret, a prominent French architect known for his work in concrete. While Le Havre may appear stark, because of its cohesive design UNESCO declared it an outstanding example of post-war urban planning and architecture.

Its Musee d’Art Moderne Andre Malraux (MuMa) is a must-see. MuMa claims to have the most important collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Musee d’Orsay in Paris. The collection also includes works by Monet’s mentor, Eugene Boudin, plus famous paintings from the Fauvist movement.

Normandy’s capital is not lacking in claims to fame. Its gothic Notre Dame cathedral is featured in 30 paintings by Monet. (The church recently made headlines when fire broke out atop one of its three towers. Fortunately damage was minimal.)

Visitors can immerse themselves in art at Musee des Beaux-Arts, which has works from every artistic movement from the 15th century to present day. Like MuMa, it claims to have the largest collection of Impressionist works outside of Paris with paintings by Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Degas and more.

Rouen is also where Joan of Arc’s astonishing journey — from peasant girl to army commander — came to a tragic end. She was burned at the stake in Rouen’s market square. A 24-metre-high cross marks the spot of her execution. It stands in front of Eglise Ste-Jeanne-d’Arc, which honours the French heroine and Catholic saint. Her story is told in detail at Historial Jeanne d’Arc.

Rouen is also where Julia Child met French cuisine. Child and her husband had their first meal in France at La Couronne, one of the country’s oldest restaurants.

6. HONFLEUR

I didn’t expect to find Canadian history in Honfleur, but there it was — a bronze bust of Samuel de Champlain — on a building near the Vieux Bassin (old basin). Champlain sailed from Honfleur when the city was a major trading port, and his expeditions to Quebec are listed on a plaque.

Eventually the old port was overshadowed by the larger, more modern port at Le Havre, but the tall medieval buildings surrounding the Vieux Bassin and the twisty cobbled streets make it one of the most charming towns in Normandy. Today, it’s a popular place for strolling, dining on local seafood and digging into the roots of Impressionism.

Eugene Boudin — Monet’s mentor — was born here and often collaborated with his artist friends at a nearby inn. Many pre-Impressionist and Impressionist works feature Honfleur as well as the clear light, billowing clouds, churning seas and towering cliffs of the Normandy coast. Some of these works can be seen at the Eugene Boudin Museum.

Other places of interest include the 17th-century salt halls, the Lieutenancy building, the Maritime Museum and Sainte-Catherine, France’s largest wooden church.

7. RAISE A GLASS TO CALVADOS

Normandy is the only region of France that does not produce wine. But it is the world’s largest producer of calvados, a popular type of brandy made from apple cider — sometimes blended with a small amount of pears.

The Calvados department — and elsewhere around Normandy — is dotted with apple orchards and about 300 distilleries, many which are open to the public for tours and tastings. To be called Calvados, the spirit must be made in Normandy from apples grown there. Of the six million bottles produced each year, about half are shipped overseas.

8. PRETTY LITTLE PLACES

There are so many scenic spots in Normandy it can be hard to decide where to go. But if you’re looking for picturesque traditional villages, Normandy Tourism has a “most beautiful villages” list on its website. These are described as places that have well-preserved historical heritage and provide visitors memorable experiences.

Among their picks: Barfleur, Beuvron-en-Auge, Blangy-le-Chateau, Le Bec-Hellouin, Lyons-la-Foret, Saint-Ceneri-le-Genei and Veules-les-Roses. Also scenic is Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. This 130-km stretch of white cliffs, seaside views and quaint fishing villages was a favourite spot of many Impressionist painters.

— For more travel ideas, see en.normandie-tourisme.fr and france.fr/en .

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Never-cruiser? These are the best boat trips for your first time

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There’s a first time for everything, and cruising is no exception.

If the idea of a crowded mega-cruise seems daunting, don’t worry – there are many shorter and more intimate options that can ease you into what will become your favourite way to see the world.

Whether you’re seeking exclusive luxury or travelling on a budget , from cruising the Mediterranean to floating down the Danube, whether you’d prefer a short distance to the sights or a cruise so family-friendly and catered for, you won’t want to get off.

Metro’s Cruise editor Richard Mellor has curated the best voyages for cruise newbies. So, go get your sea legs. 

Best for toe-dippers: Go Dutch

There’s a reassuring familiarity to P&O Cruises’ classy, contemporary ships for Britons: prices are in pounds and restaurants serve much-loved classics.

The brand offers three or four-night mini-cruises ready for people keen to give holidays at sea a trial run. Departing from Southampton with no flights required, you might visit Guernsey , Normandy or Amsterdam; trips to the Dutch city involve an overnight stay, so you’ll have time to explore it, plus a full day at sea while coming home to sample Ventura’s spa, sports facilities and theatre shows.

Four nights from £479pp, full board, departing Sep 10, P&O Cruises .

Best for the easily-overwhelmed: Portuguese sailing

If the idea of a cruise ship carrying 3,000 gives you palpitations, don’t worry. There are plenty of smaller options out there — albeit many of them are, by nature of their luxury and high staff-to-guest ratio, pricey.

Rather more affordable, however, are VentureSail’s traditional sailboat trips; and these truly are small-sized, with fewer than 60 passengers. Try an autumnal journey on Blue Clipper, a traditional tall ship, along the Algarve coast of Portugal and into Andalusia in Spain.

The planned stops include classical Cadiz , and in between you can sit and relax as 
the sails billow — or, if desired, help out crewing.

Seven nights from £2,305pp, full board, departing Sep 26, Venture Sail Holidays .

Best for families: Slides and surf simulators

Be it the longest water slide at sea, zip lines, acrobatic shows or baby splash zones, Royal Caribbean International’s ships are a dream for kids of all ages – especially those behemoth vessels in its Oasis and Icon classes.

Spas await for frazzled parents, with age-split kids clubs available. A pro tip is to 
stay on board during a port day to enjoy shorter queues and much more quiet.

The line sails around the world but – living up to the name – 
its winter Caribbean voyages, such as 
a Fort Lauderdale round-trip visiting the Bahamas and Jamaica, are especially popular.

Six nights from £668pp for a family of four, full board, departing Dec 22, Royal Caribbean .

Best for convenience: La Coruna

In order to find room for big boats, the majority of cruise ports are, naturally, quite far from the centre of their designated destination. There are some handy exceptions, though, where most attractions are in (realistic) walking distance.

In Europe, those include Antwerp, Barcelona and La Coruna. Although most cruise-ship visitors to La Coruna immediately head off on excursions to Santiago de Compostela and its pilgrimage cathedral, two beaches and an alluring old town encourage staying put.

Combine the city with foodie Bilbao and cider-loving Gijon on a jaunt along Spain’s north coast with Fred Olsen and its classy Bolette before returning to Liverpool.

Seven nights from £999pp, full board, departing Oct 20, Fred Olsen Cruises .

Best on a budget: Join the Carnival

Carnival offers great-value fares across its 22 ships and itineraries to five continents.

The American line, which has more of a millennial feel than most, includes an excellent variety of food (including fried chicken inspired by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal) in its basic fare, while its additional-cost drinks package is one of the best out there by dint of encompassing coffee and milkshakes.

Typically economical is a jaunt from Civitavecchia, near Rome, to Greek islands and Turkish beach towns.

Seven nights from £808pp, full board, departing Oct 18, 2025,
 Carnival .

Best for river-goers: Down the Danube

Classy river-cruising promises smaller vessels – most host between 150 and 200 guests – more frequent ports and, usually, pretty much everything included in its rates. While the industry has a reputation for fustiness, some brands are decidedly innovative.

AmaWaterways, for instance, has introduced more spacious ships, lots of activity 
options and creative excursions (with more of them complimentary than most rivals).

Glorious scenery and big-name cities makes the Danube river a sensible bet for novices. Try the jaunt from Nuremberg to Budapest via Vienna.

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: July 23, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

Seven nights from £2,793pp, full board, including flights, weekly departures from Apr 16, Ama Waterways .

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Kimberly Guilfoyle returns to RNC - and brings back her yelling voice - to praise Trump and America’s future

The former fox news personality and fianceé of donald trump jr, took to the stage on wednesday night in milwaukee - and brought back her yelling voice from 2020, article bookmarked.

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Kimberly Guilfoyle was mocked mercilessly following her 2024 speech at the Republican National Convention, with social media users noting that she was “yelling again” during her “unhinged” address.

The former Fox News personality and fianceé of Donald Trump Jr , took to the stage on Wednesday night in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , and delivered exuberant and high-decibel praise of the former president.

People were quick to reminisce about Guilfoyle’s speech at the 2020 RNC , which concluded with a defiant shout of “the best is yet to come” to an empty theater. Though she did not use the now-infamous line again on Wednesday – her soon-to-be husband did.

But critics pounced on Guilfoyle’s unique delivery style once again nonetheless.

“Kimberly Guilfoyle is yelling again. It’s very strange,” wrote one user, with another adding “Kimberly Guilfoyle with another unhinged convention banger LMAO.”

“I really don’t like Kimberly Guilfoyle’s speaking style. Just speak normally, don’t yell every statement to show emphasis or passion, it’s not needed, there’s no up and down to her cadence at all. Don Jr can kinda do that, but not her,” wrote another.

Some speculated, somewhat sarcastically, over the reasons for her odd delivery. “I have a theory that Kimberly Guilfoyle placed a hex or spell on the entirety of the country and simply distracted us with her incredibly loud voice projection,” one user wrote.

“Kimberly Guilfoyle is surrounded by people who really don’t care about her embarrassing herself,” another added.

The substance of Guilfoyle’s speech – where she largely blasted Joe Biden – was, at times, somewhat drowned out by the sheer volume of her words.

“I know personally what every American has now seen with their own eyes! I know the measure of the man that stands before us, Donald Trump will never stop fighting for you. Join me in voting for Donald J Trump, our president!” she bellowed.

“ America 's future is in our hands! America's destiny is in our control, and America's prosperity is in our hearts and souls! America, this is your moment. Will you stand for President Trump?!”

Reaching fever pitch, she added: “Ladies and gentlemen, lovers of liberty and freedom and the American dream, this is our chance to make America great again! God bless you, God bless President Trump, and may God bless America!”

As with her convention appearance in 2020, the internet was soon flooded with online memes, including some that compared her performance to Meryl Streep’s blood-curdling scream in Big Little Lies.

“Kimberly Guilfoyle screaming into the convention mic every chance gets,” the user wrote.

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