Unforgettable D-Day: Private Shore Excursion from Cherbourg Cruise Port
- Duration: 8 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Cherbourg
Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from Cherbourg Port of Call to the main US D-Day sites!
Departing from Cherbourg Cruise Port, this Normandy private tour will take you to the coastal battlefield grounds. On June 6, 1944, the allied troops landed on the Normandy beaches, marking the beginning of a fierce and deadly battle that would culminate in the liberation of France a few months later.
Visit Omaha Beach
Among the allied troops, the Americans landed on two different beaches, later named Omaha and Utah. Today, our Normandy private shore excursion is taking you to Omaha beach, where the deadliest of the landings took place.
Even though bombings occurred before the landing itself, they failed to neutralize the German positions in that sector. In addition, troops and amphibian vehicles were disembarked too far from the shore, leading to an absolute failure and thousands of men being killed under German fire.
Now off to the cliffs
A little bit to the West, your private tour of Normandy will head to the Pointe du Hoc, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel. Given the toughness of the operation, the Pointe du Hoc was given to Rangers to land upon.
The battle was rough, as the Pointe du Hoc had been built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans – it was the highest point between Utah beach and Omaha beach and provided a great observation spot to notice any unfriendly arrivals from the sea. You can still see an artillery battery there and feel as if it was still this faithful June morning…
Normandy American Cemetery
End the tour with a stop at the Normandy American Cemetery. Located in Colleville-sur-Mer, on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. Here you will have some time to walk around and pay homage but also visit the Visitor Center that provides a fuller array of visitor services to put the D-Day landings in perspective as one of the greatest military achievements in history.
After the visit, return to Cherbourg and drop off at your ship. This private tour can accommodate a maximum of 8 persons per minivan. During the whole day, one of our certified English-speaking driver guide will be by your side to explain the history behind each Normandy tourist site you will visit.
The tour is fully customizable depending on your wishes. If you would like to add a visit that is missing from this description, do not hesitate to let us know!