Today we visit Pegasus Bridge, a key D-Day target. In a daring pre-dawn glider assault, British Airborne troops captured this vital crossing over the Orne River Canal, ensuring the success of Allied landings. Their speed and precision remain legendary. After lunch, we explore the Caen Memorial Museum, with its powerful exhibits on World War II and 20th-century conflicts. On our return to Bayeux, we’ll pass the British Sword and Gold beaches and the Canadian Juno Beach—sites of sacrifice and courage. We end the day with a wine and cheese gathering, sharing reflections before enjoying dinner together.

This morning we visit the German Military Cemetery at La Cambe, the final resting place for over 21,000 German soldiers. The serene grounds evoke a sense of reflection and remembrance, offering a poignant contrast to the turbulent history it represents. We then travel to Pont du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers scaled its steep cliffs under intense enemy fire to seize and secure vital German artillery positions. We end our day walking Omaha Beach, discussing one of the most intense battles the American troops would face to secure a critical foothold in the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Today we see (at low tide) what is arguably the greatest engineering artifice of the European war: the portable harbor at Arromanches. Two artificial harbors were fabricated in England and were floated to Normandy shortly after D-Day. This afternoon we will take a few centuries of a step back in time and pay a visit to the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry that chronicles William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion of England—the first cross-channel invasion, but from a different direction. We’ll finish off the day by experiencing something no other tourist does, a guided tour of the stunning Cathedral and its gothic spires. .

This morning we visit the most meaningful of locales, the Normandy American Cemetery in the village of Colleville-sur-Mer. This solemn site is the final resting place for over 9,000 American soldiers. Each grave marker represents a story of bravery and selflessness, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The afternoon is free to explore Bayeux, the town we have come to call home by now. Roam its meandering streets, savor its rich coffee, indulge in its delectable croissants, and take more photos than our smart phones can manage. La vie est belle!

This morning we visit the superb open-air museum-park at Ste. Mere Eglise, dedicated to bravery of the U.S. troops invasion of Utah Beach. Paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were dropped behind enemy lines to secure key objectives and disrupt German defenses. Despite scattered landings and challenges navigating unfamiliar terrain, these courageous soldiers rallied swiftly, seizing crucial causeways and bridges, paving the way for the successful inland advance of Allied forces. Their daring actions and resilience played a vital role in the liberation of Normandy and marked a pivotal chapter in the success of the broader D-Day campaign.

We say au revoir to the Hotel Domain du Bayeux and head for Paris’ airport. We will stop at the delightful town of Poses for a leisurely luncheon on the Seine at L’Auberge du Halage. Savoring our final time together as a group, we’ll conduct our last debrief and answer any lingering questions about our detour through the D-Day invasion. We will continue to Charles de Gaulle airport for a final over-night.

Our detour ends after breakfast this morning. Make your way to the terminal, or to your next destination, but wherever you venture, tell the wonderful story of D-Day to others...they need to know this significant part of US and military history.