Excursion Overland experience: normandy landing beaches tour at Rouen

Step back in time and relive one of the most pivotal moments in modern history during this unforgettable overnight journey through Normandy. From the windswept beaches where Allied forces landed to the solemn cemeteries and immersive museums, this two-day adventure offers a profound tribute to courage, sacrifice, and liberation. Along the way, savor fine French cuisine, explore charming villages, and enjoy the comfort of a historic Normandy mansion.

01MIDROU-B Normandy Landing Beaches

Duration: 2 Days/1 Night

Departs from: Rouen at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Re-join ship: Rouen at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Overland Experience requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Overland Experiences are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Overland Experiences are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 120 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Overland Experiences are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for France. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency for France is the Euro. Local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (a shopping stop is not planned during this programme).

Day 1 – Rouen to Utah Beach

Your journey begins in Rouen, where you’ll meet your expert guide and set off for Arromanches-les-Bains, a picturesque seaside town that played a crucial role in the Mulberry Operation. Here, you’ll photograph the remnants of the floating harbor and visit the Landing Museum, which brings the D-Day story to life through models, films, and exhibits.

Continue to the elegant Château de Sully for a gourmet lunch featuring classic French flavors. Afterward, pay your respects at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-Saint-Laurent, where nearly 10,000 soldiers rest in a serene setting overlooking Omaha Beach. A brief photo stop at Omaha Beach precedes your visit to Pointe du Hoc, a dramatic cliffside battlefield immortalized in history and film.

As evening falls, transfer to Hôtel Le Grand Hard, a charming 4-star property nestled in the peaceful Utah Beach Domaine. Surrounded by Normandy’s pastoral beauty, enjoy a relaxing dinner and overnight stay in this historic rural mansion.

Day 2 – Utah Beach to Honfleur

After breakfast, explore Utah Beach, the westernmost landing site chosen for its strategic position. Then, journey to Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated on June 6, 1944. Stroll through its quaint streets, see the iconic church with stained-glass windows honoring American paratroopers, and visit “Milestone Zero,” marking the start of the Road to Freedom.

Next, experience the D-Day Experience Museum in Saint Côme du Mont, where history comes alive through interactive exhibits and a thrilling flight simulator aboard a genuine C-47 aircraft. After a delicious lunch in Carentan, continue to Donville Manor in Méautis, site of the fierce Battle of Bloody Gulch. Here, explore wartime remains, the chapel cemetery, and walls bearing haunting traces of hand-to-hand combat.

Your adventure concludes with a scenic drive to Honfleur, a picturesque fishing port where you’ll enjoy free time to shop and explore before returning to your ship.

Highlights

• Arromanches Landing Museum & Mulberry Harbor remains
• Normandy American Cemetery & Omaha Beach
• Pointe du Hoc battlefield
• Utah Beach & Sainte-Mère-Église
• D-Day Experience Museum with C-47 flight simulator
• Donville Manor and the Battle of Bloody Gulch
• Overnight stay in a historic Normandy mansion

Please note: This Overland Experience requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2.5 miles (about four kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, cobblestone, and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, and at the sites. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, non-slip, sturdy, and closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, sunglasses with a strap, a weatherproof jacket, raingear, an umbrella, a small backpack for land visits (for cameras, bottled water, etc.), camera, medications, binoculars, and Euros or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests must carry their passports and ship’s ID at all times. The tour sequence, timings and itinerary may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Programme Includes:

One-night stay at the Hôtel Le Grand Hard

One breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner

All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.