Gold, Juno And Omaha, Lunch

Small-group van tour from Caen across Gold, Juno and Omaha, with Caen Memorial entry and lunch.

Overview

This ten-hour guided day trip from the Memorial de Caen covers all three Allied beach sectors the Americans, British and Canadians fought over on D-Day, travelling by air-conditioned seven-seater van with a certified Memorial de Caen guide and a professional driver. The morning is spent in Gold and Juno: Arromanches-les-Bains, where remnants of the artificial Mulberry harbour still sit in the water, the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, the Canadian War Cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer and Ardenne Abbey. Midday brings the group back to the museum's Bistrot for a sit-down lunch with wine, before the afternoon heads to the American sector at Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery.

The group is capped at seven people. Lunch is included, either escalope normande with gratin dauphinois and green beans or a vegetarian penne ratatouille, followed by chocolate cake, with a glass of red wine, still water and coffee or tea. Dietary needs are accommodated on the spot.

Hotel pickup is not included; the guide meets everyone in the entrance hall of the Memorial de Caen, and museum admission comes with the tour, usable on a separate day. It suits travellers who want the main D-Day sites in one day with a guide, and who can manage a full schedule on foot at outdoor locations.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Caen MemorialMeet the guide in the entrance hall of the Memorial de Caen at 8:30 am for departure by van.
2. Gold Sector, morningFrom 9:15 am, visit Arromanches-les-Bains, where remains of the Mulberry B artificial harbour are still visible, then the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, honouring 22,442 British soldiers who died in Normandy between 6 June and 31 August 1944.
3. Juno Sector sitesFrom 11:00 am, stop at the Canadian War Cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, resting place of 2,049 Canadian soldiers, and Ardenne Abbey, where 20 Canadian soldiers were executed in the garden.
4. Lunch at the BistrotAt 12:15 pm, lunch at the Memorial de Caen's Bistrot, with a choice of escalope normande or vegetarian penne ratatouille, plus dessert, wine, water and coffee or tea. The van departs again at 1:00 pm.
5. Omaha Sector, afternoonFrom 2:00 pm, visit Pointe du Hoc with its German bunkers and gun pits scaled by US Rangers on D-Day, then Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.
6. Return to CaenDrop off at the Memorial de Caen at 6:00 pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help the day run smoothly, from footwear to how the museum ticket works.

• Dress for wind. Wear appropriate shoes and clothes, as it can be windy along the beaches and cool even in summer. Layers are a safe bet for the outdoor stops.
• Full day pace. The tour runs a full ten hours with multiple sites across three sectors. One reviewer described the day as wonderful and emotional, so expect a long but well-organised schedule.
• Small van group. Travel is by air-conditioned van with a maximum of seven people, plus the guide and driver. One reviewer mentioned the van was comfortable and the driver kept it tidy.
• Lunch is sorted. Lunch at the museum's Bistrot is included, with two main options, dessert, a glass of red wine, water and coffee or tea. One reviewer called the lunch very good, and special dietary requirements are accommodated on the spot.
• Rain gear provided. Bottles of water, umbrellas and raincoats are available in the van, so a shower mid-visit does not need to derail the day.
• Use the museum later. The Memorial de Caen admission ticket can be used on a different day from the tour itself. A 2026 booking keeps it valid until 31 December 2026, so the museum visit can be planned separately.

Common issues. Hotel pickup is not included, so travellers must make their own way to the Memorial de Caen in Caen by 8:30 am. The day is long, roughly ten hours with drop-off at 6:00 pm, which may not suit young children or anyone who struggles with extended time on their feet at outdoor sites. Departure is guaranteed on all days the Memorial de Caen museum is open, so closures of the museum mean no tour. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle.

Common Questions