Lunch And Cider, 14 Hours

Coach day trip from Paris to Utah Beach Museum, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery, with a 2-course lunch.

Overview

A coach pulls out of Paris at 07:00 from beside Église Notre-Dame de Compassion at Place du Général Kœnig, and fourteen hours later returns you to Porte Maillot, having covered the core American D-Day ground in Normandy in one long day. City Wonders runs the trip with an English-speaking guide who stays with the group throughout, an air-conditioned coach, and a two-course lunch with a glass of Norman cider included in the day.

The route concentrates on the American sector. Entry and a visit to the Utah Beach Museum are included, with free time on Utah Beach itself, a guided tour of the Pointe du Hoc battlefield, half an hour at Omaha Beach, then a guided visit plus free time at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer. The operator's listing calls out time at both Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. One reviewer described the cemetery as extremely powerful, and happened to be there when taps was played in the late afternoon.

This tour suits people based in Paris who want a structured first look at Normandy without renting a car. Reviewers repeatedly call it long but worth it, and one noted it works well as an introduction before a longer independent trip. It is less suited to anyone with limited mobility, since the tour is not wheelchair accessible and a moderate level of fitness is required.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in ParisMeet at 07:00 beside Église Notre-Dame de Compassion, Place du Général Kœnig, 75017 Paris, at the intersection of boulevard d'Aurelle de Paladines and avenue de la Porte des Ternes. A City Wonders representative with a sign stands to the right of the church entrance.
2. Utah Beach MuseumVisit to the Musée du Débarquement at Utah Beach, 45 minutes, with the admission ticket included.
3. Utah BeachFree time on Utah Beach for 30 minutes.
4. L'Estran stopA one-hour stop at L'Estran. The tour includes a two-course lunch with a glass of Norman cider during the day.
5. Pointe du HocGuided tour of the Pointe du Hoc battlefield, one hour.
6. Omaha BeachFree time at Omaha Beach for 30 minutes.
7. American CemeteryGuided visit and free time at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, one hour and 15 minutes.
8. Return to ParisCoach back to Paris, ending at Place de la Porte Maillot. The full tour runs 14 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

Fourteen hours is a serious commitment, and reviews consistently say the day is long but rewarding, so a little preparation goes a long way.

• Long day, comfortable bus. Reviewers describe long stretches on the coach and recommend the tour mainly for travellers without medical issues that make extended sitting difficult.
• Bring an umbrella. One reviewer advises carrying an umbrella even when no rain is forecast. Several reviewers also note the day is long, so being prepared for the duration matters.
• Moderate fitness. A moderate physical fitness level is required and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Plan on being on your feet at several outdoor stops during the day.
• Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 50 travellers, so expect a large-group feel. Reviews suggest the guide manages time well, with briefing at each site followed by free exploration.
• Lunch and drinks. A two-course lunch with one glass of cider is included, and reviewers found the food good, mentioning dishes like chicken with mushroom sauce and pizza. Any further drinks are paid separately, and dietary requirements should be noted in the Special Requirements field when booking.
• Children. Parents travelling with young children must bring their own child restraint system. The coaches have no ISOFIX anchor points and limited availability of three-point seat belts.

Common issues. The main downside is length: fourteen hours door to door, with a lot of miles on the bus, which one reviewer flagged for travellers with medical issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and caps groups at 50 people, so it is not an intimate small-group experience. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, nor are gratuities or extra drinks at lunch. No hotel transport means an early start at a set meeting point near Porte Maillot.

Common Questions