ROUEN, FRANCE

On this tour we will remember the heroism of the Allied forces as we visit the historic sites of the D-Day landings.

The Normandy Landings began on 6th June 1944, when 150,000 troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. The invasion was the largest seaborne invasion at the time – it began with overnight parachute and glider landings, massive air attacks and naval bombardments. On this tour we will remember the heroism of the Allied forces as we visit the historic sites of the D-Day landings.

Departing the quayside, we drive to Arromanches, passing the Juno and Gold beaches en route. Juno Beach, situated between Sword and Gold Beach, is also known as the Canadian beach, as it was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Gold Beach was the Allied code name for the central invasion landing area between Juno and Omaha Beach.

We then arrive in Arromanches, known for its wartime Mulberry Harbour. This artificial harbour was built shortly after the invasion to help supply the troops in Normandy with equipment, weapons and ammunition. We will visit the Museum of the Landing Day, the first museum to be built in commemoration of 6th June 1944 and the Normandy Campaign. It overlooks the very spot where Mulberry Harbour was built and where its remains can still be seen. We will view various models and films that illustrate the D-Day landings and the creation of the artificial harbour. Time permitting, we may have a chance to browse the gift shop, before we re-board our tour coach and head to a local restaurant for lunch.

Feeling refreshed, we then drive to the location of the breathtaking American cemetery. On 8th June 1944, the U.S First Army established the temporary Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. Following the war, the present-day cemetery, which covers approximately 172 acres, was established a short distance to the south of the original site. It is located on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and is the final resting place for 10,000 U.S soldiers, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations during the Second World War. Embedded in the ground is a time capsule, in which reports of the 6th June 1944 Normandy landings have been sealed. The capsule is covered by a granite slab upon which ‘To be opened June 6th, 2044’ has been engraved.

Following our visit, we shall make a brief photo stop at Omaha Beach, one of the principal landing points of the Allied invasion. Very little went as planned during the landing at Omaha Beach. Difficulties in navigation caused the majority of landing craft to miss their targets throughout the day, the defences were unexpectedly strong and inflicted heavy casualties on landing US troops. This caused further problems and subsequent delays for later landings.

Prior to returning to Rouen, we shall make a photo stop at Pointe Du Hoc. Here the Germans built six casemates as part of the Atlantic Wall, situated between Utah Beach to the West and Omaha Beach to the East. These guns threatened Allied landings on both beaches, risking heavy casualties in the landing forces. From here we drive back to Rouen and our awaiting ship.

TOUR NOTES: This tour involves approximately two hours of walking, over mainly flat terrain, therefore it is not suitable for passengers with limited mobility. There are approximately ten steps to negotiate at Arromanches Museum. Please note that the drive from Rouen to Arromanches takes approximately two and a quarter hours, and the return journey from Pointe du Hoc back to the quayside takes approximately three hours.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2009 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES