From Caen to Cherbourg Tracing the History of the Normandy Landings

To ease you into this historic experience, begin with the Caen Memorial. This memorial traces the origins of the Second World War and extends to the end of the Cold War. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings and Battle of Normandy, an exhibition entitled “L’Aube du siècle américain, 1919-1944” ( The dawn of the American century 1919-1944) tells the American story leading up to the landings.

Is it already lunchtime? Don’t worry, the Café des Images is very close by. This hybrid venue opened more than 40 years ago and is a place that combines art-house cinema, social, ecological and solidarity-based events, and is also a café-restaurant serving local dishes made using local, organic and fair-trade products.

It would be a shame to devote this trip only to the events from the Allied soldiers’ perspective. If you also want to find out more about what happened on the losing side, go to the Museum of the Atlantic Wall. This museum is inside a five-level blockhouse that has been completely renovated. It was the central command for the Orne estuary defences!   See what life  for German troops was like inside of this historic bunker. You will also get insight on the atmosphere that prevailed among their soldiers on the eve of the landings. 

It’s time to unpack and process all the historic facts of the day! [The Ferme du Grand Parc]in Moulins-en-Bessin is the perfect place to enjoy some peace and quiet. You can even pick the fruit and vegetables that are grown on the farm. 

Before getting to the heart of the matter at the remembrance sites of summer 1944, visit the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy to get an overall picture of the battle. his museum is dedicated to exhibiting the stages of the conflict, recounting the daily advancement of the troops.

Your memory is now refreshed!  For those whose appetite is is as regular as clockwork, Lemon Perk will be a hit, the menu here is 100% vegetarian, and dishes are made using products that are tasty, local and organic. Brunch is served daily (except Sundays).

It’s time to continue on our epic journey through history. To truly understand the strategic defense role that the German artillery battery played in facing the Allied troops, the guided tour (organised by Bayeux Tourist Office) is highly recommended. This battery in Longues-sur-Mer, was not the most powerful one but its location definitely gave it a strategic advantage!

Enjoy the fresh sea air and end your day with a walk on Omaha Beach. It’s difficult to imagine that this peaceful place was the venue of such a strategic and deadly battle. The Braves are three monumental sculptures by artist Anilore Banon that symbolize the courage of the soldiers. Just behind them, the Colleville-sur-Mer American cemetery serves as a stark reminder of the extent of Allied losses, with 9,387 white crosses representing each of the soldiers who died on 6 June 1944.

The sun is now setting!    The hotel Le Bayeux, once an inn in the heart of Calvados, has been awarded the “Green Key” classification for its healthy environment and environmentally friendly practices.,is the ideal place to recharge your batteries. 

You’ve made it to D-Day! The Normandy Sightseeing Tour  agency is specialised in the organisation of guided tours (private or in groups, half days or full days). Whatever the type of experience you go for, the driver/guide knows the tours like the back of their hand, down to the minute. For fans of walking, there are also guided historic walking tours available, covering 7 to 8 km (around 3 hours). This is an opportunity to learn about this historic day in the great outdoors.

The fresh sea air works up quite an appetite! How about an impromptu picnic, weather permitting? The Ferme de La Sapinière has a wide range of local products on offer. Some of their specialty products are Vire andouille, Camembert made using raw milk, Livarot cheese, Pont l’Evêque cheese, Isigny caramels, and all these iconic products of Normandy are produced thanks to traditional ancestral expertise.

In the summer, come to L’Embusqué, an English double-decker bus from the 1970s, with an outdoor seating area overlooking the beach. choose from a range of delicious snacks made using local, seasonal products.

Treat yourselves to an overnight stay at the Ferme du Loucel, a former farm that dates back to the 17th century that has been beautifully renovated into a charming, intimate bed & breakfast. You will appreciate the small garden as well as the fireplace in your rooms for those cooler evenings.  

It’s time for some role play! The Blockhaus is an escape room with several different scenarios to choose from to experience the hours leading up to the landings. The success of the mission depends on your teamwork. Will you be up to the challenge?

Stay in this historic little bubble a while longer and head to L’Atelier, a café/delicatessen that will whisk you away into the 1940s! This establishment has been decorated using objects from this period and is a real journey back in time (without the impending battles). Make sure you book a table for lunch or the monthly evenings.

End this historic day with a tour of the  D-Day experience, to find out more about the landings from both an American and a German perspective, with the Dead Man’s Corner Museum. If you’re looking for even more excitement, you can also climb into the cockpit of a C-47 from 1943 for a flight simulation.

For your last overnight stay in the region, book a room (or a house if you’ve brought the whole gang with you) at the incredible Haras du Ry in Brévands. This stud farm is still in business and is set in the midst of lush grounds. Animal lovers can come and meet the horses while other guests simply embrace the idyllic setting and relax. 

Begin your day with a fascinating exploration of the Musée de la Libération, in the Fort du Roule, where you’ll discover the key role that Cherbourg played in the Second World War, and see what life was like for civilians and soldiers during this time. The exhibition is visually captivating and educational at the same time. Photographs of the town are displayed from when it was occupied and after the liberation, and there are countless documents from the archives showing examples of propaganda and resistance efforts. As an added bonus, you can admire the spectacular view of the harbour!

While you’re in Cherbourg, take the opportunity to discover the menu at the Club Dinette. The choice is limited – two starters, two main courses, two desserts – which is a good sign since the dishes change with the seasons.

To top off this action-packed historic adventure, head to the Cité de la Mer and step aboard the “Redoutable”, the biggest submarine open to visitors in the world! We recommend  this underwater experience of the Normandy Landings with an audio-guide or with a former submariner. Bookings are compulsory.