Canadian Normandy D-Day Sites Tour from Bayeux - Private

Summary Description

Experience a private Canadian D-Day Normandy tour from Bayeux. Explore Juno Beach, museums, memorials, and more with an expert guide. Pickup included. 

Highlights
  • Get An Insight Into the Canadian Battles on D-Day
  • Visit Juno Beach Centre Canadian War Museum
  • Learn about Abbey d'Ardenne
  • Stop at Hill 67 Memorial site
  • Tour can be customized to suit your interests
Description

Step back into history with the **Canadian Normandy D-Day Sites Tour from Bayeux – Private**. Expertly guided by a professional, English-speaking driver/guide, this exclusive tour is perfect for those seeking an in-depth look at the heroic Canadian efforts during D-Day. Start your day with the ease of direct pickup from your Bayeux hotel or train station, and travel in style and comfort aboard a fully equipped, air-conditioned Mercedes minivan. 

Explore the pivotal Juno Beach and the immersive Juno Beach Centre Canadian War Museum. Pay tribute at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bény-sur-Mer and discover the moving stories at Abbey d'Ardenne and the Hill 67 Memorial. Customize your itinerary to create a truly personal experience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious, this private tour will give you unique insights into the Canadian role in Normandy. Unforgettable, expertly guided, and thoroughly enriching—book your journey today!

Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide who is a local Expert on WWII and the Normandy landings 
 Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your premium, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit Juno beach.

 All our tour company vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system which means that everyone will hear the guide's commentary during driving time, even if you are seated in the back of the van! Also, we have bottled water at your disposal and you can use our free wifi as you travel from one destination to another.

 Juno Beach Sector visit, including Museum dedicated to Canadian WWII history

 Did you know Canadian troops had the second highest number of casualties after the Americans during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy? The French certainly owe them a lot, and they played a crucial part in the liberation of Caen.

 As an introduction to this D-Day landing tour, you will reach Juno Beach, where the Canadian Armed Forces of the 3rd infantry division and 9th brigade landed on the morning of June 6, 1944. Even though German troops were not very present in this sector, the Canadian Army was welcomed with landmines and obstacles which killed close to half of the men.

 However, after that, the Allied troops did not lose hope and made the furthest advancement by the end of the day, about 16 km inland. Unfortunately, the next day the Germans were ready to fight to push the Allies back to the sea. From the Normandy battlefield sites, our guide will tell you all the details and how the Allied forces finally managed to keep gaining ground.

 Located between St Aubin sur Mer and Courseulles sur mer, Juno Beach has become one of the most popular Normandy tourist sites and boasts a beautiful museum: the Juno Beach centre museum dedicated to Canadian involvement in the D-Day landing and World War II. To honor the Canadian army, it was built in the shape of a modern maple leaf. Stop at Juno Beach and guided tour of the museum with your expert guide and chart the history of the Canadians on this full day tour.

 Visit of the major Canadian War Cemetery in Bény sur Mer

 Our Canadian D-Day Normandy private tour carries on to Bény sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Many of those buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery were men of the 3rd Canadian Division who died either on 6 June or during the early days of the advance towards Caen, when the Division engaged a German battle group formed from the 716th Division and the 21st Panzer Division.

 The cemetery, designed by P.D. Hepworth, contains 2,048 Second World War burials, the majority Canadian, and 19 of them unidentified. The war memorial is now taken care of by the Commonwealth War Graves Commissions and is kept beautifully landscaped and immaculate.

 Hear about the tragic massacre that took place at Ardenne Abbey 

 Hear the story of the Abbey d'Ardenne, where twenty Canadian soldiers, members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and 27th Armoured Regiment (part of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment), were captured and executed by Waffen SS forces in a monastery near Caen, France.

 The Abbaye d'Ardenne was liberated by the Regina Rifles shortly before midnight on July 8. Their members discovered the body of Lt. Williams (who is buried in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery), however no trace of LCpl. Pollard was ever found. The Bayeux Memorial (near the Bayeux War Cemetery) lists him as missing. Your comprehensive tour continues towards the Verrières Ridge.

 Final stop at Hill 67 of the Verrières Ridge

 Your final stop of the day will be at Verrières Ridge where Point or Hill 67 is located. The area was of great importance to the Allies after the fall of Caen. The Germans defended the western part of the Ridge and were supported by other troops that were holding the west side of the River Orne. The first assault of the Ridge took place on July 19th and for the first - and last - time, the pipers were allowed to play the troops forward. 

 For more than 5 days Canadian and British forces made numerous attempts to take the Ridge from the Germans who fiercly defended the area and counter attacked causing a great number of casualties. One of the most contreversial attack in Canadian Military History made by the Royal Highland regiment - known as The Black Watch - took place here on July 25th. Out of 325 soldiers, 315 were either killed, wounded or captured making it the costliest battle for Canadians since Dieppe.

 After the stop at the Hill 67 memorial, it will be time to return to Bayeux.

 

Included / Excluded
  • Pick up at your accommodation in Bayeux or the surrounding area
  • Professional English speaking driver/guide
  • Itinerary & Program can be fully customized
  • Travel in fully equipped, air conditioned Mercedes minivan.
  • Free WiFi access on board
  • Entrance fees to monuments, museums and attractions
  • Personal insurance & expenses
  • Meals and drinks
  • Gratuities for the guide
Start / End Locations

Start Location: Bayeux, France

End Location: Bayeux, France

Important Information
Know Before You Book
  • Price is per group, not per person
  • This product is on request.
  • Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate.
  • English speaking tour, other languages on request
  • Not wheelchair accessible.
Know Before You Go
  • Please be ready 10 minutes before departure time
  • Tour involves some walking, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Currency is in Euros.
Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 48 hours

Cancellation Notes: For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund No show - no refund.

Options and Pricing
Price per person based two persons RETAIL PRICE
Adult (0 - 99 years) €418.00
Child (5 - 11 years) N/A
Terms and Conditions

All our terms & conditions can be found here: https://www.ophorus.com/terms-sales

Additional Information

• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate. Offered all year round on request except Sundays. Tour does not run on May 1st.

 • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

 • Infant seats available

FAQ

What Canadian sites does this tour visit?

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You visit Varaville, Hill 67, Abbey d’Ardenne, several village memorials, the Juno Beach Centre, Maison des Canadiens and Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.

Where does the tour start and end?

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The tour includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, accommodation or train station in Bayeux or the nearby area.

Is the Juno Beach Centre entrance included?

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Yes, entrance to the Juno Beach Centre is included in the tour price, giving you time to explore the museum and nearby bunkers.

How long is the Canadian D-Day tour?

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This is a full-day tour of around 8 hours, combining driving between sites with guided visits and time for lunch.

Is lunch included?

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Lunch is not included; you have free time, usually around Courseulles-sur-Mer, to choose and pay for your own meal.

About operator:

Ophorus Tours is both a licensed Tour Operator, member of Atout France and ETOA, and a Transportation company with headquarters in Bordeaux. We operate since 2005 and conduct Walking Tours, Day Trips, Private Tours, Shore Excursions and multi-regional Tours throughout France. 

Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world. 

Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...

Basic Information
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Trip difficulty: Easy
  • Max Group Size: 8
  • Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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