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Normandy D-Day Tour, Part 1: Utah Beach and Ste-Marie-du-Mont

By Betsy Wuebker 6 Comments

(Last Updated On: March 2, 2020)

A Normandy D-Day tour is a great way to commemorate the Allied invasion’s 75th Anniversary

A visit to the beaches of Normandy is on many a bucket list. With the D-Day 75th Anniversary on June 6, 2019, a Normandy D-Day tour is a great way to pay your respects to the Greatest Generation, who brought forth a pivotal moment in WWII with their sacrifice and courage.

Where is Normandy, France and where are the U.S.-relevant sites of the Normandy invasion?

This first map of Normandy (click images twice to enlarge) gives you an idea of the distances Allied troops were transported by sea from the coast of England to the Normandy beaches, as well as the distance from Normandy to Paris.

Paris to Normandy D-Day sites
Normandy D-Day 70th Anniversary

The second map zooms into the beaches of Normandy. The Allied invasion plan called for a landing zone that was approximately 45 miles long, with the U.S.-relevant Utah Beach zone covering approximately 8 miles, and the Omaha Beach zone directly east, covering about 12 miles of hilly terrain.

Along the Cotentin peninsula just beyond Carentan, the Normandy shoreline is roughly bracketed by Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east where the U.S. D-Day landings occurred. Two famous U.S. Airborne divisions – the 82nd and 101st –  secured the villages of Ste-Mere-Eglise and Ste-Marie-du-Mont. Our plan also included stops at Angoville Au Plain, Pointe du Hoc, and the American cemetery.

We quickly realized that even though it was going to be a very full day, our limited time allowed for only a partial glimpse of D-Day’s magnitude. Also, there’s a lot more to Normandy, obviously, than D-Day. If you wish to visit Cherbourg, Mont St Michel, the Bayeux tapestry, and other points of interest in addition to your D-Day tours, make sure your stay encompasses several days.

Should You Hire a Guide?

We took an early train from Paris to Carentan to meet our Normandy D-Day tour guide, Colin McGarry. Our full day’s plan with Colin was focused on U.S.-relevant sites from roughly Sainte-Mere-Eglise in the west to Bayeux in the east.

map
Photo: Brittanica
Omaha assault
Photo: Brittanica

Colin proved to be a superb guide to the Normandy D-Day sites we wanted to see, as well as a nimble educator. (Good for those of us whose knowledge of history needs attention, as well as knowledgable WWII buffs).

Colin has been doing Normandy tours for over 25 years with top ratings on TripAdvisor. We liked that we’d be passengers in his vehicle, and because this was the off-season, we were his only companions for the day.

Be aware that private guides don’t come inexpensive. But hiring one is emphatically worth the price: Colin McGarry is the perfect guide. We found him to be quietly passionate on the region and its history, and an engaging, humorous storyteller.

Can You Get a Good Perspective Nowadays of What Happened Back Then?

Our World War II timeline with Colin took us chronologically through the pre-landing, the Normandy landings themselves, followed through with boots-on-the-ground progress, and finished up with stops at the American and German cemeteries.

The picturesque little village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, just inland from Utah Beach, was our first major stop. One of the most exciting aspects throughout our tour was standing at the very spots where iconic WWII photographs were taken.

The main intersection and town square of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont was the first of those “then and now moments” for us. It was a day-long thrill to recognize buildings and landmarks, including the painted road sign on the side of the building from the 1944 photo confirmed by today’s road markers.

sainte marie du mont 1
Photo: Wikipedia
Normandy D Day
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

The town hall then and now.

Normandy D-Day
Photo: Wikipedia
2014 01 22 10.21.06
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

2014 01 22 10.22.46
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
2014 01 22 10.21.47
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
2014 01 22 10.15.56
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

The village church changed hands several times during the process of taking Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. This sort of thing was to happen over and over again throughout Normandy during the week following June 6, 1944.

Colin conveyed several stories which contained similar elements of serendipity, coincidence, unforced errors and assistance from the locals at various locations from our tour.

Normandy D-Day
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
Normandy D-Day
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

Normandy D-Day
Photo: https://www.inthefootsteps.com/Then&Now/NormandyPics.htm
2014 01 22 10.15.05
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

We next moved on to Utah Beach itself, stopping at the memorial to Lt. Dick Winters of the 101st Airborne, immortalized by Stephen Ambrose in Band of Brothers, and the HBO series based upon the book. It was then that I realized this was going to be an emotional day.

Normandy D-Day Dick Winters
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
Normandy D-Day Dick Winters
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

Utah Beach is a broad sandy expanse. You can’t help but liken it to a shooting gallery; our men were sitting ducks. The peaceful lapping of the waves at the edge of the tidal zone masks the residual energy the sands must contain from that day.

2014 01 22 10.54.08
Normandy D-Day
Photo: AFP

2014 01 22 10.52.07
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
2014 01 22 10.53.31
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

The monument to our Naval heroes.

2014 01 22 11.09.58
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
2014 01 22 11.09.42
Photo: Betsy Wuebker
2014 01 22 11.08.45
Photo: Betsy Wuebker

Normandy D-Day Tour Series to be continued . . .

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using CheapOAir, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to TripAdvisor.

You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.

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Filed Under: Travel, France Tagged With: D-Day, France, Normandy, Normandy landings, Omaha Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église

Comments

  1. Suzanne Fluhr says

    June 6, 2019 at 1:36 am

    We did a 2 day tour of the Normandy landing beaches, the towns, and the American cemetery at Colville sur Mer with an outfit called Battle Bus at that time. There were 6 of us in a van with a Dutch driver/guide who spoke perfect English. I had read The Longest Day and Band of Brothers. As you experienced, it is a fascinating and emotional experience.

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      June 7, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Hi Suzanne – I really wish we’d scheduled two days instead of the one, but I feel our guide gave us a comprehensive experience which maximized our time.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Sainte Mere Eglise: Our Normandy D-Day Tour, Part 2 - Passing Thru says:
    May 13, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    […] Normandy D-Day tour guide, Colin McGarry, drove us to Sainte Mere Eglise after our visit to Utah Beach and Ste Marie du Mont. We can’t speak highly enough of Colin’s knowledge and expertise. It was truly a […]

    Reply
  2. Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach: Normandy Landing Sites - Passing Thru says:
    May 19, 2014 at 11:45 am

    […] Normandy D-Day Tour, Part 1: Utah Beach and Ste-Marie-du-Mont […]

    Reply
  3. D-Day Cemeteries: Remembering the Fallen - Passing Thru says:
    May 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    […] Normandy D-Day Tour, Part 1: Utah Beach and Ste-Marie-du-Mont […]

    Reply
  4. Video Tour of France | A to Z France Facts says:
    June 10, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    […] Normandy D-Day Tour, Part 1: Utah Beach and Ste-Marie-du-Mont […]

    Reply

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Aloha! We’re Betsy and Pete Wuebker. We traveled the world full time for close to four years and have visited almost 50 countries. If you’re a curious and thoughtful traveler, you’re in the right place. No matter if you’re new to travel or an old hand, we can help you refine your bucket list!

Here’s to a happier, travel-centered life!

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