Normandy is chock full of history, art, breathtaking coastline, and the peaceful countryside. We don’t understand why this beautiful region is so often viewed as a two-day stop to see only the D-day beaches and World War II cemeteries! In fact, many Parisians have long escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and retreated to Normandy.

From the stunning Mont St. Michel to the charming fishing village of Honfleur. From the beaches of Deauville to fascinating towns like Rouen, where Monet painted the cathedral…there really is something for everyone in Normandy.  

Our experiences and tours are bespoke. We have several certified guides (the only ones allowed to conduct tours in museums and monuments) who have been sharing the Norman story for decades. They bring both the history and this amazing culture to life in their private tours.

Our itineraries are custom designed based on our clients’ interests and passions. Here are examples of things to do and see.

Mont-Saint-Michel
You will visit Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, considered to be one of France’s most stunning sights. For centuries it was a major European pilgrimage destination. The holy island and its bay were the first to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Abbey of the Mont-Saint-Michel, with its medieval architecture, became a renowned center of learning, attracting some of the greatest minds in Europe.

Rouen Cathedral
The original cathedral was a Romanesque structure. But when Gothic architecture became popular, it was decided to replace the existing building with a more prestigious one to showcase the prestige of Rouen to the world (then one of the largest cities in Western Europe). Allied bombing in WWII significantly damaged the cathedral, where urgent repairs were necessary to secure the entire monument.

Church of Saint Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc Church’s unique design was controversial in the city that was known for its medieval Gothic churches. The sweeping curves refer to the flame that consumed Joan of Arc on the same square in 1431. The church was inaugurated in 1979 and was listed as an historic monument in 2002. The 13 stained-glass windows inside had been removed from Saint Vincent Church to protect them from WWII bombing. Fortunately, the precautions worked, enabling the windows to have a new home in the Saint Joan of Arc Church.

Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry, which is almost 70 meters, depicts 58 scenes that tell the story of how William the Conqueror became King of England in 1066. The whole museum is the tapestry wrapping around. The embroidery shows the battles in amazing detail.

Cheese Making
Most famous for its Camembert, it is certainly fun to visit a Norman fromager to see how this famous cheese is produced.

Bell Foundry
The foundry, which represents a long tradition of Norman bell founders dating back to the Middle Ages, specializes in the production of bells and artistic bronzes, including those in Notre Dame de Paris. Each year the workshop, which was built in 1865, produces 100 monumental bells. See how the bells are made by these amazing artisans.

Copper Workshop
Founded in the 19th century, the workshop has been devoted exclusively to manufacturing cookware. In 1985, it was expanded, creating a shop that opened to the public to share the know-how of its craftsmen. Their products are used by some of Paris’s greatest chefs! You might have a hard time resisting a beautiful copper momento!

Calvados and Cider
The beverage of choice in Normandy is apple cider (dating back to the Middle Ages) and Calvados, and apple brandy. Learn how each is produced by visiting distilleries.

Landing Beaches/American Cemetery
This will be a powerful day remembering the American troops who landed on Utah and Omaha Beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944. You also will visit the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II.

Visit Utah Beach
Utah Beach was one of the key beaches where American forces — mainly the U.S. 4th Infantry Division, supported by airborne troops from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions — stormed ashore on the Nazi‑occupied Cotentin Peninsula. The landing was intended to establish a secure beachhead, allow Allied forces to push inland, and help cut off German defenses while advancing toward the strategic port of Cherbourg. Compared with some other landing sites, resistance at Utah Beach was relatively light, and U.S. troops achieved their initial objectives with fewer casualties.

Visit Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, a small commune near Utah Beach, where American airborne troops from the 101st Airborne Division landed nearby and secured the town to connect with forces coming from the beaches.

Visit Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Sainte-Mère-Église was one of the first towns liberated by American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Normandy invasion. The town is famous for the dramatic incident of a paratrooper, John Steele, who became caught on the church steeple, which has become an iconic symbol of the airborne landings.

Visit Angoville-au-Plain
Angoville-au-Plain became famous when two U.S. Army medics, Milton and Ernest, used the village church to treat dozens of wounded soldiers from both American and German forces. The church still preserves bloodstains and wartime markings as a memorial, making Angoville-au-Plain a significant site of wartime heroism and humanitarian action.

Visit Omaha Beach
It was Omaha Beach where U.S. troops suffered some of the highest casualties of D-Day due to the coastline’s steep bluffs and heavy German defenses. Today, the sandy beach is a solemn memorial site, home to monuments and near the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking the sea.

Visit Pointe du Hoc
On D-Day, U.S. Army Rangers scaled Pointe du Hoc’s 100-foot cliffs under heavy fire to destroy German artillery that was threatening the Allied landings. Today, bomb craters and bunkers continue to mark the site, preserved as a powerful memorial of their bravery.

Visit Overlord Museum
The Overlord Museum tells the story of Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings through an extensive collection of more than 10,000 artifacts, including military vehicles, tanks, guns, uniforms, and personal items.  These historic items are displayed in life-size models that trace the Normandy invasion and Battle of Normandy.

Visit American Cemetery
The American Cemetery is where nearly 9,400 American service members, who died during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy, are buried in perfectly aligned white crosses and Stars of David. The 172.5 acres of beautifully kept grounds overlook Omaha Beach. The site also includes a memorial with a reflecting pool, a chapel, and the “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” statue. Each day about one hour before closing, the cemetery holds a flag lowering ceremony. As the American flag is respectfully taken down and folded, spectators often pause in silence to honor the fallen.

Visit Longues sur Mer German Gun Battery
The Longues-sur-Mer German gun battery is a well-preserved World War II coastal artillery site built by Nazi Germany as part of the Atlantic Wall defenses. It originally housed four 150 mm guns in concrete casemates. The battery fired on Allied naval forces on D-Day and was captured by British troops the next day. Today visitors can see the original guns still in place, explore the bunkers, and learn about its role in the Battle of Normandy.

Visit Arromanches-les-Bains
Arromanches-les-Bains is a small seaside town located on Gold Beach that was the site of the Mulberry B artificial harbor—a temporary port built by the Allies to land troops, vehicles, and supplies after the invasion. Remnants of the port can still be seen offshore today, making Arromanches one of the most significant and visible D-Day historic sites in Normandy.

Visit Ver sur Mer Memorial
The Ver-sur-Mer Memorial (officially the British Normandy Memorial) was unveiled in 2021 to honor the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who were killed on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy.  Each name is inscribed on stone columns and walls. The site also includes a tribute to French civilians who lost their lives during the campaign.

Visit Juno Beach
Juno Beach was the primary landing site for Canadian forces, who faced strong German defenses but succeeded in securing a foothold that contributed to the Allied advance inland. Today, Juno Beach is home to the Juno Beach Center, a museum and memorial dedicated to telling the story of the Canadian military’s role in the Normandy invasion and honoring those who fought and died there.

Visit Sword Beach
Sword Beach was a key site in the Allied invasion, linking the beachhead to the city of Caen and enabling the push inland. Today, Sword Beach features memorials, remnants of German fortifications, and museums that commemorate the landing and the soldiers who fought there.

Visit Pegasus Bridge
Pegasus Bridge is famous for the glider assault by British airborne forces on the night of June 5-6, 1944. Capturing the bridge over the Caen Canal was crucial to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the beaches on D‑Day. Today, the site includes a museum and preserved sections of the original bridge, honoring the bravery of the soldiers involved in this pivotal operation.

Private Tour of Caen Mémorial
This major museum and memorial is dedicated to the history of World War II, the D-Day landings, and the Battle of Normandy, as well as broader 20th‑century conflicts. It features immersive exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia displays that explore the causes, events, and consequences of war, emphasizing peace and reconciliation.

The Pays d’Auge
Enjoy typical Normandy landscape and architecture, as well as local specialties. In the outskirts of the region, see a typical private manor and visit a stud farm, as horse breeding is an important industry here.

Cooking Class with Lunch
Your instructor’s passion for gourmet cooking started when she was a young girl, as her family owned several restaurants. She expanded her Parisian cooking classes into Normandy, a region close to her heart. When you arrive, you will begin your class, you will then enjoy a typical Norman aperitif around the fireplace or on the terrace (if the weather allows it). Your hard work will pay off with a 3-course lunch, with wine of course!

Deauville
See why Deauville has long been considered a chic and glamorous seaside resort — an upscale holiday destination since the 1800s. Known for its grand casino, golf courses, horse races and American Film Festival, and of course its wide sandy beach, the town also has boutiques surrounded by elegant architecture.

Trouville
Trouville, originally a fishing port, was one of the first coastal resorts to be developed in France. It was a favorite of writers and artists…from Flaubert and Proust, to Monet and Boudin. See its beauty today with its glamorous buildings, a vibrant fish market, and a beautiful sandy beach with a boardwalk.