Things to do in Normandy, France: The Best Tours

October 19, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Normandy (/ˈnɔːrməndi/; French: Normandie, pronounced [nɔʁmɑ̃di] ( listen), Norman: Normaundie, from Old French Normanz, plural of Normant, originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is one of the 18 regions of France, roughly corresponding to the historical Duchy of Normandy.
Restaurants in Normandy

1. 2 Day Mont Saint Michel & D-Day Normandy Private Day Tour from Paris

Best of France Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Visit the Mont Saint Michel UNESCO World Heritage site on Day 1 and explore the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy on Day 2 and gain insight into World War II history on this private day trip from Paris. Travel with a private guide to key WWII battle sites including : Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, and gain insight into the sacrifices made on both sides. Then, visit the American Cemetery — where a great many soldiers are laid to rest. This tour can be adapted and includes pickup and drop-off at your Paris hotel or apartment.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private guide and guide's hotel, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Clients hotel, Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By tjdotson

My husband and I were on a short trip to Paris for his work. On the day he had mostly off, we had Frederic drive us to Bruges since we had never been to Belgium and the pictures looked amazing. After a very comfortable ride there, Frederic started a walking tour with us in the morning and we quickly realized the pictures did not do this quaint city justice! We felt like Disney had created this perfect little town for people to see. Frederic walked us around before we stopped for lunch together. He was going to leave us to dine alone but we asked him to join us because we enjoyed his company so much and we wanted to hear more about the city. After lunch, he gave us the option of having him continue to walk us around or we could explore on our own. We chose to explore on our own since we felt he had given us such a good overview that morning. We had plans to tour the Chocolate Museum but when we arrived, it was closed due to the time of year. We actually didn't mind much and we just spent the day wandering the beautiful streets around the canals and stopping for hot chocolate and waffles. I would highly suggest a visit to Bruges to feel like you have stepped back in time. Speaking of time, we toured in January and lucked out that it wasn't extremely cold. The crowds were very low so it was easy to wander the streets and sometimes we found ourselves the only ones exploring the small alleyways. I would definitely return to Bruges one day and would highly suggest taking this tour especially if it is your first visit or if you have very limited time in the city.

2. Private day tour to Normandy D-day beaches from Paris

Private Trip
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5.0 based on 48 reviews

Visit the D-day beaches of Normandy and delve into France’s World War II history on this private day tour from Paris. Explore the WWII landings battlegrounds around Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc with your private guide, and learn of the sacrifices made by the opposing Allied and German soldiers. Pay your respects at the American Cemetery with its Visitor Center and visit other top sites of interest including the Pointe du Hoc, German coastal battery and the Pegasus bridge "Hold until relieved". This private tour includes round-trip travel from your central Paris accommodation in a air conditioned van.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private driver/guide, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch (approx EUR 20)

Reviewed By tnkbstr55

Let me add to the list of glowing reviews for this tour service. At the outset, setting up the tour with Deborah was smooth and professional. All of my questions were answered promptly. The day before the tour I received a text from Jozef to confirm arrangements and to advise on Normandy weather conditions. Jozef met us at our Paris hotel at 6:30 AM. He has a comfortable van which easily held the 4 of us. As we drove to Normandy we got to know each other and Jozef began to give us background on the events surrounding D Day. We marveled at Jozef's depth and breadth of knowledge. He is a treasure trove of information, and conveyed that information with passion and respect for the subject matter. It is impossible in a short post to review the entirety of the day. Suffice to say we started with the events in the zone in which American paratroopers deployed, moved to the D Day beaches and ended at the American cemetery. A very moving day. We all agreed the the tour with Jozef was the highlight of our 18 days in France! Jozef has even provided me with a list of follow up books on the subject. Can I give 6 stars? When we return to France we will be using PT/Jozef for other tours.

3. Full Day Tour focus on Mont St Michel from Bayeux with a National guide

Place de Québec, 14400 Bayeux, France Gold Beach Company
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

You only have a few days to visit the great sites of Normandy. You came to visit the DDAY landing but you have heard of Mont St Michel. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel located in the town of Bayeux. From this meeting you will be transported into the universe of the Middle Ages. This period of history is very rich in Normandy and Mont St Michel is undoubtedly the most beautiful symbol. Your certified guide will make you discover all aspects and will reveal all the secrets of his famous Abbey. From this Abbey you will overlook one of the most beautiful and largest sea bay in the world. Its appearance and colors change every moment making it a unique place in the world.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Entrée de l'Abbaye du Mont St Michel

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By sylverem2021

Incroyable What a nice tour ! Guides are so awesome - full of knowledge and very nice ! The organization was so cool and respectful of the client ! I tell you ! You need to do this your if you come in ! Apologize my English I’m french !

4. Giverny Monet's House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris

Normandy Melody
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Private and exclusive experience to discover Giverny & Versailles with a private professional guide. Two of the most popular day trip destinations outside the French capital – Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles and Monet's gardens and house in Giverny. > Private Tour - 9 hours > Exclusive services > Licensed Professional Driver Guide > Skip the line entrances > Admission to Monet's house & gardens > Admission to Versailles Palace and Gardens even when Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens > Headsets if necessary > Hotel pick up & drop off

Inclusions: Private Tour, Exclusive services, Licensed Professional Driver Guide, Pick up and drop off from your accommodation / hotels in Paris, Transport by air-conditioned minibus, Skip-the-Line access & Priority admission., Guided visit: Monet's house and gardens & Versailles's palace and gardens

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By twokids246

I booked a full day tour of Versailles with my daughter and it was just perfect. I had many questions through email prior to our outing and they were always answered in a timely manner. They were always there to help. Our morning started out with a very nice Mercedes van picking us up and taking us to Versailles to meet our wonderful guide, Anna. Anna was very knowledgeable on every aspect of Versailles. My daughter and I learned so much and had the most magnificent time with Anna. If we had done this tour alone we would have been amazed still, but doing it with a guide makes a world of difference. There were so many details and things we would have never known if we didn’t have Anna. When the day was over our driver was right there ready to take us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company, they were top notch and did everything with ease and class. What an incredible experience!!!

5. Omaha and Band Of Brothers Full Day Tour

Place de Québec, 14400 Bayeux, France OverlordTour
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5.0 based on 153 reviews

This tour will take you to the main sites of the  Omaha sector in the morning and then will follow the footsteps of the famous  Band of Brothers in the afternoon.

Inclusions: Driver/guide

Exclusions: Food and drink, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By carinisaacs

This was the highlight of our trip to France! Our guide was knowledgeable & my teenage & college age boys loved it. Highly recommend.

6. Private Tour

Place de Québec, 14400 Bayeux, France OverlordTour
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5.0 based on 143 reviews

A personalized tour is a wonderful opportunity for any visitor to custom design their tour of the Invasion areas. With the help of our expert knowledge and years of experience, we can assist you in customizing and planning your perfect personalized tour! Our private tours can be booked from March to December. It can be based on one of our regular group tours (see example sights in our tour description) or be customized to your interests. A private tour is ideal if you wish to : customize your tour and include sites that are not on our group tours. plan a family holiday, with children and/or senior citizens, need the flexibility of hotel pick-up, want to enjoy a more leisurely pace. select timings that are more suitable to your holiday schedule. enjoy your privacy and the exclusive use of our guide’s knowledge. trace the exact footsteps of a relative who has participated in the D-Day events.

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Entrance fees (museum), Food and drinks, Lunch

Reviewed By carinisaacs

This was the highlight of our trip to France! Our guide was knowledgeable & my teenage & college age boys loved it. Highly recommend.

7. Versailles Skip-the-Line & Giverny Small Group Day Trip from Paris

La Flamme, 6 Avenue de Wagram, 75008 Paris, France Blue Fox Travel - Blue Bike Tours
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5.0 based on 34 reviews

Discover two of the most iconic homes and gardens in French culture on this small group day trip from Paris! You’ll explore King Louis the 14th Palace and outstanding French Gardens in Versailles and also discover the inspiration Claude Monet found in his colorful home and Clos Normand gardens in Giverny.

Inclusions: Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver/guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food

Reviewed By Pjrour995

the guide very well known as locals, we walked to the village of Marie Antoinette, we saw the lyon I absolutely enjoyed my time.

8. Private tour: visit Deauville in a sidecar

Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville, 38 Rue Jean Mermoz, 14804 Deauville, France RETRO TOUR NORMANDY
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5.0 based on 24 reviews

Discover Deauville aboard an authentic sidecar, a unique experience in the heart of the 21st district of Paris (Deauville's nickname). Your Gentleman Sider is a true Norman who will quickly become your friend. He will share with you the history and anecdotes of the area: its architecture, its way of life and its secrets only known by its inhabitants. You will carefully journey throughout the town and its tiny hidden streets, with multiple stops to take pictures. Each sidecar has room for two passengers (one in the basket / one behind the pilot) with your private guide. It is for this reason that your trip will be a magical and unforgettable memory. The best way to discover the city's charms. Let us guide you.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off, Local Guide, Professional Driver, Use of Helmet

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By Regwad

Perfect activity for fun and learning in Deauville. Very funny guide and very convenient. I would strongly recommand

9. Utah & Omaha Beaches D-Day Group Tour from Bayeux

Bayeux coach park, Unnamed Road, 14400 Bayeux, France Bayeux Shuttle
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5.0 based on 778 reviews

Full day sightseeing tour of the American sectors of the D-Day Normandy invasion. An experienced English speaking guide will show you the battlefield sites and explain in detail the events that occurred.

Inclusions: Maximum of 22 passengers per tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Professional guide

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By MikkelPaige

We visited desiring a "splurge" on the coast and experience of an all day tour of WWII spots in Normandy. We LOVED Bayeux Shuttle. It was worth every penny. Mike was our guide and his passion and knowledge shined through. He was truly one of the best tour guides we've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. We loved the flow of the full day tour - starting at the German cemetery and ending at the American Cemetery, very strategically, which you learn about why on the tour. Mike even researched a family member whose landing on Utah Beach we were curious about, before we arrived the for the tour. The vans are modern and are outfitted with tv screens that play informative videos that enhance the experience as you go from one location to the next.

10. Normandy D-Day Small-Group Day Trip with Omaha Beach, Cemetery & Cider Tasting

6 Avenue de Wagram, 75008 Paris, France Blue Fox Travel - Blue Bike Tours
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4.9 based on 469 reviews

Take a 12-hour day trip from Paris to Normandy to visit the D-Day landing beaches, where the end of World War II began at sites such as Omaha Beach. You'll see German bunkers, the Operation Overlord Museum, and Pointe du Hoc, plus visit the Normandy American Cemetery, where 10,000 white crosses stand in perfect rows next to the waters of the English Channel. This tour is limited to eight people to provide a small-group experience with a guide.

Inclusions: Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver/guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food

Reviewed By Pjrour995

the guide very well known as locals, we walked to the village of Marie Antoinette, we saw the lyon I absolutely enjoyed my time.

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