Departure: Bayeux · 5 stops · Full-day itinerary. The precise order may change depending on opening hours, traffic, weather and operational considerations. Route: 129 km, ≈2h07 driving (OSRM).
Utah · Sainte-Mère-Église · Pointe du Hoc · Omaha
American D-Day Private Tour in Normandy
Follow the story of the American forces on D-Day across the major landing and airborne sites of Normandy.
This private full-day American D-Day tour connects the key locations of June 6, 1944, from the airborne operations around Sainte-Mère-Église to Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery.
Departing from Bayeux or Caen, your itinerary is organised in a logical geographical order to reduce unnecessary driving and allow more time at the historic sites.
This page is part of our wider D-Day Private Tours Normandy overview, which also covers the British and Canadian sectors.
A Full Day Across the American D-Day Sector
To properly understand the American story of D-Day, we recommend a full day.
The American sector stretches from the Cotentin Peninsula at Utah Beach to Omaha Beach and the cliffs overlooking the Normandy coast.
A typical itinerary can include:
Utah Beach
Begin on the westernmost D-Day landing beach.
Utah Beach was assigned to American forces and became the link between the amphibious landings and the airborne operations inland.
Today, the beach and surrounding landscape help visitors understand the scale of the landing operation and the importance of the nearby causeways.
Sainte-Mère-Église
Continue inland to Sainte-Mère-Église, closely associated with the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.
The church square remains one of the best-known locations connected with the airborne operations of the night of June 5–6, 1944.
The Airborne Museum can be included for travellers wishing to spend additional time understanding the paratroopers' story.
Pointe du Hoc
Continue east toward Pointe du Hoc.
Standing above the Channel between Utah and Omaha, these dramatic cliffs preserve bomb craters, bunkers and defensive positions attacked by U.S. Army Rangers on D-Day.
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach offers a completely different landscape and story.
A stop on the beach allows time to understand the geography faced by American troops on June 6, from the sea wall and exits to the high ground overlooking the coastline.
Normandy American Cemetery
The day can finish at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Overlooking Omaha Beach, it is one of the most moving memorial sites in Normandy and an appropriate final stop after following the events of the American landings.
Visitors wishing to focus specifically on the western sector can discover our Utah Beach & Sainte-Mère-Église Private Tour.
Travellers mainly interested in Omaha can discover our Omaha Beach Private Tour.
Why We Recommend a Full Day
Trying to visit Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in only a few hours means spending too much of the visit in the vehicle.
From Bayeux, allow a complete day with time for a lunch break.
This provides enough time to walk through the sites, understand their relationship and avoid rushing through places of remembrance.
Private Chauffeur or Licensed D-Day Guide?
Two options are available.
A licensed guide can be arranged in advance.
Travel with an English-speaking private chauffeur. A licensed professional guide can be arranged on request.
Private Tour from Bayeux or Caen
Pickup can be organised directly from:
- your hotel in Bayeux
- Bayeux railway station
- your accommodation in Caen
- Caen railway station
- another location in Normandy by arrangement
Your itinerary remains entirely private.
Travellers already based in the town can also look at our D-Day Private Tour from Bayeux.
Practical information
- Departure
- Bayeux / Caen
- Recommended duration
- Full day
- Vehicle
- Premium Sedan / Mercedes V-Class
- Guide
- Optional licensed D-Day guide
- Tour
- 100% private
Common questions
FAQ
Yes. With an early departure from Bayeux, the principal American sites can be covered comfortably during a full-day private tour.
We recommend approximately 8 to 10 hours depending on museum visits and lunch.
Yes. When opening hours allow, organising the route to finish at the cemetery provides a natural conclusion to the itinerary.
Yes. Clients can send us the unit, regiment or any available information in advance. A specialist licensed guide can also be requested.
No. The vehicle and itinerary are private to your party.
Related itineraries
Planning your American D-Day day in Normandy?
Tell us your dates, your starting point in Bayeux or Caen, the number of passengers and any unit or family story you would like the itinerary to follow.
Photo credits — Jebulon (CC0) · Avi1111 dr. avishai teicher (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Jebulon (CC0) · Jebulon (CC0) · Myrabella (CC BY-SA 3.0) · GO69 (CC BY-SA 3.0). Full photo credits and licences.