Normandy
As well as giving groups the opportunity to stand on the very beaches where so many sacrifices were made during WWII, Normandy also offers the chance to explore other significant periods of history, including medieval times and the story of the Norman Conquest.
Curriculum Links:
Linked to WWII History, Geography, Cultural and Languages
PLACES TO VISIT
Honfleur
The historic and picturesque old fishing port of Honfleur has been an inspiration to painters, musicians, writers and poets.
Falaise Castle
This spectacular castle is the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Normandy and the birthplace of William the Conqueror.
Le Memorial de Caen
This modern museum offers a spectacular audio-visual presentation, a vast collection of photographs, posters, models and two short films on D-Day and The Battle of Normandy.
Musee du Debarquement
The Landings Museum is based in Arromanches in front of the actual artificial Mulberry Harbour.
Juno Beach Centre
Located on Juno beach in the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer, it offers insight into Canada’s participation in the Second World War.
Caen
This is the city of William the Conqueror, where sites worth visiting include the Ducal Castle and the Men’s and Ladies’ Abbeys.
Arromanches 360 Cinema
Presented on nine screens in a circular cinema, the film ‘The Price of Freedom’ combines unreleased footage from war correspondent archives with present day pictures shot on location.
Bayeux
Explore the town of Bayeux full of old world character with wooden houses, elegant stone buildings and cobblestone roads. Visit the Tapestry Museum, the fine Norman Romanesque cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Saturday market.
Mont-Saint-Michel
One of France’s most iconic landmarks. Offers learning in geography (tidal systems), RE (monastic life), and history (medieval Europe). A memorable cultural highlight for any age.
Pegasus Memorial Museum
Dedicated to the British 6th Airborne Division, it tells the story of how they held the eastern flank of the Landing Beaches.
Cite de la Mer
The old Transatlantic Rail Terminal of Cherbourg is the ideal place to discover the adventures of man in the deep seas.
Merville Battery Museum
The Battery was attacked by Lieutenant-Colonel Otway’s 9th Battalion Parachute Regiment on D-Day. The museum tells the story of the Parachute operations and the later Commando action.
Livarot Cheese Museum
Known as the cheese village, the museum offers a chance to see all the stages of cheese-making and the possibility to study micro-organisms.
PLACES TO STAY
UNCMT Les Quieri Quierettes*
Located in Grandcamp-Maisy, Normandy seaside holiday village. Geared toward group stays, school trips, and children's camps. Offers 120-132 beds, sea-view rooms with washbasins, shared sanitation, a dining hall, activity rooms and outdoor recreational spaces. Strong focus on supervised group, sports, and educational activities
UNCMT La Petite Falais
Coastal holiday center located 50 meters from the beach in Normandy, specifically designed for school groups and associations. Features 35 rooms with 2–8 beds across a refurbished villa and a modern building, offering a 113-person capacity, large enclosed courtyard, activity rooms and dedicated teacher/leader area
Les Tourelles
Overlooking the beach at Asnelles, only 2km from Arromanches.
• Self-contained complex
• Can accommodate 165 persons in rooms with private facilities
• Bedrooms split between 2-storey building and chalet-type buildings
• Students in 4-bedded rooms
• Meeting rooms and a large recreation room
• Staff lounge and bar
UNCMT La Closerie des Djinns*
Specialized educational center located 400m from beach. Rooms of 2 to 4 beds, rooms equipped with showers and toilets, garden, indoor games, television lounge, restaurant and free private car park.
Itinerary Example
World War II itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for morning crossing to Calais. *Possible time for visit en route to Normandy before arriving at your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 2: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast for a full day of visits in the Normandy area. Possible visits could include Pegasus Bridge, Juno Beach or Arromanches. Return to your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 3: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast for a further full day of visits in the Normandy area. Visits could include Omaha and Utah Beaches. Return to your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 4: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast, with time for a brief visit* before your return to Calais and journey back to school.
Cultural itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for morning crossing to Calais. *Possible time for visit en route to Normandy before arriving at your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 2: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast for a full day of visits in the Normandy area. Depending on the subject being studied, possible visits could include Caen and Honfleur. Return to your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 3: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast for a further full day of visits in the Normandy area. Again depending on the study subject, possible visits could include Bayeux, Mont St. Michel and St. Mere Eglise. Return to your accommodation in time for evening meal.
DAY 4: Depart your accommodation centre after breakfast, with time for a brief visit* before your return to Calais and journey back to school.
*The time available for visits en route is dependent upon school’s distance from the channel port.