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.
Itinerary Example
4-Day History Focus: Normandy WWII Battlefields & D-Day
Step back in time and bring your History curriculum topics to life. From the heroic landings on the beaches of Normandy to the crucial tactical bridges and museums, this tour offers travellers a powerful, tangible connection to WWII and 20th-century history.
Day 1: Journey to Normandy & First WWII Impressions (History)
Day 1
Morning: Depart your organisation early by executive coach to the channel coast for a morning ferry or Eurotunnel crossing to Calais.
Afternoon: Drive scenic routes through northern France toward Normandy. Depending on your pickup location, enjoy an en-route stop at a historic site like the Eiffel Bridge in Dieppe or a coastal defense site.
Evening: Arrive at your accommodation in Normandy. Check-in, unpack, and enjoy a warm group dinner.
Day 2: The British & Canadian Sectors (Military History Focus)
Day 2
Morning: Start the day at Pegasus Bridge, site of the famous glider airborne assault, and explore the museum detailing the bravery of the 6th Airborne Division.
Afternoon: Head to Juno Beach to explore the Canadian sector, followed by a visit to Arromanches to see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour (Port Winston) and experience the immersive 360° Cinema.
Evening: Return to the accommodation centre for a hot dinner and relaxation time.
Day 3: American Sectors & Remembrance (WWII & Politics Focus)
Day 3
Morning: Travel west to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, famous for paratrooper John Steele and the Airborne Museum.
Afternoon: Pay respects at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach, providing travellers a deeply moving perspective on WWII history.
Evening: Group dinner at the accommodation, followed by an evening debrief session or quiz.
Day 4: Homeward Bound & Final Historical Insights
Day 4
Morning: Enjoy breakfast and check out. Time permitting based on ferry times, enjoy a final stop at the Mémorial de Caen or a local WWII bunker complex.
Afternoon/Evening: Travel back to Calais for your channel crossing and complete the journey home to your organisation.
4-Day Cultural Discovery: Normandy for French Language, Art & Humanities
Designed specifically to inspire French Language, Art & Design, and Humanities travellers, this rich cultural itinerary showcases Normandy’s breathtaking coastal towns, iconic medieval heritage, and world-famous gastronomy.
Day 1: Journey Across the Channel to Normandy (Culture & Language)
Day 1
Morning: Depart from your organisation for an early morning channel crossing to Calais via ferry or Eurotunnel.
Afternoon: Journey south through Normandy. Depending on group timing, stop en route at a traditional French bakery or seaside village.
Evening: Arrive at your accommodation centre, settle into rooms, and enjoy a traditional French-style evening meal together.
Day 2: Historic Caen & Picturesque Honfleur (French Language & Art Focus)
Day 2
Morning: Explore the historic city of Caen, visiting William the Conqueror’s Medieval Castle (Château de Caen) and practicing French language skills in the local markets.
Afternoon: Travel to the charming, timber-framed harbour town of Honfleur—a favorite spot for Impressionist painters. travellers can sketch, explore the cobblestone streets, or sample local crêpes.
Evening: Head back to the accommodation centre for dinner and group evening activities.
Day 3: Medieval Wonders & Island Fortresses (Humanities & Heritage Focus)
Day 3
Morning: Discover the world-renowned Bayeux Tapestry, an incredible 70-meter artifact detailing the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Afternoon: Head off to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont Saint-Michel, exploring the winding medieval alleyways and dramatic abbey set in the bay.
Evening: Enjoy a final group dinner at the accommodation and reflect on the trip's highlights.
Day 4: Regional Delights & Return Journey (Gastronomy & Culture)
Day 4
Morning: After breakfast, check out of your accommodation. Enjoy a brief final stop, such as a visit to a local traditional cider & cheese farm or a chocolate atelier.
Afternoon/Evening: Return to Calais for your evening channel crossing, arriving back at your organisation with fantastic memories.
Note on Timings: Visits en route on Day 1 and Day 4 depend on your organisation's pickup location and travel distance to the channel ports.
5-Day History & Remembrance Focus: Ypres, The Somme & Normandy
Bring major WWI & WWII History curriculum topics to life in a single, immersive tour across Belgium and France. From the mud and trenches of the Western Front to the beaches of Normandy, this comprehensive itinerary provides travellers with an unforgettable connection to the sacrifice and scale of both World Wars.
Day 1: The WWI Ypres Salient & Menin Gate (WWI History Focus)
Day 1
Arrival: Depart Calais and head straight into the Ypres Salient in Belgium.
Afternoon: Explore the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood Museum, pay respects at Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world), and visit the German war cemetery at Langemark.
Evening: Head into Ypres for a group dinner, followed by attending the deeply moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Return to your Ypres accommodation afterward.
Day 2: Vimy, Arras, The Somme & Onward to Normandy (WWI to WWII Transition)
Day 2
Morning: Check out after breakfast with packed lunches. Visit the towering Vimy Memorial Park and Visitor Centre, followed by an underground guided tour of the Wellington Quarry Tunnels in Arras.
Afternoon: Travel through the iconic Somme battlefields, visiting the Loos Memorial and the preserved trenches at Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park.
Evening: Journey south to Normandy and check into your seaside accommodation at Bernières-sur-Mer for a warm group meal.
Day 3: Honfleur Cultural Stop & Arromanches D-Day Cinema (Culture & Military History)
Day 3
Morning: Head to the charming, historic harbour town of Honfleur for time to explore, browse local shops, visit the botanical gardens, and experience Naturospace.
Afternoon: Travel to the coast for an immersive afternoon at the Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema, witnessing the story of the D-Day Landings surrounding the Mulberry Harbour remains.
Evening: Return to the coastal hostel for dinner and relaxation time.
Day 4: Normandy D-Day Landings & Memorials (WWII History Focus)
Day 4
Morning: Spend the morning at the world-renowned Mémorial de Caen Museum to explore the interactive exhibits and watch the featured historical film.
Afternoon: Walk the sands of Omaha Beach and pay respects at the solemn Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.
Evening: Return to the hostel for a final evening meal together in Normandy.
Day 5: Caen Crossing & Portsmouth Naval Heritage (British Maritime History)
Day 5
Morning: Check out after an early breakfast and head to the Caen ferry terminal for your sea crossing to Portsmouth.
Afternoon: Arrive in Portsmouth and explore the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, enjoying free-flow entry into the iconic HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum.
Evening: Depart Portsmouth and complete the final leg of the journey back to your organisation.
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.