Normandy WWII.

Battlefield and History Tours

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Prices from £299*

Battlefield & History Tours specialise in Battlefield, History & Educational Tours around the world particularly Europe from across the centuries including WWI, WWII, Revolution and Empire and anything in between . With over 30 years experience in operating school groups we owe our success to the dedication of our staff, advisors, guides and experts.

We are an experienced team all sharing an interest in history and travel, committed to delivering quality planning and service, paying meticulous attention to detail and giving you total support, showing a genuine concern for the welfare and enjoyment of your students.

Our experience ensured that each tour you travel with Battlefield & History Tours will cover every eventuality and explore every opportunity.

Destinations in France

Normandy

Pegasus Bridge Memorial – The bridge was the first bridge liberated on the French mainland and it is dedicated to the 6th Airborne Division who held the eastern flank of the Landing Beaches. As well as a model glider and the original bridge, it is now a memorial and museum which houses hundreds of artefacts.

Caen Memorial Museum – The museum was designed by architect Jacques Millet to commemorate WWII, D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, France during the occupation, the Cold War and Peace. The museum houses exhibitions dedicated to the history of the twentieth century but it mainly focuses on fragility of peace during this time.

Arromanches 360-degree cinema - The cinema is located on top of the Arromanches cliff tops overlooking the artificial Mulberry harbour. The 360 degree cinema is made up of nine screens showing a mixture of original pictures of Normandy today and the D-Day Landings, called The Price of Freedom.

Musée du Débarquement – Landings Museum. The museum is located in Arromanches in front of the actual artificial ‘Mulberry B’ harbour and it is devoted to the incredible feat of technology achieved by the British. Two artificial ports (Mulberry A & Mulberry B) were prefabricated in England and towed across the channel to Arromanches. The museum has Animated 3D scale models, photographs and film archives.

Merville Battery Museum – Originally used as a coastal fortification and part of the German’s Atlantic wall, the site is now a museum and allows you to explore the bunkers with different items and stories in each. Set in casemate No. 1 the battery retraces the history of the operation carried out by the British 6th Airborne Division. In one bunker there is a sound and light show which emulates what it would have been like when British Airborne forces captured the area.

US Airborne Museum at St Mere Eglise - This remarkable museum records the American airborne landings of the D Day campaign in June 1944, known throughout the world for the paratrooper and his parachute which became entangled in the church spire.

Pointe du Hoc – A strategic stronghold used by the Germans, it was the highest point between Utah beach in the west and Omaha beach to the east. The site is now open to the public to explore with many of the original fortifications still in place and the surrounding area covered with bomb craters. It is the site of the heroic exploits of Colonel Rudder’s Rangers.

The Landing Beaches - A tour of the landing beaches, which is a way marked route, gives a good overall view of the enormity of the invasion that led to the end of World War II.

American Cemetery at Collevile-sur-Mer – the cemetery is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by the Americans who helped secure the future for Europe. The historical site contains 9387 perfectly aligned white crosses, a memorial and a chapel overlooking Omaha Beach.

Other Visits and Excursions:

The Bayeux tapestry - The original embroidered tapestry was made in the 11th century and is nearly 70 metres long and 50 centimetres high. It depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings.

Mont-Saint-Michel – One of France’s most famous magical sights. An island topped by a medieval monastery with a breath taking bay, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination. The location has long inspired and awed the imagination and it’s history is colourful. It’s history stretches back as far as 966 with the dukes of Normandy and French kings.

What they will learn

Subjects available: History, Cultural, Expedition, Farming, Architecture, Fashion and Textiles, Media Studies, Performing Arts, Engineering, Law Politics

Normandy is a region of northern France situated on the English Channel with a varied coastline which includes white-chalk cliffs and WWII beachheads. Not just famous for WWII and the D-Day landings there are many key sites, Bayeux with its tapestry, the Mémorial Peace Museum in Caen, the Arromanches D-Day and 360 Museums. The rocky island of Mont-Saint-Michel, topped by a soaring Gothic abbey and the city of Rouen, dominated by Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, is where military leader and Catholic saint Joan of Arc was executed in 1431.

A-Level

Challenges for Europe and the wider world, 1901+

GCSE

Conflict and tension: WW1

The Western Front

Inter-war years: 1918-1939

Developments in British warfare

Life in wartime Britain

Key Stage 3

The changing nature of warfare

Life in the trenches

Developments in British warfare

Life in wartime Britain

Primary

British history beyond 1066

What's included

Day One: Travel via coach to Calais. Cross the channel. Carry on via coach and travel to Normandy.

Day Two: After breakfast the group departs for the Pegasus Memorial & Bridge where the gliders of 6th Airborne Division landed during the night of 5th to 6th June 1944. The group then drive via Sword and Juno Beach to Saint Come-de-Fresne. From here there is a superb view over Gold Beach and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour. A visit to Arromanches 360 has been arranged where “The Price of Freedom” film is shown on 9 screens in a round theatre. Drive down or walk down into Arromanches and visit the Landings Museum in Arromanches.

Day Three: After an early breakfast depart for Omaha Beach and visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-Saint-Laurent. It is possible to walk down and along part of Omaha beach and up to the Cemetery. From here drive to Pointe du Hoc, the scene of Colonel Rudder and his Rangers assault on D-Day.

After lunch drive up to Saint-Mere-Eglise and visit the US Airborne Troops Museum and from there drive out to Utah Beach if there is time.

Day Four: Drive to Bayeux and spend the morning in this delightful town, visiting the Bayeux Tapestry and Cathedral. After lunch drive back to Caen to visit Le Memorial de Caen. This museum not only recounts the build up to World War Two and what happened during the war but it also has a hall dedicated to Peace. This visit including the Peace Gardens will take up the afternoon. There may be time to drive into Caen itself.

Day Five: Travel via coach to Calais. There is chance to visit the Merville Battery or Nausicaá National Sea Centre one of largest aquariums in Europe before you reach Calais for the channel crossing. Carry on via coach to your final destination.

Transport

What’s Included; • Return ferry / Eurotunnel crossing UK-France-UK • Executive coach transfers as per the itinerary • Dedicated tour manager to assist throughout your tour planning • 24-hour on call, emergency assistance

Accommodation

Students will be accommodated in twin / multi-bedded rooms, and staff in twins or singles (supplement may apply). All rooms are en-suite. Breakfast is served on site, and evening meals are taken at local. Packed lunches are available on request. Caen (Normandy) – Campanile Caen Normandy – Bon Sejour / Les Tourelles / Les Tamaris

Teacher checklist

Risk Assessments, Free Places, Inspection Visit, LOtC, ABTA, School Travel Forum, Adventure Mark, ATOL, Adventure Activity Associates, RYA Centre, RYA Centre, IATA, ETOA, Expedition Providers Association, ASDAN Centre

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* Guide prices are per person, subject to availability and may vary by departure date, groups size and itinerary. Please ask for details.

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