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Our most recommended Caen Private tours

From Paris: Private Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour

1. From Paris: Private Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour

Depart from your hotel in Paris and then, after 2.5 hours driving, arrive at Colleville Cemetery. Nearly, 9387 American soldiers died during the landing and you will see the perfectly aligned gravestones across this expansive green lawn. The Cemetery visitor center is also very helpful if you wish to know more about the details of Operation Overlord. Omaha Beach was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion. the beach is just under the cemetery and was the theater of one of the most intense periods of fighting. The beach was nicknamed the Bloody Beach. You will stop by Arromanche, the seaside city which was a priority target of Allied troops. You will be able to have lunch at one of the restaurants that your driver will recommend to you. To end the visit, you will be driven to Pointe du Hoc. Symbolizing the courage of the young American soldiers involved in its storming, the famous Pointe du Hoc was one of the strongest German fortifications and was taken by force on the morning of 6th June by Colonel Rudder’s Rangers. The site, full of emotional memories, has been completely redeveloped; its impressive appearance bears witness to the intensity of the battle which took place here. You will then return to Paris.

Caen: Private custom tour with a local guide

2. Caen: Private custom tour with a local guide

Caen can sometimes feel inaccessible to foreign visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private, customized tour. Your guide contacts you beforehand to get a feel for your interests and tastes to ensure that you only visit the places you are interested in. As you explore the city, your guide shares insights into local life forming a clearer picture of Caen's culture. - Private tour for just you and your group - Your guide customizes your tour to your interests and personality - Get a deeper insight into Caen life than possible alone - See Caen through the eyes of a local and discover its hidden gems Choose from 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8-hour tour options.

Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour

3. Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour

Skip the usual historical tours and discover the city of Caen through a local's eyes on this customized tour that can run for anything between 2-6 hours. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel, making it as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Meet your guide at your accommodation in Caen to get familiar with the neighborhood, find out about the best places to eat, the easiest ways to get around, and the hidden gems you might have missed. Through conversations with your local guide, learn about cultural differences, local events, and what it's truly like to be a Caen local. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most out of your stay. Since the local partner's guides are not professional, they provide an experience that's authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around the city. The more notice, the better, as these tours are organized on demand and are completely personalized. Choose between 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-hour options. With this experience, you won't just be passing through the city, you’ll be part of it.

Normandy D-Day beaches private tour US sector from Bayeux

4. Normandy D-Day beaches private tour US sector from Bayeux

Pay tribute to those young men that gave their lives on D-Day and ensure that their story is passed on from present to future generations with this day trip from Bayeux or Caen. See Omaha Beach, the American cemetery, and the bombardment craters at Pointe du Hoc.   Be picked up at your location in Bayeux or Caen and ride in an air-conditioned van. Cover topics about D-Day like the ground, naval, airborne forces. Hear about the artificial ports, the decoy plan called Fortitude, French life under German occupation, the French resistance, and the Atlantic wall. Stop first at Omaha Beach and see the American cemetery where 10,000 American soldiers are buried or marked as missing in action. Have the opportunity to visit a strongpoint that is part of the Atlantic wall. Head to Pointe du Hoc, the only place where huge craters are still visible due to naval and aerial bombardments. View the spot where 225 rangers bravely climbed up the 100 feet cliffs. It is a good site for a good comprehension of the German defenses.  Buy lunch at the Roosevelt café, which was built on a bunker and is now a meeting place for veterans. Visit a private bunker that is not open to the public. Travel from Utah Beach to Sainte-Mère-l'Eglise and pass through the hedgerows. Arrive in a small village that was made famous by the movie 'The Longest Day.' View the church tower where a paratrooper, John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, landed. Discover two amazing stained glass windows inside the church that were created to commemorate the liberation of the city by the 82nd Airborne Division on June 6, 1944. Return to your starting point in Bayeux or Caen at the end of your tour. 

Mont-Saint-Michel: Private Full Day Tour from Caen or Bayeux

5. Mont-Saint-Michel: Private Full Day Tour from Caen or Bayeux

Enjoy a guided day trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at its coastal, Gothic splendor. Start your day with pickup in Caen or Bayeux at 9 AM, or straight off the train from Paris. Your knowledgeable, expert guide will tell you the story of the island during your journey before arriving at Mont-Saint-Michel by 10.30 AM. Take time to visit the village and explore its ancient cobblestone streets. Head to the top to discover the Abbey in all its glory. Look in wonder at a structure dating back to 708 AD. Pause for a delicious gourmet lunch in the island's best restaurant. Enjoy a walk on the bay, admiring the view of Mont-Saint-Michel from the ground. Next, experience an afternoon visit to Avranches and its medieval manuscripts, and stop at the bell-making factory in Villedieu les Poêles. Finally, sit back and relax for your journey back to Caen, Bayeux, or your train, arriving back at around 7PM.

Normandy: Private Full-Day Foodie Tour

6. Normandy: Private Full-Day Foodie Tour

Explore Normandy’s villages and discover the best food on this guided foodie tour perfect for food enthusiasts. Sightsee, learn about local cuisine, and enjoy many opportunities to taste local drinks and food. Visit Camembert, Lisieux, the seafood market in Trouville, and more. Get picked up from Bayeux, Caen, Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, or Honfleur to start your adventure. During the tour, taste French Camembert (French cheese), hard cider, and Calvados (Normandy apple brandy), Normandy's liquid gold. While tasting local cuisine, enjoy driving and walking through the villages of the Pays d'Auge area. Learn about the architecture and history of these villages from your guide and digital resources. Later, get the opportunity to meet Jérome, the cheese producer and chairman of the Pont L'Evèque AOC Board. Learn everything about French cheese in Camembert. Afterward, have an optional lunch at a Michelin-rated restaurant by the river, admiring the Normandy cows and scenic views. The full tour includes: • A stop in Camembert • A quick stop at Orbec Ferme du Bec d'Or • A stop in Lisieux • A lunch at the Fossard (optional) • A stop at the Breuil en Auge Chateau and the distillery • A stop in Trouville & the seafood market • A stop at Deauville • A stop in Honfleur

DDay Beaches Normandy Full Day Tour

7. DDay Beaches Normandy Full Day Tour

Learn about the DDAY Highlights. This excursion explores the whole area of Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach, including the American Cemetery, and ends in Arromanches on Gold Beach. Pointe du Hoc : Located between Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc is one of the key heritage sites along the D-Day Landing beaches in Normandy. Pointe du Hoc, a strategic element of the Atlantic Wall, was stormed by Colonel Rudder's Rangers on the morning of the 6th of June 1944 - D-Day. it proved to be one of the toughest battles to be fought during the Normandy Landings: of the 225 Rangers that began the assault, only 90 were still fit to continue their fight for France's Liberation. The scars of the battle can still be seen to this very day. During your visit, you will discover an artillery battery, complete with its firing command post, casemates, shelters. Omaha Beach : Omaha is the most famous of the five beaches of 6 June 1944. The U.S. divisions involved lost some 4700 men, who were either killed, wounded or missing. It was the highest rate of D-Day losses in any of the five landing zones, and soon the beach was dubbed ‘Bloody Omaha’. The two U.S. infantry divisions which landed from 06:30 onwards (the 1st Division on the eastern half of the beach and the 29th division on the western half) experienced critical moments. The first two assault waves were decimated within a few minutes. Normandy American Cemetery : The Normandy American Cemetery, sited on a bluff high above the coast, is one of the world’s best-known military memorials. These hallowed grounds preserve the remains of nearly 9,400 Americans who died during the Allied liberation of France. Three Medal of Honor recipients rest here. Arromanches : The port was meant to be temporary, lasting maybe three months. It served for some five months. The Mulberry Harbour in Arromanches-les-Bains became known as Port Winston, after British wartime leader Winston Churchill, who was closely involved in its conception. A staggering 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and four million tonnes of supplies arrived via Port Winston. Despite all its somber reminders of the shattering war effort, Arromanches has a good deal of charm, offering wonderful beach and cliff walks. Wandering around the town, you can also spot some intriguing memorials.

Caen: Private Guided City Sightseeing Walking Tour

8. Caen: Private Guided City Sightseeing Walking Tour

Learn about the fascinating history of Caen, laying in the heart of Normandy, just 20km away from the landing beaches! Caen became a strategic center during the Middle Ages thanks to William the Conqueror. Walk down the charming medieval streets with the half-timbered houses and contemplate the impressive facade of the Caen Castle, one of the biggest medieval fortresses in Europe! Enjoy the special atmosphere of old times when passing the street "Rue Froide," full of unique small shops, bookstores, and artisans! Caen will surprise you by the huge amount of churches, abbeys and cathedrals, many of them built by William the Conqueror! Nicknamed "the city of tousends faces," Caen is really full of contrasts. Hardly destroyed by the bombardments, the city was successfully rebuilt. Today, you can experience the dynamic city full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered with your guide. Do not hesitate to personalize the tour; your private local guide will be happy to adjust the visit to your specific needs.

Normandy: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Caen or Bayeux

9. Normandy: D-Day Beaches Private Tour from Caen or Bayeux

Spend the day getting to know the Normandy WWII sites on a private guided tour from Caen or Bayeux. Visit Ste Mère Eglise, the hedgerow country, Utah Beach, the Airborne Museum, and the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. Enjoy included snacks and a stop for lunch. Your tour starts in the morning, with pickup directly from your accommodation in Caen or Bayeux. Prepare for the day with a fresh coffee and croissants before heading to the first Normandy WWII site on the itinerary. During the ride, benefit from the on-board audio system to hear your guide in the van. There will be digital resources provided during your ride so you can get some content about the places visited throughout the day. First, arrive at Ste Mère Eglise, the iconic village of the US Airborne, to understand how 14000 paratroopers played a crucial role in preparing for the success of D-Day. Visit the Airborne Museum (entry ticket included), where your guide will the exhibit to you. Then, head for the hedgerow country where you'll see the natural fences where so many German soldiers hid during the Battle of Normandy. On Utah Beach, your guide will explain why this beach could be so quickly and successfully taken. You'll then get to recharge with a gourmet lunch on Omaha Beach facing the monument to the Allies, The Braves (lunch costs not included). Learn the details of the battle that took place here 77 years ago. After lunch, you'll head for the Pointe du Hoc where you'll see many of the German WWII bunkers taken by the U.S. 2nd Rangers Battalion. Finally, at the Normandy American Cemetery, you'll have time to visit the site and the memorial before attending the Casing of the Colors ceremony. If time allows, see the Longues-sur-Mer battery, the last WWII German battery, whose 150-mm guns were shooting on D-Day. By the end of the tour, you’ll have made your way round-trip back to your accommodation.  

From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour

10. From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour

Discover Normandy’s historical sites, rich heritage, and hidden gems on a private full-day tour with an expert guide. Be introduced to the region’s medieval history, architecture, and Viking roots as you walk through a historical crash course. Start your tour by visiting the Falaise Castle — a solid stone fortress built by the Dukes of Normandy around 1000 A.D. See how dukes and knights lived, fought, and ruled, and take your time to read the poems they wrote, to listen to their songs, and to try the food they liked as you stop for lunch here. Next, head to Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives to walk around the fantastic old marketplace, stepping on stones that have belonged to the market since they were laid down in 1066. Then, visit the medieval Crèvecœur Castle in Crèvecoeur-en-Auge for another step back in time before heading to your final stop in Bayeux. There, see and learn about the remarkable and unique Bayeux Tapestry — a medieval embroidery showcasing the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Finally, sit back and relax in the comfort of your private car as you head back to your accommodation.

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What people are saying about Caen

Igor had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Normandy battles. He conveyed his knowledge in an engaging and very creative way. We learned so much from him. He helped us get an extremely realistic view of not only the battles, but a feel for what the of the local French inhabitants of the surrounding countryside lived through being occupied for years before the D Day invasion. He also helped us understand how the local terrain affected the battles by taking us on small roads to experience the thick hedgerows and the elevation changes of the ground especially along the coast. We all came away feeling we learned so much more than if we had just visited a museum. I would highly recommend Igor for your tour guide.

Fred our driver/guide was extremely friendly as well as a historian who explained everything we saw. He walked along with us and was great at answering questions. It was a wonderful day all around!

Kiely was a warm enthusiastic guide and knowledgeable within the area.We really enjoyed our tour with her.

Very well organized trip. Guide available, attentive and fascinating. Excellent experience.

Excellent tour, guide was on time and very knowledgeable. I recommend this tour