How To Visit Normandy D-Day Beaches (Day Trip from Paris)

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

BOOK Your Normandy Day Trip 👉 bit.ly/PrivateNormandyToursFromParis

[@sarah-phillips]

This was so incredible. Late to the comments but thank you for sharing this and sharing your family with us! My son is just a few years younger than yours and I get emotional, too, thinking of kids his age fighting in such a war.

[@paule7840]

As a Canadian who's grandfather landed on Juno Beach with the Royal Canadian Navy, I really appreciate this.

[@ronee1959]

It was nice to see the recognization of Juno Beach and Canadians. Lest We Forget. The toast to all the soldiers was moving.

[@jeanwhite2705]

Antoine and Colleen, we took the train to Bayeux on our first pilgrimage to the beaches in 2017. Like Colleen, it took my breath away. My husband’s father landed on DDay with the Canadians. What surprised us was when you stopped for lunch at La Table du Terroir and sat at the table where we sat for our first lunch in Bayeux. That Bistro was fantastic, and we ate there several times during the week spent in Bayeux. Everything about Bayeux just felt like home. In 2023 we dared to rent a car for ourselves and so enjoyed the experience of driving thru the countryside. Using our phone gps we found our way out to the 101 Air Bourne memorial from the movie”Band of Brothers”. It was because of your videos that we at 70, dared to do that.Thank You for helping us create an amazing experience.

[@christinefrazier]

In my junior year of high-school when I had a fabulous history teacher who was very passionate about WW2 history for a lesson he spent one hour explaining the D-day invasion I've always wanted to visit those beaches to appreciate the immense sacrifice those soldiers made that day to free France and lead the Allies to victory. I also had a fabulous french teacher that really spread her enthusiasm for french culture. Thank you so much for sharing this on your channel. I'm a big fan of every video you do!

[@lisbondiaries9212]

History is really important. Did your history teacher share the full history of WWII? Did he share that if it wasn’t for the Soviets beating the Nazis on the Eastern Front, there would have never been a D-Day. The Nazis were weakened by that point. Also, the Soviets lost 26-27 million people in the war, more than all the Allied countries combined. I am American born and raised but also European (dual citizenship through my European born parents). American education rarely teaches us the totality of history, which is why I am so thankful ny children are being raised here in Europe. The history isn’t necessarily taught in an unbiased way, but way more history is taught here than what the American system teaches. It is important to educate ourselves on the facts and totality of history.

[@monichat]

@@lisbondiaries9212 Thank you for wonderful comment - We tend to forget that it was Soviet Union that gave a final beating to nazi armies - US government and american people did not want to get involved in war except for supplying Soviet Union very generously in weapons. D-Day happened because at last the Allies realized that nothing would have stopped Soviet Union. After Red Army (Soviet Union) entered Berlin beginning of May 1945 the Allies were afraid that Red Army would continue to Europe. Fear od communism since 1917.

[@lisbondiaries9212]

@@monichat That is an absolute lie that the Soviets would move on through Europe and Allies were afraid of them 🤣🤣🤣. You think your little deflection from facts will fool people? It is documented in history. The Soviets were part of the Allies, and they suffered more losses than all Allied nations combined! The U.S. entered the war late intentionally…waiting for the Nazis to be weakened by the Soviet assault on the Eastern Front. They did this so they can then proclaim history and claim all the glory, as they often have done so. I am American and European. I know very well how the history played out. I didn’t learn about it from the American education system but on my own search for historical facts. Enough of your misleading rhetoric.

[@lisbondiaries9212]

@@monichat Apparently, my comment was deleted, which shows how much people or the platform don’t went people to know the historical facts. The Allies didn’t enter Berlin in 1945 to free Berlin. The Soviets entered Berlin in 1945 and freed Berlin. Why don’t you mention that after 1945, Churchill wanted to have the US and British soldiers invade Soviet Union and declare nuclear war. President Truman flat out rejected that idea. The Soviets beat Hitler on the Eastern Front, which is the only reason why D-Day was able to occur. Nazis were already weakened. The U.S. came into war late, when the Nazis were already weakened. They is what they usually do to ensure they can claim victory. I am American and European. American history classes doesn’t teach us this. I had to learn about these historical facts on my own.

[@monichat]

@@lisbondiaries9212 I'm sorry, English is not my first language and I know that Soviet Union was the first to be in Berlin in May 1945. I will try to make my statement truer to the historical facts. I correct ASAP. I agree with every word you wrote. I did not know about Churchill but am not surprised.

[@gabrielladan]

Thank you for sharing this. My 17 yo daughter will be there with 39 other Canadian high school students representing Canadian Youth at the Juno 80 celebrations in a month's time. I can only hope they finally understand the extent of what happened there and the implications for their current life. All the best!

[@mattscotttravels]

As the son of a WW2 vet, Normandy is a place that has always called to me. Tops of my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.

[@H00ba100]

Well this was a sad one. My husband and I watched together and he had tears coming down his face (I kept it together). So thankful for those brave young men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

[@ectovitoectovito7103]

I visited this site when I was a teenager. In these days of celebration i will never forget the sacrifice of the children of America, Canada and England. This land belongs to them forever, and the French are taking particular care to ensure that the site is preserved. A duty to remember. a sacred land

[@cestdenisquildit3992]

Et le sacrifice encore bien plus important de RUSSES! 😁

[@katman042]

My wife and I did a whole trip just to Normandy. We stayed at a local chateau and rented a car. As an American, It was very emotional. We took a bus tour of the beaches and some museums one day. Our tour guide was amazing. It’s something everyone should do once in their life. The memories will stay with you forever.

[@amymalina5073]

My husband’s father was in the Army and fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Very emotional experience for us to be there and honor him. He survived the battle and served in the army intelligence as a German speaker and also served as an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials. A full tilt boogie war experience.

[@warrenwolf4690]

My wife’s father arrived in Normandy a few days after June 6. Made it all the way to Belgium. My dad was in the Navy in the Pacific.

[@lindafrazier8092]

My Dad was with the Army medical collecting (drove and repaired ambulances) landed at Normandy few days after D Day on to liberation of Paris to Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge and pressed on to Germany... home on the Queen Mary. A miracle ❤ I have precious pictures!

[@acmejc]

I visited the area and stayed in Bayeaux, a great little town. I hope you checked out too. The Tapestry museum is one of the best museums.

[@melissajanis909]

I'm glad I came across this video. In September I'm taking my 89 year old dad to Normandy. My grandpa was born in La Ferrière-Harang and left France in 1910 from Le Havre. My grandma's side also came from Normandy and left for Canada in 1827 from St Malo. My dad never came to France when they took my Grandpa back to France 30 years ago. So that is why I'm taking my dad now. Plus to go on the 80th anniversary of D-Day makes it that much more special.

[@ZanyZoomers]

OMG, im leaving Paris tomorrow to make my way home for Xmas to Ireland. I’m staying overnight in bayeux… im now addicted to your channel!

[@Durga695]

D Day is soon June 6th, it is indeed heartbreaking to think of thousands of 20 to 25 yrs old, going off to battle, with the risk of never coming home and many didn't. After the arrival of the Allies who had to stay in Normandy for almost three months before they began the Liberation of France. My father received an orange for his birthday..

[@dschultz6981]

Very good video! We were thankful to go to Normandy with my parents and our two children. My great-uncles on both sides of the family landed at Normandy and didn't survive, so this was emotional for my parents. A good reminder, and yes, Colleen - I hope nothing like this ever happens again.

[@jaredseecharran4548]

Man, history never truly connects with me until I see it for myself. I wasn’t truly keen on visiting these beaches, but this video made feel inspired to do so. What a mix of beauty and terror on such an unchanged landscape. Keep up the wonderful work Les Frenchies!

[@lindafrazier8092]

Truly sacred and overwhelming ❤

[@carolmartin4413]

I don't know how people can not be affected when visiting a memorial cemetery honoring the young men/women killed in action during a war. Thanks for letting us visit Nomandy with you

[@amymalina5073]

One of the best side trips we did from Paris. Stayed in Bayeaux and went to Omaha Beach, great time also in Bayeaux. Took the train to St. Malo from there and went to Mont St. Michel from there by bus. Train back to Paris. A perfect trip

[@ryanvargus9456]

I walked along the Orne River greenway path from Caen to Pegasus Bridge in Benouville in about 2.5 hours. It took the Allies 3 months or so, of heavy fighting to travel the same distance in 1944. The fighting was very fierce in Normandy.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Very much so. It took them over 1 month to take Caen. Thank god for the several tactical blunders on the German side that allowed the Allies to press forward

[@trekuhl3966]

My son and I were in Normandy on 06 June 2023 and watching this brings tears to my eyes. Standing at the graves of unknown soldiers, “…known but only to god…” is extremely powerful and a stark reminder of what may have been should the Allied Powers not have prevailed.

[@bobbrown5929]

You captured the emotion very well. Its a beautiful place now but one can only imagine what the men saw and felt. Having been to Normandy and few times, you described it perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimberlyg9867]

As a Canadian, I have tears in my eyes. One of the boys we have known since childhood, used to take Canadians on tours of these areas as a summer job.

[@jean-paulpotet1988]

7:29 How right you are, Colleen, to recall this. 😪

[@sylviege7534]

Great video, thank you ! ❤ Last sunday, i heard an analysis of the movie "Private Ryan" on the radio and they said that it was a good description of the reality of the fighting.

[@lisarussell6190]

Many thanks for showing Juno beach. My father was one of the many who landed on Juno for D-Day.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Thanks for sharing

[@dorismehlberg1161]

I get choked up every time I watch à video of the Normandy landings.My wonderful father in law was drafted at age 38...as a pharmacist, he became a medic..landed at Utah. The Caen museum has an exhibit of the kits and supplies the medics carried. His son , my husband walked a long silent walk along the beach.

[@UX-frechie]

This is absolutely perfect timing! Half of our trip in France is going to be to in Normandy specifically to see this history. This is helping me plan so much better

[@Hongaars1969]

Thank you for this upload. I have since 1995 been to the Normandië beaches on four occasions. With the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings due next month, your video is timely, poignant and relevant. I also highlight how moving it is to visit the German war memorial where there is one memorial stone for every four men buried. Most of them men were 17-19 years old. Very sad and very moving to see all these memorial cemeteries and monuments around Normandie

[@debbiewood3104]

Thank you for sharing this video before Memorial Day. A touching reminder of the cost of freedom.

[@leenieledejo6849]

Yes and it's sobering to see how many countries lost men that day. Great Britain lost more men per head of population than any other country. Huge losses that still reverberate today. So many widows at the time. So many young women who never married because the male population was decimated (as it was in WWI).

[@lindafrazier8092]

Love this... my Dad landed at Omaha Beach. Merci❤

[@ChristineCanada]

This video reminds me of the day trip to Giverny in 2017. We visited the small church where Monet was buried. I was surprised to see graves with British national flags there and asked the tour guide. He said that these are the burial sites of six British pilots who lost their lives on D-Day Beach and none of them were above 19 years old. I just couldn’t hold my tears because my son was right beside me and he was about the same age at that time! At that moment I just thought what Colleen had said in the video “hoping that nothing like this ever happens again”. I guess moms are moms, right? 😊 Thank you again for the great video.❤

[@leenieledejo6849]

Yes, over 209,000 Allied casualties [dead or MIA] on D Day including over 83,000 British, Canadian ahd Polish (mostly British) and over 9,000 from the US. The population of the US in 1940 was just over 132 million. The population of the UK in 1940 was just over 38 million. That gives pause for thought...

[@sa21g22g23]

Magnifique vidéo culturelle de la semaine

[@KarenYouncke-hj9xu]

My father was in Normandy during the war….Thank you for sharing this area, it means a lot to me.

[@BigStevo_6]

Our sons, 16 and 30 said Normandy was their favorite part of our trip. I AGREE!!! Having them there tore my wife up also. Seeing the caravans and crowds on your trip was crazy. We never saw more than 10 other people in March.

[@ClarkJ2265]

Only time I visited, I was post grad living in France and I went to Bayeux and biked to the beaches. This was before all the museums were created. Would love to visit them again

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Oh wow!

[@slee8]

Had the opportunity to make this trip last year and so glad I had the chance to see history and what's beyond just Paris

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Yes!

[@fredbazzoli780]

Timely, thanks! We're planning a trip to Normandy and Paris in September. Les Frenchies come through again! Thank you for sharing all that France means to you and passing it down to us.

[@monichat]

Personally I believe September is the best time to travel to France - Bon voyage !

[@cvk108]

We visited Normandy and the American Cemetery on Christmas eve in 2023. So humbling and honored to pay my respects. Thanks for this episode.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

❤️❤️❤️

[@huniulee8050]

Peace to the world!

[@robinps52]

I’m watching in Memorial Day & it is so emotional! Thank you for making this trip & sharing it with us.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

❤️❤️❤️

[@HereBeBarr]

On my bucket list for sure.

[@jahnacarlson3528]

What a handsome guy your son is! It was a treat to have him included in this video.

[@warrenwolf4690]

Thank you for giving us options to accomplish our goal when we return. A heartfelt thanks ❤

[@trisolarien]

Remembering me when i was at school ,we did the tour and at Bénouville WE had the chance to meet a british soldier who participated in the operation to free the bridge, what a lucky day for us, even the teachers were so happy, eternal thx to all soldiers.

[@gwenlumppio1753]

We took the train to Bayeux & rented a car from there, staying several days in Arromanches as our base . We have been to many WW2/Holocaust sites across Europe & the most moving to me were Omaha Beach & Cemetery (& the shoes along the Danube in Budapest). What they did at Point du Hoc was incredible. ( BTW, my uncle was part of D Day invasion & my dad, the Battle of the Bulge) Merci for your video!

[@nigelt4257]

A great video. It brings back memories of when I took my two sons to the Normandy beaches several times when they were in their teens. Oh, and fun fact. I conducted a concert in the church in St Aubin sur Mer many years ago. A beautiful place.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

how fun, thank you for sharing

[@tedgalperalper1828]

I visited this in 2001. We stayed in bayeau . the DD beaches and the cemetery were memorable

[@monichat]

There are 3 cemetaries = Canadian, American, German - We visited all three. The saddest was the German, with buried very young men 19-23 more or less. German families visiting and crying, carrying flowers. In 1944 Hitler put most of his armies on the eastern front, enlisting very young men for ther western front. Some of them as young as 16-17. In 1944 and even before, Germans did not approve of wars but were severely punished if refuse to obey.

[@leenieledejo6849]

​@@monichat There are more than three. British and Commonwealth cemeteries at Bayeux and Ranville. Britain lost more men per head of population than any other country.

[@monichat]

@@leenieledejo6849 I did not know. The 3 cemeteries I visited are in Arromanche. Sorry about the british men who gave their life for their country

[@warrenwolf4690]

Bonjour Antoine and Coleen. We did not get to Normandy on our first trip to Paris. Now it is a priority on our pending return

[@ChristineCanada]

I always want to go to D-Day Beach. Thanks for the video! ❤ BTW, your son looks so much like his mom!

[@myredeemerministriesjeffan9180]

We Love you. We are avid fans and wait for your videos to come out! We have one request--Please Please slow down and allow the video scenes to play longer so we can take them in. We often see a beautiful place only to see it instantly clipped and gone. Let us savor the beauty and info longer--please. Thank you so much for all you do! ❤️

[@malinlindstedt3407]

Let this never ever happening again so true thank you for a great video and have a nice weekend ❤

[@stephen3627]

This is just the video and information that I need Thank you

[@chuckoffcampus9738]

Great to see your son. Those Mulberry ports were well-made, parts are still there 80 years later.

[@traceypotter7669]

Sombre reminder of the true cost of war. You said war brings peace, I just wish peace brought peace. My grandparents lived through both World Wars, but never really talked about it. Could never imagine what the veterans endured and had to live with.

[@emdee8840]

I'm the oldest daughter of an American WWII vet who himself was the third son and only one still alive at the start of the war. My paternal grandmother lost one son to illness and a second to a suspicious drowning incident. Yet the Army drafted her only remaining son for service in WW II, and he went. Luckily he came home. He's gone many years now, but that generation saved the world. Not sonething to be forgotten.

[@LewisLudwig]

Saw this video only 4 days after actually taking a day trip there from Paris. We are going back sometime and spending more time there.

[@ericl5512]

Excellent video and informative! I’m going to share this with some family who are planning on going to Normandy next year

[@MrToronto44]

Thank you! Un gros merci! 💔❤ You guys are amazing. I did that pilgrimage a few years ago. Such a beautiful setting for such horror.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Yes. And to see kids playing on the beach is delightful.

[@jenniferpray7562]

Normandy deserves more than just a day trip from Paris. It’s a very historic and emotional location. Ponte du Hoc is where the Army Rangers sacrificed their lives to accomplish a very important mission. Highly recommend visiting Sainte-Mère-Église, has the best 82nd Airborne museum and Army Nurse museum. Thank you for this video! -JP, Army Nurse

[@ChanGem42]

Merci de nous faire voyager 😊❤

[@zalifahime1749]

Merci les frenchies for a great video, it's always a treat to see you in our neck of the woods. And btw Colleen, you are right about the fries at la table du territoire, their fries have that boat shape thing so that can catch the sauce in it...miam miam...fries are my got to every time I go there 😁. Keep up the good work 👏👏👏

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Merci!

[@jettubby17]

Thank you for the video and paying your respects. Normandy is a very emotional place for me. Cheers

[@jamesvalenti9288]

I will be in Normandy in 3 weeks for the anniversary of D-day. Spending 5 days in Normandy, and 5 days in Paris. I am staying in Tracy sur-mer. Flying in on June 2 (taking a red eye in to Paris). For my first full day, June 3, I plan to see Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, Point du Hoch, Caramels d'isgny, and Utah Beach. Do you think thats doable?

[@chrisstef8004]

Beautiful video..thank you 🙏 tears for soilders & people you gave their courage for our freedom.😢😢😢👏👏 May Earth have find peace as we are here only for a visit..we own nothing..🙏♥️ Stay safe..

[@michelesauret7779]

Un voyage très émouvant

[@cewl304]

Scenes from Saving private ryan ran through my mind along with the moving soundtrack by John Williams while watching this video

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

❤️❤️❤️

[@miles422]

Beautiful and very, very moving. Thank you!

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Many thanks!

[@thehapagirl92]

I really want to go. I love history.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

This whole country is an open-air museum. Truly marvelous.

[@sinansn6499]

Very nice

[@alisasepe6098]

May our brave heroes rest in eternal peace I would cry if I went there

[@khayalethumbanya7796]

Do you think you can do a video about things to do in Caen please

[@lulu6618]

Great video especially adding the “shrubbery”!😀thank you

[@acbc3543]

It’s 5:13am here in Austin Texas ! That’s a great way to start Saturday with your video ! Cheers !

[@patriciateague8677]

Such a moving video.

[@arthurbarber7546]

Well done.

[@zarquondam]

Seeing the clip of Bayeux makes me sad. All my life I've wanted to see the Bayeux Tapestry, and it's about to be closed indefinitely for restoration work, and I was really hoping I could manage to get to France this year and see it before it closes, but alas, it didn't work out.

[@zalifahime1749]

Not indefinetly my dear sir 😊. It will be closed from september 2025 and it will re-open spring 2027 for William the Conqueror's millenium. And I'm not saying this just because I love my town 😁.

[@EllaTravels1986]

Thanks for sharing. This is on my bucket list!

[@marjorieorveau6707]

Such moving places to visit and we need to keep these memories alive especially on this upcoming 80th anniversary. I'm also hoping to visit Ypres (WW1 cemeteries) this year. I LOVE boeuf bourgignon with chips!! Great video.

[@MoniqueBOUILLOUX]

MARJORIE. with ''Boeuf Bourguignon '' WE French and People from BURGUNDY we usually order a traditionnal oven cooked meal : '' GRATIN DAUPHINOIS ( thin potatoes slices, poatched in a cremy sauce, with a generous layer of grinded cheese from Dauphiné, a place within our Alpen mountains 😋 .. . Very tasty . Give it a Try.. you'won't be disapointed.. CHips are only a cheap, salted and dry appetizer... 😉.

[@kenblachly1602]

Wonderful

[@jamesbrunk9817]

Spent several days in Bayeau last year at the end of our visit to Paris. Beautiful town, would do it again. Tours to the beaches and WWII museums originate there. Dad landed on Utah as part of the first wave. He always told me that from there he toured Europe by crawling on his belly. He also told me that those French have a really strong wine they call Calvados! Toasted his memory with some.

[@leenieledejo6849]

* Bayeux

[@sylviege7534]

I read the comments. I want to say this : what our grand-parents who lived during the Second World War told us is very important. And it's our turn to pass on their words so that nothing is forgotten.

[@frednich9603]

For most people, taking the train to Bayeux and then using overlord for a half day tour makes more sense for a day trip.

[@kristy77a]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@randyw8761]

I can feel his emotion going down memory lane.

[@phillipsmom6252]

Beautiful 👍😀💜

[@anthonyhapgood5856]

What kind of camera are you recording the footage? And what kind of editing tool are you using?

[@burnz0021]

I'm hopefully doing this in October, my great uncle landed on Bernières-sur-Mer with the Nova Nova Scotia Highlanders of Canada, what's the best way for me to hire a private driver like you did in this video? I would love to just do it that way rather than taking the train.

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

80 years next month. Sad and horrific time. My father was not in Normandy, but he did fight in the Battle of the Bulge. (My parents had me late in their 40s.)

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

There is so much to see and feel and understand there...♡

[@roberthatlem4645]

Me and my daughter are visiting the beaches in about 2 weeks from now with rental car. Is it easy to find parking for the different locations ? Omaha beach, american semitary and PDH is the plan if not more 😊😊

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

When we visited the Normandy beaches in the early 1980s the place was closed. It had some photos on display and I thought my Dad might have been in one of them.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

It's really an emotional place to visit...

[@ecbst6]

Won't have to get there from Paris, will be in Caen for 4 days that week 😊

[@juliebabin]

2:30 I am curious to know if your children speak french, english, or both? What a chance they have to have parents so cool. l And probably the double citizenship and language.

[@heleneBAP]

Dear Colleen, after reading many history books - and not just about 20th century history- I realize that for parents, the expectation was for hundreds of years that their sons were going to serve and die at war. Like you, it scares me stiff.

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

Equally sobering is the Ypres Salient in Flanders, Belgium, which saw some of the worst fighting in World War I.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

Great. Big. Sigh.

[@acerrubrum5749]

❤

[@philippejoussaume9657]

💙🤍❤️

[@WavyCurlyGina]

❤️🌞🙏🏻

[@claudetteleblanc5273]

That was so sad. So many young men dying there. They must of been so scared climbing those cliffs. And knowing they were going to be shot. By the way, Charles is very handsome. Thanks for the video.

[@LesFrenchiesTravel]

It is an emotional visit. I think it's important to offset that intensity with some other lighthearted things in the areas. The whole region is wonderful.