This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
American Battlefield Board of Trustees: Paris to Brussels
Length of Tour:
9 days | 8 nights
England, France
Experience the history of Europe like never before on this immersive journey through the battlefields and memorials of World War II and World War I. From the dramatic cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and the iconic beaches of Omaha and Utah to the daring airborne capture of Pegasus Bridge, you’ll witness firsthand the courage, strategy, and sacrifice that defined the Allied liberation of Normandy. Walking through Bayeux, touring the Mulberry Harbors at Arromanches, and visiting cemeteries like Colleville-sur-Mer brings the stories of soldiers and civilians vividly to life, making the lessons of D-Day tangible and unforgettable.
The journey continues through the haunting landscapes of the Somme and Ypres, where the scale of World War I sacrifice is impossible to ignore. Visit Thiepval Memorial, Beaumont-Hamel, Delville Wood, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and the Lochnagar Crater, exploring how the horrors of trench warfare shaped military strategy and the generations that followed. With expert guidance and carefully curated sites, this tour is a unique opportunity to connect with history, honor the bravery of those who fought, and gain a deeper understanding of the human cost of war. It’s more than a tour—it’s a living classroom, a place of reflection, and an unforgettable journey through the events that shaped modern Europe.
Highlights
Pointe du Hoc
A cliff-top site where U.S. Rangers scaled under fire to neutralize German artillery threatening Omaha Beach during D-Day.
Omaha Beach
The iconic and heavily defended American landing site, symbolizing the sacrifice of U.S. forces on June 6, 1944.
Pegasus Bridge
Captured minutes after midnight on D-Day, this British airborne operation prevented German reinforcements from reaching the beaches.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
The largest Commonwealth cemetery, honoring soldiers of the Ypres Salient and showing the scale of WWI sacrifice.
Lochnagar Crater
One of the largest mine craters from WWI, illustrating the devastation of trench warfare on the Western Front.
Itinerary
Guests not located in Europe will fly independently to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Arrive in Paris and drive to Bayeux, the first major town liberated after D-Day and largely intact, making it a perfect base to explore Normandy. Take a short walking tour of Bayeux to see the town’s wartime history and learn how civilians lived under German occupation. This day introduces the human and strategic context of the Allied invasion.
Enjoy a group welcome dinner in Bayeux, preparing for the campaign sites ahead.
Overnight in Bayeux.
Visit Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated by American paratroopers, to understand airborne operations on D-Day. Explore Espace Mémorial de la Fière, Angoville-au-Plain, and Brécourt Manor to see how small-unit actions shaped the invasion’s success.
After lunch at Le Roosevelt, tour Utah Beach, LeClere Monument, and Hangar à Dirigeables d’Écausseville to understand the logistics and defenses of the American landings.
Overnight in Bayeux.
Tour Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach to see the extreme risks faced by American forces under heavy German fire. Visit Grand Camp Maisy and Maisy Battery to explore the fortified positions threatening the landings.
Reflect on the human cost at La Cambe German Cemetery and Colleville-sur-Mer American Cemetery, with the option for a Taps ceremony.
Stop at the Frank Peregory Medal of Honor Site to highlight acts of heroism.
Overnight in Bayeux.
Explore Longues-sur-Mer Battery and Arromanches, including the Mulberry Harbor that enabled Allied resupply without capturing a port. Visit British Normandy Memorial and Merville Battery to understand British and Canadian contributions.
See Pegasus Bridge, a key airborne operation securing vital routes behind enemy lines.
Overnight in Amiens.
Visit Thiepval Memorial, Newfoundland Park/Beaumont-Hamel, Ulster Tower, Delville Wood, and Lochnagar Crater to see the battlefields of WWI that shaped later military strategy. These sites highlight the staggering loss of life and lessons learned about trench warfare, mobility, and combined arms.
Lunch at Ulster Tower offers time for reflection. Touring these landscapes will provide context for understanding WWII planning and the human cost of total war.
Overnight in Ypres.
Tour Essex Farm and John McCrae’s Advanced Dressing Station, Langemarck German Cemetery, Vancouver Corner, Tyne Cot, Hill 60, and Messines Ridge to understand the scale and sacrifice of WWI combat.
Attend the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony to honor those who fell.
Overnight in Ypres.
Visit Quatre Bras, Gemincourt, Dutch harge Monuments, Kellerman vs Brit infantry, 1 Div Cav Attack, and Allied withdrawal operations at Ligny, highlighting lessons in coalition warfare and battlefield coordination.
Moving toward Waterloo connects earlier European military history to modern warfare strategy.
Overnight in Brussels.
Explore Waterloo Visitor Center, Lion Mound, Sunken Road, Hougoumont, Lay Haye Sainte Memorials, and Mont St. Jean to see how terrain influenced tactics and leadership. Learn how the study of Napoleonic battles informed WWII planning.
Overnight in Brussels.
Return home after reflecting on the battlefields and memorials of both World Wars. The journey emphasizes human sacrifice, the evolution of military strategy, and the enduring importance of remembrance.
Morning transport to the Brussels Airport (BRU).
Currently we have not announced the next departure for this tour. For more information please contact us or call our office 888.903.3329.
Tour Includes
- Itinerary designed by Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours and the American Battlefield Trust
- Professional historian traveling with you throughout the tour, lecturing and answering questions
- Tour manager to handle guest needs and on-the-ground logistics
- 3 or 4-star hotel accommodations
- Rooms with private bath or shower
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Touring by private first class, air-conditioned motor coach
- Daily breakfast, some lunches, most dinners
- All entrance fees to museums and attractions
Flights
Flights are not included in the cost of the tour.
Flights
Flights are not included in the cost of the tour.
Activity Level
As with all of our tours, we prefer to spend our time on the battlefields. There will be some museum stops, but please be prepared to walk on sandy beaches and cobblestone streets. There is a fair amount of walking.
If you use a wheelchair, please read our Wheelchair Policy.
D-Day to the Rhine
Our D-Day Tour was designed by Stephen E. Ambrose, who first led this WWII tour in the late 1970s. It was further developed by our Chief Historian, Capt. Ronald Drez, who assisted Dr. Ambrose with his research while at the Eisenhower Center. Highlights of this tour are: Churchill War Rooms, Bletchley Park, Normandy Beaches, Ste-Mere-Eglise, Pointe-du-Hoc, and Bastogne. Read More >
The Normandy Campaign: 100 Days Battle
The Normandy Campaign: 100 Days Battle Tour explores the Normandy breakout, code name Operation Cobra, the Allied plan to take Brittany and trap the remaining German army in Normandy. By the evening of D-Day, more than 150,000 Allied troops had landed on the coast of France and had breached Adolf Hitler’s once impregnable “Atlantic Wall.”... Read More >