Military history tours are popular worldwide, giving participants a glimpse into significant events of the past that have shaped our present. But why is Normandy often named as the best destination for a WW2 history tour?
Normandy is situated in the Northwestern region of France. Bordering the English Channel, this strategic entry point into Europe was the site of one of the most significant battles of the Second World War. And that’s not all it’s famous for.
Read on for the top 5 reasons to take a WW2 tour in Normandy, France.
Deeper insights Into WW2 Events
Like many European destinations, Normandy has no shortage of WW2 tours. As the place where Allied soldiers landed to face the occupying forces in France, it played a pivotal role in the war. Although many WW2-themed tours exist, you’ll gain deeper insights into WW2 events on the Band of Brothers Tours.
This tour company offers WW2 tour packages for all tastes and budgets, taking tour members to all the most talked-about WW2 sites in Europe. Their signature Beaches of Normandy tour is one of their most popular and takes you to the beach landing sites, military cemetery, and other important landmarks.
With a variety of options, including all-inclusive deals, you can enjoy a WW2 tour in Normandy as part of a total vacation package. It’s the perfect way to combine a European getaway with an opportunity to learn more about world history.
A Relaxed Pace
While you’re considering one of the cool coach trips to the summer festivals in France, you can book yourself a coach trip to Normandy too. There are several Normandy coach tours and day trips that offer all the highlights of WW2 memorials.
It’s a comfortable and pleasant way to sit back, relax, and see all the iconic landmarks. You’ll learn more about Normandy’s role in the Second World War while sightseeing in one of France’s most beautiful coastal regions.
This allows you to enjoy a WW2 tour at a more relaxed pace. Normandy also has many charming hotels and fine dining establishments, too. So once you’ve had your fill of the WW2 sites, you can stop and fill up on warm hospitality and good food.
Historical Family Fun
If you have young children, you’re understandably concerned for their safety when traveling. You might also worry a WW2 tour will bore the younger members of your family. But fear not, because a WW2 historical tour in Normandy is safe for kids and fun for the whole family.
Normandy doesn’t just offer a wealth of WW2 landmarks, memorials, and museums, it’s kid-friendly too. Many museum exhibits are designed specifically for enquiring young minds, and the nearby parks, botanical gardens, and other attractions will delight all ages.
So, take the kids along to learn more about D-Day, the beach landings, and the military campaign that turned things around for the Allied Forces. It’s also the ideal setting for homeschooling parents teaching kids about the Second World War.
Open-Air History Lesson
European WW2 tours typically include indoor exhibits at museums, and some even include excursions to underground bunkers. Normandy has quite a few museums dedicated to the war, too. But if you’re not keen to spend your vacation time indoors, a Normandy tour is the solution.
Many of the WW2 sites are out in the open air, free from the hustle and bustle you often get with European destinations. And there are plenty of outdoor pursuits to be enjoyed with beautiful scenery, magnificent views, and clean air.
And the air is getting a whole lot cleaner. France’s Crit’Air anti-pollution initiative aims to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle emissions in many French cities. Rouen in Normandy, like many other regions in France, has implemented these measures to improve its air quality for its citizens and visitors alike.
A Favorite Among English Speakers
French is the main language spoken throughout Normandy. However, English is widely spoken and understood on most WW2 tours in Normandy, as well as in its tourist hubs. But there are two other reasons why native English speakers choose Normandy as their WW2 tour destination.
The majority of the Allied forces who died on Normandy’s beaches were American and British. And long before the events of D-day, Normandy had close ties to English history. On a WW2 tour in Normandy, you’ll learn about the war in a region involved in a fascinating period of French and English history.
The Norman duke known as William the Conqueror inherited the duchy on his father’s death in 1035. He later set his sights on the English throne, leading to the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings. William was crowned as England’s first Norman king in 1066.
