D-Day Anniversary River Cruise: Normandy

Arrive in the magnificent French capital and embark your luxury river cruise vessel, the AmaLyra, from 4pm. After settling into your comfortable accommodation, join your Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours Historian and fellow travellers for a welcome reception as we prepare to sail along the historic Seine.

Your historian will provide an introductory briefing on the strategic importance of the Seine River valley throughout history—from medieval conflicts to the pivotal role it played in the 1944 Liberation of France. We’ll set the scene for the stories of courage, sacrifice and liberation we’ll uncover over the coming days.

This morning, explore the dramatic ruins of Château Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart’s “Saucy Castle,” perched on the chalk cliffs above the Seine. Built in two years (1196-1198), this formidable fortress controlled the river to Rouen and was considered impregnable until it fell to the French in 1204. Your historian will bring to life the medieval sieges that raged here and explain how control of the Seine has been crucial to military campaigns throughout the centuries. Choose between a guided castle tour, a hike up from the riverbank, or a leisurely bike ride through the charming town of Les Andelys.

This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising as we sail toward the coast, with your historian providing context about the German occupation of Normandy and the meticulous planning for Operation Overlord—the D-Day invasion. We will discuss the Allied assault plan and challenges they would face on the landing beaches.

On the eve of the D-Day anniversary, we embark on our first battlefield pilgrimage to the American sector of the D-Day beaches. This emotional journey takes us to the sites where American forces faced some of the fiercest resistance of the invasion.

Begin at Omaha Beach, where the US 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions faced devastating German fire from the bluffs above, with your historian describing the chaotic landing and heroism that ultimately secured the beach despite nearly catastrophic losses. Visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, where 9387 Americans are buried on the bluff overlooking the beach they fought so bravely to capture. The perfectly aligned white crosses create a powerful testament to the price of freedom. Continue to the German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer, the only coastal battery to retain its original guns. These massive 150mm naval guns could reach both Omaha and Gold beaches and played a crucial role in the German defence until silenced by Allied naval gunfire.

End the day at Arromanches, where you’ll see the remarkable remains of the Mulberry Harbor—the artificial port towed across the Channel to supply the invasion forces. Your historian will explain this engineering marvel that was crucial to the success of the campaign.

Return to the ship in time for dinner, with your historian discussing the British and Canadian invasion plan for tomorrow’s anniversary visit.

Due to large crowds anticipated for the D-Day anniversary commemorations, we may modify the sites visited today to allow for traffic conditions and site closures.

Today, on this significant anniversary, we visit the British and Canadian sector of the D-Day beaches. Eighty-three years ago today, Commonwealth forces stormed ashore at Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches in the largest amphibious invasion in history.

Begin at Pegasus Bridge, where in the early hours of D-Day, British glider troops achieved complete surprise and captured this vital crossing in just ten minutes. Meet at the Café Gondrée, the first house in France to be liberated, and see the original bridge now displayed at the nearby museum. Continue to Juno Beach, where the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed under heavy fire. Visit the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, an excellent museum that tells the story of Canada’s role in the liberation of Europe. Walk on the beach itself and see the remaining German bunkers that made the landing so costly.

Pay respects at the Canadian Cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, where 2049 Commonwealth troops are buried, including many who fell on D-Day. The cemetery’s peaceful setting belies the violence of the battle that brought these young men here. Visit Ranville Cemetery, the first village liberated in France and resting place of many British airborne troops, including Lieutenant Den Brotheridge, the first Allied soldier killed in the D-Day invasion.

Throughout this anniversary day, we’ll participate in commemoration ceremonies, share stories of individual heroism, and reflect on the extraordinary courage displayed by ordinary men who changed the course of history. Your historian will read from veterans’ accounts and letters home, bringing a deeply personal dimension to this sacred day.

Due to large crowds anticipated for the D-Day anniversary commemorations, we may modify the sites visited today to allow for traffic conditions and site closures.

Arrive in the historic capital of Normandy, where medieval half-timbered houses line cobblestone streets and the magnificent Gothic cathedral inspired Monet. Walk in the footsteps of Joan of Arc to the Old Market Square where she was burned at the stake in 1431, and visit the modern church built in her honour. See the famous Gros-Horloge (Great Clock), one of the oldest astronomical clocks in France, and explore the preserved medieval quarter. Choose to visit the magnificent Château de Bonnemare, a 16^thC architectural gem, or join the “Tastes of Normandy” tour to sample specialties like Camembert, Calvados & Norman cider.

Your historian will explain Rouen’s strategic importance throughout history—from William the Conqueror to the Hundred Years’ War to its role as a major German logistics centre in WWII. Learn how the city suffered during the war and its eventual liberation by Canadian forces in August 1944.

This morning, cruise to Vernon, gateway to beloved Giverny. Visit Claude Monet’s house and gardens, where the Impressionist master lived for 43 years, including the famous Japanese bridge and lily pond from his paintings. Alternatively, explore Château de Bizy, “Normandy’s Versailles,” or cycle through the countryside.

Your historian will discuss how WWI affected Monet—his son Michel fought in the trenches, and Monet’s famous Water Lilies series was his personal memorial to French soldiers. Learn about the liberation of Paris, the race between Allied forces and French Resistance to free the capital before it could be destroyed.

Return to Paris with a new perspective on the City of Light’s wartime history. Choose to visit Auvers-sur-Oise, the village where Vincent van Gogh spent his final, remarkably productive days, or tour Château de Malmaison, Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant residence. See Paris from a unique perspective on a scenic Seine River cruise, passing under the city’s beautiful bridges and viewing iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre.

Your historian will share stories of Paris under German occupation and the dramatic liberation of the city in August 1944, when General de Gaulle triumphantly marched down the Champs-Élysées. Learn about the French Resistance, the preservation of Paris’s monuments, and the city’s role in the final months of war.

Enjoy a farewell dinner as we reflect on our journey through centuries, from medieval sieges to D-Day beaches, and enduring lessons of courage & sacrifice.

Our journey concludes this morning in Paris. After breakfast, disembark and bid farewell to your fellow travellers and historian. Take with you the memories of sacred sites visited, stories shared, and the profound experience of commemorating D-Day in the very places where history was made.