For the most enjoyable visit for you and your companions, read these few recommendations before you set off:
Check the weather:
Is the weather fine? Bring sun cream, hats, sunglasses and water!
Normandy weather? Bring warm clothing and a good raincoat! (If you opt for an umbrella, make sure it’s a sturdy one, because it’s windy here!)
Bring good shoes:
We’ll be visiting some historic sites: batteries, bunkers, cemeteries, beaches… Sometimes the ground will be wet. We’ll be walking for up to 30 minutes per site.
Bring what you normally need:
Special needs? Remember to bring your medicines and other items with you. We’ll mainly be out in the countryside, so there won’t be any shops nearby.
Accessibility
Access to the batteries and the German cemetery is very difficult for people with reduced mobility. The ground is either covered in stones or mud. Only the American cemetery is easily accessible.
Pets
Pets are prohibited at most sites, even if they are kept on a lead. These are historic commemoration sites, so there are special rules.
Shops
The sites we will be visiting are isolated, either by the sea or in the countryside. So there are no shops nearby. For the full-day d-day tour, we will stop at midday in the village of Port-en-Bessin.
Children
I can adapt to young children. You should be aware, however, that the Second World War is only studied from the age of 10/11 in France. I leave it to you to judge your child’s sensitivity. Remember to bring car seats or baby carriers for toddlers, as the sites can sometimes be impassable for a pushchair.
Special clothing
We will be visiting military cemeteries, where proper dress is required out of respect. We’ll be walking for up to 30 minutes per site, so comfortable shoes are essential.
To sum up:
You need to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Comfortable footwear is recommended. If you’re travelling with young children, people with reduced mobility or people with special needs, make sure you have the necessary equipment. Finally, remember that proper dress is required in these places.
I look forward to guiding you around the historic landing sites in the near future!