Trips to Normandy for History Students

The scene of vicious fighting after the D-Day landings, Caen was largely destroyed. There is the opportunity to view the impressive castle ramparts as well as the beautifully restored centre.

Mémorial de Caen offers an in-depth journey into the heart of 20th-century history, covering events from World War II, the Cold War, and the challenges faced by the world today. Students can explore interactive exhibits and immerse themselves in the dramatic history of Normandy during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. A highlight of the visit is the 30-minute film that vividly recounts these historic events, offering students a powerful visual experience.

Activities based around several themes can be organised, subject to availability. Online teacher resources are available.

This museum contains a collection of models, photographs, dioramas, arms and equipment of the WW2 Allied forces.

A new film entitled ‘Normandy’s 100 days’ projected on 9 screens, tells the story of the battle of Normandy with images gathered from around the world. After the film groups can enjoy the panoramic view of the artificial harbour set up by the Allies from the roof of the Arromanches 360 Cinema.

This great engineering feat built for D-Day sped up the unloading process so that allied troops were supplied as they advanced across France. The remains of this enormous structure can clearly be seen lying off the coast of Arromanches.

In the years following WWII, the German War Graves Commission decided to establish six main German cemeteries in the Normandy area. La Cambe, started in 1954 is the main German cemetery in the beach area. A total of 21,222 German soldiers are commemorated there.

The capture of this bridge over the Caen Canal was vital to the success of the British airborne assault on D-Day. The original bridge was replaced when the canal was widened but it may still be seen in the Airborne Museum nearby.

The village of Ranville was captured on the morning of D-Day and the cemetery there contains the graves of many of the men of the Airborne Division killed on that day and in the subsequent fighting, including some of the casualties from Pegasus Bridge.

Tours of several of the landing beaches, such as Omaha, Utah, Sword or Juno can be arranged. Possible stop-offs include the Canadian-focused Juno Visitor Centre.

The shattered remains of one of the most powerful German coastal batteries in the area stand amidst a sizeable area of preserved battlefield on top of the impressive cliffs, from which men of the American Rangers made their famous attack on D-Day.

The Utah Beach Landing Museum is set up at the site of the US landing on the 6th of June, 1944. Guided tours are offered to explain German defences and the different stages of the landing on Utah Beach.