Private tour of 1 hour to 7 hours by sidecar on the D-Day beaches

From your hôtel to Pointe du Hoc, immerse yourself in a timeless experience and delve into the heart of the decisive sites of June 6, 1944 for a day. Between sea and countryside, let yourself be captivated by landscapes steeped in history.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bayeux - Your Gentleman Sider (Guide/Driver) will meet you with his retro sidecar at the pickup location of your choice, or at the Bayeux Tourist Office, or at the Bayeux Bus Station.

He will assist you in equipping helmets, gloves, and retro goggles before settling you in.

There will, of course, be stops along the way for breaks and photo opportunities.

  • Arromanches-les-Bains - Your pilot will take you to Arromanches-les-Bains. It was on this beach that, during the Battle of Normandy, immediately after D-Day on June 6, 1944, the Allies established Port Mulberry B, a temporary artificial harbor to facilitate the landing of heavy equipment, without having to wait for the conquest of deep-water ports such as those of Le Havre or Cherbourg (Cherbourg-en-Cotentin since 2016). Although located in the center of the Gold Beach landing zone, Arromanches was spared the brunt of the fighting on D-Day. In order to facilitate the installation and operation of a port as quickly as possible, it was essential not to damage the beach and to preserve the surrounding communication routes. Therefore, the British troops landed further east, between Asnelles and Ver-sur-Mer, and liberated Arromanches by land on the evening of June 6. The port was thus operational by June 14.
  • Longues-sur-Mer - The Longues-sur-Mer Battery is one of the coastal artillery batteries of the Atlantic Wall, situated in the coastal town of Longues-sur-Mer in Calvados, Normandy. The site consisted of four 150 mm long-range naval guns, each protected by a reinforced concrete casemate, along with various installations to serve and defend them. Located in the Allied landing zone in Normandy, between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach, the battery faced intense aerial and naval bombardments on D-Day, preventing it from fully engaging, and was captured by British troops the following day. Classified as a Historic Monument, it is in good condition. The site is well-preserved and has become a popular stop for visitors touring the D-Day landing sites.
  • Port-en-Bessin-Huppain - Liberated on June 8, 1944, by the 47th Royal Marines Commando during Operation Overlord, Port-en-Bessin quickly became the hub for a network of pipelines stretching approximately 120 km, intended to supply fuel to the Allied armies. By June 16, it was operational. By late August 1944, this system was augmented by Operation PLUTO, which involved the laying of pipelines between the Isle of Wight and Querqueville near Cherbourg.
  • Omaha Beach - Omaha Beach remains one of the most iconic landing sites of D-Day, holding undeniable historical significance. Standing here, you’ll be on the same sands where thousands of American soldiers courageously landed amidst intense gunfire and artillery barrage. Your guide will emotionally narrate the challenges faced by the soldiers during this fierce battle. As you walk along the beach, take a moment to pay tribute to the memorials and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought here.
  • Cimetiere Americain de Colleville-sur-Mer - The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, perched on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach, stands as a poignant and deeply moving tribute to the fallen soldiers. As you stroll among the rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David, you will be filled with a profound sense of gratitude and respect for those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Your guide will share stories about the individuals laid to rest here and provide insightful perspectives on the significant impact of their sacrifices on the course of history.
  • Pointe du Hoc - Pointe du Hoc emerged as a crucial strategic theater during the Allied D-Day landing operation in Normandy on June 6, 1944. Nestled between Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east, this promontory was fiercely fortified by the Germans (WN 751). Allied aerial reconnaissance revealed the presence of formidable long-range artillery pieces, threatening the adjacent beaches. The swift neutralization of these cannons was deemed crucial to the success of the landing. Explore with fascination this historic site where bravery and strategy played a pivotal role in liberation.
  • Bayeux - Return to the starting point (Duration: 20 minutes)
What's Included
  • Blanket (if necessary)
  • Use of Retro helmets
  • Retro goggles
  • Use of jacket (if necessary)
  • Use of gloves
  • 1 to 2 passengers per sidecar (one person behind our pilot and one person in the sidecar)
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information
  • A maximum of 12 people per booking
Location
Bayeux Tourist Office
Rue Saint-Jean
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(16 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Debralp2016
Aug 20, 2024
An Amazing Experience - This tour was fantastic. We had Remi who was simply amazing. He was also an excellent driver and we felt very comfortable with him. My 16-year old son is still talking about him and the tour! You learn so much more fascinating details by going on a tour rather than just visiting. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_l
Aug 19, 2024
Wonderful experience for me + my two teenagers - This tour was one of the best things about our europe trip. My son is very interested in WW2, and our guides were amazing at sharing stories and history. We all learned a lot and were able to walk through bunkers on the german beach. The bonus of getting to ride in the sidecar of a motorcycle was a super fun perk! Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Valmat12
Aug 15, 2024
Great experience with Thomas - The sidecar tour is memorable. We were welcomed by Thomas and his 2 colleagues who are charming and humorous people. Thomas (youngest 😊) history lover accompanied us during these 2 hours, he is a very good Guide, very friendly and perfectly master his subject. The sidecar ride is very nice. Do not hesitate to book, even on overcast days, the Norman micro climate is not an invention.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathi_s
Aug 5, 2024
Terrific tour and guide - Everything about this visit was fabulous. The side car was a lot of fun. Normandy and Omaha Beach were deeply moving. And Phillippe is an exceptional tour guide. We highly recommend this activity!
Review provided by Viator
Sandra_c
Aug 3, 2024
Clean, safe and educational experience - Remi and Thomas were FANTASTIC pilots!!! Clean, safe-feeling bikes, good driving and the best way to visit Normandy - Remi was incredibly knowledgeable and told stories in an interesting way. The kids and parents both learned so much! Afterwards, upon request, we were dropped off at an incredible lunch location - exactly what we were hoping for! Next time, we would go for the 4-hour tour. Thank you guys!!
Review provided by Viator
Julian
Jun 27, 2024
Priceless experience!!! - It was amazing. Our guide was Remi. Really nice guide. He is knowledgeable and funny. I love that everyone started at us when we passed by.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pauline_t
Jun 15, 2024
Exhilerating and authentic - We took the two hour tour which was fabulous and exhilerating. Phillipe was a fabulous guide full of knowledge and enthusiasm. It was very interesting and opened my eyes to some of the real detail of the Normandy landings. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
J7583mbkaylar
Jun 11, 2024
Look a squirrel!! - We had the honor of visiting Normandy right before the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Our private guide was Remy who did an AMAZING job! He was so thorough and knowledgable, I don't know how he remembered everything he did! The motorcycle/sidecar was so much fun to ride around on throughout the French countryside to get to each stop. This was an experience we will remember forever. Thanks Remy for the drinks! Now I know not to slam Brandy hahahahaha
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lgillilan
Jun 9, 2024
Amazing Tour - My son is a WW2 history buff and found this tour for our visit during the 80th anniversary of D-Day. I had high expectations and the Retro Tour team met every one of them. I reached out to Thomas to book since we needed 6 motorcycles. He responded very quickly and helped to make the reservation. Since our tour was during the same time period of the anniversary ceremonies, Thomas made some suggestions on how we could alter our trip to get the best experience. On the day of the trip, the 6 drivers were a great fit for our group which ranged from 7 years old to 65 years old. Remi was my and my son’s driver and he was fantastic. He is knowledgeable about the surrounding area and has a great sense of humor. If you want an unforgettable experience of visiting the D-Day beaches and surrounding areas, this is the only tour to book.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordan_w
Jun 9, 2024
Great experience with excellent information - What a fun experience! Phillipe was an excellent guide and really helped bring the events to life with stories tracing an individual. The motorbike was so much fun, especially the ride back with such stunning views on the French country roads. Would do again and highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today