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7-Day Driving Tour from England to Normandy D-Day Beaches (overnight in Kent) for 2 Adults

Day 1: Kent overnight

Canterbury, England on November 3, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at The Refectory (Canterbury Cathedral)

Simple, well-rated breakfast inside the cathedral complex; good way to start with a quick walk in the precincts before sightseeing. Check cathedral café opening time as it can vary seasonally.

GBP12, 1h0m.

11:00am

Canterbury Cathedral visit

Iconic Norman cathedral with stunning medieval architecture and history — essential to see for a short cultural stop.

GBP14, 2h0m.

1:00pm

Lunch at The Goods Shed

Farm-to-table market-style restaurant right next to the cathedral offering local produce and relaxed lunches (check weekday opening).

GBP18, 1h0m.

3:00pm

Stroll the Medieval Quarter & Westgate Gardens

Walk the cobbled lanes, riverside gardens and climb Westgate Towers for city views; gentle way to stretch before the drive next day.

GBP5, 1h0m.

7:00pm

Dinner at The Ambrette

Contemporary, highly-rated dinner in Canterbury — good pre-trip meal; book ahead for evening service.

GBP60, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Canterbury

Day 2: Cross to France

Folkestone → Calais → Bayeux, France on November 4, 2025

7:00am

Drive to Eurotunnel Folkestone terminal

Short drive to the terminal for check‑in; Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is frequent — check-in recommended 30–60 minutes before departure.

EUR120, 1h0m.

8:30am

Eurotunnel crossing Folkestone → Calais

Fast vehicle shuttle under the Channel (about 35 minutes) — drive-on, drive-off makes it smooth with a car.

EUR120, 0h35m.

11:30am

Drive Calais → Bayeux (with a lunch stop en route)

Scenic drive across northern France; stop in Le Touquet or Boulogne-sur-Mer for lunch and a short stroll.

EUR25, 3h0m.

4:00pm

Bayeux Tapestry Museum

World-famous embroidered panorama of the Norman Conquest — a compact, must-see museum (typically open until early evening).

EUR12, 1h30m.

7:30pm

Dinner in Bayeux (La Rapière or similar)

Traditional Norman cuisine in the medieval town; perfect base for the D‑Day sites over the next days.

EUR35, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Folkestone → Calais → Bayeux

Day 3: Arromanches & Juno

Arromanches / Courseulles-sur-Mer, France on November 5, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast in Bayeux

Quick hotel or café breakfast before setting out along the coast toward the landing beaches.

EUR10, 1h0m.

10:30am

Arromanches 360° Cinema (Les Circuits du Débarquement)

Short film and panoramic view explaining the artificial Mulberry harbour and D‑Day operations — excellent context for the beaches (usually opens 10:00).

EUR10, 1h30m.

12:30pm

Lunch at Le Ruban Bleu (Arromanches)

Casual seafood and local dishes with sea views — convenient and well-situated for beachside stops.

EUR20, 1h0m.

2:00pm

Juno Beach & Juno Beach Centre (Courseulles-sur-Mer)

Canadian landing sector with an excellent interpretive centre (museum often open 10:00–17:00) and preserved shoreline.

EUR11, 1h30m.

4:00pm

Visit Gold Beach sector & Longues‑sur‑Mer battery

See the German gun battery ruins and nearby landing beaches; Longues‑sur‑Mer battery is outdoors (open daylight hours).

EUR0, 1h30m.

7:30pm

Dinner in Bayeux

Return to Bayeux for dinner and relax — pick a restaurant near the cathedral for atmosphere.

EUR35, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Arromanches / Courseulles-sur-Mer

Day 4: Omaha & Pointe du Hoc

Colleville-sur-Mer / Vierville-sur-Mer, France on November 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast in Bayeux

Fuel up before a focused day on American landing sites.

EUR10, 0h45m.

9:30am

American Cemetery (Colleville‑sur‑Mer)

Moving, meticulously maintained cemetery with visitor centre — usually open from about 9:00; allow time to read the history and view the headlands.

EUR0, 1h15m.

11:00am

Omaha Beach and memorial viewpoints

Walk the wide beach and visit memorials describing the fierce landings and aftermath; open outdoors all day.

EUR0, 1h0m.

1:00pm

Lunch at a local bistro in St‑Laurent‑sur‑Mer

Simple Normandy fare close to the beach sites — convenient and satisfying after the cemetery visit.

EUR20, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Pointe du Hoc

Dramatic cliff-top site of the U.S. Ranger assault with preserved craters and observation posts; open daylight hours and highly recommended.

EUR0, 1h30m.

5:00pm

Musée Mémorial d'Omaha Beach

Museum with exhibits focused on the American landings and material culture from the battles (check seasonal hours).

EUR9, 1h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner in Bayeux

Return to Bayeux and choose from several classic Normandy restaurants to unwind.

EUR35, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Colleville-sur-Mer / Vierville-sur-Mer

Day 5: Sainte‑Mère‑Église & Utah

Sainte‑Mère‑Église / Sainte‑Marie‑du‑Mont, France on November 7, 2025

9:00am

Drive to Sainte‑Mère‑Église

Short morning drive to the airborne landing sector — town is famous for the ‘parachute on the church’ photograph.

EUR0, 0h45m.

10:00am

Airborne Museum (Musée Airborne)

Excellent museum focused on the 82nd and 101st US Airborne operations; usually opens around 10:00 (confirm seasonal times).

EUR9, 1h30m.

12:30pm

Lunch in Sainte‑Mère‑Église

Local crêperies and bistros offer a relaxed lunchtime; try Normandy cider with your meal.

EUR18, 1h0m.

2:00pm

Utah Beach D‑Day Museum

Museum dedicated to the U.S. Utah landing and the subsequent fighting; good displays and beach access (open typically 10:00–17:00).

EUR7, 1h30m.

4:00pm

Explore Utah Beach memorial coastline

Walk the long shoreline and visit the monuments — a quieter, reflective setting compared with other sectors.

EUR0, 1h0m.

7:00pm

Dinner back in Bayeux

Enjoy one final evening in Bayeux with a leisurely local meal and review the week’s highlights.

EUR35, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Sainte‑Mère‑Église / Sainte‑Marie‑du‑Mont

Day 6: Return drive scenic

Rouen → Etretat → Calais area, France on November 8, 2025

8:00am

Depart Bayeux for Rouen

Scenic inland drive to historic Rouen — time to see Gothic architecture and a lively old town on the way back toward Calais.

EUR0, 2h30m.

11:00am

Rouen Cathedral & Gros‑Horloge

Visit the cathedral made famous in Monet paintings and stroll the medieval lanes; Gros‑Horloge tower has a small entry fee.

EUR8, 1h30m.

1:00pm

Lunch at La Couronne (Rouen) or similar

Historic inn or nearby bistro for classic Norman dishes — a good mid-route break.

EUR30, 1h0m.

3:00pm

Etretat cliffs viewpoint

Iconic white chalk cliffs and sea arches — free to visit and great for photos and a coastal walk; check daylight hours for walking trails.

EUR0, 1h30m.

6:00pm

Drive to Calais area & check into hotel

Head north to a Calais-area hotel for an easy morning departure to the Eurotunnel terminal the next day.

EUR0, 2h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner in Calais (harbour area)

Fresh seafood or brasserie meal close to the port — practical last-night choice.

EUR30, 1h30m.

Find Hotels in Rouen → Etretat → Calais area

Day 7: Return to England

Calais → Folkestone → Home, England on November 9, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast in Calais

Quick harbor-side breakfast and a final short walk (e.g., Calais lighthouse or town center) before check-in.

EUR10, 1h0m.

10:30am

Short visit: Calais lighthouse or local museum (optional)

Small cultural stop if time allows — many museums open from 10:00; otherwise relax before the crossing.

EUR6, 1h0m.

12:30pm

Eurotunnel check-in & crossing Calais → Folkestone

Return Le Shuttle crossing; allow recommended margin for check-in and customs. Crossing itself is ~35 minutes.

EUR120, 0h35m.

2:00pm

Arrive Folkestone & drive home

Drive from Folkestone to your final UK destination (times vary by location).

GBP0, Varies.

Find Hotels in Calais → Folkestone → Home

Step 1 Outline Preview:

7-Day Driving Tour from England to Normandy D-Day Beaches (overnight in Kent) for 2 Adults

Day 1: Kent overnight

9:00am

11:00am

1:00pm

3:00pm

7:00pm

Day 2: Cross to France

7:00am

8:30am

11:30am

4:00pm

7:30pm

Day 3: Arromanches & Juno

9:00am

10:30am

12:30pm

2:00pm

4:00pm

7:30pm

Day 4: Omaha & Pointe du Hoc

8:00am

9:30am

11:00am

1:00pm

2:30pm

5:00pm

7:30pm

Day 5: Sainte‑Mère‑Église & Utah

9:00am

10:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

4:00pm

7:00pm

Day 6: Return drive scenic

8:00am

11:00am

1:00pm

3:00pm

6:00pm

7:30pm

Day 7: Return to England

8:00am

10:30am

12:30pm

2:00pm

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