Panzers in Normandy

Panzers in Normandy

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Panzers in Normandy

5 Days Starting and ending in Normandy, France

Visiting: Normandy, Saumur, Omaha Beach

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

fpn

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through the historic battlefields of Normandy with the "Panzers in Normandy" tour. This immersive experience offers a unique exploration of the pivotal role of tanks during the Battle of Normandy. Witness original Tiger tanks, Shermans, and Panzers at the renowned French Tank Museum in Saumur, and visit iconic sites such as Juno Beach and Villers-Bocage. Delve into the strategic maneuvers of the 7th Armoured Division and the fierce clashes with German Tiger tanks. Stay in comfort at a 2-star or 3-star hotel in the Caen area, and enjoy the convenience of coach travel from the UK. This fully guided tour promises a rich historical adventure, perfect for enthusiasts of military history and armored warfare.

Highlights

  • A fascinating look at the role of Allied and German Tanks in the Battle of Normandy, including original Tiger tanks, Shermans, and Panzers.

  • Visit Juno Beach to see original examples of Churchill AVREs and Sherman DD tanks.

  • Explore the clash of the 7th Armoured Division with German Tiger tanks at Villers-Bocage in June 1944.

  • Travel to the French Tank Museum at Saumur, featuring over 200 tanks from WWI to the present day.

  • Examine the British armoured Brigades' advance through the Bocage countryside during Operation Bluecoat.

  • Visit the German Cemetery at La Cambe and discuss the history of Michael Wittmann.

  • Walk the ground of Michael Wittmann's final battle and see the only Tiger tank remaining on the Normandy battlefields.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Normandy, France

Location: Normandy

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 2-star hotel in the Caen area or similar

Local departure by coach, then to Normandy for a four-night stay.

Day 2 : Gold Beach, Juno & Villers-Bocage

Normandy, France

Location: Normandy

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 2-star hotel in the Caen area or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start on the British D-Day beaches looking at the use of specialist armour. On Gold Beach we discuss the use of self-propelled guns of the Royal Artillery in the 'run-in shoot' seeing an example of a Sexton. At Juno Beach we look at the roll of Churchill AVREs and also Sherman DD tanks seeing original examples of both. Following lunch we look at the use of tanks inland post D-Day and the fortunes of the 7th Armoured Division in its clash with German Tiger tanks at Villers-Bocage in June 1944. We then examine the largest British tank battle of the Normandy campaign when the British attacked during Operation Goodwood seeing the battlefield around the Bourguebus Ridge and visiting the graves in Banneville War Cemetery.

Day 3 : Operation Totalise & Saumur

Location: Saumur

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 2-star hotel in the Caen area or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

A long but rewarding day as we travel south to visit the superb French Tank Museum at Saumur. This is France's main museum of armoured fighting vehicles and covers WWI to the present day. Among the more than 200 tanks found here, many were used in Normandy and among them are a Panther tank, Tiger I and Tiger II as well as Allied Churchills and Shermans. We have plenty of time to explore this rich collection before returning to Normandy.

Day 4 : Omaha Beach, La Cambe & Overlord Museum

Location: Omaha Beach

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 2-star hotel in the Caen area or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we look at the American use of armoured divisions and start on Omaha Beach where Sherman DD tanks ran into problems on D-Day. We visit the Omaha Beach Museum and see a Sherman before moving onto La Cambe for a look at the decorated German panzer crews buried there including Tiger Ace Michael Wittmann. After lunch we visit the ever expanding Overlord Museum with an unrivalled collection of original WWII tanks in Normandy. We then follow Operation Cobra in the St. Jean de Daye and Le Dézert area.

Day 5

Normandy, France

Location: Normandy

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Meals
    4 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is provided as detailed in the itinerary.

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point.

  • Fully Guided

    The tour is fully guided.

  • International Travel

    International travel is included.

  • Transport

    Transport is provided by a comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach.

What's Not Included

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 2-star Carline Caen, or the 3-star Ibis Falaise - Coeur de Normandie, providing comfortable and convenient lodging during your exploration of Normandy's historic sites.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with our air-conditioned motorcoach, offering convenient pick-up from a wide range of UK joining points, ensuring a smooth journey to and from Normandy.

Check out our Q&As

  • What types of tanks will we see at the Saumur Tank Museum?

    At the Saumur Tank Museum, you will see a wide range of tanks including a Panther tank, Tiger I and Tiger II, as well as Allied Churchills and Shermans. The museum covers armoured fighting vehicles from WWI to the present day.

  • Will we visit any significant battlefields during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to several significant battlefields such as Sword Beach, the Hillman Bunker system, and the battlefield area around Caen. You will also explore the battlefields around Lingèvres, Tilly, and Point 103, as well as the site of Michael Wittmann's final battle.

  • Are there any notable cemeteries included in the tour itinerary?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to the German Cemetery at La Cambe, where Michael Wittmann is buried, the St Charles de Percy War Cemetery, and the Bretteville Canadian War Cemetery.

  • What is the focus of the visit to Juno Beach?

    At Juno Beach, the focus is on the role of Churchill AVREs and Sherman DD tanks, with original examples of both being showcased.

  • What historical events are covered on Day 4 of the tour?

    On Day 4, the tour covers the British armoured Brigades in Operation Bluecoat, the breakout from Caen following Operation Totalise, and the advance of the Canadian Worthington Force in August 1944. It also includes a visit to the site of Michael Wittmann's final battle.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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