This was a very long but informative day at the Normandy beaches. We had a great knowledgeable local guide whose grandparents’ home had been occupied by German soldiers for four years during the war. Our walking tour of the Pointe du Hoc had an excellent narration on the D-Day activities. D-Day was the beginning of the Normandy offensive which lasted for months. Many young soldiers, some of them just in their teens, died.

Afterward, we stopped at the Omaha Beach memorial and left white roses at its base.

We had an excellent lunch at the Chateau la Cheneviere, a 18th century manor house, followed by a walking tour of the American Cemetery. Over 9,300 soldiers are buried there (less than half of the fallen).

Chateau la Cheneviere

American Cemetery

On the way back to the ship, we drove past charming villages with stone buildings, walls, churches, war memorials and abandoned military equipment, and farms with cattle, horses and sheep. Our day ended with a nice dinner and a dessert buffet.

See more photos:

• Château La Chenevière
• D-Day Beaches
• Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial