How to Visit the D-Day Battlefields of Normandy, with Mat McLachlan

Battlefield historian Mat McLachlan gives you all the information you need to plan a visit to the D-Day battlefields of Normandy. Mat will show you how to get there, where to stay and what to see on your once-in-a-lifetime journey to Normandy!
ABOUT US: Mat McLachlan is a leading international battlefield historian and has spent more than two decades walking the great battlefields of history. His tour company, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, takes travellers and history lovers to battlefields all over the world, in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and North America, escorted by the world’s leading military historians.
HISTORY OVERVIEW: D-Day was the Allied invasion of Western Europe, which took place on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Over the next three months American, British, Canadian and other Allied troops pushed the Germans back and liberated France.
LOCATION: The Normandy region is in France, about 150 miles west of Paris. You’ll need 2-3 days to see all the sites, but can see the main ones in a (long) day-trip from Paris.
GETTING THERE: Hire a car or catch a train from Paris, or join an organised tour.
WHERE TO STAY: The two main towns are Bayeux (for the American Sector) and Caen (for the British/Canadian Sector). There is a range of accommodation in each.
TOURS: Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours offers fully-escorted tours of the Normandy battlefields. Visit www.battlefields.com.au/normandy-d-day-tour (Australia) or www.battletours.com/normandy-d-day-landing-tour (USA).
GUIDEBOOKS: I recommend ‘Walking D-Day’ by Paul Reed and ‘D-Day: Normandy Landing Beaches’ by Major and Mrs Holt.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: Our full range of tours throughout Europe, Asia, North America and the Pacific can be found on our websites (tailored for US or Australian visitors):
US site: www.battletours.com
Australian site: www.battlefields.com.au
I look forward to helping you walk in the footsteps of heroes!
- Mat McLachlan

Пікірлер: 63

  • @lisaallen9513
    @lisaallen95134 күн бұрын

    I am from USA going to Belgium in September for 2 weeks and renting a car and driving down the coast to Cherbourg. Thank you for your videos! I cant wait to visit Normandy!

  • @lantran8967
    @lantran89676 ай бұрын

    Mind blowing I will be there for 80th anniversary. I hope I will meet my heroes ❤.

  • @Willysmb44
    @Willysmb444 жыл бұрын

    This is one of the few places where a tour guide comes in handy, especially as not a lot of people in the area claim to speak English. My wife and I took an all-day tour of the American sites and it was well worth the time and money. Sure, we passed a a few places I would have liked to see, but it worked well.

  • @emmmaconnolly
    @emmmaconnolly7 ай бұрын

    My great grandfather was in 82 airborne

  • @jaswijnen7116
    @jaswijnen71164 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video! My husband and I are very intrigued with the WWII Era and are making a road trip from The Netherlands to Omaha Area. Had no clue where to start but your video definitely gave me some insight. Cheers!

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Jas! Enjoy the trip - it’s a very special place.

  • @justaguy1679
    @justaguy167915 күн бұрын

    My dad spoke very little about beach landing, but said the hedgerow fighting was the worst. Was wounded outside Saint Lo.

  • @kenkyswaty8099
    @kenkyswaty80994 жыл бұрын

    Love your series Mat. Im a history teacher in Shanghai China and have an upcoming trip to Normandy, Lille, Beaumont Hamel, Menin Gate, Vimy Ridge and then on to Paris. However with this coronavirus situation....might be cancelled. Have been there before and really hope I will be able to show all this to my students. Keep up the great work.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Ken. I hope your trip goes ahead!

  • @shanelamb3727
    @shanelamb3727 Жыл бұрын

    We were there in January, booked our guide who was brilliant and had history with the tours as his grandfather was captured at Dunkirk. We packed a lot into a couple of days with Johann but was he full of knowledge and history. This guy and his friends went to America bought a camper van and drove around with a sign on the back looking for veterans to interview.. we stayed at Bayeux and left from there for our tours amazing little town 5 minutes walk from train station to hotel. Would I do it all again 100% I’m ready now..

  • @lantran8967

    @lantran8967

    11 ай бұрын

    Can you please let me know the tour guy info and hotel where I can stay close by? Thank you so much!!

  • @aleksandarstankovic3202

    @aleksandarstankovic3202

    11 ай бұрын

    @@lantran8967 Same question.

  • @labitcoineragt3596
    @labitcoineragt3596 Жыл бұрын

    Great explanation of the DDay sites!

  • @brianjames3849
    @brianjames3849 Жыл бұрын

    I have travelled all over Europe on a coach with leger holidays visiting all the main battlefields and wonderful museums. We even travelled by car by ferry , if I can do it anybody can , a wonderful exsperiance

  • @SteveWisinski
    @SteveWisinski5 жыл бұрын

    Excellent information - thanks for the video

  • @MM-de4uq

    @MM-de4uq

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Steve!

  • @phoenixcustomtours7104
    @phoenixcustomtours71043 жыл бұрын

    Dear All, the map shown from 6:28 has a few mistakes: the Big Red One landed at Omaha and the 4th at Utah. If you mention the 1st Div. at Omaha, the 29th should also be mentioned. Another missing division is the 101st near by Carentan. I know that there were a lot of other units involved (Rangers at the Hoc) but these four divisions should be presented and most of all where they actually landed. Keep fingers crossed that tourism will have a fresh new start in 2021.

  • @VonBlitzkrieg
    @VonBlitzkrieg4 жыл бұрын

    Tour with Bayeux Shuttle in Normandy. Best tour operator!

  • @church.farm.plants2607
    @church.farm.plants26072 жыл бұрын

    My Grandpa Vernis Ivan Church was a Platoon Sergeant in the 95th Division with Patton Third army Iron Men Of Metz, 377TH Infantry Regiment, Company C. I’ve been trying to do a lot of research to find out more about the stories about where my grandpa was at. I’m also hoping to find some photos of him. Grandpa also fought in Luxembourg, Holland and crossed the Rhine with General Simpsons 9TH. Then my grandpa entered the Ruhr pocket and fought with the 2nd armored division with the hell on wheels division. My grandpa saw a lot of combat at the Battle of the Bulge. Thanks Cody

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing family connection Cody. Respect.

  • @MexicanAmericanPhilippines
    @MexicanAmericanPhilippines4 жыл бұрын

    I hope to see this place one day. So much history 😔

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    It’s an amazing place.

  • @dougsmith9940
    @dougsmith9940 Жыл бұрын

    I went there on a Viking river cruise last December and being a veteran was very emotional going to the US cemetery and walked on the beach but wasn't sure where Point de huc was.

  • @karstenlund8956
    @karstenlund89563 жыл бұрын

    I find the best way to do it is to do alot of research on your own. Read books, study the maps nad find what you think is interesting and go

  • @j.kevinchapman4129
    @j.kevinchapman41295 жыл бұрын

    Mat, what do you expect for the upcoming D-Day remembrance 2019 (75th anniversary) with regard to security? How will it interfere with the regular tourists visit? Also, what do you anticipate with hotels and car rentals? Thanks very much

  • @b1promotions
    @b1promotions2 жыл бұрын

    I have wanted to go to the Normandy region since I can remember. I am a WWII history nerd. We are hopefully going to Normany in early October for 8 days.

  • @ziauddinkhan5699

    @ziauddinkhan5699

    Жыл бұрын

    Hope you had a good trip.

  • @b1promotions

    @b1promotions

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ziauddinkhan5699 we did. We ended up staying 10 days. And can't wait to return.

  • @worldtraveler721
    @worldtraveler7214 жыл бұрын

    Great

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @davidwadsworth8982
    @davidwadsworth89825 жыл бұрын

    At night go to area around Carentan and Saint Come du Mont, near Drop Zones for American 101st and 82 nd,and Saint mere Eglese, then seethe Pegasus Bridge,where Dead Stick, the British Air Borne action.took took place inland from Sword Beach.

  • @ItsMe-hb8zk
    @ItsMe-hb8zk4 жыл бұрын

    We are driving to Normandy Friday mostly to see the American sector. We can't check into our hotel until 5pm. We are having our dog with us, is there anything we can look at where the dog is aloud?

  • @mohammadkarimsaleh840
    @mohammadkarimsaleh8402 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much! One question: I want to visit Normanday and drive by car, is there parking facility in each beach? Thanks

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes there are plenty of places to park at all the sites.

  • @adriang6259
    @adriang62597 ай бұрын

    Bugger me Matt, this video came to me three weeks too late. Me and My son did a lightening tour of a handful of battle sites, mostly governed by a time budget. Other sites aside, we went to Pont Du Hoc, Utah and Omaha and the airborne Museum and St Mere eglise. Missed a few poignant places (mentioned here) and ran out of time to visit the other beaches.

  • @TheLisxas
    @TheLisxas Жыл бұрын

    My son love saving private Ryan and bands of brothers. We would love to do a tour. I think my son would love it so much if he knew what site was in which movie as he is fascinated by the history.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m sure he would get a lot out of a trip to Normandy. It’s a fascinating place.

  • @bigg1103
    @bigg11034 жыл бұрын

    Hi, do you have a link for your tours. I’m coming over on my motorbike from the UK with my wife In August. We want a nice hotel in one of the historic ports or towns nearby, we’re staying for 3/4 days and want to see it all as well as any battle history that happened in land all the way to the battle of the bulge in Belgium. Can you help me arrange this?

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the note, but our tours aren’t running at the moment due to Covid. We can certainly link you up with some excellent local guides in each location. Please send an email to info@battlefields.com.au and we can advise. Sounds like a great trip!

  • @dawnwhidden4520
    @dawnwhidden452010 күн бұрын

    my uncle was KIA on July 14th at Le Mesnil-eury... the morning report is from July 17th. We were told it was friendly fire. Is that possible.? 9th division, 60th infantry.

  • @justaguy1679
    @justaguy167915 күн бұрын

    Your first invasion map is incorrect for those invading Omaha Beach. The 1st Division is correct. The other division was the 29th , which my father was in in their 110 field artillery. I hope you can make the change for accuracy.

  • @rpm1796
    @rpm17964 жыл бұрын

    Little change on the Landing map is due Mac....4th US Inf landed on Utah Beach, 1st & 29th US inf at Omaha...cheers.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment. I wasn’t the creator of that map, but I see you are correct about the error.

  • @secretariat783
    @secretariat7832 жыл бұрын

    Do you have any 3 Day Organized tours? And how much per person? Thanks.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes we do! Please email us at info@mclachlantours.com.au

  • @tommyt1357
    @tommyt13576 жыл бұрын

    I have a ? Sow I am willing to go and. Can you do one on the. Wartloo. Witch. Is in Belgium

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    6 жыл бұрын

    tommy t Waterloo is a great idea! I’ll see what I can do.

  • @leahlottan9523
    @leahlottan9523 Жыл бұрын

    If i want to visit normandy on the day of the invention on 6/6/2023 what can i expect?

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Leah. It’s always very busy on the anniversary so you will need to book accommodation well in advance. There are memorial services at the key sites across the Normandy battlefield.

  • @TheSurreyman
    @TheSurreyman2 жыл бұрын

    my dad was inn 45 commando ROYAL marines UNDER lord lovat he was a sniper told me about Caen whats best tour for that 1

  • @davidwadsworth8982
    @davidwadsworth89825 жыл бұрын

    The First Infantry Div. the The Big Red One landed at Omaha, along with the 29th Infantry Division not Utah. The 4th landed at Utah, with the 90th Infantry Div.

  • @_THUMPR_
    @_THUMPR_2 жыл бұрын

    So you stay in Paris? Drive back every day?

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’d suggest you stay in Bayeux for the US sites and Caen for the British.

  • @_THUMPR_

    @_THUMPR_

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MatMcLachlanHistory thanks

  • @richardgill3530
    @richardgill35304 жыл бұрын

    Band of Brothers tour. Anywhere from five to fifteen thousand dollars.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Richard. You can visit the Band of Brothers sites in Normandy for much less than that. Local guides will take you there for $100.

  • @1337fraggzb00N
    @1337fraggzb00N3 жыл бұрын

    How to visit the D-Day Battlefields of Normandy: Step one: travel to Normandy Step two: visit D-Day Battlefields

  • @rodsobe7597
    @rodsobe75975 жыл бұрын

    the tours from paris that put you on a bus is not good. you will spend a lot of time on the bus and it will stop at a lot of hotels picking up people

  • @TheLordRichard
    @TheLordRichard4 жыл бұрын

    Why are you using the modern flag of America and Canada? American flag is supposed to have 48 stars and the Canadians did not used the maple leaf flag.

  • @MatMcLachlanHistory

    @MatMcLachlanHistory

    4 жыл бұрын

    Because it’s a graphic designed to show where the troops of each each country landed, not an illustration depicting the evolution of national flags.

  • @ryananderson6179
    @ryananderson6179 Жыл бұрын

    bor-ring