In 2014, Britain marked 70 years since D-Day and the Normandy Landings. June the 6th 1944 will always be recognised as a poignant day in British history, as thousands of men stormed the beaches of France’s Normandy region and achieved a victory that would be the start of the end of World War II. Now, two years on from this important anniversary, Avalon Waterways are giving history buffs the chance to visit the site for themselves, as part of a 2016 Seine river cruise that starts and finishes in Paris.

Whilst the excursion to the beaches will be offered from Caudebec, there will also be plenty to see throughout the rest of your river cruise. You’ll be able to discover the many famous highlights of Paris, visit Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny and see the Rouen Cathedral, which was once the tallest building in the world. Fans of history will not only have the iconic beaches to look forward to, as they will also get the chance to see where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake and tour some of the beautiful abbeys that litter the Normandy countryside.

However, day four will be the highlight of the trip for many, as the opportunity to stand on the ground where the Normandy Landings occurred presents itself. You will travel by coach, through towns such as Caen and Bayeux, before arriving at the site of the Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno beaches. Your local guide will bring the events of the past to life, as you attempt to imagine what the men had to go through at the time and remember them with honour at the various monuments and at the American Cemetery.

This Seine river cruise lasts for eight days in total and takes place on board either Avalon Tapestry II or Avalon Creativity. The former is one of Avalon’s newest ships, having only been launched earlier in the year. There are plenty of departures to choose from between March and September 2016, with prices starting from around £1729pp. If you would like more information about visiting the Normandy Landings beaches as part of a river cruise, please get in touch with our knowledgeable team today.