Private tour in Cherbourg Graham O
5.0
(15) reviews
9 hours
1
9 hours
1
Graham O.
5.0
Guide rating
243
Reviews
Tours delivered
7 hrs
Avg. response time
I was born and grew up in Kent, United Kingdom. I am widely traveled and I have been living in Normandy for seventeen years, studying the history of this ancient historical region, both Medieval/Middle Age and WWII. With my Anglo/Norman roots, I am passionate about both these periods and take great personal delight in passing on much that I have learned to my guests and enjoy discussions and exchanging personal ideas. I have been told that I have a friendly nature and an enthusiastic manner, I am easy to understand as I am a Native English Speaker. I worked in all of these sectors throughout the summer season of 2017 on an almost daily basis. I have Lived in Le Mont St Michel for short periods and was privileged to attend Christmas mass in the Abbey with the Monks and Sisters and dined and conversed with them. During all this time I kept up my studies both off and on-site, picking up knowledge from personal stories of guests, including a D day veterans. I am a member of the Guild Of battlefield Guides and a registered Guide in France. My Local knowledge allows me to visit sites that are less well known by non locals. Numero Carte Professionelle (professional driving license number): 06120619701 professional vehicle transport number: VTC0131609/EVTC061200004 Member of the Guild Of battlefield Guides and a registered in France as Guide Accompagnateur. Not normally permitted to give official guided tours in the Abbey of Le Mont St Michel, it is restricted to their personal guides. Low profile is the better part of valor!
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Graham O.
This tour will include, Omaha Beach, probably the best known historical event of WW2 in Europe, an enormous task but overcome by the Rangers 'Lead the way', the 29th inf Div and the Big Red One 1st Inf division, Utah Beach where Theo Roosevelt 'Began His War', The 90' cliffs at La Pointe du Hoc Scaled by James Rudder and the 2nd Rangers. The American Cemetery at Colleville sits peacefully and poignantly above Omaha Beach, a stark reminder of the huge sacrifice made by so many brave young men for the freedom that we still enjoy today. Sainte-Mère-Église, the vital town on the Caen Cherbourg road, captured by Matthew Ridgeways' 82nd airborne made famous by John Steele, caught by his parachute chords on the church steeple. The Fière bridge one of the bloodiest battles in WWII, securing a decisive bridge crossing. Also some remote German strong points where we can enter into the bunkers and get a feel of what it was like on June 6th, longues Sur mer battery and mulberry B at Arromanches Les Bains.
Graham was incredibly knowledgeable about nearly every detail of Normandy. He was attentive to the whole family and was able to give us all a better appreciation of what happened on D-Day and what it would be like. Graham was able to answer all of our questions, never rushed us, but kept us moving so we could get as much in for the day.
Graham was a fantastic guide. He was knowledgeable and easy going, as well incredibly flexible with our group. There were places and insights that we would never have gotten to on our own. It is a very long day trip from Paris (6:12am train, returning after 6pm) that many tried to talk us out of, but he made it so worthwhile for us. I know there are a lot of tour operators in the region to choose from, I hope others will take advantage of Graham's expertise in the future.
Graham was incredibly knowledgeable and so helpful! If you are touring Normandy - you want Graham.
Absolutely PERFECT DAY! Graham adjusted the day for us, took us to Utah and Omaha, got us to so many other attractions, and was 100% knowledgeable. We ended the day at the American Cemetery seeing the flag lowering and Taps. I would not even consider trying to see the area without a guide as he explained so many things to us that we would have missed. We had an amazing day from start to finish. We were a party of 6 ages 15-66 and he truly met all of our needs. Do not hesitate to book with Graham!
A great tour packed with everything that one could possibly want to see when exploring the American sectors of Normandy. What really stood out to me was that Graham makes sure he spends time with each and every person on the tour, getting to know them and sharing his wealth of knowledge about the history of the area. He While there was a lot to see, our group was a bit older and not able to move fast, due to mobility issues. Graham made sure that we were able to take our time and prioritized the things WE wanted to see the most. We did not feel like we were rushed at all. As a result, we wrapped up the tour having seen everything we wanted (and then some) and with without any regrets. Graham also has a lot of passion about the history of the area. He was able to offer thorough explanations of the areas we visited, and anecdotal information that other tour guides ignore.
We do not have enough superlatives to express our praise for the day spent with Graham. His knowledge of WW2 movements, players, and incidences is extensive. He answered every question thoughtfully, even about hedgerows. We also appreciated his restaurant choices and pleasant conversation. Excellent guide!
This tour begins at American Cemetery above Omaha Beach, it's a perfect place to begin to pay our respects to the fallen heroes and examine the superb maps on the memorial walls to explain Operation Overlord. We will then spend some time from the east to west of the beach to examine the German defenses and discuss the American and German strategies. Heading west and north-west towards Carentan and Cherbourg, stopping at La Pointe Du Hoc to see where the 2nd Rangers climbed the Cliffs to overwhelm the German Strong point. Then we will head up to Utah Beach, where Theodore Roosevelt Landed and began his war. In keeping with the American advance we head west to join up with the airborne forces, crossing the 101st dropping zones where Dick Winters, portrayed in the series 'Band of Brothers' began his heroic struggle and to the historical town of Sainte mere Eglise where around 30 airborne troops were dropped off course into the town. We then visit longues Sur mer battery and finally finish at Arromanches.
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Luxury 7 seater or 9 seater
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Normandy, 50100, France
Cruise Ship terminal or City.
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9 hours
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9 hours
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