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Welcome to Normandy… In the Footsteps of D-Day

A land of history and remembrance, Normandy welcomes you to its beaches, cliffs, and villages for a unique journey into the heart of one of the most significant events of the 20th century: the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.

I offer immersive guided tours of the D-Day beaches, where the first chapters of Europe’s liberation unfolded. Whether you’re a history buff, curious to learn more, or eager to honor the memory of the Allied soldiers, I’ve designed tours that will provide you with an authentic, moving, and enriching experience.

I am a passionate and experienced tour guide, and it is my great pleasure to help you discover iconic sites such as Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach, as well as lesser-known places rich in stories and emotion. Each tour is punctuated with historical anecdotes to help you better relive the decisive moments of D-Day.

The tours I offer are open to everyone : individuals, families, military history enthusiasts, and more. I offer half-day and full-day options tailored to your interests and pace.

This website is designed to help you plan your visit, explore the tours, learn a little more about me and the services I offer, and make reservations with ease. You’ll also find a selection of recommended accommodations and restaurants to help you make the most of your stay in Normandy.

By choosing to visit these memorial sites, you are helping to fulfill a duty to pass on the legacy : the duty to never forget the courage, sacrifice, and hope that filled the beaches of Normandy one morning in June 1944.

I will be honored to guide you on this journey of discovery.
Welcome, and thank you for keeping these memories alive.

About me…

I was born and raised in Caen, the Capital of Lower Normandy. I also lived 17 years in England: London, Leamington and for 12 years I was literally “sent to Coventry”, a town in the Midlands. It is during my time living there where I learnt English.

All my family is from Normandy and were in the Caen area during the two and half months in 1944 we now call “The Battle of Normandy.” I grew up learning from a generation who survived those events and understood the impact it had one their lives. I vividly remember as a kid at family gatherings, listening for hours to my Grandparents, Uncles and Aunties talking about the German occupation, the bombings, the suffering and at long last the liberation and newly restored freedom. I also have a Spanish Grandfather who was a Republican and played his part helping France, by just fighting the Germans in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939! He ended up in France in 1939 as a refugee and was eventually taken prisoner by the Germans, being one of the slave laborers building the now famous, or should I say infamous Atlantic Wall. He went on to work in construction and helped rebuild the city of Caen, 70 percent of which had been destroyed.

As a young man, I was always interested in the military aspect of history, but getting older and more mature I’m now much more interested in the personal experiences of the soldiers and civilians. A personal memoir tells you so much more than a military history about what the people endured.

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A quick stop at the Longues-sur-mer battery…

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TESTIMONIALS

A selection of reviews by previous clients – including some during my time working as a guide for Normandy Sightseeing Tours.

“François was extremely knowledgable, passionate and enthusiastic about the history in the area. As history buffs we knew a great deal about the D-Day events. However, Francois brought the events to life and we learned so much more about the cultural and personal perspectives of those involved. I cannot say enough about how much we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Francois exceeded our expectations of a great tour guide !”

“François was very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into the region, and we’d definitely recommend his tour to anyone looking for a great day trip!”

“François told us about his grandmother who suffered through the bombing of Normandy and then the poverty and rebuilding of the area after the war. He was very passionate in his telling of the history and how it affected his family and residents of the area. It was a traumatic experience for the area but the French felt “it was the price to pay for freedom”.These anecdotes made the tour feel very personal.”

“François did a first class job of taking my husband and me on this tour. He made every site mean something to us, driving many back roads and showing us photos of the way things were in 1944. I had seen some of the sights 8 months before but he brought even those sites alive.”

“He was a wonderful guide. François was extremely knowledgeable about the battles fought there and illuminated the history from all sides of the conflict. I would strongly recommend booking with Francois.”

“The primary reason for this rating is the professionalism and expansive knowledge of all things Normandy Invasion of our tour guide François Gosselin. Francois patiently yet deliberately explained many of the tactical, operational and strategic aspects of what happened prior to and during the invasion.”

“We climbed into the concrete machine gun emplacements at Pont du Hoc, traversed the roads leading to the shore line focusing on the difficulty the allies experienced with the hedgerows and how the challenges were breached. You have to see these features, like all others on the tour to realize the scope of difficulty the soldiers on the ground faced. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that you will thoroughly enjoy the Normandy tour with François. His grasp of English is superb and his ability to answer your questions is second to none. His technique of putting you in the place of the brave soldiers at all locations, including the beach at the Omaha landing site is fabulous.”

“This tour was not a history lesson we’ve heard in school that listed dates, cities and facts. Our guide, Francois, had a quick smile, a genuine laugh and loves to tell the story of Normandy. He made it a very human story by also describing how the war effected the innocent, the resistance fighters, the every day life before and after the German occupation. Sharing the the stories of people the history books couldn’t hold, lost to the greater task of rebuilding. The tour is, all at once, respectful, tearful, awe-inspiring, uplifting and sobering. Having never truly known war, the stories of the individual strength and kindness, the pure courage required to simply get through a day remind me how fortunate that ignorance is. Life is not so hard. Thank you, François, for not just remembering and honoring those men on the beaches. But for telling the stories of all.”

“I was a little apprehensive about committing to such a long day, but I needn’t have worried with François as our guide. He was terrific! The day really flew by.”

“Wow, impressive. Our guide, François, was spectacular. His knowledge of Canada’s role was excellent. He was engaging and interesting and ALWAYS willing and able to answer questions. Francois also provided a Frenchman’s perspective of Canada in WW II, specifically for those in Normandy.”

“François was our guide and he was terrific. Very personable and his English was exceptional. We were on a cruise porting in Le Havre and as we drove to the beaches in Normandy and our discussions went to Bayeux, he spontaneously took a drive through Bayeux to show us some of the sights and take some photos — consider this a bonus — and stilled stayed on time. His knowledge of the D-Day landings and the tour of the cemetery was outstanding.”

“Our guide, François, was truly amazing. He spoke excellent English with a beautiful French accent and understood and answered all our questions in a professional and well- delivered manner. The depth and breadth of his knowledge about World War II and all aspects of the Normandy invasions was amazing to me, a history buff.”

“My wife and I took the tour on April 30th. It was cold, rainy, and windy, just a miserable day to be out. We could have cared less. The guide, François, was remarkable. His English is excellent. His knowledge comprehensive and his infectious enthusiasm carried the day. Let it rain. The day was even great for my wife who is not into touring battlefields. But this was different. He took the time to be thorough at all the stops despite the weather. His weather proof reference guide that he used to show us pictures really added to the experience. I can’t say enough good things about François and the tour.”

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CONTACT

To make a reservation, ask questions, or request additional information, please use the contact form shown here.
I will respond as soon as possible.

D.DAY NORMANDY GUIDE

François GOSSELIN
SIRET: 848 752 531 00014
Transport License : EVTC014190001