LE MANS CLASSIC & NORMANDY BEACHES June 29 - July 7, 2022

Our 2022 Le Mans Classic race schedule is ‘first-class.’ It has been extended by one day to allow for visits to the paddock and some of the pre-racing events. We have tremendous viewing along the pit straight and private access with the Hospitality Suite. Vehicle trips out to the Mulsanne Straight and Indianapolis bend are included, as is a track tour aboard a Historic Coach. The Suite offers food and drinks served all day and into the night. A memorable evening at the restaurant Hunaudier, hosted by Ray Toombes, sets the mood for a fabulous three days at the track. Back in the historic town of Tours, we’ll enjoy the classic hotel L’Oceana and include ‘al fresco’ dinners in the busy center.

Our second section has been one of our most popular additions in years – the D-Day Beaches. Based at Omaha Beach, we meet up with the absolutely best D-Day history guide. Christophe will have you totally engrossed with all the details visiting the most famous sites. His history lesson is a mixture of pride, sadness, and yes, some smiles. You will come away with a completely new understanding of this beautiful place that hosted one of the most fearsome battles in history. We have also extended this part of the program to allow for some exceptional touring in the Montormel ‘Falaise Pocket’ area, and an additional visit to the ‘Mulberry Harbor’ and British sector of Arromanches. Dinners are included at our luxury Omaha Beach Golf Resort, Bayeux and the beautiful fishing harbor of Port en Bessin.

The Dunlop Bridge Le Mans

Guide/Historian Christophe

US Cemetery Omaha Beach

Pointe du Hoc

ITINERARY

DAY 1    June 29

You are met at Charles De Gaulle (CDG) airport Paris. At 11:00 a.m. we depart for the town of Tours and the beautifully located L’Oceana Hotel. Plenty of time to discover your surroundings before welcome drinks and dinner ‘al fresco’ this evening.

DAY 2    June 30

Our first day at the Le Mans Classic and a great day for discovering the event. There will be action on the track, and we have access to the paddock and garages. Today is a good day to visit the vendors in the ‘Le Mans Village’ before it gets too busy. Also, today is a perfect time to visit the Car Clubs Corral situated on the infield close to the famous Dunlop Bridge. This evening, dinner is at the historic restaurant Les Hunaudières on the Mulsanne Straight. This historic restaurant reeks with atmosphere as race cars flash by just a few feet away.

DAY 3    July 1

A full day at the track. Upon arrival, we are welcomed at our Hospitality seating. During the day, we will be visiting different parts of the circuit, plus a ride around the track in a pre or post-war coach. There will be plenty of time to wander around the paddock, on the infield, and get close to the race cars and drivers. Take in the atmosphere of this great event! With all this activity, there is plenty of food and libations back at the Suite. A large plasma TV, with English commentary, and lap timing for all the cars and classes, allows you to follow lap by lap. Around midnight, we return to our hotel.

DAY 4   July 2

This morning, we return to the track and Hospitality Suite. Again, food and drinks are available during the day. ‘Jitneys’ run continuously to take us out to Arnage and the Mulsanne Corner, and a visit to the very complete museum is well worth a visit. The afternoon sees the final Class races, and in the late afternoon, we return to Tours for another ‘al fresco’ dinner.

DAY 5   July 2

Our tour departs for the Normandy Beaches. En route, we visit the Museum at Montormel near Falaise. Following D-Day, the fighting was intense to break out of the Beaches. The Allies were held up just a few miles inland. After two months, they were able to encircle the German army for some of the fiercest fightings at the Falaise Pocket. This museum gives testimony to this, mostly unheralded, battle. Later this afternoon, we visit Bayeaux to view the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry. We arrive at our beautiful Omaha Beach Golf Resort Hotel this afternoon, with relaxing cocktails before dinner at our hotel, the Omaha Beach Golf Resort.

DAY 6   July 4

Today, we meet our brilliant guide Christophe, who will amaze you with his knowledge and presentation. Our morning will follow the pre-dawn D-Day activity of the Airborne assault at Ste Maire Eglise, continuing with the landings on Utah Beach. Our dinner, this evening, is in Port en Bessin.

DAY 7   July 5

This afternoon, we return to the Beaches, and this time to the British sector of Arromanches, where remains of the ‘Mulberry Harbor’ can still be seen. Here, the museum has a wonderful presentation and a working model of the harbor. Dinner this evening is in Bayeux.

DAY 8   July 6

Today, we cover the fierce battle at Omaha Beach and Point du Hoc. Christophe makes a stunning presentation to allow you the full concept of this day. Visits to the gun emplacements at Point du Hoc and the German ‘Sea Wall’ are sobering. The ability of the US forces to overcome these barriers is remarkable, and a tribute to these young men. Later in the afternoon, we visit the American Cemetery and pay our respects at the lowering of the flag ceremony. Our final dinner this evening is at an excellent restaurant in Port en Bessin.

DAY 9    July 7

This morning, following breakfast, we depart for Paris and the CDG airport for your ongoing travels.

A $2,000 deposit will be due upon booking, fully refundable up to February 14, 2022. Space on the tour is extremely limited. Balance is due March 1, 2022.

Booking

Le Mans Classic & Normandy Beaches
June 29 – July 7, 2022

A $2,000 deposit is due with booking, fully refundable up to February 14, 2022. Space on the tour is extremely limited due to availability in the private Hospitality Suites. Balance is due March 1, 2022.