Your Accommodation
If you're choosing a residential tour, there are many options as to where you might stay. Our recommendation is that you sample a slice of authentic rural Normandy by staying with your guide right in the heart of where the D-Day action took place. 1 Le Port is a charming seventeenth century farm cottage which has been recently renovated into a traditional and comfortable bed and breakfast. Here your group will have exclusive use of up to 3 en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 7 people.
1 Le Port has its own unique D-Day history. The house is located in the heart of the area where the American paratroopers fought off the German counter-attacks against the Utah Beachhead. Indeed within a two mile radius of the property over two thousand paratroopers fought the enemy in the early hours of D-Day. The property's position, right upon the initial front line meant it was used as a makeshift aid station to treat over a dozen injured paratroopers. The etchings of their initials in the stonework of the building are still evident today and provide a chilling reminder of their presence over sixty-five years ago.
One of the paratroopers brought to 1 Le Port was Ray C. Kennedy, a twenty-six year old Texan Corporal in the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd 'All American' Airborne Division. Shortly after joining the army Ray Kennedy met a beautiful Californian woman called Elizabeth. A whirlwind romance followed and the two married shortly before Ray was sent overseas. A few months later Elizabeth gave birth to their daughter who she named May. In the early morning of D-Day, as one of the first men into battle, Kennedy was shot in the chest as he descended to earth. Seriously wounded, he was guided by a medic to 1 Le Port. The battle intensified meaning Ray Kennedy was unable to be evacuated to the field hospital at Ste Mere Eglise. Unfortunately Ray's wounds were too serious and he died on the 8th June. Corporal Ray C. Kennedy is today buried within the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach at Colleville sur Mer (Block A, Row 15, Grave 28).
Today, the 350 year old property of 1 Le Port is full of character and very comfortable. However, it is impossible not to attempt to picture the same building back then and imagine what those unfortunate wounded men would have seen here. This is just another example of the unique, emotional and fascinating insights you will experience by taking a private tour of the region with Normandy Battle Tours.