80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
From 1 June to 10 June 2024, come and celebrate your new-found freedom during a week dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Numerous partners will be on hand to share their experiences with you and help you rediscover the excitement of the Liberation with men and women dressed in 1940s garb. A wide range of activities will be on offer every day of the event. See below for the day-by-day programme, and don't miss the Liberation Ball on 5 June!
We invite you to come dressed as it was back then, if you feel like it!
For each day :
Access to the park will be exceptionally free and various historical re-enactment associations will be on hand to talk to you about life in the 1940s and the D-Day landings.
Classic tours will take place at 2.30pm and 4.30pm. The tours are in French, but written translations are available.
Thematic tours in French about the 1940s will take place at 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
In the lower rooms you will find an exhibition entitled "Fontaine-Henry remembers" and the film "Under the Coat".
Food trucks will be on hand every day so you can eat in the park (with vegetarian options).
Some VIP visits with the chatelain :
On 3 and 8 June from 3pm to 5pm by prior arrangement, at a single price of €19 per person. The owner will take you up into the castle's woodwork to share a drink with you. The tour is in French.
Investigation in the park with Petits Meurtres Entre Amis :
Immerse yourself in a themed investigation by our partners at Petits Meurtres Entre Amis to solve a mystery about Dday. They will take place on 2, 3, 6 and 9 June from 3pm to 5pm. The activity is in French and English.
The Liberation Ball on the evening of 5 June 2024 !
Evening tours :
On the evening of 5 June, dramatised tours in French will take place at 8pm and 10pm. You can follow the mayor of Fontaine-Henry at the time and a member of the Fontaine-Henry Resistance to find out more about their daily lives. From 9pm to 11pm, you are invited to follow the owner of the château on a VIP evening tour (also in French).
Lantern throwing :
Weather and temperature permitting, a lantern launch is planned for the late evening of 5 June in the grounds of the château to celebrate Liberté retrouvée and pay tribute to the soldiers of the D-Day Landings, and in particular those from our sector, Juno Beach: the Canadian soldiers. Lanterns will be on sale in the shop.
Parade of military vehicles through the village of Fontaine-Henry :
At the end of the day on 5 June, come and relive history with an exceptional parade of military vehicles from the 1940s through the village.
To take part in the various tours and activities, please book in advance, as this event is likely to be very busy. Please see below for booking information. Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule
The grounds of the château will be open every day from 1 to 10 June 2024 from 10.30am to 6.30pm (and until midnight on 5 June).
Access to the park :
-
Exceptionally free for everyone
For classic and themed visits :
For evening dramatised tours :
For VIP visits :
-
Single price of €19 per person
(Not recommended for younger visitors)
For external surveys with PMEA :
Would you like to book ?
Please book by e-mail: bienvenue@chateaudefontainehenry.com
To book, please let us know the type of visit you would like, the day and time, a name, a telephone number where we can contact you if necessary and the number of people taking part in the event or visit.
You can also use our contact form.