Program Overview
Normandy Academy is an educational journey that challenges high school and college students to delve deeper into the experiences of the Allied forces throughout the Battle of Normandy.
Program Includes:
- Male and female chaperones including Museum staff, HS educators, French major Interns (high school trips) and a college professor from Nicholls State University
- All airfare travel to New Orleans, France, and back to home airport
- Pre-program communication with a Museum Education staff member
- Pre-program readings and books
- Behind the scenes access at The National WWII Museum
- Accommodations in New Orleans at the Higgins Hotel (right across the street from the Museum)
- Three-star, historic accommodations in Bayeux, Normandy, France
- Private, first-class air-conditioned motor coach transportation in France
- VIP access to sites not offered outside of our program
- Entrance fees to all sites, museums, and historic attractions in itinerary
- Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, and servers
- Four-star accommodations at Charles de Gaulle Airport
- All meals during the 11-day program
- Backpack and name badge
Students spend 2 days in New Orleans at the Higgins Hotel experiencing all that the National World War II Museum and the city of New Orleans has to offer. They will get to tour the museum and see Beyond All Boundaries, a 4-D film experience narrated by Tom Hanks; meet a WWII veteran; have an exclusive session to see artifacts from the vault; and hear from museum professionals as well as a college professor from Nicholls State University. They will get to ride on a New Orleans streetcar, go on a tour of the French Quarter and enjoy New Orleans cuisine.
When the students get to France, they will spend a day touring some of the sights of Paris before going on to Normandy. They will stay in the historic city of Bayeux for a week where they will get to tour the medieval city and see the Bayeux Tapestry among other experiences. They will have the opportunity to eat at several restaurants to experience French cuisine.
To get an up-close view of the events and places involved in the Battle of Normandy, the students will spend several days visiting the landing beaches of D-Day, important sites related to German occupation and/or the Allied invasion, museums and several cemeteries. They will also get to talk to a member of the French Resistance from the war and have dinner with her. Before leaving Normandy, students will visit the American cemetery and give a presentation on the service member they researched before placing flowers on his/her grave.
OBJECTIVES & ACADEMIC BENEFITS
Students will work on answering the essential question:
Why is it important to study D-Day and the Battle of Normandy 79 years later?
By the end of the experience, students should be able to:
- identify the major components of the Battle of Normandy (beach landings, airborne operations, logistics, fighting in hedgerows, etc.)
- demonstrate an appreciation of the challenges faced by the Allied servicemen who served on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy
- develop an awareness of the importance of remembering the sacrifices and achievements of American Veterans
- develop and improve research skills through both primary and secondary source research
EARN COLLEGE CREDIT
Students participating in Normandy Academy may elect to take a Humanities course offered by Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and conducted by a member of the University’s History Department for an approximate fee of $875 (to be covered by the student). The course work will consist of online readings and assignments to be completed prior to the Academy and assignments to be completed upon completion of the trip. The professor for the course will take part in the trip and give lectures and hold discussions both in New Orleans and in Normandy. This 3-hour credit can then be transferred to any institution that the student will attend.
An Evening with Colette Marin-Catherine
Colette Marin-Catherine was a member of the French Resistance as an adolescent during World War II. Her brother was captured and the worked to death at Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp in Germany. Her visit there, at the age of 90, is the subject of a 2021 Academy Award- winning short documentary. Students have the rare opportunity to meet with her, hear her story and have dinner with her at the Memorial de Caen.
Normandy Academy 2023: $5,795* per student
*All students must be at least 15 years of age by the time of the trip.
*Course fees will be paid directly to Nicholls State University for students enrolling in the college course and is the responsibility of the student.
*Special COVID Considerations: Currently, there are no domestic or international travel restrictions in regard to COVID-19. However, we strongly recommend all students participating in Normandy Academy be fully vaccinated and boosted.
Book Your Trip
High School (1): June 26–July 6, 2023
High School (2): July 11–21, 2023
College: July 19–29, 2023
Scholarship applications open on October 17, 2022. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2022.
Apply for Student Scholarships
Complete the form above or email studentprograms@nationalww2museum.org if you have any questions.