Normandy
Normandy is located just an hour drive from Paris and the region of essential monuments like the emblematic Mont Saint Michel, the beaches, great coastlines, medieval sites, picturesque half timbered houses, cow pastures, orchards and a great choice of local products as the famous Camembert cheese or the apple brandy called Calvados.
The “Alabaster Coast” with high white chalk cliffs is starting at Le Havre via Etretat, Fecamp and Dieppe. The “Cote Fleurie” stretches out between Honfleur and Caen, and the “Côte de Nacre” between Ouistreham and Courseulles-sur-Mer. In Arromanches, at “Omaha Beach” you can walk on the D-Day landing beaches where the allied troops began the liberation of Europe from the occupation in 1944. Normandy offers a big variety of gardens to visit. Why not take a ferry boat and spend a day on the Anglo-Normand Islands Jersey or Guernesey?
Sample Tour
Here is how we could organize the program for this tour
1
day
ARRIVAL IN PARIS, GIVERNY
Arrival in Paris (CDG).
On your way to Rouen wander through the gardens of the Monet Foundation in Giverny and admire a collection of Claude Monet's works. Overnight in Rouen.
2
day
ROUEN, JUMIEGES, ETRETAT, ALABASTER COAST
Stroll through the old part of Rouen with its timber framed houses, the “Place de l’Horloge” and the Cathedral Notre-Dame. The Abbey of Jumièges, a Benedictine monastery is one of the most impressive ruins of France.
Eventually visit a goat farm on the road. Then road up to the Alabaster Coast and Etretat. Short hike to the cliffs and overnight in the area.
3
day
HONFLEUR, DEAUVILLE, CALVADOS AND CAMEMBERT
Via the Pont de Normandie drive to Honfleur, source of inspiration for impressionists like Eugene Boudin and Claude Monet. Discover the chic and mythical sea resort Deauville. Taste the delicious apple brandy Calvados in a distillery in Coudray Rabutin. Cheese tasting in Camembert.
In a magnificent setting you discover the Pin National Stud also called "Versailles for Horses". Hotel in Lisieux.
4
day
CAEN, BAYEUX, D-DAY LANDING BEACHES, PORT EN BESSIN
Caen is the regional capital with its two Abbeys, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Memorial dedicated to World War II. Bayeux was the first city freed in 1944 - and survived unscathed from World War II.
Visit the Tapestry of Queen Mathilde and get impressed by the beauty and the originality of the illustrations on this historical cloth.. In Arromanches-les-Bains, walk along the allied D-day landing beaches. Hotel around Port en Bessin.
5
day
GRANVILLE, BOAT TRIP TO THE ILES DE CHAUSEY, AVRANCHES
Granville is first shellfish harvesting port of France and built around a rock - nicknamed "Monaco of the North ". On a cruise discover the Chausey Islands, archipelago of 52 small Islands and bird paradise.
The Channel Islands Jersey and Guernsey can be seen further out. Stop in Avranches, check in at your hotel in the area.
6
day
MONT SAINT MICHEL, FOUGERES
Discover the Mont Saint Michel, also called “Marvel of the Western World" and built on a granite rock in the middle of the Mont St Michel Bay. The Abbey thrones high above on the top of the rock.
Departure to Fougères typical Breton town, with its huge fortress occupying 2 hectares, small medieval alleys, bridges and wash houses, nice gardens and a magnificent cathedral. Hotel in Fougères.
7
day
CHARTRES
Discover the medieval old town of Chartres. The Cathedral Notre-Dame is one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals dedicated to the virgin and known all over the world for its blue stained-glass windows.
Departure to Paris. During a city tour with guide and coach discover the Louvre, the Garnier Opera, les Invalides, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower and the Place Trocadéro. Hotel in Paris.
8
day
PARIS, DEPARTURE
Departure from Paris (CDG)
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