La Belle France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany & Loire Valley
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,659
FIRST CLASS | SMALL GROUP: Explore the intriguing provinces of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley while enjoying splendid medieval towns and cities, magnificent chateaux, ancient monasteries and abbeys; sample excellent wines and local cider and appreciate fine food. Also experience major highlights – Mont St. Michel, The Normandy Beaches and the Bayeux Tapestries.
Join one of our unique small group Back-Roads touring experiences (maximum 18 participants) that includes specially selected accommodations, transportation in purpose built Mercedes Benz Sprinters, sightseeing, special culinary experiences and a knowledgeable Tour Leader.
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Travel from Paris to Honfleur through the Normandy countryside stopping en route first at Giverny, the former home of the impressionist painter Monet with its attractive garden and where his “Water Lilies” were painted and after, at the Abbey of St. Wandrille de Fontenelle constructed in the 7th Century. Honfleur is very well preserved picturesque port and where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
The next morning, travel along the coast visiting the sophisticated resorts of Trouville and Deauville after which head inland along the Route du Cidre. This road traverses through narrow lanes where the apples are grown to produce cider. Arrive at the village of Beuvron-en-Auge, one of the prettiest in France with its medieval houses. You will have the opportunity today to sample the local cider and Calvados, Brittany’s “brandy”. Return later to Honfleur.
The following day brings you to the iconic Normandy Beaches made famous during World War Two with the D-Day landings in 1944. The beaches to be visited include Utah, Omaha, Gold and Juno Beaches. There will also be a visit to the American War Cemetery at Colleville-sur.Mer. Continue to the city of Bayeux for 2 nights’ accommodation.
The next day brings you the famous Bayeux Tapestries which depict the Norman Conquest of England. The amazing tapestry is 68 metres/220 feet in length with 58 action-packed scenes of pageantry and mayhem. Included is a depiction of the Battle of Hastings. There is also time to browse the medieval cobblestone streets of Bayeux.
The following day you enter Brittany with first, a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont St. Michel perched high on a rocky promontory reached by crossing a sandbank. On the island is a gothic-styled Benedictine abbey dating back to the 11th Century. Next is a visit to the extraordinarily attractive medieval town of Dinan with its ramparts, cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. Take time to wander the narrow streets complete with art galleries and craft shops. Also, make sure to visit the beautiful Place des Merciers in the heart of Dinan. Overnight in Dinan.
The Loire Valley is the next stop with its fairy-tale castles and excellent food and wine. Arrive in Anger considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in France with its moated castle and other treasures. Continue to Chinon, a delightful medieval town on the Vienne River. It boasts many vineyards plus a majestic fortress. Spend 2 nights here.
Now is the time to explore the heart of the Loire Valley visiting Chateau de Villandry, a very large and imposing chateau with attractive landscaped gardens. which was built during the Renaissance period. Returning to Chinon, there will be the opportunity to sample some of the Loire Valley wines.
The following morning brings a visit to Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the most famous chateaux with its museum and exceptional gardens. Tonight you will experience a stay at a chateau, probably Chateau de la Bourdaisiere where you will not only have dinner prepared by the chateau’s chef but will help to prepare it.
Your final day is devoted to a visit to the city of Chartres, home of the renowned cathedral with its famous stained glass windows dating back to the 13th Century. Later, return to Paris.
Accommodation in Paris
-
Elysees Bassano
The Elysees Bassano hotel is located right in the heart of the capital, midway between the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elyees and the iconic landmark of the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy a stroll along the Avenue Montaigne and the Avenue Victor-Hugo, just a 5-minute walk from the …
The Elysees Bassano hotel is located right in the heart of the capital, midway between the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elyees and the iconic landmark of the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy a stroll along the Avenue Montaigne and the Avenue Victor-Hugo, just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The building, constructed in the 19th century as a private mansion, has been fully renovated and now offers 40 comfortable air-conditioned rooms in soothing shades of beige.
Facilities
- 24 Hour Reception
- Air Conditioning
- Business Corner
- Room Service
- Snack Bar
- Turn down service
- WiFi
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
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Elysees Bassano
The Elysees Bassano hotel is located right in the heart of the capital, midway between the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elyees and the iconic landmark of the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy a stroll along the Avenue Montaigne and the Avenue Victor-Hugo, just a 5-minute walk from the …
The Elysees Bassano hotel is located right in the heart of the capital, midway between the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elyees and the iconic landmark of the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy a stroll along the Avenue Montaigne and the Avenue Victor-Hugo, just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The building, constructed in the 19th century as a private mansion, has been fully renovated and now offers 40 comfortable air-conditioned rooms in soothing shades of beige.
Facilities
- 24 Hour Reception
- Air Conditioning
- Business Corner
- Room Service
- Snack Bar
- Turn down service
- WiFi
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,659
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Paris
Welcome to the City of Lights. After meeting the group at your hotel, you’ll get to know each other over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Bon appétit!
Accommodation: Maison Axel Opéra (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Paris - Honfleur
Your first impressions of France will be formed in Giverny at the home of Claude Monet – one of the world’s most celebrated artists. The vivid colours in every room paint a picture of his life, and the surrounding gardens host flowers in every shade.
Your home for the next two nights will be the charming port town of Honfleur – which you may recognise as the subject of a fair few Impressionist paintings. You’ll spend the evening at your leisure, soaking up the rugged maritime atmosphere of this quaint town.
Accommodation: Hôtel l'Écrin (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Honfleur - Normandy - Honfleur
This morning you’ll visit Honfleur’s bustling market and wander past its historic buildings and 17th-century harbour on an orientation tour. Then: you’ll track the Route du Cidre in Normandy, pausing at a local calvados producer to sample the fruits of the region’s orchards.
From cool, crisp ciders to heady, amber-hued calvados – it makes for a delicious end to your day of exploration! Back in Honfleur, you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Honfleur - Normandy Beaches - Arromanches-les-Bains
Today you’ll turn your attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where you’ll visit the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings.
Afterwards, there’s the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where you’ll take some time to reflect on history overlooking Omaha Beach. An awe-inspiring Tapestry awaits in Bayeux and after taking some time to inspect this masterpiece, you’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains - your home for the night and setting for tonight’s included dinner.
Accommodation: Les Villas d’Arromanches (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Arromanches-les-Bains - Mont Saint Michel - Dol-de-Bretagne - Dinan
Today you’ll turn your attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where you’ll visit the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings. Afterwards, there’s the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where you’ll take some time to reflect on history overlooking Omaha Beach.
An awe-inspiring Tapestry awaits in Bayeux and after taking some time to inspect this masterpiece, you’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains - your home for the night and setting for tonight’s included dinner.
Accommodation: Les Villas d’Arromanches (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Dinan
Today is yours to spend however you wish in the medieval town of Dinan. Wander cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, take a closer look at the Basilique St-Sauveur, visit the old bridge or stroll along the Rance River - whatever you decide, you certainly won’t be short of things to do!
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Dinan - Angers - Chinon
Today will find you deep in fairytale territory as you travel towards the Loire Valley. Here, the landscape’s skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. Your first port of call will be Angers, which was once the medieval stronghold of the Plantagenet kings. After spending some time absorbing the history of the castle, you’ll move on to Chinon - where you’ll dine with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Plantagenêt (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Chinon - Chateau De Villandry - Chinon
Next stop: Château de Villandry. Famous for its impeccably manicured gardens and architectural elegance - this mesmerising château is one of the last built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Taking in so much beauty is thirsty work, so on your way back to Chinon you’ll enjoy a detour at a local winery - where you’ll visit the vineyard and cellars before sampling a glass or two.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Chinon - Château de Chenonceau and Amboise - Chartres Region
Today’s château? One of the Loire Valley’s finest: Château de Chenonceau. Here you’ll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens and explore the fascinating museum. You’ll make a brief stop in Amboise - the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life - before making your way to the region of Chartres. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious final dinner together.
Accommodation: Castel Maintenon (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Chartres Region - Chartres - Paris
Before we say your final goodbyes, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the medieval city of Chartres. The celebrated Chartres Cathedral is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France - and it’s a beautiful image to take with you back to Paris.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2024: April 11; May 9, 20, 30; June 6, 13, 27; July 4, 15; August 8, 22;
September 5, 16, 26; Oct 7, 17, 28
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 9 nights first-class accommodations
- Transportation in Premium mini-coach with Tour Leader and driver
- Entrance included to all attractions as per itinerary, including:
- Monet's garden
- The American Cemetery and Memorial
- The Bayeux Tapestry
- Mont St-Michel
- Chateau d'Angers
- Chateau de Villandry
- Chateau de Chenonceau
- Chartres Cathedral
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 5 dinners, cider and wine tastings
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Transfers at the end of the small group program (Day 10) is not included. Please enquire within to book.
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not specifically indicated
- Itiems of a personal nature
- Gratuities
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Please note, due to COVID-19, all 2021 and 2022 itinerary's are subject to change without prior notice. Finalized itineraries will be confirmed no later than 3 weeks prior to departure. Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
17 Oct 2024
