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Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley

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Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley
Duration9 days / 8 nights
TypeCircuit
DestinationsFrance
ThemesCultural, Honeymoon

Overview

Itinerary

1Paris - Giverny - Rouen

Upon arrival to Paris, meet greet and departure by bus to Normandy through the Seine valley

Stop in Giverny to visit the house and the gardens of the famous impressionist painter Monet

Then to Rouen: guided visit of the old town with its beautiful half-timbered houses, the gothic Cathedral, the Market Square and its amazing church Saint Joan of Arc, modern with Renaissance stained glass, built by Louis Arretche where the maiden of Orleans was burned alive

2Etretat - Fecamp - Honfleur – Deauville

Departure to the seaside resort of Etretat: walk along the beach surrounded by chalk cliffs, immortalized by many painters, poets and writers

Continuation along the Alabaster coast and arrival in Fecamp

Visit the Palais de la Benedictine, place of production of the famous liqueur and museum, in an amazing neo-gothic and neo-renaissance palace

Pass the Seine over the Pont de Normandie and stop in Honfleur, a small picturesque harbor with colorful houses and a wooden church

To end the day, visit of a Calvados distillery and Calvados tasting

3Bayeux - Omaha Beach - Mont-Saint-Michel

In the morning, depart for Bayeux and visit the cathedral and the "Bayeux Tapestry", work of the 11th century that recounts the conquest of England by William the Conqueror

Continuation along the landing beaches, Arromanches and the ruins of its artificial port

4Cancale - Saint Malo - Mont Saint-Michel

Today enjoy a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, with a visit of the abbey

Walk in the walled village where souvenir shops abound

Continue along the bay to reach Cancale, a picturesque oyster port, where you visit an oyster farm

Then towards Saint-Malo, city of corsairs and discover the history of its great men

5Dinan - Cap Frehel – Vannes

Morning stop in the medieval walled town of Dinan, exceptionally well-preserved heritage

Time at leisure for shopping before joining the Cap Fréhel and its impressive granite cliffs covered with heather and gorse

6Gulf of Morbihan - Carnac – Vannes

Morning cruise on the Gulf of Morbihan: this "inland sea", scattered with islands, enjoy a mild microclimate and is a yachting paradise

The afternoon is devoted to the discovery of intriguing prehistoric remains: visit of the rows of Menhirs of Carnac

By late afternoon, stroll in Vannes, a historic town which harbor advances up to the entrance of the city

7Montsoreau - Villandry - Tours

Departure for the Loire Valley. At Montsoreau unusual visit of troglodyte caves: former extracting galleries of truffeau, now converted into mushroom farms and wine cellars

Continuation in the Loire valley, which provides a sumptuous setting for castles and medieval fortresses transformed during Renaissance into elegant castle for hosting kings and nobles

Visit of the famous terraced gardens of Villandry

8Chambord - Chenonceau - Montlouis – Tours

This day will be devoted to the visit of two famous castles: Chambord, castle of the excessiveness in the heart of a dense forest full of game and built on the orders of François 1er, undoubtedly the most impressive castle of the Loire

Guided visit and stroll around the park

Then Chenonceau, a jewel of Renaissance architecture in an enchanting site, crossing stately over the Cher river

Inside visit and walk through the magnificent French gardens

By late afternoon, visit of a wine cellar in Montlouis, and wine tasting

9Tours - Chartres – Paris

On the way back to Paris, visit the cathedral of Chartres, built in the early 13th century and considered one of the finest gothic church in its architecture, its sculpture and its stained glasses

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back home

Included

  • Round trip ticket to Paris (economy class)
  • Round trip transfer: airport – hotel – airport
  • 8-night accommodation at hotels
  • Meals: daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 8 dinners
  • Oyster tasting in Cancale
  • English speaking local guide
  • Transportation by deluxe AC motor coach
  • Cruise on the Gulf of Morbihan
  • Visit and tasting in a wine cellar in the Loire Valley
  • Admissions & guided tours as per the program
  • Assistance of our representative in France

Not included

  • Airport taxes
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Optional Tours
  • Travel insurance
  • All other expenses