Paris — Giverny — Etretat — Honfleur — Calvados — Bayeux

Paris - 08:00 Pickup and Departure to Giverny
08:00 Pickup from your hotel or airport/railway station. Departure to Giverny, the countryside home of Claude Monet. The guide will greet you and provide general information about French history and Impressionism during the journey. The distance from Paris to Giverny is 70 km, taking approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Fondation Claude Monet - 09:30 - 11:00 Arrival in Giverny and visit Claude Monet’s house to admire the nature that inspired one of France’s most renowned painters and the founder of Impressionism. Explore the house, Norman flower gardens, and Claude Monet’s studio.
11:00 Departure to Etretat, a 2-hour drive (150 km).

Etretat - 13:00 - 15:30 Arrival at Etretat. Enjoy lunch and a walk to the famous cliffs. Experience breathtaking views and relaxation. A short walking tour to the beach and cliffs, followed by free time for lunch. Étretat is renowned for its chalk cliffs, including three natural arches and the Needle, which rises 70 meters (230 ft) above the sea. It was a favored spot for Impressionist artists, including Claude Monet. Today, it is a classic seaside resort nestled between two sets of chalk cliffs. You can stroll on the beach or climb for excellent views.
15:30 Departure from Etretat to Honfleur, a 50-minute drive (46 km).

Honfleur - 16:30 - 19:00 Walking tour in Honfleur with its famous port and Calvados tasting.
Honfleur, the main defensive port of Normandy in the 15th century, has transformed into a charming resort town with a picturesque bay, beloved by 19th-century artists. First mentioned in 1024, it belonged to Norman Duke Richard III. The city changed hands several times during the Hundred Years’ War. In the 15th century, French pirates, or corsairs, raided the English coast. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the city prospered through trade with the American colonies. After the port closed, the city’s economy declined, and Honfleur became a suburb of Le Havre. Today, it is one of the most famous tourist cities in Normandy. The walking city tour lasts about 1 hour.
19:00 Departure to the Caen/Bayeux area, a 1-hour drive (80 km).

Bayeux - 20:30 Arrival in Bayeux/Caen. Hotel accommodation.

Caen Memorial — Arromanches — American Cemetery — Omaha Beaches — Pointe du Hoc — Mont Saint-Michel

Memorial de Caen - 10:00 - 12:00 Visit the Caen Memorial and Museum, located in the British Sword Beach sector. The Caen Museum is the premier World War II museum in France. Gain an overview of the Battle of Normandy and insight into the personal lives of those involved. An excellent 19-minute film documents this battle with original historic footage.
12:00 Departure to Arromanches-les-Bains, a 30-minute drive (30 km) through beautiful countryside and small villages.

Arromanches-les-Bains - 12:30 - 13:30 Stop for lunch and visit Arromanches. The journey from Caen Memorial to Arromanches-les-Bains is about 30 km and takes just half an hour. Arromanches is a small seaside town famous for its former artificial Mulberry Harbour. Located in the center of the Gold Beach landing zone, it played a crucial role in the D-Day landings. The Allies constructed an artificial temporary harbor here for unloading vehicles, materials, and people. By June 12, 1944, Mulberry Harbour had facilitated the arrival of 300,000 men, 54,000 vehicles, and 104,000 tons of supplies in Europe.
13:30 Departure to the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center, a 30-minute drive (20 km).

Normandy American Cemetery - 14:00 Arrival and visit the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center, located in Colleville-sur-Mer and overlooking Omaha Beach. It contains 9,387 U.S. soldiers, most of whom were killed during the Normandy Landings, and the Wall of the Missing with the names of 1,557 soldiers missing in action. The cliffs leading down to the beaches contain remnants of the German defenses, including concrete casemates with memorials to the soldiers. At Normandy American Cemetery, you’ll also see the semicircular memorial colonnade with the sculpture “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” and large maps of military operations; it is one of the most beautiful, idyllic spots on Earth.
15:20 Departure to Omaha Beaches, a 10-minute drive (5 km).

Omaha Beach - 15:30 Arrival at Omaha Beaches. Learn about the immense sacrifice made by the 34,000 men who landed here on D-Day. Omaha Beach is the most popular travel destination among the D-Day Beaches.
16:00 Departure to Pointe du Hoc, a 15-minute drive (10 km).

Pointe Du Hoc Memorial - 16:15 Arrival at Pointe du Hoc, a prominent cliff between Utah and Omaha Beach. This point was significant because it was the highest land between Omaha and Utah beaches and could thus fire upon both of them. The site was a gun battery, fortified with concrete casemates and gun pits, forming part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defenses. Visiting Pointe du Hoc, you will learn about the 2nd Ranger Battalion’s sacrifice to capture this crucial gun battery on the cliffs of Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Many of the original fortifications and bunkers remain on the site and are open to the public, including the fire control casemate, on top of which there is a monument to the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
17:30 Departure to Mont Saint-Michel area, a 1 hour and 45-minute drive (140 km).

Avranches - Accommodation at a 4-star hotel close to Mont Saint-Michel.

Mont Saint-Michel — Cancale — Oysters tasting — Pointe du Grouin — Saint Malo — Angers

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel - 09:00 - 12:30 Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel and visit the Benedictine Abbey. Your guide will lead you up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top of the island. Admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets to the Abbey include audio guides in many languages. The entire island with the bay is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It remains practically unchanged since the Middle Ages, as it was a pilgrimage destination for people worldwide. Mont Saint-Michel remains the most visited site in France. Free time for lunch and exploring the city and the bay.
12:00 Departure to Cancale, a 1-hour drive.

Cancale - 13:30 - 14:30 Arrival in Cancale, the oyster capital of France. Visit the oyster market where you can taste fresh local oysters. Free time for lunch.
14:30 Departure to the nearby attraction Pointe du Grouin.

La Pointe du Grouin - 14:45 Arrival at Pointe du Grouin. This rocky outcrop, the last limit before entering the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, is a magnificent observatory exposed to the wind. This wild landscape dominates the 40-meter coastline and offers spectacular views. Dominated by a lighthouse built in 1861, the rocky promontory offers a breathtaking view of the coasts of Normandy, the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Emerald Coast.
15:45 Departure to Saint-Malo.

Saint-Malo - 16:00 - 17:00 Walking tour of Saint-Malo. Saint-Malo is a historic French port in Brittany on the English Channel coast. The walled city has a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. Saint-Malo was once the city of corsairs and the birthplace of the discoverer of Canada, Jacques Cartier, and the poet Chateaubriand. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, surrounded by high walls, with narrow cobbled streets and buildings from the 18th and 15th centuries.
18:00 Departure for Angers, a 2.5-hour drive (200 km).

Angers - 20:30 Arrival in Angers. Hotel accommodation in the city center of Angers.

Angers — Château de Chenonceau — Château d’Amboise — Chateaux Clos Luce

Angers - 08:00 Departure from Angers to Loire Valley, a 2-hour drive (160 km).

Chateau de Chenonceau - 10:00 - 12:00 Arrival and visit Château de Chenonceau with a guide. Chenonceau Castle, nicknamed the “ladies’ castle,” is remarkable for its feminine history of famous French women such as Catherine de Medici, as well as its stunning architecture and unique arches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens of Chenonceau, with over 130,000 flowering plants, will impress you as well. You will also receive a brochure with explanations of each room. Free time to explore the gardens.
12:00 Departure from Chenonceau Castle to Amboise City, a 20-minute drive (14 km).

Amboise - 12:15 - 14:00 Arrival in Amboise city and lunch break. There are many cafes and restaurants on the main walking street of Amboise near the entrance to the castle, offering a great selection for lunch. Reservations can be made at a good restaurant.

Chateau Royal d’Amboise - 14:00 to 15:30 Visit Château Royal d’Amboise with a Histopad explaining the history of this castle and each room. Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle, known as the birthplace of princes, the reign of kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci - 15:45 - 17:30 Visit Chateaux Clos Luce with Parc Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life in this castle. Clos Luce is one of the top 100 extraordinary destinations to explore in 2021 by Time magazine. Free time in Amboise city.

Amboise - 17:30 - 18:30 Wine tasting at a local family winery that has existed for many centuries. Learn about the centuries-old winemaking process and enjoy a wine tasting of local wines with explanations. Experience red, rosé, and white wines.

Amboise - 19:00 Hotel accommodation in Amboise.

Chateau de Chaumont — Chateaux Blois — Chateau Chambord — Chablis

Chateau De Chaumont Sur Loire - 09:00 - 11:00 Arrival and visit Chateau de Chaumont. The Château de Chaumont was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 15th century by Charles I d’Amboise. Protected as a monument historique since 1840, the château became French state property and is now open to the public. In 1559, Catherine de Medici forced Diane de Poitiers to accept Château de Chaumont in exchange for Château de Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers spent her last three years here. Departure to Blois city, a 30-minute drive.

Blois - 12:00 - 13:30 Arrival in Blois city. Lunch break. A good restaurant will be recommended.

Chateau Royal de Blois - 13:30 - 15:00 Visit Chateau Blois. The Royal Château of Blois is located in the center of Blois city. It was a residence of several French kings, and Joan of Arc went there in 1429 to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to battle against the English. The castle comprises several buildings of four different architectural styles. There are 564 rooms in the castle, including 100 bedrooms with a fireplace in each, and 75 staircases.

Chateau de Chambord - 15:30 - 17:00 Visit Chateaux Chambord. The guide will share the history of the castle and its construction. The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles due to its French Renaissance architecture. Constructed from 1519 to 1547 by Francis I (Francois 1-er), it is the largest castle with 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. The castle is also known for its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.
17:00 Departure to Chablis Village, a 2.5-hour drive (231 km).

Chablis - 19:30 Arrival in Chablis village area. Hotel accommodation.

Chablis — Wine Tastings — Chateau de Pommard — Beaune

Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard - 09:30 - 11:00 Arrival in Chablis area. Visit Jean-Marc Brocard Domaine, surrounded by vineyards, with a cave visit and wine tasting of 5 wines with cheese: Chablis, Chablis 1-er Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru. The experienced staff will provide explanations about the winemaking process in Chablis and highlight the differences between Chablis, Chablis 1-er Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru.

Maison Regnard - 11:30 - 12:30 Arrival in Chablis village. Enjoy a second wine tasting by one of the local Chablis wine producers, featuring 5 to 9 wines: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru.

Chablis - 12:30 - 14:00 Free time in Chablis village. Enjoy the small town or reserve a table at a good restaurant.
14:00 Departure for Chateau de Pommard near Beaune (135 km), a 1.5-hour drive.

Chateau de Pommard - 16:00 - 17:30 Arrival at Chateau de Pommard, one of the most famous domaines of Burgundy, near Beaune and surrounded by vineyards. Enjoy a wine tasting of a selection of 5 wines from Château de Pommard and Famille Carabello-Baum “La Route des Grands Crus” with a professional sommelier. Learn how Burgundy’s star grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, express themselves across Burgundy’s villages and terroirs. Discover the 5 subregions of Burgundy and their specialties, the famous wine road La Route des Grands Crus, how natural factors influence taste, and Burgundy’s classifications.

Beaune - 18:00 Arrival in Beaune. Hotel accommodation.

Beaune — Hôtel-Dieu — Two Wine Houses visits — Paris

Hotel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune - 09:00 - 10:30 Beaune. Visit Hospices de Beaune - Hôtel-Dieu, a former charitable almshouse founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor. The original hospital building is one of the finest examples of 15th-century Burgundian architecture and one of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in Europe.

Patriarche Pere & Fils - 10:30 - 12:00 Wine tasting with a professional sommelier of Burgundy wines in the cellars “The Patriarch and Sons.” The Caves Patriarche are located in the center of Beaune. The 5 kilometers of tunnels that make it up run under the city, making it one of the largest cellars in Burgundy. It’s also a place full of history, founded in 1780, located in the former convent.
12:00 - 14:00 Lunch time.

Beaune - 14:00 - 15:30 Wine tasting by one of the Nobel Wine houses of Burgundy.
15:30 - 16:30 Free time.
16:30 Departure to Paris, 312 km (highway), a 3.5 to 4-hour drive. One stop at a rest area will be made.

Paris - 20:00 / 20:30 Return to Paris. Drop off at your hotel.

• Caen Memorial, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach monument, Pointe du Hoc
• 4-star hotel accommodation for 6 nights with breakfast in Double Rooms
• All fees and taxes, bottled water
• Oysters tasting in Cancale, Calvados tasting in Normandy
• Mercedes E220 business class car for 2-3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3-7 people
• 6 Loire Valley Castles: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord, Da Vinci Clos Luce, Chaumont, Blois
• Claude Monet’s house in Giverny, Chalk cliffs in Etretat, Honfleur walking tour
• Patriarch et Fils Wine cellars in Beaune with tastings, one more winery visit in Beaune with tasting
• Maison Regnard Chablis Guided Cellars visit with 5 wine tastings
• Abbay Mont-Saint Michel visit, St. Malo walking tour, Pointe du Grouin visit
• Hôtel-Dieu - Hospices de Beaune audio-guided visit
• Jean-Marc Brocard Guided visit with 5 Chablis wines tasting with cheese
• Chateau de Pommard Guided Winery visit with 5 wines tasting with local sommelier

• Single Accommodation Supplement
• Gratuities and Souvenirs
• Lunches and Dinners at Restaurants

A beautifully crafted 7-day live-guided private experience for groups of two to six, featuring accommodations in 4-star hotels and transportation by Mercedes minivan. Tiered pricing available. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. Discover the key sites of Normandy such as Mont Saint-Michel, Claude Monet’s house in Giverny, the chalk cliffs of Etretat, and the picturesque harbor of Honfleur. Enjoy Calvados tasting and visit significant D-Day locations including the Caen Memorial, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach Memorial, and Pointe du Hoc. Explore Brittany’s renowned attractions like Saint Malo, Pointe du Groin, and Cancale, known for its oysters and oyster tasting. Visit six of the most important Loire Valley castles and partake in five wine tastings in Chablis and Beaune at prestigious wine houses, and much more.

• Minimum age for Wine tastings is 18 years old

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.