Normandy beaches, the Loire river banks & Paris

Follow the waterways in France from the Norman beaches on the Atlantic coasts to the Loire river, its castles and wonderful gardens…ending along the Seine river banks in Paris.

NORMANDY

• Your itinerary starts in Paris where we recommend you to pick up the rental car at the airport. From there, drive about 3 hours and you’ll be immersed in the Norman history.
• Your first B&B is a lovely house, located downtown Bayeux, few minute walk to the Cathedral, the tapestry, restaurants and shops. From there you are within reach of all the D-Day sites and museums: from Sainte Mère Eglise to Ouistreham, Isigny, pointe du Hoc, the artificial port of Arromanches or the Caen Memorial. To help you better understand the events of the Battle of Normandy and bring them to life, we have planned a guided tour with a specialist in WWII history. With a group of English speaking travelers, you will be shown all the main landing sites and learn in detail about what happened here on D-Day.
• Deauville and Honfleur are within driving distance and the Normandy hinterland might be less famous but is certainly worth a detour: the typical half-timbered villages, the Cider road, the beautiful English style gardens, the apple brandy traditional manufacturers…and of course the cheeses…a trip to Normandy would not be complete without tasting Camembert or Livarot cheeses! To get familiar with Norman gastronomy, we have planned a cooking class with Brigitte. She will welcome you in her house where you’ll prepare a 3 course meal that you will savor for lunch. A fun experience!
• A place you won't want to miss is Mont Saint Michel: this sumptuous abbey standing on a tiny island in the middle of a bay is truly the “8th wonder of the Western world” and is well worth a visit. You'll spend 2 nights in a lovely Bed & Breakfast, across the Bay from Mont Saint Michel. Your welcoming Hosts own a typical Norman stone house, surrounded by fields where racehorses are being grown up and trained...a local specialty. We’ll also recommend some typical Britain towns in the area, for you to get a feel for the French Brittany.

THE LOIRE VALLEY

• On your way from Mont Saint Michel to the Loire Valley, we’ll provide you all details to visit Le Mans old city where French history is at every corner.
• The Loire Valley will welcome you with its renowned "sweet life", its Renaissance castles and gardens, and its famous gastronomy. You will stay for 4 nights in a lively town where once Joan of Arc met the future King of France. Your cozy B&B is right at the foot of the medieval fortress and at night you can walk to all restaurants, wine bars or make your own romantic picnic on the river banks. 
• You can also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages stretched along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you. Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and many more – and we have planned for you to discover some local wines with a wine maker. She will take you to her vineyards and explain about the vine growing, then you will go to her cellar so you can taste some wines (sparkling and still), together with some local food products.  

 BACK TO PARIS

•  End your French journey living the Parisian life! For 3 nights, you will be comfortably accommodated in a very cosy Boutique-Hotel in one of Paris most famous square, 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral. You will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties. One day, you’ll explore the city with a local Parisian guide, biking around its most famous buildings. We have also prepared for you different itineraries to explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation. 

A great overview of Northern France !