Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley
9 Days from $2,850 per person
Investigate Normandy's role in the 1066 and 1944 invasions that changed the course of history. Explore the beautiful city of St-Malo, the châteaux of the Loire and gleaming Paris.
Overview
Investigate Normandy's role in the 1066 and 1944 invasions that changed the course of history. Explore the beautiful city of St-Malo, the châteaux of the Loire and gleaming Paris.
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Day 1: Your Journey Begins.
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Welcome to Paris.
On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, your airport transfers leave for the hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:30. After checking in, the capital's grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. Later, join your Tour Director for a warm Welcome Reception and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening.
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Day 3: Rouen, Honfleur and Bayeux.
Follow the River Seine to Rouen, capital of Normandy, to admire its ancient cathedral - a masterpiece of the Gothic style and the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. Wander through the narrow streets beneath the Great Clock to the Old Market Square. Here, a superb modern church commemorates the burning of Joan of Arc on this very spot in 1431. Continue into the rich dairy lands of Normandy and stop in the charming fishing town of Honfleur, which has somehow escaped the ravages of time. Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum that chronicles the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 before continuing to your hotel, perched on the historic coast where the D-Day landings took place. With the evening at your leisure, perhaps choose to travel the lanes of Normandy up to a 17th century cider farm? The excursion includes learning about the production of cider and a tasting of the local tipple, before continuing to the seaside for a dinner of local specialties, served with wine.
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Day 4: Normandy Beaches and D-Day Landings.
There are poignant reminders of World War II as you travel past Juno and Gold beaches, which both played a part in the 1944 Normandy landings. Visit the D-Day Museum and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay of Arromanches. Then with a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent near Omaha Beach before following the route of the Rangers and visiting the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, and served with wines from the local region.
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Day 5: Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo
Journey through Bocage country for an exploration of the hilltop abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with your Local Expert. The abbey stands on an island and is reached by a causeway across the shining sands. Behind the outer ring of defenses huddles the small town - it's one street containing shops, cafes and hotels. Continue along the Emerald Coast to stunning Saint-Malo, situated on the Rance Estuary and one of the most charming places in France. A Local Expert will take you on an exploration of the City of the Corsairs. Walk through the maze of streets of Intra Muros, the walled city, to the cathedral, the burial place of Jacques Cartier and other celebrated voyagers. At your leisure, you can wander around the ramparts of the thick city walls, offering fantastic views over the old town and the bay. By night, the town's medieval maze of winding streets is abuzz with quaint bars and restaurants.
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Day 6: Scenic drive along the Loire Valley to the Château de Rochecotte.
Head south to follow the valley of the Loire, passing the moated castle at Angers. Cross the Loire to Saumur, where a local vintner will guide you through tastings of the region's delicious wines. Journey to the fairytale Château d'Ussé. After a fascinating tour of the castle that inspired Charles Perrault to write 'Sleeping Beauty', continue on to your château hotel, where you can relax like royalty in sumptuous surroundings. -
Day 7: Villandry Experience.
Head to Château de Villandry, the ‘Jewel of the Loire' and visit the glorious gardens. Ensure you don't miss the water garden, ornamental garden and kitchen garden – a stunning sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages, and purple basil. From here, return to your own superb château for relaxation and free time. At night, your Celebration evening starts with a glass of Champagne and continues with excellent service and delicious dishes in the most wholesome setting, ensuring the memory of your meal will linger long after you've returned home.
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Day 8: La Beauce and Chartres to Paris, City of Light.
Travelling through the vast wheat fields of La Beauce, Chartres Cathedral looms large on the horizon. Auguste Rodin called it the 'Acropolis of France,' and once inside you can marvel at the beautiful stained-glass rose window which floods the cathedral with color and light. From here, return to the French capital, where your Travel Director introduces you to all the fabulous sights including the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and the immense facades of the Louvre. Behold the vast Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood, then travel down the Champs Elysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. After dark, the City of Light really lives up to its name when the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don't miss the chance to experience one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
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Day 9: Au revoir Paris.
Departure transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 & 11:00
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 18 | 8 Sep 18 |
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$2,850pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 21 Sep 18 | 29 Sep 18 |
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$2,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 19 Oct 18 | 27 Oct 18 |
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$2,850pp | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $690 p.p.
Triple Room Supplement: from $60 p.p.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $92 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 3 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee.
Signature Experiences
Rouen:
- See the cathedral, the Great Clock, the Old Market square and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
Bayeux:
- The tapestry is actually a 70m long embroidery that tells the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Look out for King Harold with an arrow in his eye!
Normandy Beaches:
- Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings See the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches and with a Local Expert visit the American Military Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer, the D-Day Museum and the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc.
Mont-St-Michel:
- Savor your first sight of the fortified island of Mont-St-Michel. Cross the causeway for a guided tour through the maze of halls and vaults of the massive abbey.
Saint-Malo:
- Your Local Expert guides you trough the intertwined streets of the walled city to arrive at the cathedral. Later enjoy the chance to walk along the fortifications and explore the cities nightlife at your leisure.
Château d'Ussé:
- Visit the fairytale castle, Charles Perrault's inspiration for his tale 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Villandry:
- Beside the Cher River stands Villandry Castle, surrounded by France's finest formal gardens.
Chartres:
- Inside magnificent Chartres Cathedral, marvel at the stained-glass windows, a riot of rich blues and reds, justly considered the finest medieval glass in France.
Paris:
- See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, facades of the Louvre, the River Seine and its romantic bridges, the obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in France is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some euros for when you first arrive in France, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in France. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
The French have an ongoing love affair with food and wine. Meals are lovingly prepared and consumed leisurely through a bevy of appetizers and main courses, usually accompanied by a number of wines. Boeuf bourgignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables), coq au vin (chicken cooked with bacon in a white wine and herb sauce) and bouillabaisse (fish stew) are featured on many menus. Cheese lovers will not be disappointed with hundreds of varieties to choose from. And no visit would be complete without a visit to a pâtisserie, with its delicate pastries you will definitely be tempted.
Wine is the most popular drink in France and is consumed at both lunch and dinner. Coffee is generally served black, unless a café au lait or café crème (with milk) is requested. For a simple and inexpensive lunch or snack, stop by a local bakery or food cart for a baguette au jambon (ham sandwich), crêpes, or a buckwheat galette filled with melted gruyère cheese and mushrooms. Many restaurants also offer a simple three course menu at a reasonable price.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
In France, a 15% service compris is included by law in the price of food and drink. Tipping in addition to this service charge is never expected, but always appreciated. If you’d like to leave something extra, keep in mind that even in the fanciest restaurants, people rarely tip more than 5-10%. A good rule of thumb is to leave an extra €1 for every €20 spent. Rather than adding gratuity to your credit card slip, leave coins in the tray where the check was presented to ensure that your waiter receives it.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Paris
Bonsoir Paris
Adult Price: € 21.00
Paris at night is a city transformed. Enjoy an evening introduction to this superb 'city of lights' as we take a leisurely drive admiring the gorgeous buildings that adorn the banks of the River Seine. We will stop to allow you to capture some of these fascinating sights on camera. In summer, this excursion may take place before sunset.
Bayeux
Omaha Beach Dinner
Adult Price: € 65.00
A drive through the lanes of Normandy takes up to a 17th century cider farm where we visit and taste the local tipple: then to the seaside for a dinner of local specialities with wine included.
St Malo
Breton Evening
Adult Price: € 59.00
A short drive along the Emerald Coast road of Brittany takes us to the famous fishing village of Cancale, known throughout France for its oyster beds on the Bay of Mont St.Michel. On the menu in our delightful and rustic sea front bistro, a selection of sea food and other Breton specialties, finished off with a traditional seafarer's tot of rum!
Loire
Dinner In Loire
Adult Price: € 66.00
Good company, good wine and delicious local specialities are the hallmarks of a great evening out in the Loire. Enjoy dinner in a traditional family-owned and operated gastronomic restaurant.
Loire
Visit The Chateau And Gardens Of Chenonceau
Adult Price: € 40.00
You are introduced to the splendour and luxury of French court life with a visit to Château de Chenonceau. Set on elegant arches spanning the River Cher, it is said to be one of the most beautiful buildings in existence. A local expert recounts tales of King Henri II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers, as you tour the home she loved, but from which she was driven by the vengeful Queen, Catherine de Medici. One of the jewels of the French Renaissance, admire the rich decor, stroll beneath the trees of the Broad Walk and the formal gardens where roses and clipped lavender are laid out in typical French style.
Paris
eatwith Experience
eatwith is the world’s leading community for authentic food experiences with locals in over 130 countries. Choose between our hand-selected hosts and dine like a local with a local. Fully immerse yourself in food and culture while meeting other travelers at your table and experience the magic of social dining. Transport is not included in this optional experience. €45 - €65
Paris
Nouvelle Eve Dinner and Cabaret
Adult Price: € 139.00
One of the oldest and most elegant revue theatres in Paris, Nouvelle Eve is a hidden gem where you’ll meet the Director and two of the cast members before enjoying a four-course dinner with wine. You will then experience unparalleled Parisian entertainment – including the world-famous Can-Can.
Paris
Moulin Rouge
Adult Price: € 162.00
Why not enjoy an evening of excitement and glamour and a glass of champagne at a dazzling French cabaret show? Depending on availability it might be dinner with wine and cabaret at the world famous Moulin Rouge – the original Parisian cabaret – immortalized by the award winning film!
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
WORLD WAR I BATTLEFIELDS OPTION: 4 DAYS
A poignant journey through Northern France, dotted with war cemeteries and memorials for those who fell in "the war to end all wars".
INCLUDES:
- Tour the Ypres Salient battlefields
- Tour the battlefields, Cemeteries and memorials of the Somme
- Welcome drink and briefing
- 3 Buffet Breakfasts (BB)
- One-night accommodation in Lille
- Two nights accommodation in Amiens
DAY 1: FROM PARIS TO YPRES BATTLEFIELDS AND LILLE
Depart the Paris Hotel Hyatt Regency at 09:00 bound for Flanders Fields. Visit the Ypres Salient battlefields, the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the Town of Ypres, hear the Last Post sounded at the Menin Gate. Then continue to your hotel and join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. (WR) Hotel: Mercure Lille Center Grand Place, Lille.
DAY 2: FROMELLES AND VIMY RIDGE, THEN ONTO AMIENS
See the Australian cemetery of Fromelles, before continuing to the Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge and a visit to the trenches with a Local Expert. Continue to Amiens, (BB) Hotel: Mercure Amiens Cathedrale.
DAY 3: THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE SOMME
Explore the key battlefields of the Somme, including the Lochnagar Crater, the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval, Newfoundland Memorial and Museum and the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval. Take a lunch stop in Albert to see the church. Afterwards, explore Beaumont-Hamel on the way back to Amiens where you will have the afternoon at leisure. Maybe do a little shopping or spend some time in the historic Saint-Leu district? (BB)
DAY 4: RETURN TO PARIS
Visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Franco-Australian Museum in the local Victoria School. Call in at Le Hamel and continue to Péronne. Return to Paris via Charles De Gaulle Airport. (Please do not schedule flights before 7:00 pm) (BB)
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
