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Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley

8 Day France Tour to Paris & the Loire Valley | Operated by InsightVacations

  • 8 Days

  • 1 Country

    France
  • 12 Cities

    Paris, Rouen, Deauville, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Gold Beach, Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Angers, Saumur, Loire-Ouchamps, Cheverny
  • 10 Meals

    3 Dinner with Wines, 7 Breakfasts
  • Pace: Active

    Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

After checking in, the capital’s grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. Meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by fresh home-made recipes.

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Authentic Dining: Paris Welcome Dinner Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.
Notes
Day 2: Rouen, Honfleur and Deauville

Follow the River Seine to Rouen, capital of Normandy, to admire its ancient cathedral - a masterpiece of 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 to the charming fishing town of Honfleur and wander along the harbor or stroll through the colorful streets. Close by, meet a farming family who grow apples to produce local juice, cider and calvados of Normandy. Sample the local produce paired with Normandy cheese. Later, arrive at your luxurious hotel, located in the chic seaside resort of Deauville.

Hotel: Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Rouen Orientation See the cathedral, the Great Clock, the Old Market square and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
Top Rated Highlights: See the Town of Honfleur See this charming fishing town.
Notes
Day 3: Normandy Beaches and D-Day Landings

Follow the route of the Rangers and visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Then with a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach.
Explore Normandy with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay. Alternatively, visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England. This evening you are treated to a delightful dinner, which promises creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients and delicious wines.

Hotel: Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Top Rated Highlights: Pointe du Hoc Rangers Memorial Visit Follow the route of the Rangers, visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial.
Top Rated Highlights: Visit the American Military Cemetery at Omaha Beach With a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent.
Top Rated Highlights: Bayeux Tapestry Museum Visit Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England.
Top Rated Highlights: D-Day Museum Visit Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.
Notes
Day 4: Mont Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo

Journey through bocage country and explore the hilltop abbey of Mont Saint-Michel with your Local Expert. Situated on an island, the abbey is reached by a bridge across the shining sands. Behind the outer ring of defences 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, home 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. Alternatively, you may wish to join an Optional Experience to Cancale, known throughout France for its oyster beds, for a delicious meal of fresh seafood and other Breton specialties.

Hotel: Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Mont Saint-Michel City Tour Savor your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel. Cross the causeway for a guided tour with your Local Expert through the maze of halls and vaults of the abbey.
Top Rated Highlights: Saint Malo City Tour 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.
Notes
Day 5: Villandry Experience

Head south to follow the valley of the Loire, passing the moated Angers Castle. Cross the Loire to Saumur, where a local vintner will guide you through tastings of the region's delicious wines. Head to Château de Villandry, the jewel of the Loire, to visit the glorious sustainable gardens on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Ensure you don't miss the water, ornamental and kitchen gardens. This stunning sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages and purple basil is grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem.
This evening, your Celebration Dinner starts with a glass of local sparkling wine and continues with excellent service and delicious Farm-to-Table dishes in the most wholesome setting, ensuring the memory of your meal will linger long after you've returned home.

Hotel: Relais Des Landes
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Make Travel Matter: Discover the Elegant Estates of the Loire Valley Discover the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry. In the scenic Loire Valley, explore France’s finest formal gardens. Now a hub for sustainability preserving the estate's biological diversity, learn all about the a sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages, and purple basil, all grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem. Their aim is to preserve a remarkable garden, maintained with meticulous care, while incorporating maintenance work into a balanced ecosystem. They have partnered with a local university to bring biodiversity back into the gardens.  Villandry Gardens advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land.
Top Rated Highlights: Angers Orientation Enjoy exploring the western gateway to the Loire Valley in the little town of Angers and see its imposing chateau.
Authentic Dining: Saumur Wine Tasting Fun and informative, discuss the grape varieties and local terroir while sampling wines of the Loire Valley.
Notes
Day 6: Scenic Drive Along the Loire Valley

Journey to the family-owned Château de Cheverny inhabited by the same family for over six centuries. Arrive through the forest and park lands with your Local Expert who will show you the château's decor and aristocratic costumes of the family through the centuries. Listen out for the hounds and find out about the connection with Tintin while you are there. Return to your superb château for relaxation and free time. 

Hotel: Relais Des Landes
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Château de Cheverny Visit During your visit to Château de Cheverny, your Local Expert will show you the château's decor and aristocratic costumes of the family through the centuries. Inhabited by the same family for more than 6 centuries, the castle, its gardens and its connection to Tintin will provide an unforgettable experience.  
Notes
Day 7: La Beauce and Chartres to Paris, City of Light

Traveling through the vast wheat fields of the the Beauce region, Chartres Cathedral, nicknamed the 'Acropolis of France' by August Rodin, looms large on the horizon. Enjoy a guided tour of this architectural delight.
From here, return to the French capital where your Travel Director introduces you to the fabulous sights of Paris, including the vast Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Travel up the Champs Élysées to Napoléon'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 a world-famous cabaret show.

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile
Included Meals: Breakfast
Notes
Day 8: Au Revoir Paris

Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of France as you transfer to the airport.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Notes
This itinerary is for reference only. Upon booking with GET, guests will receive tour documents which will list all confirmed hotels and itineraries based upon the guest's departure date.

Price Includes

Dining Summary
  • - 3 Dinner with Wines (DW)
  • - 7 Breakfasts (B)
Authentic Dining
  • Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.
  • Fun and informative, discuss the grape varieties and local terroir while sampling wines of the Loire Valley.
Top Rated Highlights
  • See the cathedral, the Great Clock, the Old Market square and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
  • See this charming fishing town.
  • Follow the route of the Rangers, visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial.
  • With a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent.
  • Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England.
  • Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.
  • Savor your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel. Cross the causeway for a guided tour with your Local Expert through the maze of halls and vaults of the abbey.
  • 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.
  • Enjoy exploring the western gateway to the Loire Valley in the little town of Angers and see its imposing chateau.
  • During your visit to Château de Cheverny, your Local Expert will show you the château's decor and aristocratic costumes of the family through the centuries. Inhabited by the same family for more than 6 centuries, the castle, its gardens and its connection to Tintin will provide an unforgettable experience.  
Make Travel Matter
  • Discover the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry. In the scenic Loire Valley, explore France’s finest formal gardens. Now a hub for sustainability preserving the estate's biological diversity, learn all about the a sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages, and purple basil, all grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem. Their aim is to preserve a remarkable garden, maintained with meticulous care, while incorporating maintenance work into a balanced ecosystem. They have partnered with a local university to bring biodiversity back into the gardens.  Villandry Gardens advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land.

Optional Experiences

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.

Seine Cruise and Illuminations (Available on Day 1)

The City of Light really lives up to its name when the city's monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all of their glory. First, a specially-designed sightseeing boat takes us for an unforgettable cruise along the Seine and beneath famous bridges to appreciate the Left and Right Banks and the Île de la Cité and St Louis. Then, we'll enjoy an illuminations tour, when the rubies and diamonds of the Champs Élysées and the Eiffel Tower are at their magnificent best.

Adult Price: €47 Deauville at Night (Available on Day 2)

This evening, with our Local Expert, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the famous Deauville boardwalk, lined with the names of Hollywood stars. We'll pass by Coco Chanel's very first boutique, opened in 1913, before having a three-course dinner in the charming and animated port of Trouville. 

Adult Price: €79 Breton Evening (Available on Day 4)

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!

Adult Price: €80 Dinner in Loire (Available on Day 5)

Good company, good wine and delicious local specialties are the hallmarks of a great evening out in the Loire. Enjoy dinner in a traditional family-owned and operated gastronomic restaurant.

Adult Price: €78 Visit the Château and Gardens of Chenonceau (Available on Day 6)

You are introduced to the splendor 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 will recount 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.

Adult Price: €46 Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner (Available on Day 7)

Enjoy dinner and cabaret, including wine and champagne, at the world-famous Moulin Rouge – the original Paris cabaret. Immortalized by the award-winning film of the same name, this Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes!

Adult Price: €205