The Treasures of France including Normandy
8 Day France Tour of D-Day Beaches | Operated by Trafalgar
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8 Days
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1 Country
France -
13 Cities
Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Bayeux, Normandy Beaches, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Mont-Saint-Michel, Le Tronchet, Loire Valley, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Chartres -
12 Meals
4 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch -
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
Bienvenue! The 'City of Light' welcomes you as you prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through France. Join your fellow travelers and Travel Director this afternoon for an orientation drive to admire the glittering cityscape of Paris – past grand boulevards and iconic sites like the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe and get to know your traveling companions over dinner this evening.
This morning, we depart Paris and venture to the city of Rouen, the tragic site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. We travel to the enchanting harbor town of Honfleur – its narrow lanes and colorful shopfronts have long attracted artists who have immortalized its beauty on canvas. Arriving in Bayeux, we visit the Tapestry Museum. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and see the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting events before and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This evening, we dine at our hotel.
Today we explore the poignant D-Day Landing Beaches in the company of our Local Specialist. We begin with a visit to the American Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Omaha Beach, imagining the mingled sense of terror and triumph felt on the fateful day when Allied forces set foot on mainland Europe. We stop for lunch in the seaside town of Arromanches, the setting for the Mulberry Harbor, once at the heart of the Normandy landings.
Travel through the Normandy countryside admiring the land of calvados before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed bay of the Mont-Saint Michel. Our Local Specialist reveals the history of the impressive medieval Benedictine Abbey perched on the hilltop. In Brittany enjoy the afternoon your way or perhaps, discover the beauty of the port city of St. Malo with a Local Specialist on the Jewels of St. Malo Optional Experience.
Journey onward through scenic countryside, stopping to Connect With Locals at a lunch with wine in a 17th-century château during a Be My Guest experience set within beautiful grounds. Later, continue to the beautiful Loire Valley, where we will spend the next two nights.
In the morning, you are invited to taste hand-crafted chocolate at Maison Bigot for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. Afterwards, we spend our day admiring the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley and join a Local Specialist for a visit to the Amboise Royal Château. It is here that King François I hosted Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb now lies in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert adjoining the château. We continue with a visit to Château de Chenonceau, built on the Cher River. The château is often referred to as the 'Ladies Castle', due to the many women who influenced its construction and development. Today it contains priceless collections, including Renaissance furniture, tapestries and masterpieces by Rubens and Tintoretto.
Our first stop today is the town of Chartres and its beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral, regarded as one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture from the early 13th century. We journey back to Paris this afternoon and spend the rest of our day in the 'City of Light'. Celebrate with your Travel Director and newfound friends this evening at a Farewell Dinner with local wines at a Parisian bistro.
For now it's time to say a fond au revoir to France and your fellow travelers at the end of a memorable trip.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- - Optional Experiences and free time
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 4 Dinners (D)
- - 7 Breakfasts (B)
- - 1 Lunch (L)
- Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris on an orientation drive this evening.
- Admire the harbor town of Honfleur and its beautiful colorful storefronts.
- Spend the morning visiting the American Rangers Memorial and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on D-Day Landing Beach.
- Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach.
- Savor your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel and cross the causeway to explore the tidal island town.
- Visit the Amboise Royal Château with your Local Specialist where you will see the home of Leonardo da Vinci's tomb.
- Visit Château de Chenonceau or commonly known as 'Ladies Castle' which got its name from the many women who influenced its construction.
- Bask in the beautiful religious architecture from the 13th century as you explore the town of Chartres.
- Explore the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry telling the story of Norman conquests and the Battle of Hastings so many centuries ago.
- Walk among the wild hyacinths in the beautiful gardens of the 17th-century Chateau d'Eporce, during a unique Be My Guest experience. Enjoy a selection of local wines and taste some home-cooked specialties created by the chateau’s resident culinary expert, Lydia.
- Visit Maison Bigot in Amboise, a charming family-run chocolate shop. Immerse yourself in rich traditions as you learn about the craft and indulge in a lovely tasting experience.
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.
Cider Farm Visit and Gastronomic Norman Feast (Available on Day 3)Experience true Norman hospitality with a visit to a family-run cider farm. We’ll discover their secrets and have the opportunity to taste the newest cider batch. Then, we'll head off for a typical meal of traditional Norman flavors with drinks included.
Adult Price: €69 Jewels of St. Malo (Available on Day 4)Take in the stunning natural beauty of the Emerald coastline and learn about the privateer past of Saint-Malo. This port town is known for its striking medieval ramparts, handsome aristocratic houses and its famous son, Jacques Cartier, who claimed what is now Canada for the French. Join our Local Specialist to uncover the secrets of this "Jewel of Brittany."
Adult Price: €38 Tours Discovery (Available on Day 5)Join our Local Specialist for an enchanting excursion to rival the greatest fairy tales, discovering the dream-like Old Town of Tours, including the Basilica of St. Martin and the history of Renaissance Kings.
Adult Price: €29 In The Footsteps Of Leonardo Da Vinci (Available on Day 6)Truly one of the giants of history, Leonard da Vinci left behind many marvelous treasures in the Manor house and gardens where he spent his final years, close to his patron: François I. Our Local Specialist will reveal some of da Vinci's most extraordinary inventions, from submarines to helicopters.
Adult Price: €44 Dinner in the Loire Valley (Available on Day 6)A perfect place to toast new-found friends. The Loire Valley, known for its romantic chateaux and stunning natural beauty, is often called the Garden of France thanks to its sublime produce and top restaurants. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a meal together and savor typical French cuisine.
Adult Price: €78 Montmartre Village and Artists' Square (Available on Day 7)Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec, tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighborhood.
Adult Price: €47 Seine Cruise and Paris Illuminations (Available on Day 7)To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.
Adult Price: €47