France | Tour Code: 12862
Discover France's captivating landscapes in a whirlwind 3-day tour. From medieval splendor in Rouen and fortified Saint-Malo to enchanting Mont-Saint-Michel & Loire Valley châteaux, this tour unveils timeless treasures.
Highlights
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Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, immortalized by Claude Monet in his famous series of paintings
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Explore 3 iconic Loire Valley châteaux: Chambord, Clos Lucé and Chenonceau
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Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, an enchanting island topped by a medieval monastery
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One day in Normandy to see the famous D-Day beaches
Entire Bonus
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This holiday package is carefully designed by our team to give you complete Peace of Mind, with access to trusted local partners and expert support at your destination.
Overview
Set off on a journey of discovery and explore France's top destinations on this 3-day tour. Discover the historic sites of Normandy, the stunning Mont Saint-Michel and the castles of the Loire Valley region. With an experienced guide-interpreter, you will start by exploring Normandy with the towns of Rouen and Honfleur and a tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches.
The tour continues with a visit to Saint-Malo in Brittany and Mont-Saint-Michel. The last day will be spent touring the most famous châteaux of the Loire Valley: Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord.
Inclusions
- 2-night accommodation in a 4-star hotel
- Guided Tour of Saint-Malo and the Mont-Saint-Michel
- Guided Tour of the Châteaux in the Loire Valley
- Entrance tickets for the monument and museum visits
- Guided Tour of Rouen, Honfleur, and the Normandy Landing Beaches
- English-speaking tour leader and guides
- Daily breakfasts and a dinner on day 1
- Transport in an air-conditioned coach
Itinerary
At 7:15 am you will set off on the Normandy highway after passing through the western districts of Paris.
After about two hours on the road, the bus will make its first stop in the city of Rouen for a guided city walking tour. Your guide will take you on a walking tour of the historic district featuring the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the Gros Horloge (an astronomical clock that is one of the city's treasures), the half-timbered houses and the medieval pedestrian streets that give the area an authentic charm. Rouen has inspired many Impressionists, including Claude Monet who depicted the Cathedral in a series of paintings.
From Rouen, continue to Honfleur where you will have free time to explore the city on your own. Enjoy the picturesque streets and colorful houses of this quintessential harbor town. This is the perfect chance to have lunch in one of Honfleur's restaurants on a terrace with a view of the sea (own expenses).
After lunch, the bus will set off again, this time along the Norman coastline. Explore the famous Normandy beaches where the Allies landed on June 6, 1944. These are must-see sites for World War II history. The American Cemetery in Colleville sur Mer, located near Omaha Beach, is a place for quiet reflection. Commemorating the Battle of Normandy, the cemetery is notable for its size, 70 hectares, and its rows of white marble tombstones.
After leaving this site, the next stop is Arromanches beach (25 minutes from Colleville sur Mer), where you can still spy traces of the pontoons used to support the artificial harbor (built-in England and towed to this site for the landings) despite the wear and tear inflicted by the sea.
Your first day ends in Caen where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Overnight stay in Caen at the Novotel or similar.
Your second day begins with a breakfast buffet and the excursion continues in Saint-Malo (located about 170 km from Caen).
This morning, you'll admire the city walls of Saint-Malo and Fort National during a guided tour. You will then have time for lunch in this Breton town at a restaurant of your choosing (own expenses).
The day continues at one of the can't-miss sites for any trip to France. Let your guide introduce you to the incredible Mont-Saint-Michel, perched on a rocky peak and surrounded by a beautiful bay. You can best enjoy the climb to the top of the village by taking the Grande Rue, where most of the shops, museums, and traditional medieval houses can be found. The walk ends at the top of the mountain where the Benedectine abbey that dates back to the 8th century is located. Enjoy a guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel abbey, during which you can take in the incredible Gothic structure featuring a cloister and a garden with a panoramic view of the sea.
After your tour, take a moment to stroll the bustling streets, admire the incredible view of the bay as you walk down along the city walls or sample some delicious crêpes.
Depart at 4:30 pm for Angers (about 2.5 hours away), where you will spend in this small village.
Overnight stay in Angers at the Mercure Lac de Maine or similar.
This morning, you will set off for the Loire Valley with a brief stop at the Château d’Angers, allowing you an opportunity to take photos. The first guided tour of the day will take place at the Château de Langeais.
About one hundred kilometers away lies Langeais, where you will enjoy your first tour of the day. Follow your guide inside the structure, which is made up of two incredible châteaux. Take in the oldest keep in France (constructed around the year 1000) and the Château de Louis XI built-in 1465 while you experience French history through depictions made with highly realistic wax figures.The guided tour of Langeais is followed by chance to enjoy lunch on your own in Chenonceau, about 45 minutes away.
Lunch on your own.
Next stop is the Château de Chenonceau. Explore this castle that played a unique role in French history and its awe-inspiring architecture built over the Cher river. It is also known as the "Château des Dames" and the guided tour will teach you about the history of this castle, built and renovated by many famous French women, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici. You can also admire the richly decorated rooms whose ornaments speak to the refined way of life in France.
Take the road towards Chambord. As soon as you approach the castle, you will be amazed by the majesty of the building that rises before you. Its impressive architecture makes it the largest of the Loire castles. You will then quickly enter the interior thanks to a priority access. The guide will lead you through some of the castle's rooms and you will take the famous "double revolution staircase" to reach the large panoramic terrace. You will enjoy a superb view of the park while listening to the comments given by our guide on the history of the castle, built under the reign of François I with the participation of Leonardo da Vinci during the 16th century.
Depart to Paris around 8 pm. End of the Services.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
