Hotels not included: 
Hotels not included
  • Historic Normandy + D-Day Landing Beaches + Mont St Michel (3 Days) Description

    DAY 1

    This tour will allow you to delve deeper into the history of the Normandy, beyond the sheen of World War II, showcasing the many elements of its medieval and renaissance architecture.

    You will start your discovery with a visit of the city of ROUEN, the capital of Upper Normandy since the Roman era. Starting at the Place du Vieux Marché (Old Market Square), where Joan of Ark was burnt at the stake, you will continue to the House of Exchequer, the 15th century Archbishop Palace, the splendid Renaissance Palace of Justice and the "Grosse Horloge", Rouen's most popular monument, a clock dating from 1527 with its superb belfry topped by a dome. You will finish your visit of Rouen with a private guided visit of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Rouen, one of the most beautiful examples of French Gothic, immortalized over 20 times by Claude Monet.

    After the discovery of Rouen, you will continue your journey driving to the lovely, romantic town of HONFLEUR, located on the Seine estuary, that has a holiday feeling all year around. Its character and ambiance have inspired painters, writers and musicians for centuries.You will delight in walking around the old dock, the narrow winding streets where the fishing fleet unloads fresh fish and shellfish every day, stopping to admire the slate facades of the old houses. After enjoying lunch in one of the typical bistros on the picturesque quayside of the old dock, you will have a closer look at the St Catherine's church, a rare example in Western Europe constructed entirely of wood with its narrow massive oak belfry covered in chestnut wood.

    Then onto your 3rd destination: BAYEUX, the first French town to be liberated by the Allies on June 7th 1944.

    You will visit the beautiful 12th century Cathedral that still keeps watch over this charming, old fashioned town with its stone and timber framed medieval houses, nicely restored. You will stroll with your guide through the pedestrian precinct to the Centre Guillaume le Conquérant (William the Conqueror's Center) for your visit of the Tapestry of Bayeux, the oldest tapestry in the world. This jewel of Romanesque, 203 feet long, relates in a very realistic account the events of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is without a doubt, one of the most accurate and lively documents to survive from the Middle Ages, providing detailed information of the clothes, ships, arms and general lifestyle of that period.

    After a glass of chilled Norman cider, your guide will drive you back to your hotel Bayeux.

    Night in Bayeux

    (Entrance tickets included).

    DAY 2

    After breakfast, you will start your journey with the visit of Arromanches to discover the remains of the artificial harbor (Mulberry), that played a vital part in the success of the landings.

    From Arromanches, your guide will drive you to the German coastal artillery battery of Longues Sur Mer that was part of Germany’s Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications.

    After your visit of Longues sur Mer, it is time for lunch in a typical Norman restaurant (not included).

    After lunch, your journey continues with an exhaustive visit of the American Cemetery of Colleville. This tribute to the heroes of the war covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 military, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations (visit of the Memorial, the wall of the Missing, the Chapel, many noteworthy tombs – Medals of Honor, etc).
    Your visit will be followed with a stop at the American Interpretive Center. You will have the opportunity to view remarkable films and documentaries relating the DDAY and Battle of Normandy operations.

    Your journey will continue with the drive and visit of Omaha Beach, that has become the symbol of the sacrifice of American soldiers in WWII, since June 6th 1944.

    After this moving interlude on Omaha Beach, you will finish your journey with the private guided visit of Pointe Du Hoc, where Colonel James Rudder and the US 2nd Ranger Battalion were given the task of destroying a battery five 155mm guns. Their heroic struggle and final success, cementing their place in history.

    If time, you will have a short stop at the German cemetery at La Cambe.

    Night in Bayeux

    DAY 3

    Many writers have tried to define the "Marvel of the Occident", some say that it is to the sea what the pyramid of Keops is to the desert, some describe it as an imaginary manor-house, stupefying as a dream palace, others say that is is not dry land and yet not the sea. Surrounded by the sea with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, the Mont Saint Michel is simply unique. The Abbey, founded by Aubert at the beginning of the 8th Century became a major cultural and pilgrimage centre during the middle ages.

    Starting with a visit of the old medieval village, with a stop at the local church to light a candle and make a wish at the silver statue of Saint Michel (a tradition).
    You will ascend the three levels of the marvel, culminating with a breathtaking view; the likes of which make you understand the original monks that came here for solace and spiritual contemplation.
    The guided visit of the Abbey will take you through the Church (a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture), the Herbal Garden with its covered cloisters, the Refectory, to the middle level comprised of the Knights Room, the Scriptorium to end up in the Undercroft and Almonry.

    Following this, a walk along the impressive ramparts will give you a concrete idea of Medieval fortress defences, and a clear example of why this was the only fortress that the English never managed to conquer during the 100 year war.

    You will have lunch in one of the typical restaurants on the Mont before heading back to Paris.

    If time, one your way back to Paris, you will make a stop at Villedieu-les-poêles, a town renowned for its craftsmanship of Lace, Tin, Leather and most notoriously, Copper.

    (Entrance tickets to the Mont St. Michel Abbey included).
    Extra charge for a pick up and/or a drop off outside Paris

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