Historic Normandy (2 days)

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.

After 1 hour drive, you will leave the highway and join your first destination, the impressive FORTRESS OF CHATEAU GAILLARD, built by the King of England Richard LionHeart in 1196 to secure the route to Rouen from the King of France.

During the visit of the castle you will have an outstanding view over the Seine Valley.

Then onto the ABBEY OF JUMIEGES that occupies a splendid site on the Lower Seine and that is without doubt one of the most impressive ruins in France: the galleries, the South Aisle, the nave, the transept crossing, the chancel and the roofless cloisters become alive before your eyes with the well-informed imagination of your guide.

After the visit, you will have lunch in a typical, local Norman restaurant where you will enjoy some of the specialties of the region.

After lunch, your guide will drive you to 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.

Finally, your guide will take you to your hotel in Rouen, for the night.

DAY 2

After breakfast, you will start your day driving to your first destination: 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, your guide will drive you to DEAUVILLE, the very elegant seaside resort that owes its worldwide fame as much to the luxury and refinement of its establishments as to its festive events such as the racing Grand Prix, the Polo World Championship and the prestigious American Film Festival. You will walk along the “Planches”, a promenade made of azobe, a dark brown wood from Equatorial Africa; have a look at the impressive Casino de Deauville, the suspended gardens and fountains of the Centre International, the Yacht marina where you will enjoy a tea or coffee before leaving for your last destination: BAYEUX.

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 these eventful two days, you will drive back to Paris, ready to encourage your friends to discover this new region of France.

(Entrance tickets included).

Extra charge for a pick up and/or a drop off outside Paris