Historic Normandy + Mont St Michel (3 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.

At the end of the day, your guide will drop you off at your hotel in Bayeux for an overnight stay

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