Group Tour Operator for holidays to Normandy, France

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing to Calais and in around 2 hours arrive in Rouen for your chosen number of nights.

Rouen ‘Capital of Normandy) – optional driver’s rest day

Start with an informative guided walking tour of Rouen, known as the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ including its flamboyant Gothic Cathedral, the tallest in France.  See the famous 14^th century clock ‘Gros Horloge’ and stroll along the narrow winding streets of the old town.  There is free entrance to the city art gallery famous for its collection of impressionist works. In the evening, enjoy the cathedral’s luminaire light show.  Optional group lunches or dinners can also be arranged.

(Please note that the city of Rouen offer free use of local public transport on Saturdays and there are also many museums that offer free entry)

Monet’s Garden, Verdon and Chateau Bizy

Travel to the picturesque village of Giverny.  Impressionist Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until  his death in 1926.  The artist’s former home and elaborate gardens, where he produced his famed water-lily series, are now the Fondation Claude Monet.  Enjoy a visit to the gardens and house which should take around 2 hours. There is the option to visit the on-site impressionist museum but need to allow a further hour to do this.  After the visit, return to Giverny for lunch and some free time.

On the way back to Rouen, we will make a stop at Verdon.  Here you will see the half-timbered construction of an old mill, straddling two piers of an ancient medieval bridge over the Seine River.  The scene inspired many Impressionist painters including Monet, and continues to this day inspiring photographers, painters and poets and, of course, tourists.

Continue to the nearby Château De Bizy. This castle is nicknamed “Little Norman Versailles” and used to be the house of many important figures in French History and is open to the public including the stunning gardens.  (Guided tours of the castle are possible but need to be booked in advance for groups, the visit of the gardens can be done on your own – entrance cost payable locally).

Honfleur and the Calvados Coast

Head to the picture perfect port of Honfleur and meet up with a local guide for a short walking tour.  Explore this  delightful port located on the the Seine estuary. Colourful half-timbered houses jostle for position on the quays, along with art galleries, museums and restaurants.  Take a stroll a stroll through Honfleur’s public gardens to its very own beach or visit the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Grâce to look out over Honfleur and beyond. Alternatively, take a boat trip out onto the estuary from Honfleur to the Pont de Normandie bridge.

(If required, group lunches/meals in a local restaurant and/or guided walking tours can be arranged)

Return via the chic coastal town of Deauville and make an optional stop at Pere Magloire Calvados Distillery for animated tour and tasting.

Etretat Gardens and The Liquor Palace

With its famous cliffs and unique rock formations, breath-taking Etretat has long inspired artists.  Take stroll in the old town and along the promenade and visit the Etretat Gardens located on the cliff top. Continue to the fishing port of Fecamp to visit the Benedictine Palace Distillery for a tour and tasting of the famous liquor which originates from the year 1510.

Flavours of Normandy – the Cheese and Cider Route

First stop is the cheese maker Graindorge to discover the production process of Livarot and Pont l’Eveque cheese followed by a wonderful tasting. Continue to the pretty village of Beuvronen Auge for free time and lunch.   On to the Gardens Du Pays D Auge some of the most beautiful gardens in Calvados followed by a visit to the neighbouring Bierre Hut Calvados Farm and distillery for guided tour and tasting of their special brandy.

Return to the UK

Drive to Calais and take the ferry across to the UK