Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Classic Group
Paris
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Enjoy the sights and sounds of France during this 8-day guided tour. Travel to Normandy and stand on the 100-foot-tall Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the beaches where soldiers fought in World War II — and walk with a Local Expert through the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach, where Allied Forces landed on D-Day. Drive through the Loire Valley to the glorious fragrant gardens of Château de Villandry, stopping to smell the basil, rosemary and other herbs grown in its gardens. You’ll remember those scents at a celebration dinner featuring a farm-to-table feast and sparkling wine. See Paris’ top attractions, from the glistening pyramids of the Louvre to the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral.
Availability
From 11/05/2024 to 19/10/2024
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
Highlights.
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)7 Breakfast (B)Choose between two carefully selected activitiesBayeux: Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England.
Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.
: Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
: Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency.
We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
: We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
: From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
: Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times.
If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.
Saumur: Fun and informative, discuss the grape varieties and local terroir while sampling wines of the Loire Valley.
Loire Valley: Discover the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry.
In the scenic Loire Valley, explore France’s finest formal gardens.
Now a hub for sustainability preserving the estate's biological diversity, learn all about the a sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages, and purple basil, all grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem.
Their aim is to preserve a remarkable garden, maintained with meticulous care, while incorporating maintenance work into a balanced ecosystem.
They have partnered with a local university to bring biodiversity back into the gardens.
Villandry Gardens advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land.
Rouen: See the cathedral, the Great Clock, the Old Market square and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
Honfleur: See this charming fishing town.
Omaha Beach: Follow the route of the Rangers, visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial.
Omaha Beach: With a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent.
Bayeux: Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England.
Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.
Mont-Saint-Michel: Savour your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel.
Cross the causeway for a guided tour with your Local Expert through the maze of halls and vaults of the abbey.
Saint-Malo: Your Local Expert guides you trough the intertwined streets of the walled city to arrive at the cathedral.
Later enjoy the chance to walk along the fortifications and explore the cities nightlife at your leisure.
Angers: Enjoy exploring the western gateway to the Loire Valley in the little town of Angers and see its imposing chateau.
Cheverny: During your visit to Château de Cheverny, your Local Expert will show you the château's decor and aristocratic costumes of the family through the centuries.
Inhabited by the same family for more than 6 centuries, the castle, its gardens and its connection to Tintin will provide an unforgettable experience.
: Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards.
Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
: Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 After checking in, the capital's grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. Meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by fresh home-made recipes.
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Day 2 Follow the River Seine to Rouen, capital of Normandy, to admire its ancient cathedral - a masterpiece of Gothic style and the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. Wander through the narrow streets beneath the Great Clock to the Old Market Square. Here, a superb modern church commemorates the burning of Joan of Arc on this very spot in 1431. Continue to the charming fishing town of Honfleur and wander along the harbour or stroll through the colourful streets. Close by, meet a farming family who grow apples to produce local juice, cider and calvados of Normandy. Sample the local produce paired with Normandy cheese. Later, arrive at your luxurious hotel, located in the chic seaside resort of Deauville.
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Day 3 Follow the route of the Rangers and visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Then with a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach. Explore Normandy with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay. Alternatively, visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England. This evening you are treated to a delightful dinner, which promises creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients and delicious wines.
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Day 4 Journey through bocage country and explore the hilltop abbey of Mont Saint-Michel with your Local Expert. Situated on an island, the abbey is reached by a bridge across the shining sands. Behind the outer ring of defences huddles the small town - it's one street containing shops, cafes and hotels. Continue along the Emerald Coast to stunning Saint-Malo, situated on the Rance Estuary and one of the most charming places in France.A Local Expert will take you on an exploration of the City of the Corsairs. Walk through the maze of streets of Intra Muros, the walled city, home of Jacques Cartier and other celebrated voyagers. At your leisure, you can wander around the ramparts of the thick city walls, offering fantastic views over the old town and the bay.By night, the town's medieval maze of winding streets is abuzz with quaint bars and restaurants. Alternatively, you may wish to join an Optional Experience to Cancale, known throughout France for its oyster beds, for a delicious meal of fresh seafood and other Breton specialties.
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Day 5 Head south to follow the valley of the Loire, passing the moated Angers Castle. Cross the Loire to Saumur, where a local vintner will guide you through tastings of the region's delicious wines. Head to Ch?teau de Villandry, the jewel of the Loire, to visit the glorious sustainable gardens on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience. Ensure you don't miss the water, ornamental and kitchen gardens. This stunning sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages and purple basil is grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem. This evening, your Celebration Dinner starts with a glass of local sparkling wine and continues with excellent service and delicious Farm-to-Table dishes in the most wholesome setting, ensuring the memory of your meal will linger long after you've returned home.
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Day 6 Journey to the family-owned Ch?teau de Cheverny inhabited by the same family for over six centuries. Arrive through the forest and park lands with your Local Expert who will show you the ch?teau's decor and aristocratic costumes of the family through the centuries. Listen out for the hounds and find out about the connection with Tintin while you are there. Return to your superb ch?teau for relaxation and free time.
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Day 7 Travelling through the vast wheat fields of the the Beauce region, Chartres Cathedral, nicknamed the 'Acropolis of France' by August Rodin, looms large on the horizon. Enjoy a guided tour of this architectural delight.From here, return to the French capital where your Travel Director introduces you to the fabulous sights of Paris, including the vast Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Travel up the Champs ?lys?es to Napol?on's Arc de Triomphe. After dark, the City of Light really lives up to its name, when the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour, don't miss the chance to experience a world-famous cabaret show.
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Day 8 Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of France as you transfer to the airport.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 04 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
- Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
- Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
- Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
- Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
- Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
- Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
- Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
- These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 29 April 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.
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