Treasures of France Including Normandy

Day 1
Bonjour Paris
Bienvenue! The 'City of Light' welcomes you as you prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through France. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director this afternoon for an orientation drive to admire the glittering cityscape of Paris – past grand boulevards and iconic sites like the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe and get to know your travelling companions over dinner this evening.

Day 2
Admire Normandy’s Colourful Honfleur and the Bayeux Tapestry Dive Into Culture
This morning, we depart Paris and venture to the city of Rouen, the tragic site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. We travel to the enchanting harbour town of Honfleur – its narrow lanes and colourful shopfronts have long attracted artists who have immortalised its beauty on canvas. Arriving in Bayeux, we visit the Tapestry Museum. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and see the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting events before and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This evening, we dine at our hotel.

Day 3
Explore the D-Day Landing Beaches
Today you'll explore the poignant D-Day Landing Beaches in the company of your Local Specialist. Begin with a visit to the American Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Omaha Beach, imagining the mingled sense of terror and triumph felt on the fateful day when Allied forces set foot on mainland Europe. We stop for lunch in the seaside town of Arromanches, the setting for the Mulberry Harbour, once at the heart of the Normandy landings.

Day 4
Journey through Picturesque Normandy and Brittany
Travel through the Normandy countryside admiring the land of Calvados before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel. Your Local Specialist reveals the history of the impressive medieval Benedictine Abbey perched on the hilltop. In Brittany enjoy the afternoon your way or perhaps, discover the beauty of the port city Saint-Malo with a Local Specialist on an Optional Experience.

Day 5
Continue to the Beautiful Loire Valley Connect with Locals Dive Into Culture
Journey onward through scenic countryside, stopping to Connect With Locals at a lunch with wine in a 17th-century château during a Be My Guest experience set within beautiful grounds. Later, continue to the beautiful Loire Valley, where we will spend the next two nights.

Day 6
Discover the Stunning French Châteaux
In the morning, you are invited to taste hand-crafted chocolate at Maison Bigot for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. Afterwards, you'll spend the day admiring the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley and join a Local Specialist for a visit to the Amboise Royal Château. It is here that King François I hosted Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb now lies in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert adjoining the château. You will continue with a visit to Château de Chenonceau, built on the Cher River. The château is often referred to as the 'Ladies Castle', due to the many women who influenced its construction and development. Today it contains priceless collections, including Renaissance furniture, tapestries and masterpieces by Rubens and Tintoretto.

Day 7
Continue to Chartres and Paris
Your first stop today is the town of Chartres and its beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral, regarded as one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture from the early 13th century. You'll then journey back to Paris this afternoon and spend the rest of your day in the 'City of Light'. Celebrate with your Travel Director and newfound friends this evening at a dinner with local wines at a Parisian bistro.

Day 8
Farewell Paris
For now it's time to say a fond au revoir to France and your fellow travellers at the end of a memorable trip.

Dining Summary
4 Dinner (D)
7 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
Le Mans: Walk among the wild hyacinths in the beautiful gardens of the 17th-century Chateau d'Eporce, during a unique Be My Guest experience. Enjoy a selection of local wines and taste some home-cooked specialities created by the chateau’s resident culinary expert, Lydia.
Dive into Culture
Bayeux: Explore the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry telling the story of Norman conquests and the Battle of Hastings so many centuries ago.
Iconic Experience
Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris on an orientation drive this evening. 
Honfleur: Admire the harbour town of Honfleur and its beautiful colourful storefronts. 
Normandy Beaches: Spend the morning visiting the American Rangers Memorial and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on D-Day Landing Beach.
Omaha Beach: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach. 
Mont-Saint-Michel: Savour your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel and cross the causeway to explore the tidal island town.
Amboise: Visit the Amboise Royal Château with your Local Specialist where you will see the home of Leonardo da Vinci's tomb.
Chateau Chenonceau: Visit Château de Chenonceau or commonly known as 'Ladies Castle' which got its name from the many women who influenced its construction.
Chartres: Bask in the beautiful religious architecture from the 13th century as you explore the town of Chartres.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Amboise: Visit Maison Bigot in Amboise, a charming family-run chocolate shop. Immerse yourself in rich traditions as you learn about the craft and indulge in a lovely tasting experience.
Must-see Highlights
Explore Mont-Saint-Michel and Châteaux of the Loire Valley and Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches
Discover Rouen, Honfleur, Bayeux, Loire Valley and Paris
Visit the Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel, the Châteaux of Amboise and Chenonceau and Chartres Cathedral
View the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris