7-Nights Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Classic Group from $3,285

Itinerary Details

Insight Vacations: Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley

Day 1 - Welcome to Paris
Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at the hotel before your dinner at a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.
Accommodations: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Rouen, Honfleur and Deauville
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 memorializes the burning of Joan of Arc on this very spot in 1431. Continue to the charming fishing town of Honfleur and wander along the harbor or stroll through the colorful streets. Close by, visit a family-owned apple farm for apple juice, cider and calvados tasting. Later, arrive at your luxurious hotel, located in the chic seaside resort of Deauville.
Accommodations: Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Normandy Beaches and D-Day Landings
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 Cathedral. This evening you are treated to a delightful dinner, which promises creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients and delicious wines.
Accommodations: Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Mont Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo
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 defenses huddles the small town – its singular street containing shops, cafes and hotels. Continue 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.
Accommodations: Le Nouveau Monde, Saint-Malo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Villandry Experience
Head south through the Loire Valley, stopping to admire the moated Chateau d’Angers. Cross the river to Saumur, where you’ll join a local vintner for a guided tasting of the region’s elegant wines. Continue to the Chateau de Villandry, a masterpiece of Renaissance design, whereYou’ll explore its spectacular terraces, with ornate flowerbeds, tranquil pools and a flourishing potager. Later, arrive at your chateau hotel, sweeping views overlooking the capital of the Loire Valley.
Accommodations: Chateau de la Bourdaisière
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Scenic Drive Along the Loire Valley
This morning, you might join an Optional Experience to the elegant Chateau de Chenonceau, set gracefully across the River Cher and surrounded by manicured gardens, or simply relax at your hotel. In the afternoon, meet your Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Chateau d’Amboise. Perched high above the Loire, this former royal residence was a political and cultural hub during the Renaissance, attracting Europe’s greatest minds. Stroll through its grand halls, adorned with period furnishings, and step onto the panoramic terraces overlooking the river. Here, you’ll also find the chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, a poignant reminder of the close ties between the French court and the Italian master. This evening, enjoy a Farm-to-Table dinner at the historic Chateau de la Bourdaisière, featuring seasonal produce from its gardens and local farms for an authentic taste of the Loire Valley.
Accommodations: Chateau de la Bourdaisière
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - La Beauce and Chartres to Paris, City of Light
Traveling through the vast wheat fields of 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 Élysées to Napoleon'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. Add a special touch of excitement and glamour to your evening with the unforgettable thrill of a world-famous cabaret show — an Optional Experience not to be missed.
Accommodations: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Au Revoir Paris
Today, bid farewell to your journey as you transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast