7 Days • 6 Nights
Normandy & Brittany Coastal Journey
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll stand before the island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel rising from the tides, walk the D-Day landing beaches and their moving memorials, admire the cathedral and half-timbered streets of Rouen where Joan of Arc met her fate, and reach Brittany's rugged coast and walled port of Saint-Malo. Cider, crepes, oysters and Calvados season the way.
With comfortable regional hotels and expert guides, it is a soul-stirring alternative to the classic France of the south.
Trip Highlights
- The island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel rising from the bay
- The D-Day landing beaches and their memorials
- The Bayeux Tapestry and cathedral
- Rouen's Gothic cathedral and Joan of Arc's old town
- Monet's garden at Giverny
- The walled corsair port of Saint-Malo in Brittany
- Six nights across Normandy and Brittany
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Breton seafood lunch
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Depart Paris and travel into Normandy, stopping at Giverny to wander Monet's water-lily garden and house. Continue to Rouen for the night and a welcome dinner.
Explore Rouen's soaring Gothic cathedral and the medieval streets where Joan of Arc was tried, then travel west to Bayeux, home of the famous 11th-century tapestry.
A moving guided day along the D-Day landing beaches — Omaha, the American cemetery at Colleville, and the memorials that tell the story of June 1944.
Marvel at Mont Saint-Michel, the medieval abbey rising from the tidal flats, then cross into Brittany to the walled corsair port of Saint-Malo.
Walk the ramparts of Saint-Malo and its old town, then explore the Emerald Coast, with a Breton seafood lunch of oysters and galettes.
Discover more of Brittany's coast and countryside before reaching Rennes, the region's lively capital, with its half-timbered old quarter.
A final Breton breakfast before your onward journey by rail or road to Paris.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 6 nights in comfortable regional hotels
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Breton seafood lunch
- Monet's garden and house at Giverny with entry
- A guided Rouen city tour
- The Bayeux Tapestry and a guided D-Day beaches tour
- Mont Saint-Michel abbey with entry
- A visit to Saint-Malo and local guides throughout
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from France
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (taxe de sejour), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can point you in the right direction
- Language: French is the language, and a warm bonjour and merci go a long way. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small cafes and tips
- Tipping: Service is included by law, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is a kind gesture
- Best seasons: France is wonderful year-round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively, and Provence and the Riviera shine from May to September
- Etiquette: Dress a little smartly for dinner, and cover shoulders and knees inside churches. A greeting when entering shops is always appreciated
- Getting around: France's TGV high-speed trains connect cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Meal times: Lunch runs roughly noon to 2pm and dinner from about 7:30pm. Many kitchens close between services, so we time meals to suit
- Museum closures: Many museums close one day a week — the Louvre on Tuesdays, Versailles on Mondays — and your itinerary is arranged around this
- Safety: France is safe, but as in any big city keep an eye on your belongings on the Paris metro and at busy attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a wine-country lunch or a Riviera dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy France's superb restaurants and cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there are no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for France?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal for touring, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Provence and the Riviera are at their best from May to September.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by France's excellent TGV high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
Is the D-Day tour suitable for all ages?
Yes — it is handled sensitively and is deeply moving for adults and older children alike, bringing an important chapter of history to life.
Can we see Mont Saint-Michel at high tide?
We time the visit thoughtfully; the tides vary daily, and your guide will make the most of the conditions on the day, whether the abbey is ringed by water or sand.
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