Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Small Group

Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Small Group

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8 Days From

$3995

$3596

Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Small Group

8 Days Starting and ending in Paris, France

Visiting: Paris, Rouen, Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel, Villandry, Loire Valley

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

SE926ZN20

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Luxury, Small Group

Activities:

Wine Tasting

From: $3995 $3596 Operator discount: -$400

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an enchanting journey through France with the "Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Small Group" tour. Discover the rich history and stunning landscapes of Normandy, from the poignant D-Day beaches to the intricate Bayeux Tapestry. Explore the charming streets of Honfleur and the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel. In Brittany, wander the walled city of Saint-Malo, and in the Loire Valley, marvel at the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry. Experience the magic of Paris, with its iconic landmarks and vibrant culture. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious coach, enjoy authentic dining experiences, and stay in elegant accommodations. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, providing an unforgettable French adventure.

Highlights

  • Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Arromanches-les-Bains.

  • Explore the D-Day Museum and see the remnants of the artificial port in Arromanches.

  • See the cathedral, the Great Clock, and the Old Market square in Rouen.

  • Discover the charming fishing town of Honfleur.

  • Follow the route of the Rangers at Omaha Beach and visit the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent.

  • Savor the first sight of Mont Saint-Michel and tour the abbey with a Local Expert.

  • Explore the walled city of Saint-Malo and its cathedral.

  • Discover the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry in the Loire Valley.

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Welcome To Paris

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Location: Paris

Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.

Accommodation Name: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris

Meals Included: Dinner

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.

Day 2: Rouen, Honfleur And Deauville

Location: Rouen

Accommodation: Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville.

Accommodation Name: Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 memorialises 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, 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.

Day 3: Normandy Beaches And D-Day Landings

Location: Normandy

Accommodation: Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville.

Accommodation Name: Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 4: Mont Saint-Michel And Saint-Malo

Location: Mont-Saint-Michel

Accommodation: Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde, St Malo.

Accommodation Name: Le Nouveau Monde, St Malo

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 – its singular 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.

Day 5: Villandry Experience

Location: Villandry

Accommodation: Relais Des Landes

Accommodation Name: Château De La Bourdaisière

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 Château de Villandry, the jewel of the Loire, to visit the glorious sustainable gardens on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® 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. Continue to your very own castle hotel and admire its extensive gardens and potager.

Day 6: Scenic Drive Along The Loire Valley

Location: Loire Valley

Accommodation: Relais Des Landes

Accommodation Name: Château De La Bourdaisière

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Journey to the fairytale Château d'Azay-le-Rideau where your Local Expert will show you the château's decor and return to your turreted château for relaxation. This evening, your 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.

Day 7: La Beauce And Chartres To Paris, City Of Light

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Location: Paris

Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris or similar.

Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Traveling 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 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. For that special touch of excitement and glamour, don't miss the chance to experience a world-famous cabaret show.

Day 8: Au Revoir Paris

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Location: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, bid farewell to your journey through the French countryside as you transfer to the airport.

What's Included

  • Meals

    The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners with wine, and 2 additional dinners.

  • Local Expert Tours

    Guided tours with Local Experts are included at various locations such as Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, and Omaha Beach.

  • Hotel and Restaurant Tips

    Tips at hotels and restaurants are included, so you don't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.

  • Porterage

    Porterage is included, with your bags being carried and delivered to your hotel door.

  • Wi-Fi

    Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on the coach and at hotels where available.

  • Transfers

    Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights match the itinerary start and end dates.

  • Luxury Coach

    Travel in comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.

  • Hand Sanitizer

    Hand sanitizer is freely available on board the coach for use throughout the day.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Experiences

    Optional experiences such as a meal in Cancale or a cabaret show in Paris are not included and may incur additional costs.

  • Transfers Outside Scheduled Times

    Transfers are not included if your flights are outside the scheduled times or if you have booked additional nights of accommodation.

Dining Summary

  • 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 7 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Dinner (D)

Additional Included Highlights

  • 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.

Well-being

  • 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides transportation aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach, which offers double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Complimentary Wi-Fi and hand sanitizer are also available on the coach.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour includes 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners with wine, and 2 additional dinners.

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

    You will experience luxury and comfort at Le Méridien Etoile in Paris, Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf in Deauville, Le Nouveau Monde in St Malo, and Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley. These accommodations offer elegant rooms, exquisite dining, and exceptional service.

  • Is there a focus on sustainability during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes a visit to the sustainable gardens of Château de Villandry in the Loire Valley, which are maintained organically to preserve the local ecosystem and advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land.

  • What kind of dining experiences are offered on the tour?

    In Paris, you will enjoy a delightful dinner with wine at a local restaurant. In Saumur, you will learn about local grape varieties and regional wine-making traditions while sampling wines of the Loire Valley.

  • Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?

    Yes, optional experiences such as a meal in Cancale or a cabaret show in Paris are available but are not included in the tour package and may incur additional costs.

  • What is the policy on tips during the tour?

    Tips at hotels and restaurants are included in the tour package, so you don't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily is a delightful trip and our travel guides and driver, Enzo, Chris and Greg were amazing and made the trip very memorable. We saw so many places and had great experiences along the way! Thanks to them for such a wonderful vacation.!

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Great itinerary, good pace, tour director was friendly and very knowledgeable and organised. Bus was very spacious and driver was great. Yes would recommend insight to friends and families

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The trip was fantastic. Everything was well planned and exceeded my expectations. All insight personal were courteous helpful and professional Ann Manual and Kevin were a topnotch team There was attention to every detail and at all times felt safe and always a personal touch to the trip. The motor coach was clean and roomy and there was multiple wipe downs during the day All hotels were top notch and all staff at the hotels and restaurants were helpful and courteous I would recommend this trip as it gave you a fantastic view of the natural wonders of the the West.

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1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025
$3995 $3596

Operator discount: -$400

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
$4150 $3735

Operator discount: -$415

Saturday - Saturday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$4150 $3735

Operator discount: -$415

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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