Normandy, Brittany & the Loire valley 9 Day tour from $1560   an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

Hotels range from the modern Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche, on a tree lined Parisian boulevard, to the Montgomery near Mont St. Michel - site of the former hunting lodge  of the Earl of Montgomery in the 16th century.

Fellow Passengers

This regional tour attracts both first time, as well as experienced travellers,  whose interests include military history, the French Chateaux and the irresistible  excitement of Paris!

Highlights

The Bayeux tapestry and the D-Day beaches, separated by 900 years but equally  emotive. The beauty of Mont St Michel and the chateaux in the Loire, plus the glittering boulevards & monuments of the Paris illuminations tour.

Excursions & Sights

• Visit the Cathedral and Place du Vieux-Marche at Rouen
• Visit the Tapestry Museum in Bayeux
• Drive along the D-Day beaches
• Visit the D-Day Invasion Museum at Arromanches
• See the remains of the Mulberry Harbour used in D-Day landings
• Visit the American Military Cemetery at St Laurent
• Visit the gallant Rangers' Memorial at Pointe Du Hoc
• Guided visit of Mont St Michel
• Visit the fortified port of St MaloWine tasting in Saumur
• Guided visit to the beautiful Chenonceau  Chateau
• Visit to the sumptuous apartments of Cheverny Chateau
• See Usse, Chaumont, Chambord, Angers & Amboise Chateaux
• See St Martin's basilica & the Old Town in Tours
• Visit Chartres Cathedral
• In Paris - see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Mont St Michel & Paris

Orientation  tours in Rouen, St Malo & Tours

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 9

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local cuisine & wine in the Loire Valley

8 buffet breakfasts and 3 three course table dho´te dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

Evenly paced tour with three, two night stays (Mont St. Michel, Loire Valley & Paris), plus one overnight stay in seaside Trouville. Travelling days have  several interesting stops en route.

DAY 1 SAT - PARIS AT LEISURE

Welcome to Paris! There are complimentary transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your Insight tour hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is entirely at leisure to enjoy this fabulous city, with its grand boulevards and world famous landmarks. Then later, meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink, followed by a sparkling illuminations tour of the capital - a perfect introduction to Paris! Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche.

DAY 2 SUN - PARIS - TROUVILLE

On our tour we explore the history of two military invasions, carried out nearly 900 years apart! We begin by driving into the ancient Duchy of Normandy, where we  stop in the historic capital of Rouen. Here we visit the cathedral, so wonderfully  painted by Monet. We also see the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Then on to Bayeux, where we visit the museum housing the famous tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Now we continue to our hotel in the seaside  resort of Trouville. Hotel: Le Beach. (BB)

DAY 3 MON - TROUVILLE - PONTORSON

We move forward almost a thousand years today as we drive along some of the beaches  of the D-day Landings, including Sword, Juno and Gold. Then to Arromanches where  we visit the Invasion Landings' Museum and see the remnants of the artificial port, (Mulberry B), which still remain in the bay. We continue on to Omaha Beach where we visit the American Military Cemetery of St. Laurent. Afterwards we follow the route of the Rangers depicted in 'Saving Private Ryan' and visit the bunkers and  the Rangers' Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Finally we continue southwards to our hotel near Mont St. Michel. Hotel: Montgomery/Relais du Roy. (BB,D)

DAY 4 TUE  - MONT ST MICHEL & ST MALO EXCURSION

Our locally guided tour of Mont St Michel, takes us into the hill-top Abbey surrounded by sea. The first structure, a simple oratory, was built here in the 8th century by the Bishop of Avranches, and was subsequently expanded and enhanced over the  centuries with the addition of Romanesque and Gothic buildings. The Abbey's increasing  fame attracted pilgrims and visitors and, by medieval times, a 'ville basse' had developed, with shops, eating places and guest houses. Later, we enjoy an insight  into the distinctive Breton lifestyle as we head for the Emerald Coast and the magnificent  fortified port of St Malo, where Jacques Cartier is buried. Time to walk along the  ramparts and explore before returning to our hotel. (BB,D)

DAY 5 WED - PONTORSON - LOIRE VALLEY

Today we drive south into Brittany, then we follow the valley of the Loire, passing  the mighty moated castle at Angers and across the Loire at Saumur, where we sample  some of the local wine. We then drive quietly past the sleeping beauty chateau  at Usse. From here we continue to Tours where we see the Basilica of St Martin and the Old Town. We stay in Tours for two nights. This evening we enjoy our highlight  dinner with wine in a local restaurant. Hotel: Tourone. (BB,HD)

DAY 6 THU - CHATEAU COUNTRY EXCURSION

First, we pass Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, the Chateau of  Chaumont and the town of Blois, on our way to see Chambord, with its beautiful park  and colossal chimneys. Next, we drive to Cheverny to visit the sumptuous apartments of the chateau, which has been owned by the same family since 1634. Finally, we visit the fairy-tale Castle of Chenonceau. Built in 1513 by Thomas Bohier, this splendid jewel of the French Renaissance, is spectacularly set overlooking the River  Cher. During our guided visit, we have time to admire its fine tapestries, richly decorated ceilings and magnificent chimney pieces, as well as its manicured gardens before returning to our hotel in Tours. (BB)

DAY 7 FRI - LOIRE VALLEY - PARIS

Driving through the vast wheat fields of La Beauce, we can see the impressive  cathedral at Chartres looming on the horizon. We stop here to marvel at the beautiful  stained glass rose window inside this famous cathedral, begun on a sacred site. We return to 'the city of light', Paris, for our two night stay. This afternoon there is time to explore on your own. Perhaps relax in a Parisian cafe, window shop in the elegant boutiques or visit Montmartre, with its street artists and the Sacre-Coeur Basilica nearby. This evening, perhaps indulge in some excitement  and glamour at a French cabaret, complete with can-can? Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive  Gauche. (BB)

DAY 8 SAT - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Today our Parisian guide shows us all the fabulous sights! We see the 13th century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, with its memories of the tale of Quasimodo, hunchback of Notre Dame. Then we drive through the courtyard of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde and along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Then time to see the Parisian landmarks from a different perspective as we embark on a relaxing cruise of the River Seine. Our tour concludes with a visit  inside the gilded Anglise du Dome to see Napoleon's tomb. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps admire the Mona Lisa in the Louvre? Or purchase last minute  presents in the famous department stores, such as Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps?  Tonight, why not join your new found friends for a farewell dinner? (BB)

DAY 9 SUN - PARIS

Our memorable French experience ends after breakfast this morning with a transfer  to the airport. (BB)