Normandy Tour by France Off the Beaten Path

Normandy Tour – 4 Days/3 Nights

4-day Normandy Itinerary

Day 1: Morning pick-up, Visit Giverny, Transfer to Hotel in Bayeux, Guided Walking Tour – L, D

• Morning: Group pick-up in Paris for transfer to Normandy to begin the tour.
• Before arriving in Bayeux, we’ll visit Giverny. Peek into the life of Claude Monet, the painter who invented Impressionism, beating the cobblestones in Giverny, his hometown. Enter the house he lived in, and meet the muses of his inspiration: fabulous rare flower gardens and a certain famous pond… waterlilies included!
• Lunch in “eat local” mode with fresh produce grown nearby.
• Late afternoon check-in at our Bayeux hotel centrally located in town. Enjoy some free time strolling the streets of Bayeux and its boutiques before our welcome cocktail and dinner.
• Dinner at our favorite local gourmet restaurant.
• 3 Nights at our select charming, luxury boutique hotel in Bayeux (unpack once!)

Day 2: World War II and D-Day LANDING BEACHES – B, L

• This morning we depart after breakfast for a full day of guided visits to the D-Day landing beaches and cemeteries with our friend and specialist guide, Florent.

ABOUT OUR GUIDE : Our World War II specialist guide, Florent, is a French native married to an American, and lives in Normandy. With a strong passion for and profound knowledge of World War II history, Florent received his Bachelor’s degree in history in 2011 and Master’s degree in business and tourism in 2014 from universities in France. With his degrees in hand he set out to interview WWII veterans in order to learn and preserve their stories, and show his gratitude for what they did to liberate his country. He spent three years traveling around the United States in a camper to accomplish his goal. He has also worked for the American Cemetery and, as a tour guide, on the battlefields of Normandy before starting his own guiding company.

As the most knowledgeable and passionate WWII guide we’ve ever worked with, Florent brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge to the table. His understanding of the events of WWII runs deep, and is evident when he shares the stories he learned from the 1,000+ veterans interviewed. He recounts WWII history with great passion linking facts with the stories he learned, as if he had been there by their side during the war. He left me speechless and, at moments, in tears, the first time I interviewed him. He dug deep, and did the necessary to track down veterans who had never been interviewed.  Today, Florent remains friends with the men he interviewed. Many have since passed, but Florent has vowed to keep their memories alive through sharing their stories with those who come to Normandy.

• Set foot on Hoc Point, where bunkers and cliff overhangs were stormed by American Rangers on June 6th, 1944. Trudge along Omaha Beach where 34,000 soldiers made landfall on D-Day. Honor 9,000 fallen soldiers in the American Cemetery, with rank upon rank of white tombstones aligned along the coast. Discover Arromanches and what’s left of the artificial port made from scratch by our British allies.
• Lunch : At a local brasserie near the beaches.
• Early evening return to the hotel where guests have the evening free and dinner independently. Our guide will offer recommendations.

Day 3: MONT-SAINT-MICHEL, Pommeau Tasting – B

• MONT-SAINT-MICHEL by its 15th century ramparts, visit the abbey.
• Lunch at the Mont St. Michel.
• Afternoon: Tasting of a local aperitif: the “Pommeau”, with Norman butter cookies.
• Early evening return to the hotel where guests have the evening free and dinner independently. Our guide will offer recommendations.

Day 4: VISIT TO A CALVADOS PRODUCER, Return to Charles de Gaulle Airport or Your Paris Hotel – B

• Morning meet with a Calvados producer and visit his distillery. Tasting of the best Calvados: 8 years old, 12 years old and out of age.
• Afterward: drop-off at Charles de Gaulle airport/airport hotel or your downtown Paris hotel.

For each day, you have the choice between “participating in the activities” or staying in Bayeux for free time with the possibility of visiting the tapestry embroidered in 1066 at the time of William the Conqueror.

The 4-Day Normandy Tour Price: Please email us at franceotbp@gmail.com for pricing information.

Day Tour Options: Any day of this tour can be booked as a day tour option. Please contact us for details and day tour pricing.

The 4-Day Normandy Tour Price Includes:

• Full services during entire 4 days/3 nights of our Off the Beaten Path guide.
• 3 Nights at french-style chateaux or charming boutique luxury hotel
• 7 meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner)
• Regional wines and/or famous Normandy cider at meals
• All non-alcoholic beverages, including bottles of water provided daily
• Full day services of our World War II and landing beach specialist guide, Florent.
• All tastings provided by the artisans (wines, cheeses, pastries…)
• Admission and exclusive insider-access to all places and activities planned in the itinerary
• Guided tours for most activities
• Personalized activities also suitable for people who cannot walk much
• No forced shopping; however, shopping times can be scheduled into the tour for interested guests.
• Airport Meet and Great with Transfers
• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or residence in Paris
• Transportation throughout by private luxury Mercedes 9-person minivan with air conditioning and free Wifi

Tour Excludes: International Air, meals not detailed in itinerary, gratuities to guides and driver, personal purchases.