A self-driven tour from Paris to Normandy and the Loire Valley, a comfortable automatic SUV, suggestions & optional activities, guided small-group day-tour of the Landing Beaches, guided small-group day-tour of Loire Valley Chateaus (Chambord, Chenonceau & Caves Ambacia wine tasting), entrance tickets for Mont Saint Michel Abbey, Chaumont sur Loire Chateau & International Gardens Festival, Royal Chateau of Amboise, The Clos Lucé, three nights in a 4* hotel in Bayeux and three nights in a charming guest house in Chaumont-sur-Loire - all with breakfasts included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Paris, on the road to Bayeux

A nice SUV for 7-days picked-up at the rental agency in Paris

Hit the French roads in a comfortable, air conditioned automatic Nissan SUV (or similar) w/GPS included!

Suggestion:

On the way to Bayeux, stop in the village of Giverny and take in the actual Monet Gardens - a "Must See"!

Welcome to Bayeux !

Spared from the World Wars, the medieval city of Bayeux has a rich architectural heritage. The historic centre, beautifully preserved, invites walkers to discover its Gothic-style cathedral and stroll through its old streets lined with mansions and old, half-timbered houses. 

Check-in at the Chateau-Hotel de Bellefontaine**** 3 nights with breakfasts and parking included.

Day 2: The Normandy Landing beaches - a small-group guided day-tour 

Pick-up is at 8:50 AM at Place du Québec, in Bayeux.

Visit of Sainte-Mère-Eglise

Omaha and Utah Beaches

These two names echo with tragic memories. In the heart of the American sector, discovering Omaha and Utah Beaches will take you back to this frightening and also triumphant day of June 6, 1944. Try to imagine the thunderous bombings on the beach contrasting with the bucolic and peaceful atmosphere of today. “Bloody Omaha”, called after the unspeakable casualties endured on the beach - here is a great example of human bravery, while Utah offers the striking image of the famous parachutist stranded on the bell tower of Sainte-Mère-Eglise.

Pointe-du-Hoc

With 30-meter (100 ft) high cliffs overlooking the sea, Pointe-du-Hoc is another dramatic and historic site. See the remnants of hundreds of craters, evidence of the massive bombing that took place before the landing. U.S. Rangers then had to climb this cliff in order to neutralize the German canons…and found a huge surprise. An unforgettable moment.

Lunch is at your leisure...

U.S. Cemetery

A piece of America in Normandy. In 1956, a decade after the end of WWII, France gave a prominent plot of land at Omaha Beach to the United States. The cemetery consists of seemingly infinite lines of marble grave markers along with several monuments paying homage to the over 9000 U.S. infantry men who gave their lives and now rest here for eternity. Don’t miss the chapel, the Visitor’s Center and above all the Garden of the Missing, containing the names of over 1500 soldiers who were never found.

Drop-off is at 5:00 PM back in Bayeux at the Place du Québec.  End of the day-tour.

Day 3: How about Mont Saint Michel?

Visit and discover the breathtaking fortified island village of Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is probably Brittany's best-known attraction. Surrounded by the most powerful tides in Europe and perched high on a rocky island, this medieval fortified city and its abbey are a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Many of its monastic buildings date from the 13th Century and are considered outstanding examples of true Gothic architecture. 

Day 4: A lovely drive to Chaumont-sur-Loire

Check-out after breakfast for departure to Chaumont-sur-Loire.

Welcome to the Loire Valley!

Indeed, the Loire Valley has the undisputed reputation of containing the most beautiful of the French castles - such as Chenonceau, Chambord or Azay le Rideau. While here, why not also take some time to discover the "terroir" of the Loire Valley with its wines (Vouvray or Chinon), and its cheeses (Sainte Maure de Touraine or Selles sur Cher).

Check-in at La Jacquière, the charming guest house in Chaumont-sur-Loire for three nights with breakfasts and parking included.

Visit of Domaine de Chaumont sur Loire, Chateau & International Gardens Festival

Since 1992, the International Garden Festival has provided a unique panorama of landscape design from all over the world. Both a source of ideas and a nursery for talent, the Festival gives an extra boost to the artform of The Garden and gains the interest of both the public and those in the profession. 

Day 5: A small-group guided day-tour of the Loire Valley's castles

Pick-up is at 9:30 AM at the Amboise Tourist Office.

Guided Tour of the Chateau of Chenonceau

The unique architecture of the Chateau of Chenonceau makes it one of the most exquisite chateaus in the Loire Valley. Nicknamed "The Ladies Chateau", the castle is associated with prominent French women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. The magnificent Renaissance Gardens around it make it even more spectacular.

Transport to Amboise for lunch, preceded by...

Les Caves Ambacia, the Loire Valley Wine Experience!

A sensorial visit and "Vintages Odyssey" followed by a guided wine tasting with a sommelier (extra cost for additional wines).

Lunch at your leisure in Amboise...

Transport to Chambord.

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chambord

A drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game preserve - as large as the city of Paris! The Chateau de Chambord (guided tour) is itself a unique monument due to its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci very likely took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms and its double-spiral staircase, the Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.

Drop-off is at 6:00 PM at the Amboise Tourist Office.

Hot-Air Balloon flight (optional)

Have you ever dreamed of Jules Verne’s adventures ?

We offer an unforgettable experience to discover the Loire Valley and its Chateaus, getting a bird’s eye view on board a modern version of the Montgolfier Brothers’ invention. The departure of the balloon takes place at either sunrise or sunset.  

The take-off point is chosen by the pilots according to the wind direction that day -  be it Chaumont sur Loire, Amboise or Chenonceaux.

Passengers are encouraged to participate in the hot-air balloon's set-up. A safety briefing with the pilots follows. Then take off for a flight of about 60 to 90 minutes.  Very special moments guaranteed!

Our hot-air balloon flights over the Loire Valley Chateaux are 100% refundable in case of bad weather conditions. From November to March a supplement may apply depending on the number of passengers booked. 

Day 6: A day to wander in Amboise

Visit of Royal Chateau of Amboise

The Royal Chateau of Amboise introduced Italian style to the Loire Valley. It was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Residence of Kings Charles VIII and François I, it offers breathtaking views of the Loire river. In its splendid gardens the gothic chapel shelters the grave of Leonardo da Vinci.

Visit of Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci's last residence

The residence where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. King François I invited him and made him his First Architect and Engineer. The end of the visit features Leonardo’s greatest inventions such as the helicopter and the tank.

Day 7: Check-out and departure for Paris

Check-out after breakfast.

Departure and then drop off the rental car at the agency in Paris.

Accommodations

Normandy : Chateau-Hotel de Bellefontaine**** at 800m (1000 yards) from Bayeux center for 3 Nights

A quiet and charmingly unique hotel located in the Norman countryside in the heart of Bessin and only 800m from the Historic Center of Bayeux, The Château de Bellefontaine ensures a beautiful and soothing setting where you can enjoy a very pleasant stay.

Loire Valley : La Jacquière, Charming guest house in Chaumont-sur-Loire for 3 nights

Come live the history of France, discover the architecture of the 400 castles of the Region, gastronomy and wines of the Loire. Located in a quiet area,very close to the city centre and the entrance of the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, this guest house offers a variety of rooms for 2, 3 or 4 people.

This package includes

Please note that this package is based on a double occupancy room

• Three nights in a Four-Star Hotel in Bayeux - breakfasts and parking included
• Three nights in a charming Guest House in Chaumont-sur-Loire - breakfasts and parking included
• A comfortable automatic SUV with air-conditioning - GPS included
• A guided small-group day-tour of the historic Landing Beaches
• A guided small-group day-tour of Loire Valley chateaus (Chambord, Chenonceau plus the Caves Ambacia tour & wine tasting)
• Entrance fees for Mont Saint Michel Abbey, Chaumont sur Loire Chateau & International Gardens Festival, Royal Chateau of Amboise and The Clos Lucé

This package does not include

• A ticket for the Hot-Air Balloon tour (235 Euros per person)
• Other meals and drinks
• Personal expenses
• Other visits not listed
• Guide appreciation gratuity
  
  

Additional information

• Providers are subject to change according to their availability at the time of reservation. Should this arise, we will offer you a parallel alternative at the same high standard.