A self-driven tour from Paris to Normandy, Loire Valley & Bordeaux, 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, Guided walking tour in Bordeaux, Grand cru tour and wine tasting in Saint Emilion, 3 nights in a 4* hotel in Bayeux, 3 nights in a charming guest house in Chaumont-sur-Loire and 3 nights in a 4* hotel in Bordeaux - all with breakfasts included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Paris, and the road to Bayeux

A car for 10-days to be 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 definite "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.

Day 2: Normandy Landing beaches - 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-high (100 ft) cliffs overlook the sea, Pointe-du-Hoc is another dramatic and historic site. See for yourself the remnants of hundreds of craters, evidence of the massive bombings that took place before the landing. US Rangers had to climb this cliff to neutralize the German canons…and found a huge surprise. An unforgettable moment.

Lunch is at your leisure...

The U.S. Cemetery

A piece of America in Normandy. In 1956, a few years after the end of the war, France gave a prominent plot of land at Omaha Beach to the U.S. The cemetery consists of seemingly infinite lines of marble grave markers with several monuments giving homage to the United States. Over 9000 US soldiers rest for eternity here. Don’t miss the chapel, the visitor’s center and above all the Garden of the Missing, with the names of 1557 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?

Marvel at the breathtaking fortified island village of Mont Saint Michel - as gothic as it gets!

Mont Saint-Michel may be Brittany's best-known attraction, and for good reason. Surrounded by the most powerful tides in Europe, perched high on a rocky island, this medieval 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 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!

The Loire Valley has the undisputed reputation of containing the most beautiful of the French castles: Chenonceau, Chambord and Azay le Rideau among them. While here, too, it only makes sense to take time to experience its other great aspects, such as the "terroir" of the Loire: the local wines (Vouvray or Chinon) and  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 been providing 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 Art 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 some 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 of Chenonceau 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.

Tranport 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 wines are at an additional cost).

Lunch at your leisure in Amboise.

On to Chambord.

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chambord

Drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game preserve as large as the city of Paris! The Chateau de Chambord (guided tour) is a unique monument due to its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci very likely took part in the conception of this 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 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.

The 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

Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Royal Chateau of Amboise introduced Italian style to the Loire Valley.  The residence of Kings - Charles VIII and François I, it offers breathtaking views of the Loire river, features unique geometric topiary gardens, and its gothic chapel shelters the grave of The Master himself, Leonardo da Vinci.

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

Last residence of Leonardo Da Vinci who spent the last 3 years of his life. King François I invited him and made him his first architect and engineer. The end of the visit brings you to an exhibition of some of Leonardo’s most lasting inventions such as the helicopter and the tank.

Day 7: On the road to Bordeaux

Check-out and depart for Bordeaux.

Welcome to Bordeaux!

Bordeaux, a city renowned for many good things: listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site and described as “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”, it is officially classified as “City of Art and History” - and last but not least, is the wine capital of the world!

Check in at the Hotel Majestic**** in Bordeaux for three nights - with breakfasts and parking.

Day 8: A day at your leisure to enjoy Bordeaux

A guided walking-tour in Bordeaux

Enjoy your day with a walking-tour of the city. We suggest visiting the Place de la Bourse, Cathédrale Saint-André, La Cité du vin, and the Museum of Aquitaine... You'll love it!

Day 9: Another day at your leisure to discover Saint Emilion

Suggestion...

Go see the Underground Church, Les Cordeliers, La tour du Roy, and their tasting rooms. It's another "must do!" 

Grand cru tour and fine wine tasting in Saint Emilion

Day 10: Check-out and departure to Bordeaux

Check out is after the lovely breakfast.

Departure and dropping off the car at the rental agency in Bordeaux's Saint Jean train station.

Accommodations

Normandy: Three nights at the Four Star Chateau-Hotel de Bellefontaine****  - in the center of Bayeux

A quiet, pleasant and atypical place - a charming hotel located in the Norman countryside in the heart of Bessin and 800m from the Historic Center of Bayeux, it ensures a beautiful and soothing setting. You'll enjoy a most pleasant stay here.

Loire Valley: La Jacquière, the charming guest house in Chaumont-sur-Loire for three nights

Come live the history of France, discover the architecture of some of the 400 castles in the region, along with the 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 two, three and four people.

Bordeaux: the Hotel Majestic**** in Bordeaux for three nights

The Hotel Majestic welcomes you in an 18th Century building situated between the Grand Theatre and the Place des Quinconces.

This package includes

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

• Three nights in a 4* (Four Star) hotel in Bayeux - breakfasts and parking included
• Three nights at a charming Guest House in Chaumont-sur-Loire - breakfasts and parking included
• Three overnights in a 4* (Four Star) hotel in Bordeaux - breakfasts and parking included
• A comfortable automatic SUV - with GPS 
• A guided small-group day-tour of the Landing Beaches of Normandy
• A guided small-group day-tour of Loire Valley chateaus (Chambord, Chenonceau and the Caves Ambacia tour with wine tasting)
• All entrance fees for Mont Saint Michel Abbey, Chaumont sur Loire Chateau, the International Gardens Festival, Royal Chateau of Amboise and Clos Lucé
• A guided walking-tour in Bordeaux
• A Grand Cru tour and wine tasting in Saint Emilion

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 appreiciation 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.