Small group tours from Paris to Normandy & the Loire Valley, TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Bayeux, Local private transport, An expert guide, Entrance fees/tickets and guided tour of Mont Saint Michel Abbey, U.S. Cemetery & Pointe du Hoc, Stops at Utah beach, Omaha beach & Sainte Mère Eglise, All entry fees and guided tours for the Chateaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, Clos Lucé, Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Azay Le Rideau, Langeais and Villandry gardens, Visits and tastings at cellar caves (Vouvray, Cheverny, Chinon or Bourgueil), 3 nights in a 4* hotel in Bayeux and 4 nights in a 4* hotel in Tours - all with breakfasts incl.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transport to Bayeux

TGV transport from Paris to Bayeux.

Welcome to Bayeux!

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

Private transfer from Bayeux Train Station to your hotel.

Check-in at the (Four-Star) Chateau-Hotel de Bellefontaine for 3 nights - with breakfasts.

Day 2: Have you ever seen Mont Saint Michel?

Private transport from your hotel to Place du Québec.

Pick up is at 8:20 AM at Place du Québec in Bayeux.

The scenic ride from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel

Normandy is world renown as the cradle of Impressionism. Cruising the coastline, you'll quickly understand why: The light is unique - sometimes intense, sometimes soft as it hangs on the details of a cliff or caresses the endless beaches.  The colors of the English Channel add to the dramatic scenery with infinite shades of blue, grey and green... You'll want to take it all in, the seagulls, the waves, and the fluffy froth both in the water and in the sky above!

Visit of Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

The abbey features vertical granite construction with numerous gigantic stairways that lead to the abbey church, a Romanesque-style nave with a bright gothic choir.  Enjoy quietly strolling through the monastic buildings, known as the Merveille (wonder). First the cloister, then the fully-realized work of art of the abbey itself - with its majestic columns and their finely-sculpted capitals.  Then, above all this, the breathtaking views overlooking the sea!

Continue your discovery with the Chapter Room, the Refectory with its incredible stained-glass windows, the Guest Room and its huge fireplaces, and the Koom - covered by amazing ribbed vaults with a succession of small chapels and crypts. Just to make it even more amazing, there's the massive labyrinth!

After all of this, a well-deserved tunch at your leisure...

Personal discovery of Mont St-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Solidly perched on a small island approximately 1 km (1/2 mile) away from the coast, Mont St-Michel is the stuff of dreams: a deep sandy bay, a medieval fortified village and a hilltop abbey.  Founded in 709 A.D. by bishop Aubert to honor the Archangel Michael who protects the island from the top of the sharp steeple, discover over 1300 years of history here. The main road in the village is full of narrow, half-timbered houses.

Drop-off is at 4:30 PM at the Place du Québec in Bayeux.

Private transfer from Place du Québec to your hotel.

Day 3: Discover the Landing beaches of Normandy  

Private transport from your hotel to Place du Québec.

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 and victory. In the heart of the American sector, discovering Omaha and Utah Beaches takes you back to this frightening and also triumphant day of June 6, 1944. Imagine thunderous bombings on the beach contrasting with the bucolic and peaceful atmosphere of today. “Bloody Omaha”, named 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. It's an unforgettable moment.

Lunch again, is at your leisure...

The U.S. Cemetery

American soil right here 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 will rest here for eternity.  Step inside the chapel, the Visitor’s Center and take a quiet moment in the Garden of the Missing, containing the names of over 1500 soldiers who were never recovered.

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

Private transfer from Place du Québec to your hotel.

Day 4: Transfer to Tours

Check-out is after breakfast, then enjoy private transport from your hotel to the Bayeux train station.

TGV transport from Bayeux to Tours

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 the (Four-Star) Hotel l'Univers in Tours for four nights - with breakfasts.

Day 5: Blois, Cheverny & Chambord

Pick-up is at your hotel at 8:45 AM.

A guided tour of the Chateau of Blois

The chateau of Blois is unique in its combination of four styles: Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Classical. Home of Kings Louis XII and François I, it is where Joan of Arc received her blessings before setting out on her famous journeys and is followed by some notable tragedies over the following centuries.

Tour and Tasting at an organic local winery

Enjoy an exclusive and convivial tasting of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny wines, King François the 1st 's favourites, at a local winery, along with other wines of the domain and some additional terroir specialities.

Lunch at your leisure...

Guided tour of the Chateau of Cheverny

Owned by the same family since the 13th Century, the Marquis Hurault de Vibraye originally succeeded in giving warmth and life to his chateau thanks to some of the most beautiful furniture in the Loire Valley. The chateau, which led to the creation of Moulinsart in the famous comic book Tintin, is also famous for the tradition of the horse-back hunt and its impressive pack of a hundred dogs. You may have the luck to witness this spectacular daily event of “the dogs’ soup”.

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chambord

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

Drop-off is at your hotel at 5:40 PM.

Day 6: Chenonceau, Amboise & Clos Lucé

Get picked up at your hotel at 8:45 AM. 

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chenonceau

Arriving in the Loire Valley, you’ll start your day tour touring the Château de Chenonceau. The “Chateau des Dames”, bridge built across the Cher is famous for the prominent women who lived in it (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…) and for the beauty of its Renaissance Gardens.

Tour and wine tasting with a Specialist in matured Loire Valley vintages

Pascal and his team welcome you to his caves, the ancient tuff-stone quarries, for a tour followed by a tasting of three local wines.

Lunch at your leisure.

Guided tour of the Royal Chateau of Amboise

After lunch, you will tour the Royal Castle of Amboise, residence of Charles the 8th and young François d’Angoulème, (the future Francois the 1st). Here you will discover perfect examples of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance styling, as well as the Saint Hubert Chapel which shelters the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.

Guided tour of the Chateau of the Clos Lucé

The tour would not be complete without taking you to meet The Genius in his Chateau du Clos Lucé, only a few short steps away from the Royal Castle. This is where da Vinci spent the last three years of his life and passed there in 1519. After touring his bedroom, office, reception room and kitchen, stand in awe at the Invention Room, where models of Leonardo's most spectacular machines are on display.

You'll be returned to your hotel at around 5:40 PM.

Day 7: Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais & Villandry

Get picked up at your hotel at 9:40 AM.

A guided tour of the chateau of Azay le Rideau

This is one of the purest gems of Renaissance Architecture in the Loire Valley where financer Gilles Berthelot delicately placed his chateau on an island on the Indre river.  It still shines today thanks to the lightness and balance of its mullions, pepper pots, dormers and above all its graceful staircase.

We'll be sure to let you admire the Chateau under every angle with a stroll around the English-style garden, a jewel-case of greenness in what is now considered one of the most beautiful stone diamonds in the Touraine.

Wine tasting at an organic local domain

The vines of this estate are ideally spread out over the entire "terroir" covered by the appellation, from the gravel shores along the Loire River to the clay, limestone and sandy soils of the hills overlooking the valley.
The red and rosé wines produced in the domain are presented under the appellation "Bourgueil" AOC. They stem 100% from the "Cabernet Franc" grape introduced by the monks of the Abbey in the 11th century.

Lunch at your leisure.

Guided tour of Chateau of Langeais

The Royal Castle of Langeais is the best representation of everyday life in the Middle Ages. Built under King Louis the 11th, it was the scene of the marriage of King Charles the 8th and Ann of Brittany. Discover amazing sets of original furniture and tapestries in the spectacular Banquet and Wedding Halls.

Guided tour of one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine: Villandry

By its diversity and originality (Love Garden, Kitchen Garden, Aromatic and Medicine Plant Garden, Water Garden and the brand new Sun Garden) and by its sheer size (15 acres, 1150 linden trees), Villandry is THE Loire Valley garden not to be missed. Your guide will soon have you speaking the language of Medieval and Renaissance gardens, deepening your understanding of the healing powers of thyme and basil.

Drop-off is at your hotel at 5:40 PM.

Day 8: Check out 

Check-out is after the lovely breakfast.

Accommodations

Normandy: Chateau-Hotel de Bellefontaine (Four-Star) for three nights

A quiet and charmingly unique Four-Star hotel located in the Norman countryside in the heart of Bessin. and only 800m (1000ft) from the Historic Center of Bayeux, the Château de Bellefontaine ensures a beautiful and soothing setting where you will enjoy a most pleasant stay.

Loire Valley: The Hotel l'Univers (Four-Star) in Tours for four nights

The Hotel l'Univers**** is set in a fashionable shopping area one kilometre (.5 mi.) from the Old Town. This hotel has been the most prestigious address in Tours since 1846 and many notables of Europe and the New World have stayed here. The celebrated portrait gallery only underlines its rich and historic past, while continuing to offer all the comfort of a grand hotel established in the best traditions of hospitality and elegance “à la Française”.

This package includes

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

• Three nights in a Four-Star Hotel in Bayeux with breakfasts
• Four nights in a Four-Star Hotel in Tours with breakfasts
• TGV (high-speed train) tickets
• Transportation  in a comfortable and fully appointed minivan
• An English-speaking Guide
• Entry fees and guided tour of Mont Saint Michel Abbey, US cemetery & Pointe du Hoc
• Stops at Utah beach, Omaha beach & Sainte Mère Eglise 
• Entry fees and guided tours for the Chateaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, Clos Lucé, Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Azay Le Rideau, Langeais and Villandry gardens
• Visits and tastings at cellar caves (Vouvray, Cheverny, Chinon or Bourgueil)

This package does not include

• Extra 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.
• This tours requires a minimum of 2 adult passengers to operate.
• The Mont Saint Michel day tour is only available from Monday to Saturday.