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DAILY ITINERARYPre-Tour Day: Friday, July 19: (Hotel in Paris, not included in tour price) Arrival Day: Check into hotel, rest. Evening: Welcoming apéritif and dinner. Day 1: Saturday, July 20 (Hotel in Honfleur)
Day 2: Sunday, July 21 (Hotel in Honfleur) Morning: Guided tour of Honfleur. We will spend the morning exploring this small, picturesque port, treasure to the artists in the 19th century, native town of Eugene Boudin, Monet's inspiration and teacher, and composer Eric Satie. Walk through favorite landscapes of the impressionists and discover their outdoor atelier. Afternoon: Free time. Late afternoon drive and walk through the rolling hills of the Pays d'Auge, famous for its apple orchards, fine cider and the powerful apple brandy known as "calvados"; visits to the charming villages of Beaumont-en-Auge, Trouville, Deauville and Cabourg. Our final stop will be Dives-sur-Mer, the picturesque village of half-timbered houses, where William the Conqueror set off for England in 1066 Day 3: Monday, July 22 (Hotel in Bayeux)
Day 4: Tuesday, July 23 (Hotel in Bayeux) Morning: Guided tour of Caen, with a visit to the spectacular Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames. Afternoon: Short walk to the castle of Fontaine Henri and the Church of Thaon. Return to Bayeux passing through the town of Creully, where we will see a BBC studio set up during the war and still preserved in one of the château towers. Day 5: Wednesday, July 24 (Hotel in Bayeux)
Day 6: Thursday, July 25 (Hotel near Mont St-Michel)
Day 7: Friday, July 26: Morning: After breakfast, drive to Rennes, where we will briefly visit the town and say "Au revoir". 
TOUR
3: NORMANDY, A LAVISH TAPESTRY OF TIME |
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Morning:
We will start our journey from Paris following the Seine River through
the landscapes that inspired impressionist artists. Our first stop will
be at La Fournaise in Chatou, a site often painted by Renoir. Then on
to Giverny to visit the beautiful home and gardens created by Claude
Monet. Afternoon: We will explore the countryside surrounding Les Andelys,
with its ruins of Château Gaillard built by Richard the Lionhearted
in 1197. Our final visit will be Rouen, known not only for its role
in the story of Joan of Arc, but also for its cathedral, made famous
by Monet's many paintings studying the effects of changing light. 
Morning:
Today we continue in the footsteps of William the Conqueror, starting
with visits to his native village of Falaise, and its impressive château-fortress
with its magnificent view over the Dives valley. Following, a picnic
and, if we wish, a gentle walk starting at Clécy through the
magnificent hills of "Swiss Normandy". Late afternoon: Guided
tour of historic Bayeux. Optional visit to the unforgettable 11th-century
tapestry depicting the decisive battle of Hastings, when William became
"The Conqueror" of England. Free time to explore this fascinating
town. 
Morning:
Visit to the Memorial Museum at Caen. Then we will explore the D-Day
landing beaches starting at Arromanches, site of the famous WWII artificial
port that was towed across the Channel as part of the invasion force,
then to the rugged cliffs near Port-en-Bessin for spectacular views
of the beaches. Walk the path to Omaha Beach and St-Laurent-sur-Mer,
site of the American cemetery featured in "Saving Private Ryan."
Final stop will be Pointe du Hoc, one of the most telling memorials
to the fighting, with its bomb craters and intact battery bunkers. See
the steep cliffs stormed by Rangers in their struggle to destroy the
six-gun battery.
Morning:
Depart for Avranches, religious center of the 6th century, but best
known as the final stopping point for visitors to Mont-St-Michel. From
the charming Jardin des Plantes enjoy the breathtaking views of this
majestic fortified abbey perched on a huge granite island and soaring
250 feet above the sea. Well known as the jewel of Normandy, it is technically
the frontier point between Brittany and Normandy. Since the 11th century
it has been a significant site of religious meditation and hermitage.
We will see here in its library the precious 8th-century illuminated
medieval manuscripts from Mont-St-Michel. We will walk in the surrounding
area and visit the Ecomusée to discover the origins and intriguing
history of the bay. Late Afternoon: We will arrive on the island and
enjoy dinner there, then a unique tour of the abbey by candlelight with
a sound and light performance that brings to life the architectural
treasures and spiritual force of this medieval masterpiece.
