Arrive in Paris, check into hotel

Morning

From Paris, follow the Seine River through landscapes that inspired impressionist artists. Stop at La Fournaise in Chatou, a site often painted by Renoir, and at Giverny to visit the beautiful home and gardens created by Claude Monet.

Afternoon

Explore the countryside surrounding Les Andelys, with its ruins of Château Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart in 1197.

Visit Rouen, known not only for its rôle in the saga of Joan of Arc, but also for its cathedral, made famous by Monet's many paintings studying the effects of changing light.

Morning

Guided tour of Honfleur, picturesque port, treasure to the artists of the 19th century, native town of Eugène Boudin, Monet's inspiration and teacher, and of the composer Eric Satie. Walk through favorite landscapes of the impressionists and discover their outdoor atelier.

Afternoon

Drive and walk in the rolling hills of the Pays d'Auge, famous for its apple orchards, fine cider and the powerful apple brandy known as "calvados."

Visit the charming village of Beuvron-en-Auge and the seaside resorts of--Trouville, Deauville and Cabourg.

Final stop, Dives-sur-Mer, picturesque village of half-timbered houses, where William the Conqueror set sail for England in 1066.

Morning

Visit William the Conqueror's native town of Falaise and its impressive château-fortress with its magnificent view over the Dives Valley.

Picnic near Clécy in the hills of "Swiss Normandy."

Afternoon

Guided tour of historic Bayeux; visit to the 11th-century tapestry depicting the decisive Battle of Hastings, where William became "The Conqueror" of England. Free time to explore Bayeux.

Morning

Guided tour of Caen, with a visit to the spectacular Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames.

Afternoon

Tour of the Mémorial Museum in Caen.

A Long Day

Explore the D-Day Landing Beaches, starting at Sainte-Mère-Eglise and heading east. Visit Barfleur, St-Vaast-la-Hougue and Utah Beach. Continue 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," and 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. Final stop will be Arromanches-les-Bains, site of the famous WWII artificial port that was towed across the Channel as part of the invasion force.

Morning

Our destination is the Mont-Saint-Michel, but we'll stop en route to visit Saint-Lô, vital communications center in the Battle of Normandy, and Villedieu-les-Poêles, for 400 years a center for copper and brass ware.

Stop in Avranches to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mont-Saint-Michel, since the 11th century a significant site of religious meditation and hermitage.

Late afternoon

Arrive at Mont-Saint-Michel. Explore the island, then tour the abbey by candlelight.

Morning

After breakfast drive to Rennes for a brief visit of the town.

Tour ends after breakfast, except for those continuing on to Brittany.