Paris — Rouen — Etretat — Honfleur

Paris - 07:30 Hotel pick-up and departure to Rouen. The guide will provide insights into French history related to Normandy: Rouen, Honfleur, Mont Saint-Michel, etc. The journey from Paris to Rouen is approximately 122 km on a highway, traveled in a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with WiFi, taking around 2 hours.

Rouen - 09:30 - 12:00 Explore Rouen, the capital of the Duke of Normandy. Enjoy a walking tour of Rouen, known for its numerous bell towers and Gothic cathedrals. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral from the XIII - XVI centuries, famous in Monet’s paintings, the Vieux Marché area, the site of Joan d’Arc’s execution, the Church of Joan d’Arc, the XVI century Palace of Justice, and the medieval clock on Gros-Horloge street. The walking tour lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Free time follows.
12:00 Departure from Rouen to Etretat (about 80 km).

Etretat - 13:00 - 15:00 Arrive in Etretat. Walk to the Cliffs. Free time for lunch. Étretat is renowned for its chalk cliffs, featuring three natural arches and the Needle, which rises 70 meters (230 ft) above the sea. It was a favored spot for impressionist artists like Claude Monet. Today, it is a classic seaside resort nestled between two sets of chalk cliffs. Enjoy a beach walk or climb for stunning views. Along the seafront, numerous restaurants/cafés offer variations of Moules/Frites. Free time.

15:00 Departure to Honfleur. The drive takes about one hour.

Honfleur - 16:00 Arrive in Honfleur. The walking city tour lasts about 1 hour.
Explore Honfleur with its renowned port. Once the main defensive port of Normandy in the XV century, it has transformed into a charming resort town with a picturesque bay, beloved by XIX century artists. First mentioned in 1027, it belonged to Norman Duke Richard III. Ownership changed several times during The Hundred-Years War. In the XV century, French pirates, corsairs, raided the English coast. Later, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the city prospered through trade with American colonies. After the port closed, the economy declined, and Honfleur became a suburb of Le Havre. Today, it is one of Normandy’s most famous tourist cities.
17:00 to 18:00 Free time.
18:00 Departure from Honfleur to Calvados tasting.

Calvados Christian Drouin - 18:15 Arrive at a local Calvados producer. Learn from the local producer about the centuries-old production process and taste authentic Calvados & Cider of Normandy.
19:00 Departure to Mont Saint-Michel.

Saint-Lo - 19:00 Departure from Honfleur to Mont Saint-Michel. The journey takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

20:30/21:00 Accommodation at a 3*+ Hotel in Normandy.

Mont Saint-Michel — Cancale — Saint Malo — Angers

Saint-Lo - 07:30 Departure from your hotel in Normandy to Mont Saint-Michel. The journey takes less than 1 hour. The guide will provide insights into French history related to Normandy and Brittany, especially Mont Saint-Michel.

09:00 Arrive at Mont Saint-Michel.

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel - 09:00 - 12:30 Arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel and visit the Benedictine Abbey. Your guide will lead you up the narrow streets of the medieval village to the top of the Island. Enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets include audio guides in multiple languages. The entire island and bay are UNESCO World Heritage sites, remaining largely unchanged since the Middle Ages as a pilgrimage destination. Mont Saint Michel is France’s most visited site. Free time for lunch and exploring the city and bay.

12:30 Departure to Cancale. The drive takes about one hour.

Cancale - 13:30 Arrive in Cancale, the oyster capital of France. Enjoy oyster tasting at the local fishermen’s market. Purchase a tray from a stallholder to enjoy on-site while admiring the bay of Cancale. Mention Cancale to a French person, and they will say “oysters,” cultivated here for centuries. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel.

15:00 Departure to Saint Malo. The drive takes about 30 minutes.

Saint-Malo - 15:30 Arrive in Saint-Malo (Brittany). Walking tour of Saint-Malo.
Saint Malo is a historic French port in Brittany on the English Channel coast. The walled city has a long history of piracy, gaining wealth from local extortion and overseas ventures. Saint-Malo was once the city of corsairs and the birthplace of Jacques Cartier, the discoverer of Canada, and poet Chateaubriand. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, surrounded by high walls, with narrow cobbled streets and buildings from the 18th and 15th centuries.
18:00 Departure to the Loire Valley.

Angers - 20:30 Arrive in Angers. Hotel accommodation.

Angers — Chenonceau — Amboise — Chambord — Paris

Angers - 07:30 Departure from Angers to Chateau de Chenonceau. The journey takes about 2 hours (160 km).

Chateau de Chenonceau - 09:30 - 11:30 Arrive and visit Château de Chenonceau.
Duration: 2 hours. Skip-the-line access.
Enjoy skip-the-line access with a guide to Chenonceau Castle, known as the “ladies’ castle,” notable for its association with famous French women like Catherine de Medici and its stunning architecture, including unique arches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens of Chenonceau, with over 130,000 flowering plants, are impressive. Receive a brochure with room explanations. Free time to explore the gardens.

Plou Et Fils - 12:00 to 12:45 Visit a local winery with wine tasting at a family-owned winery with centuries of history. Learn about traditional wine-making processes and enjoy a tasting of local wines with explanations.
12:45 Departure to Amboise city.
13:00 Arrive in Amboise. Lunch time. Numerous cafes and restaurants line the main walking street of Amboise near the castle entrance, offering a variety of lunch options.

Chateau Royal d’Amboise - 14:00 to 15:00 Skip-the-line access with a guide to Chateau d’Amboise with a Histopad explaining the castle’s history and each room.

Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII, showcasing the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Discover the history of Amboise, known as the birthplace of princes, the reign of kings, and the final resting place of the great Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci, whose grave is in the chapel.

15:15 Departure from Amboise to Chambord Castle, arriving around 16:15.

Chateau de Chambord - 16:15 - 18:00 Arrive at Château Chambord. Visit the castle. The guide will share the history of the castle and its construction.
The Château de Chambord is renowned for its French Renaissance architecture. Constructed (1519–1547) by Francis I (Francois 1-er), it is the largest castle with 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. The castle is famous for its open double-spiral staircase, where two spirals ascend three floors without meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.
18:15 Departure to Paris. The journey is approximately 180 km on the highway, taking 2.5 hours. A stop will be made at a rest area.

Paris - 21:30 Return to Paris. Drop-off at Opera Garnier steps or your hotel if the Pick-up/Drop-off option is booked.

• Hotel accommodation in Double Rooms for two nights with breakfast
• Entrance tickets to 3 Castles of Loire Valley
• Mont Saint-Michel visit with entrance tickets to the Abbey and audioguide
• Etretat, Pointe du Grouin, Oysters market in Cancale, Distillery visit with Calvados tasting
• WiFi on board: Clewel’s Mercedes fleet offers complimentary connectivity for travelers
• Bottled water
• Walking tours in Rouen, Honfleur, Saint Malo
• Mercedes E220/E300 business class car for 2 - 3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3 - 7 people

• Gratuities and Souvenirs
• Single Accommodation Supplement

Embark on an exclusive 3-day private tour to experience the French “Art de Vivre” across Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. Travel in style in a premium Mercedes minivan with a personal guide-driver, leaving behind the bustling streets of Paris to explore 10 of France’s most renowned landmarks. From the charming timber-framed architecture of Rouen and the breathtaking cliffs of Étretat to the awe-inspiring Mont Saint-Michel, every aspect is meticulously arranged. The journey continues into the “Garden of France,” where you will visit the famous Châteaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, and Chambord. This intimate private tour, accommodating up to 7 guests, features luxury transportation, accommodations in 3*+ hotels, skip-the-line entry tickets, and specially curated tastings of local Calvados and fresh Cancale oysters.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.