3-Day Normandy - Brittany - Loire Castles Live-guided Small-group by Minivan from Paris

Day 1 : 07:30 Departure from Paris to Rouen

07:30  Departure from steps of Opera Garnier in Paris, destination Rouen. Pickup service from your hotel for those who have selected this option. The guide will welcome our small-group and the trip begins. The guide will give you general information about the French history connected to Normandy: Rouen, Honfleur, Mont Saint-Michel etc. 

There are approx. 122 km to drive on a highway from Paris to Rouen by our comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with WiFi. It takes in general around 2 hours.

09:30 - 12:00  Visit of Rouen - the capital of the Duke of Normandy. Sightseeing walking tour of Rouen, the city of a hundred bell-towers, famous for its Gothic cathedrals. Here You will have the opportunity to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral of the XIII - XVIII centuries, known throughout the world in the paintings of Monet, the area of the Vieux Marché, the place of execution of Joan d'Arc and the Church of Joan d'Arc, the Palace of justice of the XVI century, to see the old medieval clock on the pedestrian street of Gros-Horloge.

The walking tour lasts about 1 hour. Free time. 

12:00 Departure from Rouen towards Etretat (about 80 km). 

13:00 - 15:00  Arrival in Etretat. Walking to the Cliffs. Free time for Lunch. Étretat is famous for its chalk cliffs, including three natural arches and the Needle, which rises 70 meters (230 ft) above the sea. Etretat was a popular spot in the past for impressionist artists including Claude Monet, the founder of French Impressionist painting. Today it is a classic seaside resort nestled between two sets of chalk cliffs. You can walk on the beach or climb for excellent views. Along the seafront, there are many restaurants/cafés all of which do variations on a theme of Moules/Frites. Free time. 

15:00 Departure Honfleur. It takes about one hour drive.

16:00 Arrival in Honfleur. The walking city tour takes about 1 hour.

Walking tour of Honfleur with its famous port. Honfleur, the main defensive port of Normandy of the XV century, transformed into a charming resort town with a picturesque Bay, much-loved by the artists of the XIX century. Honfleur was first mentioned in 1027, when it belonged to the Norman Duke Richard III. The owners of the city changed several times during The Hundred-Years War. In the XV century, there were French pirates, corsairs who ravaged the English coast. A little later, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the city became significantly rich in trade with the American colonies. After the port was closed, the city's economy declined and Honfleur became a suburb of Le Havre. Today it is one of the most known tourist cities in Normandy.

17:00 to 18:00 Free time. 

18:00 Departure from Honfleur to Calvados tasting.

18:15  Arrival at a Local Calvados Producer. You can get explanations from the local producer how it is being made for centuries and taste the genuine Calvados & Cider of Normandy.

19:00  Departure destination Mont Saint-Michel.

19:00 Departure from Honfleur destination Mont Saint-Michel. It takes 1,5 to 2 hours. 

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

07:30  Departure from your hotel in Normandy to Mont Saint-Michel. It takes in general 1 hour to 1,5 hours. The guide will give you general information about the French history connected to Normandy, Brittany, especially Mont Saint-Michel.

09:00 Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel.

09:00 - 12:30   Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel and visit of the Benedictine Abbey. Free time to enjoy Mont Saint-Michel, time for Lunch. 

• After arrival at UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel your guide will bring You up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top sharing with You stories and legends. On the top of the Island You can admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets into the Abbey include audio-guides in many languages.
• First settled by man in the year 709 it contains Medieval village & beautiful Abbey fortress dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The construction of the Benedictine Abbey started in the 700’s and continued through the 1200’s. The whole island is classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It remains practically the same since the Middle Ages as it was the goal of pilgrims from all over the world. Mont Saint Michel remains the most visited site of France. 
• After You visit to the Benedictine Abbey You ll have: Apple Cider Tasting: Normandy is known for it’s apple production. You will taste some of the famous Cider, Pommeau and Calvados. 
• Free time to enjoy in Mont Saint-Michel to explore the island’s shops & museums, walk around to admire the beautiful nature at your leisure Time. 

Free time for Lunch at a local Restaurant. 

• 13:00 Departure from Mont Saint Michel to Cancale (50 km). It takes about one hour going driving by national roads.

13:30  Arrival in Cancale (Brittany) - the Oysters capital of France. Oysters Tasting on the local fishermen's market. You can buy a tray from a stallholder to take away to eat them at place admiring the bay of Cancale.

If You mention Cancale to a Frenchman he well say "oysters", which have been cultivated in this fishing village for hundreds of years. In Cancale You enjoy also breathtaking views over the Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel.

14:30 Departure to Point du Grouin. It takes about 15 minutes.

14:45   Arrival at Pointe du Grouin. This rocky outcrop, the last limit before entering the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, is a magnificent observatory, exposed to the wind. This wild landscape dominates the 40-meter coastline and offers spectacular views. Dominated by a lighthouse built in 1861, the rocky promontory offers a breathtaking view of the coasts of Normandy, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the Emerald Coast.

15:45 Departure to Saint-Malo.

16:00  Arrival in Saint-Malo (Brittany). Walking tour Saint-Malo. 

Saint Malo is a historic French port in Brittany on the English Channel coast. The walled city had a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. Saint-Malo was once the city of corsairs and the birthplace of the discoverer of Canada, Jacques Cartier and the poet Chateaubriand. 

We will have a walking tour with a tour of the Old Town, surrounded by high walls, with narrow cobbled streets and buildings of the 18th and 15th centuries.

17:15 Departure destination Saint Malo - Fougeres Castle. It is about 90 km (1,15 hours drive)

18:00  Departure, destination Loire Valley

20:30 Arrival in Anger. Hotel accommodation

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

09:30 - 11:30  Arrival and visit of Château de Chenonceau. 

Duration: 2 hours. Skip-the-line access.

Skip-the-line access with Guide to Chenonceau Castle nicknamed the "ladies’ castle", remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for it’s stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well. You will also get a brochure with explanations of each room.

Free time to walk around the gardens.

12:00 to 12:45  Visit of the local Vinery with Wine Tasting at a local family winery existing for many centuries. You will learn how wines have been made for centuries and afterwords have a wine tasting of local wines with explanations. 

12:45 Departure to the Amboise city. 

13:00 Arrival in Amboise. Lunch time. There are many cafes and restaurants at the main walking street of Amboise near the entrance to the Castle. So You will have the best choice for Lunch.

14:00 to 15:00  Visit of Château Château Royal d'Amboise.

Visit of Chateau d’Amboise. Duration: 1 hour. 

Skip-the-line access with Guide to Chateau d’Amboise. Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise on your guided tour is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

15:15  Departure to Château de Chambord. It takes about one hour.

16:15 - 18:00 Arrival at Château Chambord. Visit of the Castle. The guide will tell you about the history of the castle and its construction.

The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles because of its French Renaissance architecture. The building was constructed (1519–1547) by Francis I (Francois 1-er) and is nowadays the biggest castle with its 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The castle is also known because of its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.

18:15 Departure to Paris. There are approx. 180 km to drive on highway. It takes 2,5 hours. One stop will be made at the rest area. 

21:30. Coming back to Paris. Drop Off at Opera Garnier steps or Your hotel if Pick up/Drop off option booked.

• We organize this Experience according to our timetable — check up the availability on our web
• We start from Opera Garnier Steps. You can also choose the option to be picked up from Your hotel in Paris
• It takes 3 Full Days with one overnight at 3* Hotel in Saint Lo (1 night), in Anger (1 night)
• In minivan there is space for up to 6 passengers + Guide and Driver
• Professional multi-lingual guide (up to 2 languages spoken in a group)
• Guided visits of Rouen, Etretat, Honfleur, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, 
• Visit of Cancale & Oysters tasting
• Calvados & Cider Tasting
• Visit inside of 3 Castles: Château Royal d'Amboise, Château de Chenonceau, Chateaux Chambord (tickets included)
• All taxes, fees and handling charges.
• You are welcome to take pictures and videos all along the experience 

• Gratuities
• Souvenirs

Please Note:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking after Your online payment (Credit cards, bank transfers)
• First Day: Distance from Paris to Rouen is 122 km (highway), from Rouen to Etretat 90 km (highway) from Etretat to Honfleur 45 km (highway), from Honfleur to Saint Lo approx 130 km (highway)
• Second Day: Distance from Saint Lo to Mont Saint-Michel is 90 km (highway), from Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale 50 km (national roads) from Cancale to Saint-Malo 18 km (national roads)
• Third Day: Distance from Saint-Malo to Anger 200 km (highway), from Amboise Castle to Chenonceau Castle 14 km (national roads) from Chenonceau Castle to Chambord Castle 60 km (national roads), from Chambord Castle to Paris 180 km (highway)
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately 
• Comfortable shoes are recommended 
• Not wheelchair accessible, some stairs to access the underground Wine cellars. 
• Children must be accompanied by an adult 
• Most travelers can participate  
• Near public transportation

• Comfortable shoes
• The tour takes place all year round, so dress for the weather 

• Paris: 4-Day Normandy — Brittany — Loire Castles Trip by Minivan, 10 Excursions & Tastings inclusive
• Paris: 4-Day Normandy — Brittany — Loire Castles Trip by Minivan, 10 Excursions & Tastings inclusive
• Paris: 4-Day Normandy — Brittany — Loire Castles Trip by Minivan, 10 Excursions & Tastings inclusive