Deal

Welcome to the City of Lights. After meeting the group at your hotel, you’ll get to know each other over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Bon appétit!

Your first impressions of France will be formed in Giverny at the home of Claude Monet – one of the world’s most celebrated artists. The vivid colours in every room paint a picture of his life, and the surrounding gardens host flowers in every shade. Your home for the next two nights will be the charming port town of Honfleur – which you may recognise as the subject of a fair few Impressionist paintings. You’ll spend the evening at your leisure, soaking up the rugged maritime atmosphere of this quaint town.

This morning you’ll visit Honfleur’s bustling market and wander past its historic buildings and 17th-century harbour on an orientation tour. Then track the Route du Cidre in Normandy, pausing at a local calvados producer to sample the fruits of the region’s orchards. From cool, crisp ciders to heady, amber-hued calvados – it makes for a delicious end to your day of exploration! Back in Honfleur, you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure.

Today turn your attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where you’ll visit the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings. Afterwards, there’s the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where you’ll take some time to reflect on history overlooking Omaha Beach. An awe-inspiring Tapestry awaits in Bayeux and after taking some time to inspect this masterpiece, you’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains – your home for the night and setting for tonight’s included dinner.

This morning you’ll drive on to the enchanting Mont Saint-Michel, crossing the walkway to wander the buzzing island village and explore the Abbey. As you make your way to Dinan, you’ll stop off for a photo opportunity at Dol-de-Bretagne – where you’ll see the famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent. Tonight, an included dinner awaits in a traditional Breton crêperie.

Today is yours to spend however you wish in the medieval town of Dinan. Wander cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, take a closer look at the Basilique St-Sauveur, visit the old bridge or stroll along the Rance River – whatever you decide, you certainly won’t be short of things to do!

Today you’ll find yourself deep in fairytale territory as you travel towards the Loire Valley. Here, the landscape’s skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. Your first port of call will be Angers, which was once the medieval stronghold of the Plantagenet kings. After spending some time absorbing the history of the castle, you’ll move on to Chinon – where you’ll dine together at a local restaurant.

Next stop: Château de Villandry. Famous for its impeccably manicured gardens and architectural elegance – this mesmerising château is one of the last built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Taking in so much beauty is thirsty work, so on the way back to Chinon you’ll enjoy a detour at a local winery where you’ll sample a delicious glass or two.

Today’s château? One of the Loire Valley’s finest: Château de Chenonceau. Here you’ll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens and explore the fascinating museum. Make a brief stop in Amboise – the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious final dinner together.