Highlights
- Relax in 5-star luxury at a countryside château outside Bayeux
- Visit the somber memorials of Normandy's D-Day beaches
- Learn about William the Conquerer as you tour the storied Château de Caen
- Step into the Belle Époque at Saint-Malo's beachfront Grand Hôtel des Thermes
- Taste Cancale oysters and cruise the Brittany coast in a vintage wooden sailboat
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, Transfer to Bayeux, Guided Walking Tour in Old Bayeux | Bayeux |
| Day 2 | D-Day Beaches & Cemeteries Tour | Bayeux |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Caen, Memorial Museum of World War II | Bayeux |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Saint-Malo, Cruise the Islets of the Emerald Coast | Saint-Malo |
| Day 5 | Discover the Famed Mont-Saint-Michel, Oyster Tasting in Cancale | Saint-Malo |
| Day 6 | Visit the Villages of Dinan & Saint-Suliac, Free Afternoon in Saint-Malo | Saint-Malo |
| Day 7 | Depart Saint-Malo |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Transfer to Bayeux, Guided Walking Tour in Old Bayeux
Welcome to France! Your flight lands in Paris, where you'll meet your private driver and make the scenic, three-transfer to Bayeux. Located in northern France's Normandy region and nestled on the shores of the Aure River, this picturesque town is home to the Norman Romanesque cathedral of Notre-Dame and the famed Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The town's history also notably includes being the first French town to be liberated during World War II, and its proximity to D-Day beaches makes it an ideal base for exploring this important part of history.
Arrive at your accommodations at the Château La Chenevière, a 5-star retreat situated between the D-Day landing beaches and Bayeux's city center. Here, you'll find rooms decorated in classic French style, with deep soaking tubs and beautiful views of the grounds, which span nearly 30 acres (12 ha). Among the serene garden spaces, you'll find walking and biking paths, a heated outdoor pool, lush flower beds, and a vegetable garden that provides fresh produce for the on-site restaurants. Take a moment to rest and regroup, then head out to explore more of Bayeux with a privately guided walking tour.
Stroll along the river, making stops to admire the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of Notre-Dame and the quiet beauty of the canals. Visit MAHB (Museum of Art and History Baron Gerard), where you'll find collections that range from prehistory to the 20th century, then end at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, dedicated to the history of William the Conquerer and home to the remarkable textile. See Wiliam's story played out across more than 200 feet (70 m) of intricate embroidery and learn more about this fascinating time in history.
Day 2: D-Day Beaches & Cemeteries Tour
Learn more about Normandy's history and role in World War II with a private tour of the D-Day beaches involved in Operation Overlord. Meet your guide at your hotel and head out, making your first stop at Utah Beach, one of the five beaches of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Discover the history and heroics of the US 4th Infantry, who were the first to land on June 6, 1944, and went on to take the beach.
Your next stop is the Airborne Museum, where you'll discover the heroic actions of the paratroopers in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first occupied town to be liberated. Next up is La Pointe du Hoc, a German battery whose 100-foot (30 m) cliffs were scaled by US Rangers who went on to seize the German artillery pieces. You'll conclude your tour with a walk on Omaha Beach and a chance to see the commemorative sculptures before visiting the astonishing US Cemetery and visitor center nearby. You'll have time here to sit or walk in quiet contemplation before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Day Trip to Caen, Memorial Museum of World War II
Today you'll take a private tour of Caen, one of Normandy's most important cities. Known as the hometown of William the Conquerer, Caen was also at the center of the bombing raids that took place during D-Day. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning, and you'll make the quick 30-minute drive. See the Château de Caen, built by William the Conqueror in 1060, and pass by the Romanesque abbeys of Saint-Étienne and Sainte-Trinité, then stop at the Mémorial de Caen visitor center to learn more about D-Day and its impact on the city.
Spend time at the memorial and museum as your guide shares insight into Caen's role in World War II. There are films available for viewing that offer a more comprehensive history of this time, and a section of the museum is specifically dedicated to the Cold War. Conclude the tour with a walk through the Gardens of Remembrance, where you'll find plaques and memorials honoring the various countries and armed forces that fought for the liberation of Europe.
Day 4: Transfer to Saint-Malo, Cruise the Islets of the Emerald Coast
Your next destination is the fortified town of Saint-Malo. This port city once served as a stronghold for privateers, with tall granite walls still surrounding the atmospheric Old Town district. This is also the home of the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel, one of Normandy's most iconic sites. Your driver will pick you up for the two-hour drive down the coast, dropping you at the Grand Hôtel des Thermes, a historic 5-star property with Belle Époque-style design and beachfront views. The hotel features well-appointed rooms with options for private balconies, as well as a luxurious on-site spa and indoor pool.
After check-in, it's time to set sail and take a private sailing tour of the islets and forts along the Emerald Coast, a protected waterway that runs from Paramé to Cancale and is a Natura 2000 site famed for its biodiversity. You'll head to the port and board a historic wooden racing ship built in 1899. After you meet your skipper, you'll cruise out on the water, navigating through the port and out to the islets. Take a turn at the helm with the skipper's permission, and enjoy drinks and snacks onboard. Return to town in time for dinner at a local restaurant, or head back to your hotel to take advantage of its many amenities.
Day 5: Discover the Famed Mont-Saint-Michel, Oyster Tasting in Cancale
This morning you'll explore one of the region's most iconic landmarks with a private tour. The tidal island and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont-Saint-Michel sits in the Couesnon River estuary, crowned by the walls of a towering Benedictine abbey. A pilgrimage site that dates back to the eighth century, the Dukes of Normandy and subsequent French kings helped to develop the abbey, with several buildings added to it throughout the Middle Ages.
Start from the village's dual entrance, which features separate arched doorways for carts and pedestrians, walking along the ancient streets and passing by traditional timber-framed architecture. Visit the vast abbey and its ramparts and be captivated by the beautiful setting, which has inspired countless artists. During the tour, your guide will share lesser-known tales and legends about Mont-Saint-Michel through the ages—don't be surprised if you feel like you've fallen back in time to the medieval era!
End the day at the nearby port of Cancale, which offers incredible views over the bay and is the location for some of France's most famous oyster farms. Cancale oysters are renowned for their delicate flavor, and you'll have an opportunity to try them yourself during this private experience. Learn about the farming process and why the waters here are so perfect for breeding, and taste different preparations of these tasty treats as your guide explains the nuances of each dish.
Day 6: Visit the Villages of Dinan & Saint-Suliac, Free Afternoon in Saint-Malo
Your final day in France starts with a private tour of the nearby towns of Dinan and Saint-Suliac. After breakfast, meet your guides and make the 30-minute drive to Dinan, a medieval city that sits directly on the Rance River. Walk along charming cobbled streets and take in the timber-framed houses, with stops at the port, the basilica and its splendid stained glass windows, and the steep paths of the Rue du Jerzual, which links Dinan to the Port of Lanvallay.
Next, stop in Saint-Suliac, a former fishing port that also sits on the Rance River. Often referred to as one of France's most beautiful villages, you'll find riverfront granite houses here, a Gothic church with luminous stained glass windows, a fortified tower that was once part of the town's defenses, and a lovely waterfront promenade. Before returning to Saint-Malo, stop to see the Virgin of Grainfollet statue, which sits on the river and is said to have watched over the fishermen who once frequented the waters.
You'll have the rest of the day free to discover more of Saint-Malo. Take a peaceful walk through the Old Town, have some wine or a meal at one of the local restaurants (cider, buckwheat crêpes, and salted caramel are all regional specialties), or check out the local beaches. Saint-Malo is a top destination for beachgoers, with options such as Grand Plage (Big Beach), a long stretch of white sand along the edge of town, or Plage du Mole, a smaller pebbled beach with gentle waves and warm water.
Day 7: Depart Saint-Malo
The time has come to say goodbye to the beautiful Brittany coast. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you back to Paris, where you'll catch your flight home. Au revoir!
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