4 Days in Normandy and Loire Valley  !!! Your Licensed English Speaking Guide will pick you up from your hotel in Paris at 7.00 am in a deluxe private vehicle and you will depart immediately to the wonderful region of Normandy. Upon your arrival, you will be given an introduction by your private guide to the battle of Normandy. The itinerary on this private tour is flexible, however all entrance fees are at your own expense. Hotel and meals are not included.

Day 1 :

Morning : Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach

You will begin your day in Pointe du Hoc, a strategic position for the Germans overlooking the English Channel just between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Your guide will explain to you how the US Second Ranger Battalion, under the command of Colonel James Rudder, successfully assaulted Pointe du Hoc after scaling the cliffs. This site has been very well preserved to this day as a Memorial of the war. You will then enjoy the scenery whilst driving along Omaha Beach before reaching one of the highlights of the day : the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer where 9387 American soldiers are buried. During your private visit, your guide will show you famous headstones such as, Theodore Roosevelt Jr who received the medal of honour, and the Niland Brothers who inspired Steven Spielberg’s film, Saving Private Ryan, with the appropriate explanations. After this emotional walk through the cemetery, you will have the opportunity to view remarkable films and documentaries about the Normandy operations in the Visitor Centre.

Afternoon : Longues-Sur-Mer and Arromanches

Following this, you will have a lunch in a traditional restaurant in Port-en-Bessin, a small fishing-port village, situated between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach. Enjoy some of the best specialities of Normandy region: fresh sea‐food, Camembert cheese with some great local cider. BON APPETIT ! After this delicious lunch, you will discover another impressive site of the Second World War : the German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer, part of Germany’s Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications with the four 155mm guns still intact. At the conclusion of your tour, you will visit the beautiful town of Arromanches where the massive artificial harbour built by the Allies still remains, before reaching your hotel in Bayeux.

Overnight : the Historical Town of Bayeux

At the conclusion of this 1st enjoyable day, you will have the opportunity to explore the historical town of Bayeux with its medieval streets, flanked with centuries-old half-timbered houses. If time permits, discover the cathedral built in the 11th century and the world famous Bayeux Tapestry which relates the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, from 1064 to the outcome of the Battle of Hastings. In accordance with your wishes, we will give you good advices and we will help you to book the best hotel in the right place to make your trip unforgettable. Finding the right hotel, in the right place in Normandy is not always easy and can be a real challenge and that’s why we are here to help you to choose one of them that suits your needs and your budget. We know all the best places from the luxury Château in the norman countryside to the small charming hotel in Bayeux, so just let us know…

Day 2 :

Morning : Sainte-Mère-Eglise

After a pickup from your Bayeux hotel in the morning, you will start your full-day in Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Discover one of the most memorable places depicted in the famous movie : the Longest Day. It was officially the first town in France liberated at 4.30 am on the day of the Invasion by the 82nd Airborne Division. You will see the famous church tower upon which the American paratrooper John Steele landed and became entangled as he parachuted into Normandy on June 6th.

Afternoon : Utah Beach and the D-Day Museum

After a delicious lunch, it is now time to enjoy a walk in the sand at Utah Beach where the first American troops landed on June 6, 1944 under orders of General Barton and General T.Roosevelt, Jr in the first attack wave. Utah Beach was the furthest west of the five beaches designated for the D-Day landings in June 1944. Located at the base of the Cotentin peninsula, it was added by General D.Eisenhower to the original D-Day plan to ensure the early capture of the vital port of Cherbourg, at the north of the peninsula. Then, you will enjoy a private visit of the Utah Beach Museum. It recounts the story of D-Day in 10 sequences, from the preparation of the landing, to the final outcome and success. This comprehensive chronological journey immerses visitors in the history of the landing through a rich collection of objects, vehicles, materials, and oral histories. Time to reach the Mont Saint-Michel.

Overnight : the Mont Saint-Michel

Enjoy the scenery whilst driving to the Mont Saint-Michel located in Normandy, just at the gates of the Brittany region where you will spend your second night. Before reaching the famous bay, you will be given an introduction by your private guide about the history of the Mont Saint-Michel. Due to its uniqueness, the Mont can be recognised from every side. One of France’s most recognisable landmarks, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Day 3 :

Morning : The Mont Saint-Michel

You will begin your day with a walk through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Mont and along the ramparts far from the tourist crowds. Your guide will purchase the tickets for you before your visit, so that you can save some and enter directly to the Abbey. You will then enjoy a private visit of the Abbey with the discovery of its Church, its unique cloister, the refectory and so much more… After being used as a prison during both the Revolution and the Second Empire, the Abbey was turned over to the Historic Monuments Department in 1874. Since then, it has been open to the public all year round. From 1969, a monastic community has provided a permanent spiritual presence as well.

Afternoon : Lunch and Departure to the Loire Valley

Following this, you will have a typical lunch in a traditional restaurant. The Mont Saint-Michel is famous for its restaurants which serve traditional omelette, leg of lamb and local specialities of fish and seafood from the Bay. After lunch, you will depart immediately to the wonderful region of the Loire Valley. Upon your arrival, you will be given an introduction by your private guide to the history and geography of the region (all our guides are equipped with the appropriate maps, photos and documents for better explanations) With its 800 sqkm, the Vall de Loire is actually the largest site to be listed by UNESCO.

Overnight : the Medieval Town of Amboise

Enjoy the scenery whilst driving to the medieval town of Amboise located in the Loire Valley where you will spend your last night before heading back to Paris. Before reaching Amboise, you will be given an introduction by your private guide about the history of the Loire Valley. In accordance with your wishes, we will give you good advices and we will help you to book the best hotel in the right place to make your trip unforgettable. You will have time to relax and get lost in the medieval town of Amboise, with its narrow streets and half-timbered old houses. Night in Amboise.

Day 4 :

Morning : Amboise and Chenonceau

You will begin your last day with the visit of the Château of Amboise. This castle will amaze you with its elegant gardens, its medieval and renaissance architecture, added to the breathtaking view of the ‘Royal River’. Thanks to your guide, you will learn about the history of the Château (it was a place to live and stay for all the Valois and Bourbons Kings) and discover the St Hubert Chapel famed as a resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who died in Amboise on the 2nd of May, 1519. Then, you will visit your second castle of the morning : Chenonceau known as ‘the Ladies Castle’ because it is related to important French Rennaissance women (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…). The unique architecture of the castle, with the gallery over the River Cher makes it one of the most original Chateaux of the Loire Valley and definitely the most romantic of all.

Lunch and Wine Tasting in a Local Producer :

Time for a great lunch ! Following your wishes, we will make a booking at the best place. Our guide knows all the authentic and local restaurants far from the tourist crowds.  you will continue your tour with a visit of a small, local wine producer of the region and enjoy the appropriate tastings (red, white, rosé and sparkling) before

Afternoon : Chambord and return to Paris

After this wine tasting, enjoy the scenery whilst driving along the Loire River to reach the most impressive and extravagant castle of the Loire : Chambord, with its 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces and 426 rooms. Despite these vast dimensions, from the outside the Château still appears delightfully graceful and well-balanced. Chambord, built to be a hunting lodge and used exclusively as a hunting lodge, was ordered by François I to Leornardo da Vinci and his architects. After this delightful and enjoyable day, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Paris around 7.00 pm.

Optional :

The city of Caen (with its famous World War II memorial), Rouen, Honfleur and Deauville in Normandy are also worth a “detour” and can be integrated during your trip. Depending on your interests, your guide will arrange the best itinerary for you. Normandy is very rich in history and you will be delighted to discover all these places of historical significance. Depending on your wishes and interests, we can also organise visits to other Loire Valley castles  with your private guide : Blois, Cheverny, Chinon, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau. Please ask us if you have any further enquiries. Tickets to the castles are not included

Category : Normandy

Tags: Castles, D-DAY, Loire Valley, Mont Saint Michel, Normandy