A Taste of Normandy & the Côte Fleurie

NEW

FOR 2023

A Taste of Normandy & the Côte Fleurie

Discover the essence of fascinating Normandy with echoes of William the Conqueror and D-Day, medieval Rouen and fascinating Bayeux, plus the delightful port of Honfleur, stunning rural landscapes and delicious local produce.

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival in Lisieux

We take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. On arrival we transfer by coach to Lisieux, a venerable medieval town in the heart of the Calvados region, which gave its name to the popular local brandy distilled from apple cider. This evening we enjoy an informal welcome drink followed by dinner. (D)

DAY 2 – Bayeux & Arromanches

This morning we visit Bayeux, home of the world-famous tapestry depicting the Norman invasion of England in 1066 in glorious detail. The 230-footlong tapestry comprises nine panels of extremely delicate embroidery, depicting the battle and the period’s architecture, weapons and everyday life, and is arguably the most perfect relic from the early Middle Ages. After lunch we discover nearby Gold Beach, one of the five main landing sites on D-day, when Allied forces surged into Normandy to begin the liberation of occupied Europe. Casting your eyes across the sand, it’s sobering to consider that on 6 June 1944, around 25,000 British troops came ashore on this one beach, with 400 killed by the defenders. At the western end of the shoreline is Arromanches, where you may wish to visit an excellent museum dedicated to the ‘longest day’.

As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Lisieux for four nights, with breakfast.

Grand Hotel de l’Esperance

HHH

We journey through the picturesque area of Pays d’Auge along Normandy’s ‘Cider route’, passing delightful apple orchards and quaint villages of halftimbered houses. Upon returning to Lisieux, you may wish to visit the basilica of Ste-Therese, one of the most popular 19thcentury Catholic saints, whose short life and works are commemorated by pilgrims who flock from around the world to pay their respects. (B) + Included Experiences – Visit Bayeux and the world-famous tapestry and Arromanches

DAY 3 – Rouen

Today we explore Rouen, the capital of Normandy, and enjoy a fascinating walking tour around the old centre. We visit its remarkable Notre-Dame Cathedral, which over the centuries has been

destroyed and rebuilt to create the fantastic Gothic edifice we see today. Immortalised in several paintings by Monet, the cathedral is simply stunning – marvel at the epic scale of the four-storey nave and the famous cobalt-blue stained glass, and see the tombs of kings and dukes, as well as a recumbent statue of Richard the Lionheart containing his heart. You’ll also see the Gros-Horloge, a 14thcentury astronomical clock, and the old marketplace where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake – it is today a popular pilgrimage site. There’s free time after to explore more of this intriguing city. Perhaps have lunch in the local market or visit one of its superb museums, such as the excellent fine arts museum, which includes works by Monet and Boudin. (B) + Included Experience – Guided walking tour of Rouen

To London (Eurostar)

Bayeux Lisieux Honfleur Rouen

FRANCE

Monet’s Garden

PARIS Grand Hotel de l’Esperance

DAY 4 – Honfleur & cider tasting

Often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast, Honfleur’s old harbour complete with both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is surrounded by a pretty waterfront of tall pastel-coloured houses dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. Many of these have been converted into seafood restaurants or traditional shops selling all sorts of items. Away from the harbour, Honfleur’s intricate maze of streets is a delight to wander through and offers an authentic flavour of this wonderfully provincial old port. This afternoon is devoted to Normandy’s most iconic food produce – cheese and cider. The gentle rolling hills and temperate climate are ideal for apple cultivation and cattle rearing. In many places, the two types of agriculture have become almost symbiotic, with the grazing cows in apple orchards fertilising the soil in a virtuous cycle. We stop to visit an organic cider producer to learn about the cider-making process, as well as the various other apple-based drinks, such as pommeau and calvados, followed by a tasting paired with a variety of classic Normandy cheeses. (B) + Included Experiences – Visit Honfleur; enjoy cider tour and tasting accompanied by local cheeses

DAY 5 – Monet’s Garden & return home

Claude Monet’s paintings are some of the most exquisite and familiar works of art ever produced, and to witness firsthand the spectacular displays of colour at the artist’s house and garden at Giverny is an unforgettable experience. In the Japanese inspired water garden, shaded by a great willow tree and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his famous Les Nympheas (Water Lilies) series. Little surprise he referred to the garden as ‘my most beautiful masterpiece’. The interior of the house, including the artist’s studio, is similarly outstanding. Later we continue to Paris for our return Eurostar. (B) + Included Experience – Visit Monet’s home and garden.

KEY

Eurostar

2023

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Your tour includes

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over 50 regional stations*, and return reserved Eurostar seat from London

St Pancras International • All hotel transfers, plus porterage of one item of luggage • Four nights in three-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes • A welcome drinks reception and dinner to meet your fellow travellers • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

(B) Daily Breakfast, (D) 1 Dinner For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • Enjoy a guided historic walk of Rouen • Visit to a local cider producer and enjoy tastings paired with cheese • 5 visits including Arromanches,

Gold Beach, Honfleur, Claude

Monet’s home and garden and the

Bayeux Tapestry

Bayeux Tapestry

Rouen Cathedral

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