Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to the City of Lights. After meeting the group at our hotel, we'll get to know each other over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Bon appétit! Stay: Best Western Hôtel Ronceray-Opéra (or similar) (D)
Our 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. Our 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. We'll spend the evening at our leisure, soaking up the rugged maritime atmosphere of this quaint town. Stay: Hôtel l'Écrin (or similar) (B)
This morning we'll visit Honfleur's bustling market and wander past its historic buildings and 17th-century harbour on an orientation tour. Then: we'll 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 our day of exploration! Back in Honfleur, we'll have the evening to spend at our leisure. Stay: Hôtel l'Écrin (or similar (B)
Today we'll turn our attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where we'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 we'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, we'll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains – our home for the night and setting for tonight's included dinner. Stay: Les Villas d'Arromanches (or similar) (B/D)
This morning we'll drive on to the enchanting Mont Saint-Michel, crossing the walkway to wander the buzzing island village and explore the Abbey. As we make our way to Dinan, we'll stop off for a photo opportunity at Dol-de-Bretagne – where we'll see the famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent.
Tonight, an included dinner awaits us in a traditional Breton crêperie. Stay: Hôtel Le d'Avaugour (or similar) (B/D)
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! Stay: Hôtel Le d'Avaugour (or similar (B)
Today will find us deep in fairytale territory as we travel towards the Loire Valley. Here, the landscape's skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. Our 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, we'll move on to Chinon - where we'll dine together at a local restaurant. Stay: Best Western Hôtel de France (or similar) (B/D)
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 our way back to Chinon we'll enjoy a detour at a local winery where we'll sample a delicious glass or two. Stay: Best Western Hôtel de France (or similar) (B)
Today's château? One of the Loire Valley's finest: Château de Chenonceau. Here we'll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens and explore the fascinating museum. We'll make a brief stop in Amboise - the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life.
This evening, we'll enjoy a delicious final dinner together. Stay: Château de la Bourdaisière (or similar) (B/D)
Before we say our final goodbyes, we'll have the opportunity to visit the medieval city of Chartres. The celebrated Chartres Cathedral is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France – and it's a beautiful image to take with us back to Paris. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Wander the enchanting island village of Mont Saint-Michel
- Enjoy a tasting session at a local winery in the Loire Valley
- Be inspired by the vivid colours of Claude Monet's estate in Giverny
- 9 nights in hand-picked accommodation
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver
- 9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Prices are for land/cruise only. International flights not included.
Trip Reviews (12) View All Most Recent 'La Belle France' Reviews
We were able to pay tribute to the fallen in World War II as we visited the Normandy Landing beaches and associated cemeteries. We walked the first streets that were liberated by the brave allied soldiers. We pondered their sacrifice and appreciated the freedom that they ensured. At the artificial harbour at Arromanches we were able to imagine the scene of thousands of troops and their vessels approaching the shore.
Visiting the beautiful town of Bayeux and seeing the Bayeux Tapestry was a truly special experience. The story of William the Conqueror’s preparations, and the subsequent conquest of England in 1066, is seen in carefully embroidered scenes that are vivid and memorable.
Mont-Saint-Michel is a true wonder of the world and we were privileged to see such a spectacular monastery perched on the island off the coast of France. The views from the Abbey were breathtaking. The preserved old wooden-framed medieval houses and the narrow cobbled streets in Dinan enabled us to feel, once again, that we had travelled back in time.
The Châteaux of the Loire, Angers, Saumur, Amboise, Chinon, Chenonceau and Villandry, were truly remarkable. Each châteaux overwhelmed us with its beauty and fascinating history. The opportunity to stay at the Château Bourdaisière was a rare treat. Seeing the magnificent cathedral of Chartres was a spectacular way to finish our tour of some of France’s most significant sites.
The quality of the service, our talented and professional guide and the wonderful accommodation, all contributed to the pleasure of being a part of this Back-Roads tour. We look forward to our next Back-Roads tour.
A few minor gripes. Most of our group dutifully downloaded the Back Roads App and filled in our information. It was a bit disconcerting on the first morning to find that Rachel had none of our details and we had to fill in a paper form. Back Roads paperwork was late in arriving before our departure date.
Rachel was a fun guide but due to the nature of Back Roads staff allocation her knowledge of some of the finer points of the tour was sometimes a little lacking. I think if allocated to this tour regularly that would improve. The activities on our last day went on a little too long. Possibly the hot weather contributing to the group feeling we perhaps crammed a little too much into the day. Apart from that the tour was excellent and we would heartily recommend Back Roads to anyone contemplating a small group tour.
Brochure
Back-Roads Europe & UK (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Back-Roads. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Back-Roads. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
