Best of Northern France (Ramparts Festival)

‘Bonjour' and welcome to France, a country that possesses a rich and storied history that is echoed through its masterful literature, art and music. We begin our tour in the romantic capital of Paris, often referred to as the ‘City of Light — a nickname that dates back to the ‘Enlightenment' era, when the city became a hub of ideas, creativity and intellectual exchange.

Tree-lined boulevards, cobblestone lanes and charming architecture are hidden around every corner of this iconic city that oozes style and elegance. Well-known for being the backdrop to many famous films and productions, Paris is home to some of the most recognisable sites in the world, such as the iconic Eiffel Tower, as well as the world-renowned Louvre Museum, which houses thousands of works of art including the Mona Lisa!

We don't want you to miss out on a single moment of your French ‘soirée', so we recommend that you arrive at your starting destination by 3:00pm.

After meeting our fellow travellers and Tour Director for a welcome drink, we'll enjoy a brief introduction to the city, taking an afternoon stroll through some of its beautiful streets. After wandering past some of the local sites, we will make our way to a local restaurant for dinner. Here, we will indulge in some of the delicious flavours that are iconic to French cuisine, before making our way back to our accommodation.

Waving ‘au revoir' to Paris this morning, we'll take a relaxing drive through the stunning French countryside as we make our way to the Loire Valley. Dating back over one thousand years, the Loire Valley is surrounded by beautiful rolling vineyards and fruit orchards. Thanks to the kings, queens, dukes and nobles who built magnificent châteaux, and the quaint medieval villages that are dotted throughout the region, the Loire Valley today feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale.

In the late morning, we reach Chartres, a gorgeous town that overlooks the banks of the serene Eure River. Here, we will discover the wonderful architecture and rich history of the city during a walking tour. We'll also enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Cathédrale Notre-Dame — the town's impressive Gothic-style cathedral that was built in 1220 — before some free time for lunch and a chance to further explore its medieval streets.

Next, we continue to the charming town of Amboise to visit the Château du Clos Lucé, the final residence of the legendary artist and engineer Leonardo da Vinci. It was here, under the support of King Francis I, that da Vinci spent the last years of his life bringing his visionary ideas to life. During our visit, we'll explore his workshop and bedroom, gaining a fascinating insight into his daily life, before discovering detailed models and replicas of his groundbreaking inventions, from flying machines to early engineering concepts, all set within the château's beautifully preserved surroundings.

We'll finish the day in Tours — our home for the next two nights — where we check into our hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Waking in the charming city of Tours, enjoy a slow start to the day before we set out to explore the many châteaux of the region. We'll begin in the small village of Chenonceaux, home to one of the region's best-known châteaux, Château de Chenonceau. In its current form, the château was built between 1513 and 1517 on the banks of the Cher River and is home to an exquisite collection of furniture and art. We'll explore its opulent rooms and manicured gardens before continuing to a local winery.

Special Experience: Enjoy an underground tour and tasting at Caves Monmousseau Winery, famous for its fine bubbles and labyrinth of cellars carved into tufa stone. Venturing to the town of Montrichard, we'll take a guided tour of the renowned Maison Monmousseau cellars, famed for their traditional sparkling wines. Carved into the natural tufa stone, these underground caves naturally maintain a constant temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius — ideal for the slow ageing process that gives the wines their delicate bubbles and refined character (so bringing a jacket is a good idea!). We'll wander through the atmospheric tunnels and learn about the history and craftsmanship behind the winemaking process, before finishing with a tasting of Monmousseau's signature wines, perfectly paired with a selection of local delicacies from the Loire Valley — pure bliss if you ask us!

We then return to Tours and enjoy the evening at leisure. Why not take a stroll past some of the well-preserved Roman ruins or soak up the city's vibrant atmosphere with a wine in hand?

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, today we'll take a short drive to the lovely village of Villandry. Small but picturesque with charming lanes lined with 15th century cottages, our sightseeing will take us to the Château de Villandry. Inhabited since the Renaissance, the grand château is home to exquisite exterior architecture and several hectares of verdant gardens. We'll enjoy time in the grounds, exploring the perfectly manicured hedges, immaculately pruned trees and colourful flowers.

We then make our way to the lively town of Angers, where we'll visit the staggering stone stronghold of Château d'Angers that dates back to 1230. During our visit, we'll learn about how the fortress was constructed and the history it survived before admiring its most prized possession, the 100-metre-long 14th century Apocalypse Tapestry. Depicting scenes from the Book of Revelation, the Apocalypse Tapestry is the largest surviving set of medieval tapestries.

In the afternoon, we make our way to the university city of Rennes, buzzing with a vibrant atmosphere and the charming character of its old town. Home to a delicious restaurant scene, the capital of France's Brittany region is perhaps most famous for its medieval half-timbered houses, the oldest of which dates back to the 16th century.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

We'll embark on a guided city tour of Rennes this morning, passing by the Palais du Parlement de Bretagne, the former parliament of Brittany. As we move through the mix of old and new, we'll marvel at quintessential French architecture and the medieval old town before visiting the Rennes Cathedral. Stepping inside, we'll admire the altar adorned with rare marble — said to have been sourced from ancient Rome's Roman Forum — along with the striking blend of Gothic and Neoclassical styles introduced throughout the cathedral's many transformations.

Heading northwest, we continue on to the town of Dinan, where we'll enjoy one of the highlights of our tour! Hugged by nearly 3 kilometres of ramparts, Dinan is a charming town filled with medieval half-timbered houses lining quaint cobblestone streets. For just one weekend every second year, the town is taken over by jousting tournaments, medieval market stalls, grand balls and packed parades of locals dressed in period attire. While here, we'll immerse in the ancient customs of the Ramparts Festival, offering a window into what it might have been like to wander through Dinan through the late Middle Ages.

In the afternoon and after our journey back in time, we travel to the historic walled city of Saint Malo, dramatically set on the English Channel in France's Brittany region. Once a fortified stronghold and home to feared privateers in the Middle Ages, the city boasts a rich maritime heritage that still defines its character today. Although much of Saint-Malo was rebuilt after World War II, it carefully preserves its original charm, with impressive granite ramparts encircling the old town and offering sweeping coastal views.

Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore at your own pace — our tip? Stop by one of the many traditional crêperies for a classic Breton dinner. Delicious!

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Rise at your own pace this morning and enjoy a leisurely start to the day in this charming coastal city. You may choose to wander the cobblestoned lanes within the historic walled Old Town, browsing the boutique shops, artisan galleries and inviting cafés that are tucked between stunning stone buildings. Perhaps you can settle in for a slow coffee or flaky French pastry while overlooking the sparkling seaside — bliss!

In the early afternoon, we'll meet for a guided tour of the historic port. As we wander through the atmospheric Old Town, we'll uncover stories of the city's rich maritime past and the famous corsairs who once sailed from its harbour. We'll admire the impressive granite forts built to defend the coastline before taking to Saint Malo's iconic ramparts — some of the best-preserved city walls in France. From here, enjoy sweeping views across the English Channel, the harbour and the region's dramatic tidal coastline.

In the afternoon, we journey to the coastal town of Cancale, a quaint spot renowned for its fresh seafood. While here, we'll visit a local oyster farm, learning about the process of farming oysters and getting the opportunity to taste the farm's freshest harvest, before returning to Saint Malo for an evening at leisure.

Optional Excursion: Cap Frehel – Discover the striking Solidor Tower in Saint-Servan, a 12th century fortified structure made up of three towers that once formed part of Saint Malo's coastal defence network. Continuing along the scenic coastline of northern Brittany, we'll make our way to the Cap Fréhel peninsula, famed for its dramatic pink sandstone cliffs, rugged coastal landscapes and sweeping sea views, before returning to Saint Malo. 3.5 hours - from Euro 79pp (minimum 4 people). Cash only. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Keep your camera at the ready today as we make our way to the magnificent Mont Saint-Michel. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress perches on an islet surrounded by the lapping tides of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. As we approach the causeway that links Mont Saint-Michel to the mainland, take in the beauty of the Benedictine Abbey, constructed in 966 and seemingly defying gravity as it rises high out of the sandbanks. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the abbey before enjoying some free time in this storybook setting for lunch.

As the afternoon sets in, we proceed to Ducy-Sainte-Marguerite and visit the apple orchards of Les Vergers de Ducy. We'll enjoy a tour of the property that produces apple cider, cider vinegar, apple juice and the aperitif, Pommeau de Normandie. Following the tour, we'll treat our taste buds to a sample of these delicious apple beverages, before continuing to our next destination.

In the evening, we'll arrive at our hotel in Bayeux, a charming medieval town and popular base for exploring the historic D-Day Landing sites of Normandy. Remarkably spared from much of the destruction of World War II, Bayeux is renowned for its beautifully preserved old town, lined with cobblestone lanes, elegant 17th and 18th century mansions and half-timbered buildings that reflect centuries of Norman history.

With the night at leisure, you may wish to take a leisurely stroll through the atmospheric streets, admire the grand Gothic architecture of the Bayeux Cathedral or soak up the relaxed ambience of the town's inviting cafés and boutiques.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Today is dedicated to uncovering the remarkable and turbulent history of the Normandy region. From the 1066 Norman conquest of England led by William the Conqueror to the pivotal events of the 1944 Battle of Normandy during World War II, this corner of France has long stood at the crossroads of European history. Beyond its storied past, Normandy is celebrated for its dramatic coastal scenery, charming villages, half-timbered architecture and magnificent Gothic churches, as well as its rich culinary traditions — including creamy Camembert cheese, fresh cider and Calvados apple brandy.

Our day begins at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking the sands of Omaha Beach, one of the key landing sites of the Allied D-Day invasion. Here, we'll visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, where rows upon rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David honour the thousands of American soldiers who lost their lives during the campaign.

Taking time to reflect on the scale and significance of these events, we'll then continue to Pointe du Hoc, a dramatic clifftop position famously scaled by U.S. Army Rangers under heavy fire on D-Day. Still scarred by bomb craters and wartime bunkers, the site offers a powerful insight into the intensity of the conflict.

We'll continue on to Sainte-Mère-Église near Utah Beach — one of the first French towns liberated during the invasion and famed for the paratrooper caught on the church steeple. Here we'll stop briefly to find some lunch.

Special Experience: Be transported back in time to 1944 and explore the important sights linked to World War II's D-Day during a tour in World War II open top jeeps. In this unique experience, we'll hop into a classic World War II jeep to explore the Normandy landscape from a different perspective, delving into the history of key locations linked to the invasion of 1944.

Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Departing Bayeux this morning, we begin our day in the town of Livarot with a taste of Normandy's famous cheeses — best morning ever, right? Here, we visit Fromagerie E. Graindorge, a family-run cheese producer renowned for its traditional methods and long-standing heritage. We'll enjoy a tasting of their classic varieties, crafted with care for over three decades, offering a delicious introduction to the region's rich culinary traditions.

Next, it's on to the colourful port of Honfleur, reminiscent of Denmark's Copenhagen. Overlooking the southern side of the River Seine, Honfleur was popular among French impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin. Enjoy some free time to explore its historic fishing port and marina that once served as a vital trade hub.

In the early afternoon, we'll continue on to Normandy's cultural capital, Rouen. With centuries of history, preserved architecture and a delightful port, Rouen still retains many of the scars of its tumultuous past. Nestled on the banks of the River Seine, the city is home to a cathedral that was famously decorated by the brushstrokes of Claude Monet, medieval half-timbered houses and a turbulent history including the burning of Joan of Arc in 1431.

Rouen is also renowned for its strong gastronomic traditions, which we'll get the pleasure of indulging in tonight, as we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure to relax or explore Rouen at your own pace. You may like to discover the city on foot, where highlights include the former royal palace of the Palais de Justice de Rouen and the impressive Rouen Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece known for its striking façade, three distinctive towers and its historical connection to figures such as Richard the Lionheart, whose heart is said to be interred within.

Nearby, the Church of Saint Joan of Arc marks the evocative site where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431, offering a powerful moment of reflection within the modern memorial space. If you wish to delve into her story, you might like to visit the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, located within the former Archbishop's Palace, where immersive exhibitions bring the life, trial and legacy of Joan of Arc vividly to life through engaging displays and multimedia storytelling.

We'll meet in the late morning and take a drive out to the picturesque French village of Giverny, home to the final residence and gardens of Claude Monet. Here, we'll have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the lush setting, exploring the vibrant flower gardens and water lily ponds that inspired many of the Impressionist painter's famous works.

Farewelling the beauty of Giverny, our tour concludes this evening when we arrive back in the ambient city of Paris at around 6:00pm. We hope you leave with fabulous memories as we say ‘au revoir' to our new friends and the incredible landscapes of northern France.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.