Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Classic Group

Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley – Classic Group
Enjoy the sights and sounds of France during this 8-day guided tour. Travel to Normandy and stand on the 100-foot-tall Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the beaches where soldiers fought in World War II — and walk with a Local Expert through the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach, where Allied Forces landed on D-Day. Drive through the Loire Valley to the glorious fragrant gardens of Chateau de Villandry, stopping to smell the basil, rosemary and other herbs grown in its gardens. You’ll remember those scents at a celebration dinner featuring a farm-to-table feast and sparkling wine. See Paris’ top attractions, from the elegant avenue of the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and the iconic Eiffel Tower.

Dining Summary

• 3 Dinner (D)
• 7 Breakfast (B)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in the heart of the Old Town.
• Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.

Additional Included Highlights

• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary.
• Hotel and restaurant tips are included – you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

• Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of the city for a delightful dinner served with wine.
• Saumur: Learn about local grape varieties and regional wine-making traditions as you sample wines of the Loire Valley.
• Loire Valley: This evening, dine at the historic Chateau de la Bourdaisière, surrounded by elegant French gardens. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted three-course menu featuring fresh produce from the chateau’s gardens and local producers. With traditional family cuisine and warm hospitality, this Farm-to-Table dinner offers a true taste of the Loire Valley.

Insight Choice

• Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in the heart of the Old Town.
• Arromanches-les-Bains: Visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay.

Make Travel Matter

• Loire Valley: Embark on a birdwatching journey with Local Expert Manon through the gardens of Chateau de Villandry. Discover the rich birdlife of the estate and the Loire Valley, including Villandry’s most unique residents—a colony of great mouse-eared bats. As an advocate for wildlife conservation, Manon shares insights into her work with the Loire Valley’s bird protection society, fostering appreciation for the region’s delicate ecosystem. Wander through Villandry’s sustainable gardens, renowned as France’s finest formal gardens. These organically cultivated landscapes—abundant with fragrant herbs, silvery cabbages, and vibrant purple basil—are a living testament to ecological harmony. By preserving biodiversity, Villandry actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, ensuring a thriving environment for generations to come.

Top Rated Highlights

• Rouen: See the cathedral, the Great Clock, the Old Market square and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
• Honfleur: See this charming fishing town.
• Omaha Beach: Follow the route of the Rangers, visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial.
• Omaha Beach: With a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent.
• Mont-Saint-Michel: Savor your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel. Cross the causeway for a guided tour with your Local Expert through the maze of halls and vaults of the abbey.
• Saint-Malo: Your Local Expert guides you through the streets of the walled city to arrive at the cathedral. Later enjoy the chance to walk along the fortifications and explore the cities nightlife at your leisure.
• Angers: See the imposing chateau.
• Azay-le-Rideau: Discover the Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau, a true icon of 16th-century innovation and artistry. Built during the reign of Francis I by the king’s financier, Gilles Berthelot, this chateau blends French traditions with elegant Italian influences. Set on an island in the Indre River, it has become a jewel of early French Renaissance architecture. Explore its rich history, graceful interiors, and beautifully landscaped gardens that reflect the castle’s timeless beauty, offering a deeper connection to the cultural heritage of the Loire Valley.
• Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.

Well-being

• Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.