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 14th-century 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. Or simply browse Rouen’s charming shops dotted along some of the most atmospheric old streets you’ll find in France.
Day 4
Honfleur & cider tasting - After breakfast we discover Honfleur, often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast. Exquisitely preserved, its 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. Take a seat at one of these quayside restaurants and observe talented artists capturing the superb views on canvas, perhaps inspired to follow in the footsteps of Eugène Boudin, a native of Honfleur and one of the forerunners of Impressionism. 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 of Normandy 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. We then sit down for a tasting paired with a variety of classic Normandy cheeses, such as Camembert, Pont l’Évêque and Livarot, nicknamed ‘Le Colonel’ for its stripes.
*We'll visit the new immersive museum experience in Honfleur, which features the reconstructed battleship of William the Conqueror, known as “La Mora.” This experience brings over 1,000 years of history to life, telling the story of William and his army, from their preparations for the crossing to England, through the sea voyage, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings itself.
*This tour usually operates with a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry, but the museum will be closed for renovations from 1 September 2025 for approximately two years. As a result, we’ve amended the itinerary from previous years and arranged an alternative visit to La Mora in Honfleur.
Excitingly, the Tapestry is due to return to the UK for the first time in 900 years as part of an exhibition at the British Museum, scheduled to open in September 2026.
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 first-hand 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 home.