Highlights of Normandy: Monet’s Garden, Rouen and Honfleur

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Highlights of Normandy: Monet’s Garden, Rouen and Honfleur

5 Days - Classic Escorted Tours

William the Conqueror, D-Day, atmospheric Honfleur, medieval Rouen immortalised by Monet plus delightful Bayeux. This gorgeous region, a microcosm of a France tour, is just delightful. For a short break with a difference, Normandy is hard to beat – it really is one of the truly unspoilt corners of Europe. The region is lush and green, with its patchwork of tiny fields and half-timbered buildings and if the beautiful landscapes alone were not enticing enough, Normandy is also known as ‘Cider and Cream Country’ which requires no further explanation! The history of Normandy is so intertwined with our own. You will see echoes of Joan of Arc, the D-Day landings, Richard the Lionheart and of course the most famous of all, William, the “Conqueror” of England. Everything in Normandy seems vaguely familiar, yet foreign, it’s hard to put your finger on it exactly. This is hardly surprising really as not only is so much of our heritage shared – the same Vikings who visited Normandy also visited Britain. In fact the present day Normans seem to have more in common with us, than they do with the rest of the French! So there is no doubt you will be made to feel at home. Rouen, Bayeux, Honfleur, Fécamp, Arromanches – some of the names you’ll know and some of them you won’t but that’s the beauty of Normandy, it’s sheer variety, so come with us and see.

Holiday Highlights

Explore Bayeux, home to the historic Bayeux Tapestry
Guided historic walk of Rouen, one of France’s most perfectly preserved medieval cities
Visit Fécamp, renowned for the stunning Benedictine Palace
Visit the picturesque port of Honfleur
Visit Arromanches and one of the WWII D-Day beaches
Visit impressionist artist Claude Monet’s home and garden – see the ‘Water Lily’ pond and ‘Japanese Bridge’
Four nights in four-star accommodation, including all local taxes, with breakfast
Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations
This Signature Tour includes all of the above as well as the following:
Savour the flavours of Normandy during lunch at a local bistro, serving a selection of traditional local dishes
Explore a local cider producer, taste their cider accompanied by locally produced cheeses and enjoy a glass of Calvados
Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests

What's Included

The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Standard class return seat on Eurostar
Four nights’ accommodation
Daily breakfast
All local accommodation taxes
All tours as mentioned
Services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
Not included is entrance to the Arromanches Museum - €8.20 approximate cost, payable locally.

Itinerary

Day 1

We take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris (exact time will be indicated on travel documents), arriving at Paris, Gare du Nord approximately 2 hours 15 minutes later. A coach will then take you to your hotel in Rouen.

Day 2

This morning we step back in time on a guided walking tour around the centre of this superb city and although it is not very long in distance, in time however, history will come alive. In the cathedral, immortalised by Claude Monet, you can see the tombs of Richard the Lionheart and William the Conqueror’s grandfather over the centuries it has been built, destroyed by fire, rebuilt, damaged in the Wars of Religion and embellished to create the fantastic Gothic edifice we see today. This afternoon is free to explore maybe visit the Museum of fine art, the Jeanne D’arc exhibition or the Jardin des plantes. Signature experience: Normandy is considered one of France's most famous regions for gastronomy - famous for its cheese, cream and apples. But there's more to their traditional dishes than meets the eye. With an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced produce, the menus here offer an authentic taste of the region. Today, we'll take a bite out of Normandy for ourselves with lunch at a traditional, family-run restaurant that holds true to the heritage of the region and keeps its favourite dishes at the forefront of its cooking. We think it's the perfect way to end walking tour.

Day 3

Today we take the drive to perhaps the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast – delightful Honfleur. Beautifully preserved, its old harbour, complete with both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is surrounded by a perfect waterfront of tall, pastel coloured 18th century houses, many of which have been converted to restaurants specialising in seafood. Along the waterfront, watch the talented artists at work, capturing the delightful view for eternity whilst the intricate maze of streets behind are worthy of some exploration. The eaves of the tall, half-timbered buildings almost touch and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling all sorts of items such as antiques, books and fine foods. The locals stop to exchange a few words, kiss each other on both cheeks and continue on their way: everything here blends together so effortlessly to create a most charming example of a French provincial town. Honfleur was the birthplace of Eugene Boudin, the forerunner of Impressionism whose most famous pupil was a certain Claude Monet. There is a museum, which is well worth a visit, housing a number of his works together with those of other artists including Monet himself (please note opening hours vary according to season). We return to the hotel late afternoon. Signature experience: Normandy is well-known for its apples for a reason. Around 750 different apple varieties are grown within the regions, some of which are ideal for making cider, so we couldn't truly say we've visited Normandy without a visit to a local, family-run cider maker. Here, they combine traditional and modern methods to produce organic cider, free from chemicals and pesticides. On our visit, we'll enjoy a tasting of cider - or as the French say "cidre" - paired with a selection of expertly chosen local cheeses. And we'll end our experience with a glass of Calvados - Normandy's famous apple brandy.

Day 4

Today we have a full day out visiting places for which Normandy is perhaps more famous. We first of all visit Bayeux, which as its name suggests is home to the world famous tapestry depicting the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 which subsequently led to the Battle of Hastings and the firm establishment of William as, not only Duke of Normandy, but as King of England too. The embroidery is extremely delicate and indeed this is arguably the most perfect relic we have of the Middle Ages. After lunch we visit nearby Gold Beach, made so famous on 6th June 1944 – D-Day, the landing of the Allied Armies which led to the final liberation of Europe during the Second World War. We have the opportunity to visit perhaps the best museum in the area, at Arromanches, where the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour can be seen. We then return to our hotel. Whilst the excursions are included in your holiday, they are not compulsory so if you do not wish to take any of them, you can have more time to explore Rouen. Its attractions are numerous: it boasts the largest ceramic art museum in Europe, an excellent Fine Arts museum, including works by Monet, Renoir, Boudin and Delacroix, a superb shopping area, the fantastic cathedral, together with some of the most beautiful “olde worlde” streets you will find anywhere.

Day 5

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.

4* Mercure - Rouen

The Mercure Rouen Champ De Mars is four-star rated. This modern, comfortable hotel is very well located for our tours of the region and is just a ten minute stroll from the old quarter of Rouen. The hotel has a restaurant and bar and the spacious bedrooms are all ensuite, air conditioned and have a TV, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

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Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

4* Mercure - Rouen

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