3-Day Private Normandy — Brittany — 3 Loire Castles, Oysters & Calvados tasting | La Vacanza Travel

3-Day Private Normandy — Brittany — 3 Loire Castles, Oysters & Calvados tasting

Duration: 3 days
Destination: France, Ile-de-France, Paris
from
2940.3

Check Availability

  • 3 days
  • Paris
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

High quality 3-day Private trip of 2 to 6 persons to 7 Top sights of Normandy & Brittany and 3 Top Loire Valley castles by our extra long Mercedes Minivan air-conditioned with adjustable seats. Calvados and Oysters tastings included.

Hotel accommodation of 2 overnights in a 4* hotels based 1/2 DR included. Walking tours in Rouen and Honfleur, visit of the Etretat Cliffs, Mont Saint-Michel with the Abbey visit, Cancale - the French capital of Oysters and Saint Malo - the former corsar city. You will also visit Chenonceau, Amboise and Chambord Castles.
Minivan drives faster than a bus and is more comfortable, so you save up a lot of time. 15 Private and Small-group experiences from Paris by Mercedes minivan offered by Clewel Travel.

Itinerary

Day 1: Paris — Rouen — Etretat — Honfleur

Pass By: Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France
07:30 Departure from steps of Opera Garnier in Paris, destination Rouen. Pickup service from your hotel for those who have selected this option. The guide will welcome our small-group and the trip begins. The guide will give you general information about the French history connected to Normandy: Rouen, Honfleur, Mont Saint-Michel etc. There are approx. 122 km to drive on a highway from Paris to Rouen by our comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with WiFi. It takes in general around 2 hours.

Stop At: Rouen, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, Normandy
09:30 - 12:00 Visit of Rouen, the capital of the Duke of Normandy. Sightseeing walking tour of Rouen, the city of a hundred bell-towers, famous for its Gothic cathedrals. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral of the XIII - XVI centuries, known throughout the world in the paintings of Monet, the area of the Vieux Marché, the place of execution of Joan d'Arc and the Church of Joan d'Arc, the Palace of justice of the XVI century, to see the old medieval clock on the pedestrian street of Gros-Horloge.
The walking tour lasts from 1 to 1,5 hours. Free time.
12:00 Departure from Rouen towards Etretat (about 80 km).
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Stop At: Etretat, Etretat, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, Normandy
13:00 - 15:00 Arrival in Etretat. Walking to the Cliffs. Free time for Lunch. Étretat is famous for its chalk cliffs, including three natural arches and the Needle, which rises 70 meters (230 ft) above the sea. Etretat was a popular spot in the past for impressionist artists including Claude Monet, the founder of French Impressionist painting. Today it is a classic seaside resort nestled between two sets of chalk cliffs. You can walk on the beach or climb for excellent views. Along the seafront, there are many restaurants/cafés all of which do variations on a theme of Moules/Frites. Free time.

15:00 Departure Honfleur. It takes about one hour drive.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Honfleur, Honfleur, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, Normandy
16:00 Arrival in Honfleur. The walking city tour takes about 1 hour.
Walking tour of Honfleur with its famous port. Honfleur, the main defensive port of Normandy of the XV century, transformed into a charming resort town with a picturesque Bay, much-loved by the artists of the XIX century. Honfleur was first mentioned in 1027, when it belonged to the Norman Duke Richard III. The owners of the city changed several times during The Hundred-Years War. In the XV century, there were French pirates, corsairs who ravaged the English coast. A little later, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the city became significantly rich in trade with the American colonies. After the port was closed, the city's economy declined and Honfleur became a suburb of Le Havre. Today it is one of the most known tourist cities in Normandy.
17:00 to 18:00 Free time.
18:00 Departure from Honfleur to Calvados tasting.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Calvados Christian Drouin, 1895 route de Trouville, 14130 Coudray-Rabut, Pont-L'Eveque France
18:15 Arrival at a Local Calvados Producer. You can get explanations from the local producer how it is being made for centuries and taste the genuine Calvados & Cider of Normandy.
19:00 Departure destination Mont Saint-Michel.
Duration: 45 minutes

Pass By: Saint-Lo, Saint-Lo, Manche, Basse-Normandie, Normandy
19:00 Departure from Honfleur destination Mont Saint-Michel. It takes 1,5 to 2 hours.

20:30/21:00 Accommodation at 3*+ Hotel in Normandy.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 20:30 Arrival and Accommodation at 3* Hotel in Normandy at a small typical hotel.

Day 2: Mont Saint-Michel — Cancale — Saint Malo — Angers

Stop At: Saint-Lo, Saint-Lo, Manche, Basse-Normandie, Normandy
07:30 Departure from your hotel in Normandy to Mont Saint-Michel. It takes in general less than 1 hour. The guide will give you general information about the French history connected to Normandy, Brittany, especially Mont Saint-Michel.

09:00 Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, Bp 22 Au sommet du village, 50170 Mont-Saint-Michel France
09:00 - 12:30 Arrival at the UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel and visit of the Benedictine Abbey. Your guide will bring you up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top of the Island. You can admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets into the Abbey include audio-guides in many languages.
The whole island with the Bay is classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It remains practically the same since the Middle Ages as it was the goal of pilgrims from all over the world. Mont Saint Michel remains the most visited site in France.
Free time for Lunch and visiting of the city and the Bay.

12:30. Departure to Cancale. It takes about one hour.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Cancale, Cancale, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany
13:30 Arrival in Cancale - the Oysters capital of France. Oysters Tasting on the local fishermen's market. You can buy a tray from a stallholder to take away to eat them at place admiring the bay of Cancale.
If You mention Cancale to a Frenchman he well say "oysters", which have been cultivated in this fishing village for hundreds of years. In Cancale You enjoy also breathtaking views over the Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel.

15:00 Departure to Saint Malo. It takes about 30 minutes.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Saint-Malo, Saint-Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany
15:30 Arrival in Saint-Malo (Brittany). Walking tour Saint-Malo.
Saint Malo is a historic French port in Brittany on the English Channel coast. The walled city had a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. Saint-Malo was once the city of corsairs and the birthplace of the discoverer of Canada, Jacques Cartier and the poet Chateaubriand.
We will have a walking tour with a tour of the Old Town, surrounded by high walls, with narrow cobbled streets and buildings of the 18th and 15th centuries.
18:00 Departure, destination Loire Valley.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Angers, Angers, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
20:30 Arrival in Anger. Hotel accommodation

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in a 3-star hotel in Angeres, 1/2 DR.

Day 3: Angers — Chenonceau — Amboise — Chambord — Paris

Pass By: Angers, Angers, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
07:30 Departure from Angers to Chateau de Chenonceau. It takes about 2 hours (160 km).

Stop At: Chateau de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceaux France
09:30 - 11:30 Arrival and visit of Château de Chenonceau.
Duration: 2 hours. Skip-the-line access.
Skip-the-line access with Guide to Chenonceau Castle nicknamed the "ladies’ castle", remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for it’s stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well. You will also get a brochure with explanations of each room.
Free time to walk around the gardens.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Plou Et Fils, 26 rue du General de Gaulle, 37530 Charge, Amboise France
12:00 to 12:45 Visit of the local Vinery with Wine Tasting at a local family winery existing for many centuries. You will learn how wines have been made for centuries and afterwords have a wine tasting of local wines with explanations.
12:45 Departure to the Amboise city.
13:00 Arrival in Amboise. Lunch time. There are many cafes and restaurants at the main walking street of Amboise near the entrance to the Castle. So You will have the best choice for Lunch.
Duration: 2 minutes

Stop At: Chateau Royal d'Amboise, Montee de l'Emir Abd El Kader Montée de l'Emir Abd-el-Kader, 37400, Amboise France
14:00 to 15:00 Skip-the-line access with Guide to Chateau d’Amboise with Histopad explaining to You the history of this Castle and of each room.

Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise which is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

15:15 Departure from Amboise to Chambord Castle with arrival about 16:15.
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Chateau de Chambord, le Chateau, 41250, Chambord France
16:15 - 18:00 Arrival at Château Chambord. Visit of the Castle. The guide will tell you about the history of the castle and its construction.
The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles because of its French Renaissance architecture. The building was constructed (1519–1547) by Francis I (Francois 1-er) and is nowadays the biggest castle with its 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The castle is also known because of its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.
18:15 Departure to Paris. There are approx. 180 km to drive on highway. It takes 2,5 hours. One stop will be made at the rest area.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France
21:30. Coming back to Paris. Drop Off at Opera Garnier steps or Your hotel if Pick up/Drop off option booked.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions
  • Mont Saint-Michel visit with entrance tickets to the Abbey and audioguide
  • Etretat, Pointe du Grouin, Oysters market in Cancale, Distillery visit with Calvados tasting
  • Walking tours in Rouen, Honfleur, Saint Malo
  • Hotel accommodation in Double Rooms for two nights with breakfast
  • Mercedes E220/E300 business class car for 2 - 3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3 - 7 people
  • Entrance tickets to 3 Castles of Loire Valley
  • Bottled water
  • Accommodation included: 2 nights
  • Entry/Admission - Chateau de Chambord
  • Entry/Admission - Chateau de Chenonceau
  • Entry/Admission - Plou Et Fils
  • Entry/Admission - Calvados Christian Drouin
  • Entry/Admission - Chateau Royal d'Amboise
  • Entry/Admission - Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Exclusions
  • Gratuities and Souvenirs
  • Single Accommodation Supplement
  • Near public transportation
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Pickup is always at the reception desk of your hotel.


Departure Time

07:30 AM

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

3 days


User's Reviews

siubobo95

04 Oct, 2022

We were disappointed with our experience. We spent three full days seeing the best of Normandy Brittany and Loire Valley but we felt very rushed throughout the entire trip. Worst of all, Cyrus didn’t give much information in the car (he barely spoke) but after we arrive at the site he would tell us things which took up the already limited time we had to see the sight. While most tours would include St. Malo along with St. Michel, Cyrus skipped St. Malo and instead took us to see an old town called Dinan with a French tour guide. We felt that was a poor choice of sights. The whole trip could have been a lot better as the area was really beautiful! We didn’t feel well taken care of even though it was a small group tour.

Joanna_Q

04 Oct, 2022

The sights on this itinerary were all beautiful! However we couldn’t understand why we skipped St. Malo for a small town called Dinan. Most first time visitors would rather see St. Malo along with St. Michel but we were made to spend almost two hours at Dinan with a French speaking tour guide while our guide tried to translate, thus wasting a lot of precious time when we could have visited St. Malo instead. Our driver guide Cyrus was not very informative - little information was given before we arrive at each site, then he would take up precious time giving information that could have been given before. Most of the time he didn’t even say a word during the long rides from sights to sights. Anyway, his English was not very fluent so it took us a while to understand what he was saying. Since we had little time at each location (about an hour or 1.5 hours and no more than two hours including time for lunch) everything felt very rushed. The reason we booked a small group tour (and paid more) was exactly to not to have to rush. But we felt rushed during the whole trip. One night we were told to walk back to the hotel after dinner at 9pm, it was raining so we called Cyrus but he refused to come to get us. He could have helped us get a taxi ride. We felt that we weren’t well taken care of. It was definitely not a small group tour type experience.

User's Picture Gallery


Similar Packages


Other Populars

Some popular Sightseeing Tours, Activities and Holiday Packages.

France - SightSeeing Tours and Activities View All

Paris - Holiday Packages View All

Paris - Top Tourist Attractions View All

- Where To Stay View All