The History of Normandy and the D-Day Beaches

Day 1

We depart from our designated pick up points in our private executive coach and travel to Dover with our tour manager for our P&O Ferries Channel crossing to Calais. We continue to Rouen and check in at the 3* Mercure Hotel Champs De Mars for a five night stay. A set three course welcome dinner without drinks is served in our hotel this evening, and the remaining four nights are on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2

The day is at leisure in Rouen to commemorate Bastille Day.

Day 3

On June 6th 1944, the Normandy beaches made their mark in history by becoming the largest battle ground of all time. We depart early this morning for our guided tour that focuses on the D-Day landings and takes in various landing sites which were witness to an horrific loss of life. The tour incorporates a visit to the Landings Museum at Arromanches, where Allied ships successfully achieved the greatest landings in history. The museum contemplates the construction of Mulberry Harbour in Arromanches, a truly extraordinary technological feat which provided the key to victory in Normandy. We continue to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, to see the embroidery that recounts in great detail Willliam the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066.

Day 4

We spend some time at leisure in Honfleur to explore the town that numerous French artists drew inspiration from and to visit the Old Dock surrounded by pretty narrow houses or admire the Lieutenancy and Saint Stephen's Church. En route back to our hotel this afternoon we enjoy an included tour and tasting at the Coeur de Lion Calvados Distillery.

Day 5

Our destination this morning is Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, where the artist painted his Waterlillies series. The Water Garden is asymmetrical with an exotic Japanese feel to it and Monet came here repeatedly through his life, letting his imagination rove amid the complex interplay of water and light. The rest of the day is at leisure in Rouen and you may choose to visit Notre Dame Cathedral.

Day 6

After checking out of our hotel and before heading home we have a guided tour of Château du Mesnil Geoffroy, built in the 17th and 18th centuries and offering wonderfully sculpted woodwork in the ground floor reception rooms. We continue to Calais for our return P&O Ferries Channel crossing to Dover and onwards travel to our original pick up points.