La Belle France

Bienvenue à Paris! The City of Light and love, and the perfect location to kick off our small-group adventure through France’s finest. After meeting our fellow travellers at our hotel, we’ll get to know one another over a sumptuous welcome dinner at a local restaurant. With traditional French cuisine on the menu that’s sure to delight, make sure you leave enough room for dessert. Bon appétit! 

Wake up to the scent of warm coffee and buttery croissants as you get ready for your first full day of our adventure together. As we journey out of Paris, settle into the minicoach and look out for the glistening Champs-Élysées lined with luxury storefronts, as well as the majestic Arc de Triomphe that stands stoic in the centre of swirling Parisian traffic. 
 
Our first stop will be Giverny and the ivy-clad home of Claude Monet, one of the world’s most celebrated Impressionist painters. Be transported back in time as you admire your surrounds – where walls are adorned with lemon yellow and eggshell blue paints, gardens erupt in a kaleidoscope of colours and a gentle breeze whispers through the branches of a willow. It's easy to see how Monet spent over four decades here. 
 
With its colourful, half-timbered medieval houses and narrow cobblestone streets, our home for the next two nights will be the charming port town of Honfleur. You may recognise it as the subject of a fair few Impressionist paintings (looking at you, Eugène Boudin!). We’ll spend the evening at our leisure, absorbing the rugged maritime atmosphere, before settling down for the night in a characterful 18th-century Norman mansion. 

From the buzz of its bustling market to the sailboat-lined 17th-century harbour, this morning, our Tour Leader will help us discover the heart of Honfleur on an orientation tour. After walking up an appetite, we’ll have free time for lunch. Why not opt for some fresh seafood for a taste of quintessential local flavours? We hear the sole meunière is a particular favourite: expect expertly fried sole served with a butter, lemon and parsley sauce – talk about catch of the day! 
 
Next, we’ll trace the Route du Cidre in Normandy in our minicoach, pausing at a local calvados producer to sample the fruits of the region’s orchards. From cool, crisp ciders to heady, amber-hued calvados, a treat for the tastebuds awaits. After filling our bags with unique artisanal produce (for a taste of Normandy back home, of course), we’ll return to Honfleur. En route, spy the picture-perfect thatched roof cottages that make this region so unique. 
 
Back in Honfleur, we’ll have the evening to spend as we wish. Whether it’s relaxing by the pool of our thoughtfully selected hotel, walking up to the Panorama du Mont-Joli for sweeping views over the quaint town, or seeking out a local haunt for dinner – your knowledgeable Tour Leader is sure to have plenty of recommendations ready to share. 

Today we’ll turn our attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where we’ll explore the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings. There’s also the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where we can take the time to reflect whilst overlooking the expansive Omaha Beach.  
 
Next, in keeping with this morning’s theme, we’ll make a stop at the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux where we’ll delve deeper into the details of the D-Day landings. Hear spine-tingling stories from those who lived through the event and get up close to fascinating artefacts used by the soldiers during the battle. 
 
To round off our day, we’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains – our home for the night. Having settled into our accommodation, a beautifully restored hotel that’s moments from the beach, we’ll enjoy a dinner with the group, sharing stories and reflections from the day.  

Tales of a mysterious apparition, the Hundred Years’ War and powerful tides await – we’re off to the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel where we’ll cross the iconic walkway to wander the buzzing island village. Weave your way up to the magnificent Abbey along La Grande Rue, where timber-clad medieval buildings hug the path and the scent of sizzling crêpes fill the air. The viewpoint from the North Tower is also well worth a visit – feel the wind whip past as the bay stretches out before you, shimmering like reams of satin. 
 
Then, as we make our way to storybook Dinan, we’ll stop off for a photo opportunity at Dol-de-Bretagne where we’ll see the famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent, a Neolithic megalith. Your Tour Leader is sure to have some intriguing legends about this historical monument up their sleeve!  
 
Did we mention crêpes? Thought so! Tonight, we’ll feast on an included dinner at a traditional Breton crêperie. This local delicacy is crafted using buckwheat flour, giving the batter a distinctive, delicious flavour. With savoury and sweet options on the menu, you'll be spoilt for choice. Why not try a classic crêpe complète filled with Emmental cheese, ham and an egg? Sign us up!  

With a whole day to yourself in Dinan, you can really get under the skin of this Gallic gem. Picture ancient ramparts, an assortment of timbered houses, a postcard-pretty quay and a 14th-century castle, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what awaits. 
 
Immerse yourself in Dinan's arts and crafts heritage in the quirky shops and galleries that line the cobblestone streets and swap inspiration with talented artisans (ranging from bookbinders to glassblowers) that ply their trade here. Or, take a moment to pause in the beams of light from the stained-glass windows of the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur, savouring the sound of hushed whispers around you.  
 
You certainly won’t be short of things to do in this charming, medieval town. 

Plunge deep into fairytale territory today as we board the minicoach towards the Loire Valley. Here, the skyline is peppered with the turrets of ancient castles, vineyards etch their way across green, rolling hills and orchards overflow with an abundance of sun-kissed fruit.  
 
Our first port of call will be Angers, where we’ll pay a visit to the city’s castle – an imposing structure that dates back to the 9th century. Why not meander through the castle’s impressive towers and inhale the fresh fragrance of its garden’s herbs? As you explore this formidable site, don’t miss the Apocalypse Tapestry – a vast work depicting the story of the apocalypse from the Book of Revelation. Commissioned by Louis I, it is said to be one of the oldest known medieval tapestries and is yours to discover today.  
 
To round off the day, we’ll journey on to Chinon – where we’ll share a meal together at a local restaurant for dinner. À demain! 

Rise and shine! Today, we’re visiting the mesmerising Château de Villandry. One of the last châteaux built during the Renaissance, it’s famous for its impeccably manicured gardens and architectural elegance. 
 
Spy the intricate frescoes and wooden panelling of its majestic interiors. Peek out of an upstairs window for a birds-eye view of the parterre planting. Meander through the myriad gardens, where rich colours and textures will ignite your imagination. 
 
Taking in so much beauty is thirsty work, so on our way back to Chinon we’ll enjoy a detour at a local winery, whose 12th-century cellars are nestled beneath Chinon’s medieval fortress. Did you know, the Loire is famous for its white wines, crafted by the likes of luscious Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grapes? Linger over a delicious glass (or two!) of the region’s finest and let their fresh flavours and fruity aromas enchant as you raise a toast with the group to another wonderful day. Santé! 
 

Fuel up on golden croissants and fresh orange juice, we’ve got another day of exploring on the cards. One of the Loire Valley’s precious jewels awaits: Château de Chenonceau. Built in the early 1500s, this spectacular château was later expanded to include a five-arched bridge that spans across the River Cher. On a still, clear day, don’t miss the chance to see the water reflect the iconic château like a mirror.  
 
Cast yourself back to medieval times, cooking in the wooden-beamed, limestone-walled kitchens, or imagine yourself at a royal reception in the Grand Gallery where a chessboard-patterned floor stretches before you. As we round off our visit, we’ll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens – where tulips dance in the breeze, manicured hedges stand steadfast and elegant water features babble.  

On our way back to Paris, we’ll make a brief stop in Amboise, the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life. Then, it’s off to our very own château for the night where we turn into lords and ladies of the manor! Our final French feast as a group awaits for dinner and it’s the perfect chance to reminisce on the soul-stirring experiences we’ve shared together.  

Listen to the gentle ripple of the Eure River, the hum of the local market and the chime of ancient bells as we pay a visit to the medieval city of Chartres. We'll call upon the city’s celebrated cathedral – said to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France, no less! Its soaring spires and ornate 13th-century stained-glass windows are a sight to behold. As we part ways back in Paris, we may be saying au revoir to France but the memories of its charm and beauty are sure to last a lifetime.