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Long before World War II burned the name "Normandy" into our collective consciousness as the site of some of the war's most horrific battles, the lyrical landscape of Normandy became the birthplace of the Impressionist Art movement. Artist Claude Monet painted "Sunrise" in Le Havre in 1872, and the quality of light he captured in his oils drew artists from the world over.
Normandy's close proximity to Paris meant artists came by train and stayed to paint the lovely gardens, orderly orchards, wild forests, small villages and medieval towns they saw here. They left an artistic legacy hard to find anywhere else in the world. Toto Tours captures the magic northern France in this gay tour of Normandy's beauty and heritage.
• Monet's Garden in Giverny
• Rouen
• Le Havre *
• Etretat Arches & Needle
• Deauville
• Honfleur
• Trouville
• Camembert
• Cider Route
• Caen
• Bayeux Tapestry *
• Normandy Beaches
• Dinard
• Mont Saint-Michel *
• Chantilly, and the stunning Chateau
* UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 0 - Thursday, May 19, 2016
This is a travel day, with tour services beginning tomorrow in Paris, France. Book a flight from your home city to the Charles De Gaulle Airport (use the airport code CDG when searching for flights online). Please time your arrival for as early as possible tomorrow in order to participate in the Giverny tour and Welcome Dinner. If you are not able to arrive by 10:00 am at the very latest, we suggest you plan to depart a day early, on Wednesday, May 18th, and arrive on May 19. For those who wish to arrive a day early, please indicate this on your reservation form so that we can hold a room for you at our CDG Airport hotel - Golden Tulip CDG Airport Villepinte Hotel.
Day 1 - Friday, May 20, 2016
Arrange your flight to arrive as early as possible this morning in Paris. Collect your luggage, go through customs and exit the secure area, where you will be met by a representative and taken to our meeting spot. Once everyone has been collected, we depart the airport and drive the 60 miles to Giverny, where we have lunch, take a walking city tour and see Monet's Home and Garden. We continue on to Rouen, arriving in late afternoon for hotel check-in and time to freshen up. This evening, Toto Tours hosts a cocktail party to toast the start of our tour, followed by a Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Rouen.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale Hotel, Rouen, 4*
Day 2 - Saturday, May 21, 2016
After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, take a morning walking tour of Rouen to see the main sites including its impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Drive to Le Havre for sightseeing in the central old city which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We drive north along the English Channel to Etretat for lunch and to see the limestone cliffs, three natural arches and the pointed "needle" which have inspired many artists. We cross the bridge over the mouth of the Seine River, driving to our final destination today: Deauville. The evening is free. Overnight in Deauville.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hotel Du Golf Barriere , Deauville, 4* (sea view rooms)
Day 3 - Sunday, May 22, 2016
This morning we take a very short drive to the town of Honfleur, the starting point for the Hundred Years War from the 14th to 15th centuries. Located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine, we take a boat tour of the picturesque waterfront with its slate-covered, colorful frontages that also inspired Impressionist painters. After lunch in Honfleur we take another short drive to Trouville-sur-Mer, where we have a walking tour of this village along the Touques River. Another quick ride returns us to Deauville, where we enjoy free time to explore. Overnight in Deauville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Hotel: Hotel Du Golf Barriere , Deauville, 4* (sea view rooms)
Day 4 - Monday, May 23, 2016
This morning we take a drive along the Cider Route, seeing those village and orchards known for their world-class cider. We stop in the town of Camembert, which gives it name to its most famous product – the soft, creamy cow's milk cheese, "Camembert de Normandie." After a cheese tasting with a glass of cider, we continue our journey to Caen, known as the city of William the Conqueror. Here we check in at our hotel and take an afternoon tour of the city, which was almost entirely rebuilt after the extensive damage it sustained during World War II. The evening is free. Overnight in Caen.
Meals: Breakfast, Cider & Cheese Tasting
Hotel: Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre Hotel, Caen, 4*
Day 5 - Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Normandy Beaches. Our first stop is the town of Bayeux, home of the Bayeux Tapestry honoring the life of William the Conqueror, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue on to Colleville-sur-Mer, the closest town to the beaches, where we first have lunch. Then we visit the U.S. Military Cemetery and Omaha Beach, the site of the Allies' landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944. We return to Caen in the afternoon for a free evening. Overnight in Caen.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre Hotel, Caen, 4*
Day 6 - Wednesday, May 25, 2016
This morning we drive to the historic town of Villedieu-les-Poeles, known for its early copper industry and bell foundry. It was one of the towns almost entirely spared of Allied bombing during the war. Next we visit the picturesque fishing village of Cancale, where we stop for lunch. We make a photo stop at the rocky outcrop of Pointe-du-Grouin to see its bird sanctuary, lighthouse, and beautiful view of Mont Saint-Michel far off in the distance. We continue on to the walled port city of St. Malo for a city tour of its many ancient structures. Our last short ride brings us to Dinard, an attractive beachside town along the English Channel. The evening is free to explore on your own. Overnight in Dinard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Barrière Le Grand Hotel Dinard, Dinard, 5*
Day 7 - Thursday, May 26, 2016
We check out of our hotel after breakfast and drive to one of the world's most famous sites. A strategic stronghold since ancient times, Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's most recognizable and beloved landmarks. The original builders constructed the entire island according to feudal society – with God (the abbey and monastery) on top, the great halls just below, then housing and commerce, and on the bottom the fishermen's and farmers' housing outside the fortified walls. The island and its bay have UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, and while 3 million people a year visit the site, our Toto group will have the rare privilege of staying at the only hotel within the city walls. Once the tourist throngs have all left for the day, we will have the entire place almost to ourselves during the evening. It is a magical experience at night, allowing you to truly take a step back in time. Overnight on Mont Saint-Michel.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Mercure Mont Saint-Michel Hotel, Saint-Michel, 4*
Day 8 - Friday, May 27, 2016
We depart Mont Saint-Michel after breakfast and spend part of the day driving back in the direction of Paris. We stop along the way for lunch, arriving in Chantilly by late afternoon. Check in at our beautiful chateau and spend a free evening enjoying the amenities of our chateau or explore the town on your own. Overnight in Chantilly.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Chateau de Montvillargenne, Chantilly, 4*
Day 9 - Saturday, May 28, 2016
Enjoy a morning tour of Chateau de Chantilly, one of the most beautiful of the grand chateaux France. The chateau's art gallery, the Musée Condé, houses one of the finest collections of paintings in France after the Louvre. The main French formal garden features extensive ornamental flower beds and fountains. There is also a French landscape garden with a cascade, pavilions, and a rustic ersatz village, the Hameau de Chantilly. The estate overlooks the Chantilly Racecourse and the Grandes Écuries (Great Stables) which contains the Living Museum of the Horse. We provide a group transfer back to our own chateau after the tour, but those who wish can remain into the afternoon to explore more of this fabulous estate and return to our hotel via taxi on their own. This evening we celebrate our impressions of northern France during a festive Farewell Dinner at our chateau hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Hotel: Chateau de Montvillargenne, Chantilly, 4*
Day 10 - Sunday, May 29, 2016
The tour ends officially this morning. Breakfast is provided at the chateau this morning. We provide one group transfer to the Charles De Gaulle Airport in the northeast of Paris (45 minutes), in time to check in for the earliest flights home. Please try to book your flight to depart at noon or later so that we can have a relaxed departure from the chateau.
Meals: Breakfast
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• 9 nights hotel accommodations:
- 1 night at Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale Hotel, Rouen;
- 2 nights at Hotel Du Golf Barriere , Deauville;
- 2 nights at Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre Hotel, Caen;
- 1 night at Barrière Le Grand Hotel Dinard, Dinard;
- 1 night at Mercure Mont Saint-Michel Hotel, Saint-Michel;
- 2 nights at Chateau de Montvillargenne, Chantilly;
• Airport pick-up on the morning of May 20, and one group transfer back to the airport from Chantilly at end of the tour;
• Hotel breakfasts daily plus Welcome & Farewell Dinners and other meals as specified in the itinerary;
• Ground transportation in air conditioned motorcoach;;
• Sightseeing activities and entrances as listed in the itinerary;
• Fully guided and escorted tour
• Round trip airfare to Paris, France (CDG);
• Any transfers other than the included group transfers at the beginning and end of the tour;
• Ground transportation for sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.);
• Meals and optional activities not specifically listed in the itinerary; alcoholic beverages;
• Travel Insurance;
• Camera fees; laundry, telephone calls, faxes, or any other expenses of a personal nature
• Tips to drivers and guides and other conveyance attendants are not included; tipping guidelines for our group tips will be provided prior to departure
Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale Hotel, Rouen
Stay in the heart of Rouen. This Mercure is located in central Rouen, next to Notre Dame Cathedral Rouen. It offers air-conditioned guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, satellite TV and free WiFi access.
The Mercure Rouen Centre Cathédrale serves a full breakfast, which can be enjoyed in the comfort of your room and an express breakfast option. Guests can also enjoy a drink in the hotel bar.
The Place du Vieux Marché (the old market) and the Gros Horloge are within easy walking distance of the Mercure Rouen Centre. Rouen Train Station is situated just 1 km away and underground, private parking is available on site.
Hotel Du Golf Barriere , Deauville
This hotel is set on the Barriere golf course, a 5-minute drive from central Deauville and Les Planches Promenade. It has a garden and sunbathing terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and hammam.
The Hotel Du Golf Barriere offers spacious en suite guest rooms, equipped with satellite TV and wired internet access. Some superior rooms have a sea view.
Guests of the Golf Barriere can use of the hotel's fitness room, hot tub and sauna and enjoy a relaxing massage. An 18-hole golf course is available at an extra cost.
From the hotel's Club House guests can enjoy a drink or lunch on the large terrace. The restaurant, Le Lassay, serves traditional, seasonal cuisine and offers views of Trouville and the coast.
Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre Hotel, Caen
The Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre is located 20 minutes from the beaches of the Allied Landings, near the Peace Memorial. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace and a garden.
Each guest room at the Novotel has satellite TV and free Wi-Fi internet access.
At the Caen Côte de Nacre's restaurant, the Novotel Café, guests can enjoy traditional cuisine
Our hotel is the ideal base for exploring the impressionists' museums and villas as well as the D-day landing beaches.
Barrière Le Grand Hotel Dinard, Dinard
Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Barrière Le Grand Hôtel. The 5-star Grand Hotel Barriere is located on the seafront in Dinard, near the beaches and the Casino Barriere. Attentive staff are available 24 hours a day.
Rooms are elegantly decorated and are equipped with a minibar and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Free WiFi access is provided in the rooms, while the private bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer.
The Grand Hotel's spa and fitness centre, Phytomer, offers a range of relaxing body and beauty treatments. It has a sauna and indoor swimming pool with massaging jet system.
Guests can enjoy a cocktail at the hotel bar, 333 Café, before dining on gourmet cuisine in the restaurant, blue. B, overlooking the sea.
Mercure Mont Saint-Michel Hotel, Saint-Michel
This Mercure is situated in parkland just 2 km from the abbey of Mont Saint Michel. It offers spacious en suite rooms, a restaurant and bar and plenty of free on-site parking.
The air-conditioned rooms at Mercure Mont Saint Michel are equipped with facilities for making hot drinks. A flat-screen TV with satellite and cable channels is also provided.
The restaurant, Le Pré Salé, is famous in the area and serves delicious seafood and regional specialities. The bar, Le Normandy, offers a relaxed setting for a drink amongst friends.
Mercure Mont Saint Michel is 6.5 km from Pontorson and 52 km from Saint-Malo.
Chateau de Montvillargenne, Chantilly
The Chateau de Montvillargenne is situated in Chantilly, 35 kilometres north of Paris. It is just 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle airport and offers a peaceful park setting, an indoor swimming pool and spa facilities.
The rooms are decorated in a traditional or contemporary French style each with an individual atmosphere. Guests can dine in an award-winning gastronomic restaurant 'Le Vilargène' with a view on the garden. Reservation is recommended.
Facilities for relaxation include a sauna, a steam-room and a fitness centre. Massages and beauty treatments are available on request. There are also mountain bikes, and a tennis court. A golf course and horse riding stables are nearby.
The Chateau de Montvillargenne is a quiet base from which to explore the Chateau of Chantilly, the Living Horse Museum and the Asterix theme park.
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