Authentic Normandy: Charming Villages, Traditional Food, and Classic Sites (port-to-port cruise)

Embark on a journey to discover Normandy's heritage with a getaway to Lisieux, the birthplace of Saint Thérèse. After departing by coach from Honfleur, you will arrive in this charming subprefecture of Calvados, a town greatly impacted by the devastating bombings of June 6, 1944. We will first take our coach to the monumental basilica, built in memory of Saint Thérèse, which continues to attract pilgrims from around the world. After this brief visit, our coach will bring you back to the town. Your guide will then accompany you on foot to explore the old districts, spared from the fires, around the cathedral. There, you will discover timber-framed houses, private mansions, and the bishop’s garden.

Your excursion will continue by coach to the Château de Boutemont, a fine example of 17th-century Norman architecture. A listed historic monument, this castle will captivate you with its half-timbered walls, brick and local stone construction, as well as its enchanting setting.

Upon arrival, you will be guided through a tour of the French-style gardens, carefully designed and surrounding the château. You will be able to stroll through this park where the harmony between architecture and nature presents a living portrait of the most authentic Norman landscapes.

Inside the château, you will discover the salons and reception rooms, decorated with elegance. Every detail, from the exposed beams to the period ornaments, tells the story of both the family and the region's history.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Departure by coach from Caudebec to Veules-les-Roses, a village listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France." You will begin with a walk along the shortest river in France, which winds its way through the village. The stroll will allow you to discover the charming thatched cottages, old watermills, and flower-filled gardens. After the guided tour, some free time will give you the opportunity to wander through the picturesque alleys and explore the village's artisanal shops.

After arriving in Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, a delightful seaside resort where the sea meets the countryside, you will enjoy lunch in a pleasant setting.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided walking tour that will take you through the old Saint-Valéry with its charming streets and lively harbor. The tour includes a visit to the exterior of Henri IV's house, a historic building that is an emblematic landmark of the town. Let yourself be enchanted by the authentic atmosphere of this maritime town, steeped in its rich historical past.

The exploration continues at the Manoir du Catel, dating back to the 13th century. Surrounded by high Normandy embankments planted with century-old beech trees, this oldest manor in Upper Normandy, though weathered by the passage of time, was primarily a place where, until the 17th century, the monks of Fécamp came to administer justice. It is not without emotion that you will discover an exceptional collection of graffiti etched into its walls, created by the condemned while awaiting their execution.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Depart on foot for a guided visit to the Jeanne d'Arc Historial. Just a 5-minute walk from the pier, this unique museum space is housed in the majestic Gothic halls of the Archiepiscopal Palace. You will discover the key moments of the life of Joan of Arc, an iconic figure in French history. The immersive, scenographic journey will take you through Joan’s trial with digital reconstructions, historical narratives, and captivating testimonies. Each stage of the visit will bring to life the political, religious, and social stakes of the time, while also revealing the remarkable architecture of the building. Return on foot to the ship in Rouen.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

This tour takes you to the heart of  Rouen, where its medieval past is felt at each street corner.  Plunge into French history as we stroll through the antiquarian district and the old draper’s neighborhood, down the Rue Damiette and Rue Saint Romain lined with half-timbered homes. We’ll visit the unique Ossuary of Saint-Maclou, an off-the-beaten-path site that is filled with haunting beauty and a grim past.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach with your guide. First stop at Deauville, the most glamour coastal French city, symbol of elegance, prestige and sophistication. Enjoy a stroll along the famous floorboards that were built in 1923 along the beach, allowing women to enjoy the seaside without spoiling their dresses. Discover the casino (exterior view). Continuation by coach for the delightful setting of the Breuil castle. Located in a lush green setting at the center of the Pays d'Auge, this castle is one of the most beautiful examples of the architectural heritage of this region. Today, the Breuil castle is also home to a prestigious distillery where you will get the chance to discover the various steps to making Calvados before tasting it*. Return to the boat in Honfleur by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

You will leave the boat by coach to travel to the home of Claude Monet. He lived in his Giverny home between 1830 and 1926. His passion for gardening and colors led him to conceive his flowers garden as a true art piece. He even said: "It took a while for me to understand my waterlilies... I grew them without thinking of painting them... A landscape doesn't sink in in one day... And all of a sudden the enchantments of my pond struck me. I took my palette. Since then, I've never had any other model." You can still feel the atmosphere that once reigned in the master of Impressionnism's house when visiting it. You will discover the pink facade while penetrating the garden. Inside, the artist's particular taste for warm tones will strike you, from the intensity of the blue he chose for his kitchen as well as his small living room, to the the yellow walls and furniture in the dining room, where you will also be able to see his private collection of Japanese prints. We'll be back on board in Vernon late afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• According to the weather, you may visit the American Museum of Giverny which exhibits Monet's paintings (extra charge of 4€).
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

We'll meet up with our guide and set off on our walking tour. Honfleur, the cradle of Impressionism, is located at the mouth of the Seine as it flows into the English Channel. Untouched by the passage of time, this small port has kept the landmarks of its rich past, making it today one of the most visited towns in France. We'll begin our tour at the Vieux Bassin, one of the most charming sites in the city. The narrow houses squeezed against each other are quite a unique sight. Next, we'll see Saint Catherine's Church, the largest wooden church in France. It was listed as a historical monument in 1879 and has been the subject of scrupulous research by many archaeologists and historians. Our tour will finish with a visit to Saint Léonard Church. Destroyed during the Hundred Years War, it was rebuilt at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries-only to be partially burned down again during the Wars of Religion. We'll return to our ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• For some cruises, this excursion can occur at night after dinner depending on the schedules of the Honfleur port.
• In case the boat cannot moor in Honfleur because of navigation technical reasons, this excursion will be done by coach. Extra fee to pay on board : 10€.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach for a day trip to the landing beaches. Arrival at Pointe du Hoc, which was the scene of one of the landings on June 6, 1944. After our visit, we'll pass through Omaha Beach, Colleville sur Mer and its American cemetery. After lunch, we'll continue to Arromanches, site of the famous battle with its artificial port installed to allow the invasion of land troops and their equipment. We'll stop at Arromanches 360° where you'll be able to watch a film in its circular room. The Price of Liberty combines archived footage filmed in June 1944 by war correspondents with current shots on the same site. We'll get back to Honfleur via Gold Beach, Juno Beach (Gray sur mer- Courseulles sur Mer - St Aubin sur Mer) and Sword Beach (Ouistreham Lion sur Mer - Luc sur mer). Arrival in Honfleur in the early evening.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Pre-booking only, valid for a minimum of 30 participants.