Explore Normandy, Brittany and The Loire Valley: 9 Days/8 Nights From Paris to Paris
Itinerary
Day 1 | Paris – Pick up your rental car
0 km*
Welcome to Paris – one of the world’s most beautiful cities and the capital of France. A city of world-class restaurants, art galleries, shops and natural masterpieces, beautiful parks and gardens. See the Mona Lisa at the world famous Louvre Museum and the amazing Musee d’Orsay. Wander through the narrow lanes of Bohemian Montmartre, the artists’ community where you can watch them sketch as you sit at one of the many outdoor cafes. Take a romantic boat cruise on the River Seine. See the Arc de Triumph, one of Paris’ principal focal points and the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in France. The gothic Notre-Dame is the most famous of all cathedrals and is located in the heart of Paris on a small island, the Ile de la Cite.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Charlemagne or similar (2 nights)
Day 2 | Paris
0 km*
Wonder through the city’s Left Bank (Rive Gauch) and see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Here you will come across colorful markets, lively cafes and the passionate Latin Quarter. Admire the dazzling window-displays and covered shopping malls of the Champs-Elysees, and the opulence of the Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore where haute couture is displayed alongside ready-to-wear. This evening after a fabulous dinner visit one of Paris’ famous music hall shows at the Folies Bergere or the Moulin Rouge.
Day 3 | Paris – Rouen – Honfleur – Deauville
238.18 km*
Drive across the Ile de France into Picardy and to the ancient city of Rouen, which in Norman times was the home of William the Conquerer before he invaded England. It was in Rouen that Joan of Arc was tried and burned at the stake in 1431. The old town’s narrow streets, many pedestrianised, are lined with picturesque timber-framed houses. Then cross the Seine into Normandy and arrive at Honfleur, one of the most picturesque fishing ports in France. Bathed in the soft light of the northern sea it has long been an attraction for famous artists and writers – plaques throughout the town attest to this. Honfleur retains its timeless character. The lively old streets are lined with timber and stone houses and the old harbor (Vieux Basinn) shelters a fishing fleet as well as yachts. Continue on to the glamorous haven for the rich and famous, the resort of Deauville, for your overnight stay. Appreciate its famous seafront boardwalk and casino – Dine and Dance in Deauville.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Du Yacht Club or similar
Day 4 | Deauville – Bayeux – D-Day Landing Beaches – Mont St. Michel – St. Malo
321.87 km*
This morning drive to Bayeux to see one of the oldest surviving complete tapestries in the world, the Bayeux Tapestry. This extraordinary masterpiece tells the story of William the Conqueror and his battle with the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Continue to the D-Day Landing Beaches. Despite Steven Spielberg’s endeavors it’s difficult to picture the dawn scene on D-Day, June 6th 1944, when the Allied troops landed along the coast of Normandy. Now, more than 60 years later, the Normandy coast is peaceful with lovely picturesque beaches and seaside towns with a background of old-fashioned farming landscapes of grazing cattle, hedges and farmhouses. However, memories of D-Day are everywhere. One feels compelled to stop along the way at one of the beautiful cemeteries and reflect on the human cost of war. From here to Mont St. Michel, one of the Wonders of the Western World. A dramatic island off the coast of Normandy linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway, it is an extraordinary site rich in history with one of the most splendid abbeys of France dating back to the 11th century. On to St. Malo, a unique walled town for your overnight stay. St. Malo has some of the best seafood restaurants in Europe.
Accommodations:
Tourist Class Hotel De La Regate or similar
Day 5 | St. Malo – Rennes – St Nazaire – Nantes
241.4 km*
From St. Malo your journey takes you to the city of Rennes, the capital of Brittany since 1532. The city now consists of grand 18th century public squares interspersed with intimate little alleys of 15th and 16th centuries half-timbered houses. Today’s journey takes you to the port of St. Nazaire then on to Nantes for your overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel De La Regate or similar
Day 6 | Nantes – Angers – Tours
225.31 km*
This morning take a walk through the old quarters of Nantes and visit Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne. From here to Angers, the capital of the historic province of Anjou, which is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France. It traces its roots to early Roman times and occupies both banks of the Maine. Foremost among its many notable structures is the Castle of Angers with its moat and soaring towers. At Castle Angers see the wonderful Tenture de l’Apocalypse, 140 meters long, the oldest and most important tapestry to have been preserved, and has been called “one of the greatest works of Western art”. Drive through the Loire Valley known for its wines and chateaux, to the city of Tours where we have arranged your overnight accommodation. Visit the Place Plumereau – a busy square bordered by fine 15th century residences built of stone and timber.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Mercure Tours Sud or similar (2 nights)
Day 7 | Visit Chateaux on the Loire-Azay-Le-Rideau-Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Villandry
0 km*
Visit the beautiful chateau of Azay-le-Rideau. Built in the early 1500s and one of the earliest Renaissance chateaux it is surrounded by imposing landscaped gardens and was purchased by the French government and restored; its interior completely refurbished with Renaissance pieces and is now open to public visits. Drive on to the royal castle of Blois which dominates the Loire River and is one of the most presigious monuments in France. Another amazing Castle is Chateaux Cheverny, which is said to have invented the French Style in 1630. Filled with original furnishings, tapestries and objects d’art, it is still inhabited by the descentants of the original family. Next visit the jewel of Renaissance architecture, the Chateau de Chenonceau. Set in the perfect setting of river, forests and gardens in the Loire Valley, the beautiful castle in its present form was built in 1513, though its history dates back to 11th century. It has a large collection of Renaissance furniture and art masterpieces, such as Rubens and Le Tintoret. The chateau of Villandry, the last of the great Loire valley castles built in the Renaissance, owes its fame not only to its Spanish-inspired interiors but to the magnificence of its gardens. Set in 17 acres are its beautiful ornamental gardens, water gardens, herb and kitchen gardens. While touring France’s Loire Valley why not pick up a bottle of its famous Sancerre or Muscadet wine.
Day 8 | Tours – Amboise- – Orleans – Chartres – Versailles – Paris
265.54 km*
Drive between the rich cornfields of the Beauce to the north and the heaths and forests of the Sologne to the south, and arrive at Orleans, the capital of the Loire Valley. Here the Musee des Beaux-Arts houses some of the richest collections in France. Continue today’s journey and arrive in Chartres where the medieval streets of the Old City evoke the bustling activities of the merchants and craftsmen of that time. Chartres attracted pilgrims at an early date. Be sure to visit the magnificent Cathedral Nortre-Dame. From here drive to Versailles, created at the time of the French monarchy’s greatest splendor. When Louis XIV moved there from Paris in 1682 it became the center of political power until the Royal Family was forced to return to Paris in 1789 during the French Revolution. With its ornately decorated rooms, chandeliers, marble, bronze and large paintings, Versailles remains the finest jewel of the French Crown. The gardens, created for perfection in their symmetry and harmony, were designed for walking, while the flower beds designed to highlight the castle, with many statues and fountains decorating its paths. Your day ends in Paris for your overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Charlemagne or similar
Day 9 | Paris
0 km*
Drop-off Rental Car, Depart Paris.
| Price per person | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Of Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax | 8 Pax | 9 Pax |
| Adult in Twin/Double | 1175 | 1028 | 952 | 909 | 949 | 917 | 938 | 916 |
| Adult in Triple | 1123 | 975 | 899 | 856 | 896 | 864 | 885 | 863 |
| Child with bed in Triple | - | 955 | 880 | 837 | 876 | 844 | 865 | 843 |
| Child No Bed | - | 480 | 404 | 361 | 401 | 369 | 390 | 368 |
Ile-de-France, Loire, Brittany, Normandy, Chartres, Paris, Amboise, Angers, La Baule, Nantes, Orleans, Tours, Dinard, Rennes, St. Malo, Bayeux, Deauville, Honfleur, Rouen. 08 Nights Hotel Accommodation as detailed in the Day by Day Itinerary as described below. Breakfast Daily, all Hotel Taxes and Service Charges. 09 Days Hertz CDMR Compact, Manual Ford Focus or similar Including Unlimited Mileage (UM), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection (TP), and Taxes. Maps, Information, and Detailed Directions to your Hotels. Emergency telephone numbers accessible 24/7 in the unlikely event you have a problem with a hotel or the Hertz rental car. Fuel and Parking Charges. Admissions to Attractions unless otherwise stated. Contract Payment Tour Deposit Travel Insurance Cancellations/Refunds/Change
Once the booking is confirmed, changes incur the following amendment fees: 60 + days — €50 per person, 59 days to day of departure — changes are treated as a cancellation and rebooking and cancellation charges as above apply. It is not possible to make refunds after departure date for any services not used including but not limited to hotels, and car rental. It is your responsibility to thoroughly check your documents upon receipt and to inform European Voyages immediately if there is an error so that it can be corrected prior to departure. If European Voyages is not advised accordingly no liability on its part will be accepted. Also, it is your responsibility to ensure that you take all of the travel documents sent to you, including but not limited to Hotel, and Car Vouchers, explorer kit, etc. If you do not have your documents you will be expected to pay for service and will not be reimbursed by European Voyages. Changes by the Company Driving Licenses Travel Documents/Proof of Citizenship Descriptions Responsibility and Limitations of Liability By making final payment for any of the vacations, customer acknowledges and agrees to all of the terms and conditions, in particular, to the limitations of liability set forth above. Misadventure Hotel Accommodation
The Terms and Conditions will form the contract between European Voyages and the person making/paying for the booking. No contract exists until European Voyages has received payment and issued its confirmation invoice. Rates are subject to currency fluctuation and Government taxes and may be changed without notice. Rates are guaranteed upon acceptance of full payment.
Payment with a credit card is required to make a reservation. If a booking is made 60 or more days before departure, a non-refundable deposit is payable by Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance will be collected approximately eight weeks prior to departure. For reservations made less than 60 days before departure, full payment will be due when hotels are confirmed.
Duration Price Per Person
5 to 7 Days EURO 125.00
8 to 10 Days EURO 150.00
11 to 13 Days EURO 175.00
14 to 16 Days EURO 200.00
17 to 20 Days EURO 250
21 Days & Over EURO 300.00
We highly recommend the purchase of a Travel Insurance protection plan.
Notice of cancellation must be made by e-mail directly to the Company
Duration Charge Per Person
60+ Days Deposit Only
59-45 Days 25%
44-30 Days 50%
29-22 Days 75%
21 to Day of Departure 100%
On occasion it may be necessary to amend certain arrangements of your holiday, which we reserve the right to do at any time. If a major change occurs we will inform you as soon as possible. Major change is one that involves a change in location or offering a lower category hotel. In these instances we will offer an alternative subject to your acceptance and if the hotel originally booked is of a superior category and is substituted with a standard category, we will issue a refund to you Upon acceptance of the change no further claims for compensation or additional expenses will be accepted. In no case we will pay compensation or accept liability if change is due to force majeure; risk/threat of war; industrial disputes; riot; civil strife; terrorist activity; natural/nuclear disasters; fire or adverse weather conditions; technical problems to transport; closure or congestion of airports or ports; cancellations or changes of scheduled airlines and similar events beyond our control.
Renters must present a valid driving license, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended. This is required for translation purposes to confirm the validity of the driver’s license for the safety of our renters and for Hertz. Note: A current valid foreign driving license must always be presented at the rental counter.
It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid machine readable passport and/or visa if required.
European Voyages strives to ensure accuracy of descriptions and information, however we are not able to control all holiday components and advertised facilities may bed withdrawn or changed. We cannot accept liability for loss of an advertised facility or withdrawal of free or discounted offers. Such offers are add value and are non-refundable if not provided or used. Prices specified herein do not reflect Value Added offers unless noted otherwise.
European Voyages as the operator, is solely responsible for selecting the suppliers that provide the component parts (e.g. hotel accommodations, transfers, and car rental firms) for the vacations described on this website. These suppliers are independent contractors. European Voyages does not own, control, operate, nor is it an agent for any suppliers furnishing tour component parts, and therefore in the absence of its negligence, European Voyages cannot be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury to person, caused by reason of any act or omission, intentional negligence or otherwise by such third party supplier. European Voyages makes no implied or expressed warranties in the offering of any tour described on this website. European Voyages reserves the right to cancel or alter any itinerary at its sole discretion. The information and rates are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change without notice.
Should you or any member of your party suffer illness, personal injury or death through any misadventure arising out of an activity which does not form part of your holiday arrangements, we shall offer assistance such as we are able. Such assistance shall take the form of guidance and advice only without accepting any liability whatsoever.
European Voyages reserves the right to substitute alternative hotels to those featured, provided they are of comparable category or better. All properties are contracted on a ‘Run of House’ basis, which means you have a standard room from any part of the property unless otherwise advertised. Special accommodation requests, such as adjoining rooms, or twin beds are subject to the hotel availability and cannot be guaranteed. We cannot accept any booking that is conditional upon special requests being met.
