Paris, Normandy and Chateaux Country
Have you ever looked back on a trip and thought “that was absolutely perfect?” I have felt that way for over a decade looking back on my first tour of Paris, Normandy and the Loire Valley.
Completing that tour again last month, I am happy to report it’s still perfect. The perfect length of time in each destination, the perfect included sight-seeing, the perfectly located hotels. I love this tour, and I wonder if you would as well.
The tour begins in Paris, where you are located just steps from the amazement of the Champs de Elise and the Arc du Triomphe. Our group enjoyed investigating the area thoroughly and dining at several of the local restaurants nearby.
We participated in tours of the Crypts of Notre Dame, the Catacombs of Paris, the Sacre Cour, Mont Marte, the Louvre, the famous flower market, Napoleon’s Tomb and so much more. The highlight of our beginning in Paris was a wonderful dinner on the second level of the Eiffel Tower.
On to Giverny and the home and gardens of Claude Monet. Everyone came home with new landscaping ideas after that morning.
Then we stopped in Rouen with plenty of time to walk through the awe-inspiring Rouen Cathedral and see the tomb of the famous Viking invader turned French Nobleman, Rollo. We had a great lunch (I found tacos if you can believe that, with wonderful guacamole) and a fascinating visit to the memorial to Joan of Arc who was burned at the stake here.
We ended the day in Deauville, at a gorgeous 5 star beachfront resort where we watched thoroughbreds running along the sand.
We had a fun day trip to Honfleur the next morning, a gorgeous seaside village famous for being the setting of many Impressionist paintings. The age-old buildings and harbor with wonderful local specialties (the chocolates and caramels are amazing) made the day relaxing and fun for everyone.
Next, the landing beach of Normandy. The American Cemetery never ceases to silence everyone. There’s no way to describe it.
We crawled inside the bunkers and walked along Omaha beach. We stood before Les Braves and knew those cutting edges were a fitting symbol of our soldiers’ experiences on that beach. We stopped at Arromanches and saw the remains of the artificial WWII pier.
We ended the day at Mont St. Michel. The following days of the tour will be featured in my blog next week.