France·July 1 - 8 2024

The Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

A journey through France that will immerse your senses in culinary, cultural and horticultural discovery.

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Overview

If a visit to Normandy & Brittany isn't at the top of your bucket list, it should be. Just a short drive from Paris along the river Seine, this extraordinary part of France has a distinctive character that will captivate you at every turn. We'll explore the iconic destinations - the cliffs of Étretat, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Mont Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo - as we delve deeply into the soul of the region. The bucolic charm of Normandy’s rolling pastureland, apple orchards, half-timbered farms, and thatched cottages evoke historic ties to Britain, while the Breton language, rugged coastline, and granite architecture capture Britany’s Celtic heritage. Many of France’s most beloved taste treats are native to Normandy and Brittany - from Camembert, Calvados, crepes, and cider – to salted butter caramels, Breton biscuits, scallops, and oysters. The restaurants have such bounty to draw from, it's no wonder it's become a foodie mecca! And get ready to see some of the most beautiful gardens in France, from Monet's gardens at Giverny to the "Jardin Remarquable” at Château de Miromesnil to the Gardens of Étretat. Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can't help but marvel at the extraordinary beauty. It's no surprise that Normandy and Brittany have been timeless sources of artistic inspiration.

Highlights

Discovering 7 of France’s most beautiful award-winning gardens

Discovering 7 of France’s most beautiful award-winning gardens

Tasting irresistible regional specialties

Tasting irresistible regional specialties

Visiting magnificent Mont St. Michel–a Unesco World Heritage site

Visiting magnificent Mont St. Michel–a Unesco World Heritage site

A fascinating fact-filled private boat tour off the coast of St-Malo

A fascinating fact-filled private boat tour off the coast of St-Malo

Lunch at a storybook countryside Michelin-star restaurant

Lunch at a storybook countryside Michelin-star restaurant

Experiencing an exhilarating nature walk through legendary Etretat, led by an expert on its ecology, history, flora and fauna

Experiencing an exhilarating nature walk through legendary Etretat, led by an expert on its ecology, history, flora and fauna

Viewing the 900-year-old Bayeux Tapestry

Viewing the 900-year-old Bayeux Tapestry

Observing how oysters are cultivated at a Brittany marine farm

Observing how oysters are cultivated at a Brittany marine farm

Wandering through picturesque, off-the-beaten-track villages

Wandering through picturesque, off-the-beaten-track villages

An unforgettable encounter with US history at the D-Day landing beaches and American cemetery

An unforgettable encounter with US history at the D-Day landing beaches and American cemetery

Tasting traditional cider, pommeau, & calvados at a premiere distiller

Tasting traditional cider, pommeau, & calvados at a premiere distiller

Exploring historic Honfleur, the seaside harbor which inspired generations of artists

Exploring historic Honfleur, the seaside harbor which inspired generations of artists

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip

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Day 1: Saturday, July 1st, 2024

We’ll meet up in Paris at Place du Trocadero at 9:30 am to head out for Monet‘s incomparable gardens at Giverny, that inspired his iconic water lily paintings. In July they’ll be in full bloom! After a leisurely visit of the house and gardens, we’ll lunch on the terrace of historic Hotel Baudy, where Monet painted his nude models in a little workshop at the back. It looks like he just left!

After a scenic drive through the Norman countryside, we’ll arrive in Rouen for an overnight stay at the Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, a listed 15th Century property in the heart of the ancient capital. After a brief rest, we will take a 5-minute stroll to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose gothic façade was immortalized in a series of thirty paintings by Monet. 

Our champagne welcome and dinner will be at La Couronne, the oldest auberge in France (dating back to 1345) and where Julia Child experienced her life-altering first meal in France.

Included

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ChateaudeMiromesnil

Day 2: Sunday, July 2nd, 2024

This morning we will set out north to Château de Miromesnil, birthplace of Guy de Maupassant, protegé of Flaubert and father of the modern short story. The marvelous walled potager garden and elegant parks are classed “Jardin Remarquable”. 

Lunch at Michelin-star Le Colombier, in a charming half-timbered house dating back to1509 is a gastronomic highlight of our Normandy experience. 

Our afternoon destination is Varengeville, ranked by GEO as one of Normandy’s most beautiful villages. We’ll begin with a stroll through its picturesque streets before visiting Le Jardin de Vasterival, a beautiful private garden.  Our final stop will be the 11th Century church of Ste Marguerite, perched on a cliff Comments restricted to single page with a spectacular view of the Alabaster Coast. The stained-glass windows were designed by Georges Braque, who lived in the village. 

On to the enchanting port village of Honfleur, where the romantic hotel La Maison de Lucie will be our home base for three nights. Upon arrival, you can take time to rest in your room, or join a little excursion of the town. An inspiration for generations of artists, Honfleur’s historic and cultural heritage are evident at every turn. 

We’ll regroup for a lighthearted meal of sustainably sourced regional cuisine at foodie favorite, Huitre Brûlée.

Included

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Day 3: Monday, July 3rd, 2024

Today’s destination is legendary Etrétat. Its imposing cliffs and impressive villas attest to the glamorous transformation of this small fishing port into a fashionable seaside resort. It has beguiled artists and writers, and was beloved by Marie Antoinette.

Our day begins with an exhilarating nature walk along the cliffs and beach led by a local expert who will enrich our knowledge of sea birds, coastal plants, and cliff formation, along with the myths, legends, art and literature surrounding this mythic destination. 

For lunch we’ll enjoy local fare at Lann-Bihoué –a casual village café. 

Our afternoon discovery is the celebrated neo-futuristic Gardens of Étretat, winner of the European Garden Award and a Michelin Green Guide star. 

Back in Honfleur, you might stroll the waterfront and stop to savor vin blanc overlooking the quay, visit beautiful St Catherine’s–France’s largest wooden church, or shop tempting boutiques for mementos and gifts. 

Dinner will be at gastronomic bistro Le Bréard.

Included

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Day 4: Tuesday, July 4th, 2024

Today, we’ll explore the glorious Pays d’Auge, tasting Normandy’s finest creamy cheese and apple-based libations, interspersed with visits to two fabulous gardens.

We begin at the fairytale gardens of Chateau de Bouttemont, created by famous landscape designers, where we’ll marvel at the topiaries, Italian garden, reflecting pond, green room, and boxwood waves.

Next stop is the Graindorge Fromagerie to see how raw milk Camembert, Livarot, Pont Leveque and Neufchâtal are crafted. Our visit concludes with an indulgent tasting!

Another “remarkable garden” of France is our next stop. There’s an excellent on-site creperie for a light bite before we explore the delightful Jardins du Pays d’Auge, a bucolic natural garden, landscaped around picturesque traditional half-timbered buildings.

We end the afternoon at Pierre Huet distillery, a family domain that has produced Calvados, Pommeau and cider over five generations, for a tour and tasting of Normandy’s famed apple-based alcohols.

Back in Honfleur you have a free evening to unwind at your own pace. Casey will propose restaurant options. We may want to get to bed early, to be fresh for an early start Wednesday.

Included

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Not Included

Dinner

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Day 5: Wednesday, July 5th, 2024

Today’s itinerary digresses from our theme, as the occasion of July 4th and proximity to the D-Day Landing Beaches, make a day focused on America’s pivotal role in the liberation of France not to be missed. 

En route to the coast we will stop to view the Bayeux Tapestry. This rare treasure depicts the defeat of Anglo-Saxon King Harold and conquest of England by Norman King William I in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. 

Our D-Day Landing Beaches guide will then lead us on a poignant tour featuring Arromanches, the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer, American Cemetery and Omaha Beach. There will be a lunch stop at a casual brasserie. 

Tonight, we settle in for three nights on waterfront at Hotel & Spa Le Noveau Mondein the Brittany port of St Malo. Dinner will be in their lovely 7 Mers restaurant overlooking the sea.

Included

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Day 6: Thursday, July 6th, 2024

We’ll stay local and concentrate on our host destination -the walled city of St-Malo, with an excursion to neighboring oyster capital Cancale. 

Marin Moulin will be our skipper for a private boat ride along the waterfront. He’ll share his passion for “la cite corsaire” recounting anecdotes and lore surrounding its storied history. 

After a stroll along the harbor, we’ll lunch in the heart of the old city at Bergamote, a chic insider address, where after a light salad, galette or quiche you can justify one of their signature desserts. Time permitting, we will make a quick visit (3-minute walk) to La Maison du Beurre Bordier–butter and cheese boutique of the renowned Brittany butter dynasty. 

Mid-afternoon we will be initiated into the secrets of oyster cultivation at La Ferme Marine. Our guided visit concludes with a “degustation” of their first-rate harvest. 

Back in Saint Malo, we will take a tour of the ramparts of the walled old city to enjoy the spectacular view and visit the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent. You are then free to explore the atmospheric old town or return to the hotel for a relaxing spa treatment. (Appointment to made in advance.) 

We dine tonight at intimate, country-chic Effet Mer, which serves market-inspired dishes.

Included

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Day 7: Friday, July 7th, 2024

In the morning we’ll visit magical Mont Saint Michel with an expert guide. After strolling about the winding streets and visiting the Abbey we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at Ferme Saint Michel. 

Our afternoon discovery is the dramatic garden of Chateau de la Ballue, designed in the Italian mannerist style, and featuring the Yin Yang inspirations of landscape architects Paul Maymont & François Hebert Stevens. Its “outdoor rooms”, set against the elegant backdrop of the grey granite Louis VIII chateau, are linked by stunning vistas and spaces filled with imaginative topiary. 

The owner will recount for us property’s singular history, including its many famous guests. 

Our farewell repas at La Fourchette à Droitewill be a gourmet celebration of creating shared memories and new bonds of friendship together.

Included

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Day 8 : Saturday, July 8th, 2024

After a leisurely breakfast it's time to say our goodbyes. All good things must come to an end. We will catch a midmorning fast train to Paris. We will arrive midday in the City of Lights. 

Included

Breakfast

You'll Be Staying Here

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

Everyone has their own fabulous room at Hotel de Bourgtheroulde 

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

Your second hotel is the romantic La Maison de Lucie in the historic town of Honfleur.

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

The next locations is a glorious beach front Hotel & Spa Le Noveau Mondein.

Hosts

Casey O’Brien Blondes

Casey O’Brien Blondes

This trip will be led by Casey O’Brien Blondes, a GG2P Colleague based in the Loire Valley since 1992. A dual-national and author of two travel and lifestyle books about France, Casey knows the Loire Valley, its history and vibrant culture intimately. Her insider connections offer a privileged entrée to this fabled region. Casey receives rave reviews from GG2P clients!  

"A place that shaped the world as we know it, this corner of France stirs feelings of gratitude and hope

Normandy & Brittany


From Honfleur to the Glénans: the coastal towns of Brittany and Normandy. Located in north-western France, both these neighbouring regions share a coastline attractive for its wild beauty, capes, ports, religious buildings, châteaux, and historic towns.

Normandy & Brittany

What's Included

What's Included

Everything stated in itinerary above including all meals (unless otherwise indicated) plus wine with dinner

Beautiful, unique hotels

All guides, experts and entry fees

All transportation in Brittany and Normandy

Your international flights & trains to and from the start and finish of the trip.

All personal souvenir purchases

Spa treatments

Extra wine or beer beyond what is offered

Travel and Medical Insurance (required)

FAQs

The trip officially starts on the morning of July 1st. We do recommened that you arrive a day early due to the time of day the official trip starts. You will most likely want to have time to relax and get acclimated to the time zone. If you do decide to arrive early, please let us know and we will provide you with some hotel suggestions.

Airport transfers are not included. It is very easy to grab a taxi from the airport to your destination in Paris.All transportation in Normanday and Brittany is included.

The weather is nice in July. High temperatures will be around 74F and low's will be around 55F,

We will have a zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.


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The Gardens & Gastronomy of Normandy & Brittany

France· July 1 - 8 2024· 7 nights

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