On the 6th of June 1944 starting at 6:30am, Allied forces landed on the coast of Lower Normandy to start the liberation of Europe from the Germans. Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each. “Bloody Omaha”, the Pointe du Hoc, Pegasus Bridge, the American cemetery at Colleville, the Norman Hedgerow countryside that gave the Allied armies so much trouble, the church steeple at Sainte Mere Eglise where John Steele got caught up, the massive artificial harbour at Arromanches, are just a few of the places to visit. Relive the film “The Longest Day” or the series “Band of Brothers” and follow the battles of the 101st airborne division, the famous “Screaming Eagles”. These emotional visits to the places where history was made will be something that you will never forget from your time here in Normandy.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive sites is the cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. This monumental architectural wonder using both roman and gothic styles continued to evolve right up until the end of the 18th century. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. This 11th century “comic strip” is one of the best and most complete sources for historians to learn about and analyse medieval costumes, boat building and strategies that were employed in Norman and British camps leading up to the battle of Hasting. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

A visit to Honfleur is in itself a complete history lesson, from the 100 years war, through the voyages of discovery to the New World during the 17th century to the art of the impressionists. As a defence against invasion by the English the town was walled and fortified during the second half of the 14th century. You can still go through the old “Caen Gate”, the last remaining piece of the original fortifications, most of which were demolished as the town and port were being expanded in the 17th century. In the medieval part of the town, known as the “Quartier de l’Enclos”, you can see the “Rue de la Ville”, the old main commercial and trading street in the town, still showing its medieval architecture and buildings from a bygone era, such as the old salt store. As you go around this area you can go back in time as you walk along Prison Street and step onto Little Butchers Street making your way to the Eglise Saint Etienne, dating from the 14th century, making it the oldest church in the town. On the other side of the “Caen Gate” and “La Lieutenance” rises the Eglise Sainte Catherine, the largest wooden church in France, built by the ship carpenters of Honfleur shortly after the 100 years war. You can see that the bell tower of the church was put, rather unusually, on the top of the bell ringer’s house. Honfleur is also a favourite retreat for painters who come to paint the harbour and the colourful 17th century houses surrounding Sainte Catherine’s Quay, the same images that can be seen in the paintings of Claude Monet or his friend and mentor, Eugene Boudin.

Paris : who has not dreamed of visiting and spending time wandering around Paris, the “City of Love”, walk its little streets and grand boulevards, and see the monuments that make Paris famous the world over. Paris offers, more than any other city, a rich mixture of history, art, culture, architecture and variety in a single city. Leaving behind you the Arc de Triomphe, built by the Emperor Napoleon the First, head down the Champs Elysees and have a look at the shops and boutiques that make up this street, as well as the small and large Palaces built by aristocrats, who were executed during the French revolution. At the end of the Champs Elysees you will come to the Place de la Concorde with it’s huge granite Obelisk taken from the Temple of Luxor in Egypt. Another place to note is the Place Vendome, where there is an original statue of the Emperor Napoleon the First. This spot is ringed by the most luxurious and expensive shops in Paris as well as the best hotel, the original “Ritz”. At the end of one of the nicest streets in Paris the “Rue de la Paix”, you will see in front of you another marvel of the 19th century, The Paris Opera House, the largest in the world. Far more than a museum, the Louvre is a living encyclopaedia showing everything from Ancient Egyptian art to classical art. Mixing the old and the new, it’s architectural structure of the Louvre is remarkable, as you cannot fail to notice while you make your way through the hundreds of rooms seeing things on your way such as the “Venus de Milo” and “Mona Lisa”. Complementing the collection in the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay displays the art of a different era, in this case the second half of the 19th century up to the start of the cubist era. Go into the very heart of Paris onto the “Ile de la Cite”, the island in the River Seine where the Cathedral Notre Dame stands. This building is renowned worldwide as one of the most magnificent examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. It was this that inspired Victor Hugo to write his novel, “Notre Dame de Paris”. On the other side of the bank of the river you will find the “Conciergerie”, the last stop before execution for people such as Marie Antoinette or Charlotte Corday. Also, stop by the last resting place of the ashes of Napoleon at “Les Invalides” and have a look at his mausoleum. When you come out you will be able to get a good view of the winning entry for the 1889 Paris Exposition, and what has become one of the symbols of France, the Eiffel Tower. If you choose to visit the Eiffel Tower you can eat at one of the restaurants on the tower, which offer an unprecedented view of the city of Paris.

At the centre of a rich and undulating countryside, the village of Giverny, just outside of Vernon, had the privilege of being, from 1883 onwards, the principle residence of the impressionist painter, Claude Monet. This charming village of Giverny became, in just a few years, famous worldwide thanks to the presence of this talented precursor of modern artist. To this day, Normandy represents one of the central places for modern art to work outside in the same circumstances and places as the Impressionists had. Claude Monet counted amongst his friends Eugene Boudin, another celebrated impressionist from Honfleur, and George Clemenceau, who was twice French Prime Minister. During the 1890’s, artists, principally Americans, started to visit Giverny to meet “The Master”, amongst others, Robinson, Metcalf, Theodore Butler, Finn, Perry, and Jongkind the Dutch painter, who stayed mainly at the Auberge Baudy during their time in the village. Over the years the number of visitors coming to show their respect this talented man that was Claude Monet increased. Today’s visitor, after having visited all the rooms of the great artist’s house and having seen his collection of Japanese prints, can walk the paths of the garden which gave Monet his inspiration for his garden series of paintings a century ago. You can see the lilies, the Japanese bridge and the colourful passages of this garden that is shown in the majority of his work. A visit to Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny is simply captivating where you can relive the atmosphere, the interests and the passions that inspired his work.

Known as the “Town of a Hundred Steeples”, the eastern part of Rouen itself is an open-air museum to be walked. With representations of the different eras of history to be seen everywhere, from painting and art to literature and architecture, as well as being the town where some of France and Europe’s most important historical events and characters lived and died. You can see the marvellous architecture of this capital of Normandy, including Claude Monet’s favourite, the Cathedral. This towers up to nearly 500 feet above the plaza making it the tallest Cathedral in France. The richness of its design is evident, down to the intricate sculptures over the entrances, where scenes from the bible have been brought to life by the medieval craftsmen. Inside the Cathedral no matter where you go, from the nave to the crypt, it shows itself to be among the most ornate and beautiful in France. To the east of the Church of St Maclou there is the Aitre Saint Maclou, a 16th century Gothic structure built during the Plague of the Black Death which killed over a third of the population of the town. The carvings on the exposed wooden beams of the building depicting skulls and bones betray its former grisly purpose, as a place where those who had died of the plague were brought to be burned. Take time to wander through this historic town, and think of its famous inhabitants such as the writers Gustave Flaubert and Corneille. Don’t forget Joan of Arc, one of France’s greatest heroines, burned to death as a witch on the 30th of May 1431 by the English Army during the 100 years war at the “Place du Marche”, where the “Eglise de Jeanne d’Arc” now stands. It is the “Rue du Gros Horloge”, however, which best encapsulates Rouen, with it’s half timbered medieval houses, narrow cobbled side-streets and famous clock over the 14th century entrance gate through the old town walls of Rouen.

Here you can see the spot where the armistice of 1918, which ended the fighting of World War One, was signed. It was here that Hitler decided to make the French sign their surrender after the fall of France in 1940. He ordered the same railway carriage that had been used in 1918 to be put in place for the French surrender. It can be hard to believe, standing here in this calm and peaceful forest clearing, the momentous historical events that took place here.

Visit the site of the most ferocious battle of World War One. Commencing with an artillery barrage that lasted a week and could be heard in England, the Allied troops went “Over the Top” to charge the German lines on July 1st 1916. In the first hour of the battle, they suffered most of the 60,000 casualties that they took on that single day. The battle lasted until the end of November 1916 by which stage the French and British had advanced less than 6 miles at a cost of more than 420,000 allied casualties. The sites to be viewed on the Somme are many, from the original trench lines, pillboxes and cratered battlefields to museums, memorials and where the famous “Red Baron” was killed. But the sites of American fighting are also found here such as, Cantigny, the first American action of World War One. This is where the 1st Infantry Division, who landed on Omaha beach 26 years later, went into action for the first time on French soil.

On the 6th of June 1944 starting at 6:30am, Allied forces landed on the coast of Lower Normandy to start the liberation of Europe from the Germans. Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each. “Bloody Omaha”, the Pointe du Hoc, Pegasus Bridge, the American cemetery at Colleville, the Norman Hedgerow countryside that gave the Allied armies so much trouble, the church steeple at Sainte Mere Eglise where John Steele got caught up, the massive artificial harbour at Arromanches, are just a few of the places to visit. Relive the film “The Longest Day” or the series “Band of Brothers” and follow the battles of the 101st airborne division, the famous “Screaming Eagles”. These emotional visits to the places where history was made will be something that you will never forget from your time here in Normandy.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive sites is the cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. This monumental architectural wonder using both roman and gothic styles continued to evolve right up until the end of the 18th century. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. This 11th century “comic strip” is one of the best and most complete sources for historians to learn about and analyse medieval costumes, boat building and strategies that were employed in Norman and British camps leading up to the battle of Hasting. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.

Drift back in time as you walk through the streets of the old town of Saint Malo, ringed by high fortified walls that offer spectacular views of the port and bay, still as they were when the 16th century explorers, such as Jacques Cartier who discovered Newfoundland, would have seen them. When you feel that it’s time to find something to eat, try one of the creperies, much loved by the locals, where you will find little better than the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” with a jug of cider. Or if you prefer, there are numerous seafood restaurants where you can sample what the fishermen caught that morning.

Your breath will be taken away by the rocky beauty of the coastline and the charming little fishing ports dotted along the way, on this, the edge of Northern Brittany. The speciality of this region of the Cancale is its oysters, which can be tried in any of the many seafood restaurants, or the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” accompanied by a jug of cider.

Raised up overlooking the valley of Rance, the rich town of Dinan dominates the fishing port to which it is connected by a cobbled road, lined with old houses and shops. The architecture of this Breton town shows that it was home to many different craftsmen such as potters, basket makers, weavers and butchers, amongst others. Like the Mont Saint Michel or Saint Malo, the town of Dinan was protected by ramparts, partly destroyed now but offering great protection to the Dukes of Brittany who ruled the region at the time. One of the unique buildings of the town is the oval keep, a defensive tower, built at the end of the 14th century and joined to the ramparts. Let the charm and beauty seduce you and spend an afternoon living in a medieval world of amazement.

Mont Saint Michel: a miracle or a mirage? A day spent there will be a day that you will never forget. Follow the legends of the rock such as the two Gods fighting to the death on the Mont-Saint-Michel and the Mont Tomb, places that have been considered sacred by the inhabitants since the third century B.C. The first sanctuary, which turned the site into a Christian place of pilgrimage, was built by Saint Albert, bishop of Avranches in 708 A.D. This was done because the bishop had received visions from St Michael ordering him to build the sanctuary on the site, and to dedicate it to him. As the centuries went by, with increasing numbers of pilgrims coming to pay homage and leave an offering, the sanctuary grew rich and a monastery was founded. As well as this, the sanctuary was being continually expanded and made ever grander, following the different architectural styles of the times which turned the Mont Saint Michel into what it is today, an Abbey on the scale of which the world has no equal. From the ramparts of the medieval town walls, built to protect the town from invaders, you can admire the magnificent view of the bay and the surrounding salt marshes. The huge tide that used to cover the causeway leading to the island twice a day is the second highest rising tide in the world, second only to the Bay of Fundy in Canada. You can also just wander around the steep cobble stone streets of this town, exploring their narrow winding routes discovering new treasures around every corner, take a wander through the souvenir shops, try one of Mere Poulard’s famous omelettes, or, if you prefer, eat in one of the other restaurants or brasseries. With two and a half million visitors a year, Mont Saint Michel is without a shadow of a doubt Normandy’s most spectacular single spot to visit, considered by the Normans to be the Real 7th Wonder of the World !

On the 6th of June 1944 starting at 6:30am, Allied forces landed on the coast of Lower Normandy to start the liberation of Europe from the Germans. Re-live in one or more days the principal events and battles that made up the Battle of Normandy with a personal private tour of the sites that interest you. Follow, more than 60 years later, the same roads taken by the Allied armies in the summer of 1944. Our guides, passionate about the history and the region of Normandy, will take you to the landing beaches themselves, the inland battlefields, the cemeteries of all three principal armies, the museums and explain the stories and history behind each. “Bloody Omaha”, the Pointe du Hoc, Pegasus Bridge, the American cemetery at Colleville, the Norman Hedgerow countryside that gave the Allied armies so much trouble, the church steeple at Sainte Mere Eglise where John Steele got caught up, the massive artificial harbour at Arromanches, are just a few of the places to visit. Relive the film “The Longest Day” or the series “Band of Brothers” and follow the battles of the 101st airborne division, the famous “Screaming Eagles”. These emotional visits to the places where history was made will be something that you will never forget from your time here in Normandy.

Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.