Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour

Odyssey Traveller's fully escorted Anglo French small group tour is designed for senior or mature travellers, couples, solo travellers, or friends travelling together. This Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour shows how - despite the long and famous rivalry between the two nations - English and French history are deeply intertwined. We begin by exploring northern France and then cross the English Channel to the tiny autonomous Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark. The tour then travels onto Portsmouth concludes in London, England.

Itinerary of the Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour

Our fully escorted Small group history tour combines the dramatic scenery of Normandy and Brittany with the quirky history and natural beauty of the Channel Islands.

After an initial night in Paris, we move towards the peaceful verdant landscape of Normandy. On the way, we stop in at Giverny, the rural idyll where Claude Monet created the world-famous Water Lilies painting series. After a walking tour of the Gardens, we continue to Rouen where we have time to explore the surrounding area.  Our coach continues to Bayeux, Normandy for an overnight stay and dinner at a local restaurant.

In Normandy, we delve into the region's diverse landscape and turbulent history. Our small group tour explores Normandy's medieval prestige at Bayeux, home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry, and Caen, where William the Conqueror made his capital. We also pay respect to the sacrifices of British, American and Canadian soldiers during World War Two at Normandy’s D-Day Beaches, war museums, and monuments.

We then travel to Brittany. While here, we learn about the strongly separate Celtic culture on a wild seafaring peninsula dotted with mysterious standing stones and dolmens - including Brittany’s Standing Stones at Carnac. We also explore St Malo and the fortified port of Malo and the ancient Concarneau.  Before departing for the Channel islands we stop to explore the heritage listed medieval monastery, Mont St Michel.

Leaving the Carentan peninsula by ferry, we make a ferry trip to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, which boast charming historic ports such as St Helier and St Peter amid a stunning island landscape. You learn on the Anglo French small group tour that the islands are not part of the United Kingdom but are British Crown Dependencies, with a delightful mix of English and French culture. We also make a visit to the tiny island of Sark, a medieval time warp where motor vehicles are banned and the Seigneur of Sark has continued to rule since the Middle Ages. Garden lovers will particularly appreciate the formal gardens of La Seigneurie, set beside a 17th century castle. The Channel Islands enjoyed a resurgence in interest following recent films

Finally, we cross the English channel to Portsmouth and onto London where the tour concludes.

For more details, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

You might also check out our profiles on France and the Channel Islands, where all other Odyssey tour departures are listed to these destinations.

About Normandy, Brittany and the Channel Islands:

Normandy:

Apple orchards, contented cows, and pungent cheese: these are the charming images that spring into most people's minds when they think of Normandy. But the province's bucolic image belies a turbulent history. The name Normandy (French: Normandie) derives from Vikings - or Northmen/Normans - who established a capital at Rouen in the 10th century. These Vikings adopted the French language and culture, and established the Duchy of Normandy, one of Medieval Europe's great powers. In 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England - changing world history as we know it. For almost two hundred years afterwards, the Duchy of Normandy was contested between England and France; while in the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) England reclaimed Normandy. Finally, in 1450, Normandy came under French control, and has since been ruled as a province of France.

During World War Two, Normandy yet again became a flashpoint of international conflict. The liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation began on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. The cities of Normandy, such as Caen and Le Havre, saw extensive damage and population loss during the fighting. Today, Normandy is home to many of Western Europe's most moving memorials to the sacrifice of war.

For more information on Normandy, take a look at our article, Ten things to do in France, which discusses the history and culture of the region.

Brittany:

The wild coastal peninsula of Brittany is perhaps France's most independent region, with a history and culture that connects it as closely to the Celtic world as the rest of France. Brittany (Breton: Breizh) was settled by Celts from Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries, seeking refuge from Anglo-Saxons then settling in England. Through the Middle Ages, Brittany fought to maintain its independence from Carolingians and Vikings, but was incorporated into France in 1532. Today, Brittany remains fiercely independent. Locals speak Breton, a language closely related to the Celtic languages of Ireland, Scotland, and Cornwall, and continue to perform Celtic song and dance at the annual Festival de Cornouaille held in Quimper. In addition to its distinctive Celtic culture, Brittany offers rugged coastal scenery, prehistoric standing stones, and delicious cuisine (after all, this province is the birthplace of the humble crêpe).

For more information on prehistoric standing stones, take a look at our articles on standing stones in England: Exploring Britain's Neolithic Past and Standing Stones in Prehistoric Britain.

Jersey:

The island of Jersey - like the rest of the Channel Islands, so called because of their English Channel location - is an independent bailiwick of the British Crown, self-governing and not part of the United Kingdom. This strange legal status dates back to the year 1204, when the King of England renounced all claims to territory on mainland France, but maintained rule of the Channel Islands.

The largest and most populous of the Channel Islands, Jersey is the most French in culture. With a landscape resembling Normandy - apple orchards, overgrown country lanes, and stone farmhouses - Jersey is an agricultural paradise, which brought the world the famous Jersey cow. The capital, St. Helier, is a pretty beach town, while Jersey offers some of the best beaches under the dominion of the Queen of England.

Guernsey:

Guernsey, the second-biggest and second-most populous of the Channel Islands is more English than Jersey, a place where 'politeness is a way of life'. Literature buffs will enjoy visiting Hauteville House, where Victor Hugo found exile from Napoleon III's France and completed his masterpiece, Les Miserables. Guernsey is also home to fascinating war museums commemorating the occupation of the Channel Islands by Nazis during World War II. Flatter than Jersey, bucolic Guernsey is ideal for exploration on foot - head to the secluded beaches of Pemboke Bay, Vazon Bay, and Côbo Bay, and watch out for 'hedge veg' stalls, selling fresh produce straight from the farm.

For more information on Jersey and Guernsey, check out our article on the Channel Islands: Wildflowers, Potato Peel Pies and Rebels.

Articles about the Channel Islands published by Odyssey Traveller

• Channel Islands: Wildflowers, Potato Peel Pie and Rebels.
• Walking Tours for Active Travellers: Tips for Seniors

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to the Channel Islands

• Visit Jersey
• The best things to do in the Channel Islands
• 11 Reasons to make Jersey your next holiday destination
• Lee Durrell: ‘Before I came here, I thought the whole of Jersey was Gerry’s zoo’

Articles about France published by Odyssey Traveller

The following list of articles, represents some of the articles  published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of France when visiting;

• Exploring France by rail some tips.
• Ten of the best travel books on France
• Ten things to do in France when you visit 
• Designing Paris 
• Paris; leaders and landmarks
• Guillamot prevents the collapse of Paris
• The elegant arcades of Paris
• Questions about France 
• Studying Gargoyles and grotesques
• Around the world in six coffees
• Ten of the best French cookery books
• Ten of the Best art galleries in Europe to visit
•  A guide on France for mature travellers

For all the articles published by Odyssey Traveller, please click through to this link

External articles to assist you plan your visit to France

• A guide to Alsace
• History of Alsace; Britannica.com
• Burgundy’s climat; a UNSECO world heritage listing
• Avignon, the palace of Popes 
• History of Avignon 15-18th century
• Exploring Chatres cathedral
• War of religion; France
• Published articles on French history.

• Discovery
• Guaranteed departures
• Level 2 - Moderate
• Pre-Guaranteed