Anglo French Tour | Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour

Upon arrival in Paris, we will come to the hotel individually. There is time to relax and freshen up before our welcome meeting and dinner, where the tour host will introduce you to the rest of the group. (D)

In the morning we depart from Paris, stopping first to visit the Fondation Monet House. We have lunch individually before continuing to Rouen, where we will have time to explore the area with the Tour Leader. Our coach then continues to Bayeux, where we will have dinner at our hotel. (B,D) Normandy, with its diversity of landscape and rich heritage, derived its name from the Viking Norsemen, who made Rouen their capital. After the conquest of Britain it became part of the Plantagenet Empire, and is now regarded as a typically French region of apple orchards, contented cows, cider, and pungent cheeses. Normandy’s peaceful pastoral landscape belies its historic conquests and devastating experiences during World War II. We will learn about how Normandy’s history has been inextricably linked to that of Britain and how its history, heritage and culture have been influential since the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 through to the 20th century. We will experience Normandy’s historic cities, its typical villages, its artistic heritage, local produce, and cuisine.

Today we will have a city tour of Caen, where William the Conqueror’s favoured residence was located. We visit the Abbaye aux Hommes, as well as the Abbaye aux Dames. This abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery of nuns in the late 11th century by William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda of Flanders as the Abbaye aux Dames ("Women's Abbey"), as well as the Abbaye aux Hommes ("Men's Abbey"), formally the Abbey of Saint-Étienne. The works began in 1062, starting from the rear and finished in 1130. Matilda, who died in 1083, was buried in the choir under a slab of black marble. We also enjoy exploring the Caen Memorial Museum, before returning to Bayeux and having the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Today we will meet our specialist battlefield guide and tour the D Day Beaches on which the Allies landed in May 1944. We visit Omaha Beach, as well the American and German cemeteries. We also visit the museum devoted to this battle, along with the German Artillery Battery. We’ll also stop and visit the D Day Landings Museum before returning to our hotel later in the afternoon. (B)

Today we will visit the medieval city of Bayeux. First stop is a visit to the see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, the 70 meter long strip of embroidered linen that tells the story of the Norman's conquest of England in 1066 (see note)  We’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France. Later in the afternoon we'll transfer to Ducy Ste Marguerite for a tasting of local cider, juice, pommeau and calvados. Note: The Bayeux Tapestry Museum has closed its doors to the public, for renovation work, from September 2025. Reopening is planned for late 2027. Alternative visits will be arranged in the meantime.

En route to Brittany we explore the impressive island of Mont-St-Michel. Linked to mainland France via a narrow causeway, the fortified island has had strategic value for over a millennium. Walking up the island's winding streets, the town's architecture survives as the final manifestation of the ideas of feudalism. Tourists first walk past the houses for the fishermen and farmers at the bottom of the island, then up through the twisting commercial district, before climbing past the great halls of the nobility and finally reaching the monastery, perched at the top of the island. We then continue to Rennes, arriving in time for dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

We have a guided tour this morning of Rennes viewing the main historic sights.We travel onto Vannes with free time in the afternoon to explore. Late afternoon we travel onto the walled town of Concarneau on the west coast of France in Brittany, with a dinner at the hotel in the evening. Its rugged shores washed by the Atlantic, Brittany has a strong Celtic heritage. . It is a wild seafaring peninsula dotted with mysterious standing stones, dolmens, and cromlechs. Bretons have their own language and cuisine, with the Duchy of Brittany not becoming part of France until the 15th century. The gentle scenery of the southern Breton coastline contrasts with the rugged grandeur of the north. (B,D)

We start our day a walking tour of Concarneau. The town has two distinct areas: the modern town on the mainland and the medieval Ville Close, a walled town on a long island in the centre of the harbour. Historically, the old town was a centre of shipbuilding. The Ville Close is now devoted to tourism with many restaurants and shops aimed at tourists. The Ville Close is connected to the town by a drawbridge and at the other end a ferry to the village of Lanriec on the other side of the harbour. We will enjoy a one-hour boat cruise on Concarneau Bay. Later, we visit the artistic village of Pont-Aven, with a stop en route at Doelan. (B)

Today we will have a guided tour of the megalithic standing stones in Carnac, which are as old as Stonehenge. We then drive on to Lorient, where we will have a guided tour, followed by a visit to the Flore submarine museum. To finish the days activities, we will take an hour-long boat tour of Pleasure Boat Harbour, renowned for its scenic views. We in return to our hotel in time for dinner. (B,D)

In the morning, we transfer to the nearby town of Bénodet, where we visit a traditional artisanal factory of Breton cakes, Biscuiterie François Garrec. We continue to the ancient cathedral city of Quimper for a city tour including a ride on the Petit Train through the historic centre and along the quays of the Odet. We’ll also have some free time to continue to explore this quaint city. Our next stop is at La Foret Fouesnant for a taste of the local seafood. We then return to our accommodation and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

After breakfast, we depart Concarneau and travel north to Perros-Guirec with stops along the way in Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau where we visit the local parish church. Brittany's rural church closes are renowned in France for their charming looks and quaint and curious embellishments, especially in successful merchant towns like Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau. We continue to Perros-Guirec for a tour of the 7 Isles. (B)

In the morning we transfer to cote d'Amor, before heading on to Dinan, one of the most attractive and well-preserved towns in Brittany, where we will have a guided tour, followed by dinner in the hotel. (B,D)

In the morning we depart Dinan and enjoy a walking tour of St.Malo before heading to the port of St. Malo where we take our ferry to the Channel Island of Jersey. We will have dinner at the hotel, where we will be based for the next four nights. Measuring less than 120 square kilometres, the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, and together with the Bailiwick of Guernsey (less than 80 square kilometres) it forms the grouping known as the Channel Islands. These are separate possessions of the British Crown and are not part of the UK. Their history and culture are influenced by their strategic location between the northern coast of France and the southern coast of England. Formerly under the control of Brittany, invaded by Vikings, and annexed to the Duchy of Normandy, they emerged as miniature self–governing territories. The islands have a seafaring tradition and their trade with the Newfoundland fisheries gave rise to the name New Jersey in the US. Trade further laid the foundations of these attractive islands’ prosperity as well as agriculture (Jersey and Guernsey cows are recognisable the world over), milling, fishing, shipbuilding, and financial services. Each island has its own heritage and patois, but during World War II they were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by Nazi Germany. Both islands boast charming historic ports and towns such as St. Helier and St. Peter Port as well as famous former residents like the actress Lillie Langtry (the Jersey Lily) and Victor Hugo, who wrote some of his best-known works while in exile in Guernsey.

Today we will tour the town and port of St. Helier. We will visit the Jersey Museum and see the Occupation Tapestry, made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Island’s liberation, this richly coloured tapestry tells the story of life in Jersey during the Second World War. We will make the short journeys to to Grouville and Gorey, where we will visit La Hogue Bie site and the dramatic Castle of Mont Orgueil respectively. (B)

On Jersey we learn about the island’s history and culture as we explore the capital St. Helier on a guided walking tour. We learn about the occupation of the island with a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels. Built by the Germans during World War II, over 1km of tunnels maze their way beneath Jersey's surface. We then finish the day with visits to the iconic lighthouse in Corbierre and stop off at the beautiful St Aubins Bay. (B)

Today is a free day to explore at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast we visit Elizabeth Castle, which has stood guard over Jersey for more than 300 years. We will have some free time for more exploring before boarding a short flight to Guernsey, where we will explore the bustling cobble-stoned streets of St. Peter Port. We tour the island and view its soaring cliffs and rural backdrops, before making our way to the hotel for a group dinner. (B,D) Note: the itinerary may be adjusted depending on flight schedules.

Today we will make our way to the Occupation Museum, which houses a rare collection of original documents and items from the war. We will then continue on to les Vauxbelets, where we will visit the Little Chapel, before having lunch as a group at a local farmhouse restaurant. (B,L)

We will take a ferry to the neighbouring islet of Sark to visit its Seigneurie Gardens, where we take a scenic carriage ride. The island has no cars and has been traditionally run almost feudally by its Seigneur under powers granted by Elizabeth I. There has been some recent reform and Sark now comes under the government of Guernsey, but it is still a fascinating and tranquil place to visit, known for its dramatic seascapes, abundant wildflowers, and seabirds. (B,L)

After breakfast we visit the Guernsey Museum at Candie Gardens followed by a guided visit to the Hauteville House, where Victor Hugo lived during his exile from France. We transfer to the airport later in the afternoon for our flight to Southampton, on arrival we'll transfer to our hotel in Portsmouth for dinner an overnight stay. (B,D) Note: The Guernsey Tapestry has been in storage since 2024, it's expected to be back on dispaly at a new location in 2027 at the St. Peter Port Market Buildings.

In the morning we explore the D-Day museum. Early afternoon we take the train to London with a coach transfer to our London hotel. Our farewell dinner this evening will be in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast.