Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Rouen
Arrival in Rouen – We take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris, arriving at Paris, Gare du Nord approximately 2 hours 15 minutes later. A coach will then take you to your hotel in Rouen.
Day 2
Rouen
Rouen – This morning we step back in time on a guided walking tour around the centre of this superb city and although it is not very long in distance, in time however, history will come alive. In the cathedral, immortalised by Claude Monet, you can see the tombs of Richard the Lionheart and William the Conqueror’s grandfather over the centuries it has been built, destroyed by fire, rebuilt, damaged in the Wars of Religion and embellished to create the fantastic Gothic edifice we see today.
This afternoon is free to explore maybe visit the Museum of fine art, the Jeanne D’arc exhibition or the Jardin des plantes.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Honfleur & cider tasting
Honfleur & cider tasting – Today we take the drive to perhaps the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast – delightful Honfleur. Beautifully preserved, its old harbour, complete with both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is surrounded by a perfect waterfront of tall, pastel coloured 18th century houses, many of which have been converted to restaurants specialising in seafood.
Along the waterfront, watch the talented artists at work, capturing the delightful view for eternity whilst the intricate maze of streets behind are worthy of some exploration. The eaves of the tall, half-timbered buildings almost touch and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling all sorts of items such as antiques, books and fine foods.
Honfleur was the birthplace of Eugene Boudin, the forerunner of Impressionism, whose most famous pupil was a certain Claude Monet. There is a museum well worth visiting that houses a number of Boudin’s works with other artists’, including Monet (please note opening hours vary according to season).
Later in the afternoon, experience Normandy’s rich culinary heritage with a visit to a traditional cider producer. Learn about the craft behind local cider and apple-based drinks, then savour a tasting paired with classic Norman cheeses, followed by a glass of Calvados, the region’s famous apple brandy. Afterwards, we return to Rouen.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Arromanches and D-Day beaches
Arromanches and D-Day beaches – After a leisurely breakfast , we make our way to the historic Gold Beach, famously associated with the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. This significant event marked the beginning of the end of Nazi occupation and led to the liberation of Europe during World War II. At Arromanches, you can visit one of the most insightful museums in the region, where the remains of the Mulberry Harbour still stand as a testament to the ingenuity of the Allies, or explore the fascinating old town further.
Following this poignant visit, we return to our hotel late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Monet's Garden & return home
Monet’s Garden & return home – Claude Monet’s paintings are some of the most exquisite and familiar works of art ever produced, and you will witness first-hand the spectacular displays of colour at the artist’s house and garden at Giverny. The interior of the house, including the artist’s studio, is also outstanding.
Later we continue to Paris for our return Eurostar.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Monet’s House & Gardens at Giverny
Step into the Water Garden at Giverny where the Japanese Bridge arches over mirror-still ponds fringed with Nymphaea water lilies. Fragrant willows and irises frame the vistas Monet painted across the seasons.
Explore the exuberant Clos Normand flowerbeds before touring the house, from the blue-tiled kitchen to the sunflower-bright dining room and the artist’s studio hung with Japanese prints. This intimate setting brings the Impressionist master’s life and work into vivid focus.
Normandy Cider Tasting with Cheese & Calvados
Visit a traditional cider producer to see orchards, presses and oak barrels that turn Normandy apples into crisp cidre and fragrant Pommeau. Learn about AOC traditions and the blend of sweet, bitter and sharp varieties behind balanced flavour.
In a guided tasting, sample regional ciders alongside Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l’Évêque, finishing with a warming glass of Calvados. The aromas of baked apple, vanilla and orchard blossom showcase why this is called “Cider and Cream Country.”
Arromanches & Gold Beach: D-Day Sites and Mulberry Harbour
Visit Gold Beach at Arromanches and gaze across the Channel to the remains of the Mulberry Harbour, the vast floating port that allowed Allied troops and supplies to land in June 1944. Low tide reveals rusting caissons aligned off the sand.
Hear the story of Operation Overlord and the engineering that shortened the road to liberation, with vantage points for sea views and time to pause for photos and reflection. Nearby memorials and panels give context to the landscape’s quiet resilience.
Arromanches D-Day Museum (Musée du Débarquement)
Deepen the narrative at the Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches, where immersive models explain the ingenious Mulberry Harbour that kept supplies flowing after D-Day. Exhibits trace planning, logistics and the people behind the operation.
Watch archival film and study period artifacts before stepping back outside to view the harbour remains. Optional experience at additional cost (approximately €8–€10), payable locally during your visit; your Tour Manager will advise on timings.
Honfleur: Musée Eugène-Boudin
Discover Honfleur’s art heritage at the Musée Eugène-Boudin, home to coastal studies that nurtured Impressionist heritage. Rooms showcase skies, sails and estuary banks painted by Boudin and his circle.
Gain insight into the luminous estuary light that drew Monet and Jongkind to the Seine’s mouth, then browse the small sculpture and folk-art collections. Optional experience at additional cost, payable locally during your Honfleur visit.
Honfleur’s Vieux Bassin & Old Town
Wander the quays of Honfleur’s Vieux Bassin, where tall slate-clad houses reflect in the harbour and cafés spill onto cobbles. Soak up the maritime mood as artists painting en plein air capture changing light over the fishing boats and masts.
Step inside the timber-built Sainte-Catherine Church with its upturned-boat roof, browse galleries and delicatessens, and pause for sea-view photos. Links to Boudin and Monet reveal Honfleur’s role in Impressionism and the slate-fronted houses remain its defining silhouette.
Rouen Guided Old Town Walk & Rouen Cathedral
Explore the medieval heart of Rouen on a guided walking tour through timber-framed streets to the ornate Gros-Horloge and the market square associated with Joan of Arc. Hear stories of merchants, river trade and Gothic guildhalls while browsing half-timbered facades and lively cafés.
Step inside Rouen Cathedral, a lace-like masterpiece that inspired Monet’s Cathedral series, and look up at the soaring spire that once topped Europe. Discover chapels honoring dukes and saints, exquisite stained glass and centuries of rebuilding that shaped Normandy’s spiritual capital.
