Normandy for Foodies

This 11-day self-drive tour is designed for food lovers. As you traverse through the stunning landscapes of Normandy, you’ll not only savor the French culinary delights but also discover the region’s rich history, culture and natural beauty, including many beautiful gardens, bucolic medieval villages with preserved half-timbered cottages, old towns with a rich history, castles, palaces and more. Your gastronomic journey will be a true delight – you will try local delicacies, such as fresh seafood, cheese, biscuits, local liqueurs, ciders and more. Normandy has always attracted artists – walk along places which inspired many famous impressionist painters. Cycle along scenic green routes in Vernier Marshes and take beautiful nature walks around Mont Saint Michel. Reflect upon the bravery of WW2 soldiers at D-Day beaches, relax on the long beaches and pumper up in cozy spas. Throughout your journey, you will stay in charming Normand-style chateaux and small boutique hotels, adding a touch of elegance and authenticity to your experience. The program can be adapted and changed.

11 Days – From £1,600 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Veules les Roses, Etretat, Honfleur, Marais Vernier, Beuvron en Auge, D-Day Beaches, Mont Saint Michel and more

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast (upgrades to superior hotels and chateaux possible)
13-day car-hire
App with GPS
Car delivery to the door of your hotel
Entrance tickets to all mentioned sites
Bicycle Hire
Return Boat Transfers
All mandatory local taxes
24/7 assistance in English during your trip

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International & Domestic Flights / Train Ticket
Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance
Meals not mentioned in the description
Additional kms
Photographer, Guide, Driver (can be arranged on request)

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. The starting and ending points are in Paris, which is well connected internationally.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp (+44 7 308 449 233) or email us at explore@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added.

Day 1 - Gardens & Neufchatel

Today depart Paris in the morning. Start your trip with a stop in Giverny (1,5 hours), the quaint village where the famous painter Claude Monet used to live. Visit the blooming gardens with colorful flowers and the bucolic house of the artist. Continue to the small village of Les Andelys (25 min) to enjoy beautiful views of river Seine from the hilltop. Next, visit Lyons La Foret (25 min), a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the largest forest of Normandy. The old half-timbered houses guard a lot of history going back to the medieval times. Walk through the narrow streets and try the heart-shaped neufchatel cheese at the local market. Overnight at the historic castle of Château du Landel.

Day 2 - History, Liqueur & Oysters

After breakfast, continue to Rouen (50 min), Normandy’s capital, the city of great art and a rich history. Stroll along beautiful old streets lined with half-timbered houses and remarkable monuments, including the clock tower and the impressive cathedral. Try the mirliton de Rouen! Next, visit the marvellous Bénédictine Palace and its distillery (1 hour), followed by a tasting session of the famous liqueur. Continue to Veules les Roses (40 min), a heaven of flowers and lots of charm. Many painters and writers fell in love with this village. Admire the idyllic cottages and wooden mills. Savor fresh oysters at local seafood restaurants. Overnight at Château de Sissi.

Day 3 - Etretat & Seafood

Today continue to the picturesque fishing town of Etretat (20 min). Plan your day according to the tides. Enjoy the impressive views over the English Channel and the white cliffs. Visit the chapel and the artsy gardens, overlooking the iconic natural arch of the Needle Rock. After the walk, have a delicious seafood lunch in town. Depending on the tide and the conditions of the sea, plan for a guided stand-up paddling experience, with a magnificent white-cliff backdrop. After a safety briefing, set in the water and soak up the dramatic scenery of natural sculptures of Etretat. You will paddle right through the towering Porte d’Aval and Manneporte breathtaking arches. The views are surreal! Overnight at Les Pins de César.

Day 4 - Honfleur & Chic Resorts

Today visit the lovely town of Honfleur and its picturesque harbour with stylish architecture (50 min). Learn about the medieval maritime trade and expeditions to the Americas that departed from here. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at one of the local restaurants. Next, visit the chic seaside resorts of Deauville and Trouville sur Mer with long sandy beaches and elegant houses, that inspired the impressionists. Take a slow walk along the long wooden boardwalks, visit the famous fish market and try fresh seafood at numerous sea-facing restaurants. Take a guided walking tour and learn about the stories behind the finest mansions and landmarks. Overnight at Barrière Le Normandy.

Day 5 - Route des Chaumières

Today plunge in the heart of rural Normandy, the land of authenticity and traditions, and explore the loops of Seine river. Once arrived in Vernier Marshes, swap your car for a bicycle and delve into the bucolic landscape of the marshes, awing at the sight of charming half-timbered cottages with thatched roofs, blending with lush orchards and blooming gardens. You will come across sheep, cows and elegant horses. From the top of the Grand Mare Observatory enjoy a breathtaking view over the marshes, resembling an impressionist painting. Have dinner in Pont-Audemer and spend the night in Vieux-Port, a picturesque ancient Roman port. Overnight at La Bonne Auberge.

Day 6 - Timber-framed houses

Today visit the quintessentially Normand village of Le Bec Hellouin with its colorful ancient houses and the impressive abbey. Set in the picturesque countryside, the village is surrounded by a green forest and apple orchards. Wandering through the peaceful flowery streets, you’ll find yourself transported to a bygone era. What a beautiful place! Next, visit Pont L’Eveque, a town with traditional architecture, located between pretty valleys. Tasting local cheese in the small shop La Dégusterie, located on the main street. Continue to Château de Boutemont, a castle loaded with history, surrounded by beautiful topiary gardens. Overnight at Ferme de Geffosse.

Day 7 - Cheese & Cider

In the morning, learn about the secrets of cheese-making at the diaries of Graindorge and Camembert, trying the best Normand cheeses. In the afternoon, visit the charming medieval village of Beuvron en Auge, the gateway to the Normandy Cider Circuit. Cycle along picturesque farmlands of Beaufour-Druval, Bonnebosq and Cambremer on an electric bike. Stop at many artisan cider farms and distilleries, passing by châteaux, manor houses, timber-framed cottages, apple orchards, grazing cattle and horses! Taste delicious apple products and learn what’s the difference between cider, calvados and pommeau. Overnight at Sense Manor.

Day 8 - D-Day Beaches

Today spend the day discovering the D-Day Beaches, reflecting about the sacrifice of brave soldiers. The beaches, code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword, were the sites of the Allied invasion during WWII. Visit the Canadian cemetery of Courseulles-sur-mer, then head to the beaches of Gold Beach and Arromanches les Bains at low tide, where the remains of the artificial harbor built by the Allies can still be seen. Pay a visit to the D-Day Museum, then continue to the German batteries in Longues-sur-Mer. At Colleville-sur-mer you will find the American Cemetery, the resting place for over 9,000 soldiers. Next, walk along Omaha beach and reflect upon history. Finish the trip at Pointe du Hoc. Overnight at Château La Chenevière.

Day 9 - Saint Vaast & Barfleur

In the morning head to the picturesque fishing port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. The village is famed for its oysters that provide a link between the mainland and Tatihou Island. At low tide, walk over the oyster beds to the island. Visit the maritime museum and the beautiful botanical gardens. Next, continue to Barfleur, another small fishing port, located further up the coast. The charming port and the changing colours of the sea offer wonderful views. Here wild mussels grow in natural banks, being harvested by boat just out of sea, and cooked in a white wine sauce or with fish stock. Taste these fresh delicacies at the local seafood restaurants and stroll around for a scenic walk. Overnight at Les Fuchsias.

Day 10 - Mont Saint Michel

Today visit Mont Saint Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a stunning medieval abbey perched on a rocky island. Spend the day at this amazing site, witnessing the forces of nature at different tides. Take the long walkway to the island and wonder through the narrow streets that lead all the way up to the abbey. Spend some time discovering this masterpiece at the top of the island. Enjoy panoramic views of the large bay of Mont Saint Michel. What a spectacle! On the island try the famous fluffy omelette a la Mere Poulard and the salty-meadow lamb with a fine flavour. At low tide, take a guided walk in the bay. Overnight at Hôtel la Croix Blanche.

Day 11 - Departure

Today start making your way back to Paris. There are different routes and you might wish to break your journey in the middle of the way, for example, at Chateau Du Landin (2,5 hours). Located on Seine river, with amazing views of the surrounding countryside, this is a perfect place to have a delicious lunch and take a few hours to relax from the road. Pumper up with a delightful spa treatment and one last session of gourmet delicacies. Continue to Paris (1,5 hours) after this recharging stop. This trip is shaped in a thoughtful way, giving you time to enjoy the savory Normand food, but also fit in some active traveling by bike and on foot, for a healthy balance.