Mont Saint-Michel and the Seaside Towns of Normandy

Local departure by coach, then to the outskirts of Caen for a four-night stay.

Today’s included Normandy excursion first takes us to Deauville and Trouville, both favourite seaside resorts for the Parisians, and for artists and writers. Deauville is known worldwide for its glamour – its attractions include a wide sandy beach, upmarket shopping, an elegant casino, many opulent hotels, and a yachting marina.

Trouville is renowned for its long beach and historic seafront boardwalk which dates from 1867, its elegant villas, and thriving fishing port. Visitors to Trouville can see the fine art collection at the Musée Villa Montebello and, dotted around town, murals by Raymond Savignac, the humorous Parisian poster designer, who settled here.

We then continue to the quaint port town of Honfleur, with its many historic houses set around the quays of the Vieux Port, and the beautiful Saint Catherine’s Church, constructed completely out of local wood by local shipbuilders. Honfleur's beauty has been represented many times by artists, including Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet.

Today we travel to Mont Saint-Michel, a magnificent architectural masterpiece built on an ancient mount that is surrounded by the sea at high tide. Wander around the winding, cobbled streets leading up to the abbey and around the ramparts, browse in the shops, or relax in a bar or café.

Free day or join our optional excursion to the fortified town of Saint-Malo, with its huge ramparts and city walls which you can walk around. Explore the old centre and the maze of narrow cobbled streets, and perhaps try one of the famous crêpes. We also visit the pretty medieval town of Dinan, said to be one of the prettiest small towns in Brittany. See the picturesque half-timbered houses set around Place des Merciers, or for spectacular views of the surrounding area, you can climb the 40-metre Tour de l’ Horloge clock tower. To see the pretty old port on the river Rance, you can take a stroll down the picture-postcard (though steeply cobbled) Rue du Petit Fort.

Return home.