Normandy & Brittany
Description of Highlights
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Contents:
D-Day & the Battle of Normandy tour
Private tour & tasting at Normandy dairy
Visit & tasting at cider cellar & distillery
Mont St. Michel
The bay of Mont St.Michel
Dinan
St-Malo
Château of Fougères
Château of Vitré
Outdoor markets
La Roche-aux-Fées
Dinner au Château with French chef
Forêt de Paimpont
Rochefort-en-Terre Chemins Lumineux
Salt marshes
D-Day & the Battle of Normandy with Major General Graham Hollands.
Major General Hollands will provide us with a full day in-depth tour. His military service, local knowledge and interest in military history offers a memorable opportunity for him to bring to life the events of a pivotal campaign of World War II. more on Major General Hollands
1-hour visit and tasting at the Réaux dairy, specializing in traditional AOC Camembert made from raw cow's milk from the Normande cattle breed. The AOC Camembert from Normandy is a symbol of French gastronomy, and the producers at Réaux aim for top quality rather than volume. They produce a traditional Camembert in a modern way ~ each cheese is molded by ladle ~ making 11,000 tons of AOC Camembert per year, and 450 tons per year of traditional churn butter, cream and fromage frais. ...more on Camembert.
1½-hour visit and tasting at La Ferme du Lavoir, an organic apple orchard situated on 25 acres near the D-day beaches. Visit the orchards to hear about the process from blooming to the harvest, followed by a visit to the cellar & distillery to discover how cider, apple juice & Calvados are created. La Ferme du Lavoir produces a dozen different products from the apple ~ traditional effervescent cider (5% alcohol), pure apple juice (no alcohol), Calvados liquor aged in oak for several years (42% alcohol), “L'Aperitif Normand,” a blend of Calvados with fresh cider, and aged 18 months in oak (17% alcohol).
The famous Mont-St-Michel is one of the most remarkable sights on the coats of Brittany. Rising proudly from the bright waters of the bay, it straddles the border between the French regions of Brittany and lower Normandy. It was originally known as Mont Tombe, and a small oratory was built here in the 8th century. Work on the abbey began in the 10th century; by the 16th century, it increased the height of the mount almost two-fold. Legend has it that the bishop of Avranches heard the voice of Archangel Michael saying, "Build here and build high." With brilliant foresight, Michael reassured the bishop, "If you build it...they will come." A place of pilgrimage, particularly during the 12th and 13th centuries, the mount drew large numbers of pilgrims, some of whom had traveled great distances.
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Bay of Mont St-Michel The coastline here flattens out into a wide expanse of sand from which, almost magically, Mont-St-Michel rises. Windmills and low thatched houses line the coast as far as Cancale. Anchored in the bay are oak stakes, known as bouchots, can be seen all along the bay. ...more on mussels from the Bay of Mont St-Michel
Medieval cobbled town of Dinan on the banks of the River Rance in the departement of in Côtes d'Armor. One of Brittany's most quaint medieval town centers ~ the heart of the old town, the Place des Merciers, is lined with medieval timber-framed houses and cobbled streets . The oldest tower in the town's 13th-century walls commands a splendid panorama of the harbor of the Rance valley. A one hour boat excursion along the River Rance departing from Dinan's old port is optional.
Fortified port town St-Malo. This harbor beach resort has impressive ramparts that encirle the city. We'll walk to the old town center from the Tour de Solidor at Corniche Aleth ~ the coastal walking path situatued above the tower leads around this small point and provides a breathtaking view of the walled city, as well as the crashing waves, the city of Dinard, the open sea, and the Île du Petit-Bé and Île du Grand- Bé.
Wander through the old town of Fougères & visit the Château of Fougères. The imposing castle is a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, and its ramparts, set with 13 towers, enclose an area of 5 acres. The old town, at the foot of the castle, is filled with old timber-framed houses, particularly in Place du Marchix and Rue de Lusignan.
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Private guided visit of the Château of Vitré. The castle, perched on a rocky outcrop, is one of the great fortresses that defended the marches of Brittany. The fortified town of Vitré is unusually well-preserved, with a wealth of picturesque houses ~ around the Église Notre Dame, the finest medieval and Renaissance houses in Vitré can be seen.
Participate in one of France's long-held traditions: Outdoor food markets. We will no doubt have the pleasure of visiting an outdoor food market, enabling us to discover a tremendous array of delicious fare, including abundant fish and seafood, cheese, patés, salads, and meats. We may wander, and purchase for an impromptu picnic lunch.
The megalithic monuments of La Roche-aux-Fées was built during the 3rd millenium BC and is one of the most important dolmens in France. It consists of 41 stones, some of which weigh 45 tons, and is 64 feet long and 13 feet high. The interior contains four chambers. How and why it was built has still not been determined.
Exclusive French chef dinner party in our Château residence. Enjoy the rare opportunity of a private dinner party with an esteemed French Chef in your 19th-century castle residence. Breton Chef Potier will prepare a 3-course menu of Breton specialities, featuring " kig ha farz" as the main dish, and oysters on the half-shell fresh from the bay, for those you enjoy crustaceans. Includes: 2 glasses champagne & half bottle wine per person, mineral water, and coffee.
Scenic drive through Forêt de Paimpont. This woodland, the Forêt de Brocéliande of Celtic legend, was originally the extensive forest that once covered almost all of inland Brittany. Today, the woodland around Paimpont is all that remains and it is peppered with sites that have kept Arthurian legends alive.
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Dinner and Les Chemins Lumineux, "Lighted Pathways" of Rochefort-en-Terre. Because of its strategic position above the Gueuzon river, this medieval village has been fortified since Roman times. From nightfall until midnight, behold the magic of the "Lighted pathways" throughout this charming flower-filled village. This creative masterpiece, unique in Brittany, is comprised of roughly 300 dots of light placed throughout the village, as well as at the moat & entry of the castle. The Chemin Lumineux highlights special architectural features ~ the facades, the dry stone walls, sculptures, the windows ~ that are not always noticed in broad daylight, and lends a magical, timelessness to a night-time stroll.
Visit historically significant seaside village Auray. Tucked away at the end of picturesque estuary, the small fishing village of Auray stands on a promontory overlooking the Loch River. It is a delightful town with old houses and attractive harbor with a place in the history of Brittany ~ the Battle of Auray, in 1364, brought an end to the War of the Breton Succession. The 17th-century stone bridge at the bottom of town leads to Saint-Goustan, which was once Auray's port. Here, medieval timber-framed houses line the quay, whose peaceful atmosphere has captivated many painters. In 1776 Benjamin Franklin landed here on his way to seek the help of Louis XVI in the American War of Independence.
2-hour private visit "Fleur de sel, the pleasure of taste" of the Celtic Atlantic sea salt marshes guided by a salt worker, or paludier. Discover the traditional craft of salt a salt worker, learn how salt from Guérande is produced and harvested, and discover the gastronomic virtues of salt during a tasting of savory and sweet treats. Déjeuner at a crêperie in the medieval walled town of Guérande. ... more on the salt marshes.
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