Holiday Highlights

Bayeux, Honfleur and Rouen

A weekend break to Normandy and the beautifully restored Monet’s Garden at Giverny, is a source of as much pleasure today as it was to its creator. Here, where the artist lived for 43 years, the flower garden and water garden were the inspiration for some of his most famous works.

Duration
4 days
Price
from £475

The house, now a museum, has been lovingly restored and the studio is home to a precious collection of Japanese prints, hung in the manner chosen by Monet himself, as well as reproductions of some of his most famous paintings. But it is the Clos Normande gardens, created by the master himself, which attracts visitors from around the world. They are a dazzling palette of colour and it is little wonder Monet referred to the gardens as ‘my most beautiful masterpiece’. In the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by a great willow tree and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his famous Water Lilies. You can also see the Japanese Bridge - still there after all these years. Whether you are visiting Monet’s Garden in the spring, summer or autumn, it really is an unforgettable experience and the memories of this special place will stay with you forever.

During this fabulous weekend you will discover even more of Normandy as we also visit Bayeux, famous for the tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest in 1066, and Honfleur - one of the best loved fishing villages in northern France. Situated on the Seine Estuary, Honfleur’s character and atmosphere has inspired painters, writers and musicians for centuries and you’re sure to be captivated by its charm.

There are many fine restaurants and bistros throughout Normandy, and dining out is not expensive. The local specialities are seafood, fish, lamb and poultry. Many dishes are cooked ‘A la Normande’, with a delicious cream sauce.

This truly delightful weekend breakaway has a very easy and relaxing itinerary in France and shows you some of the very best scenery of Normandy. We actually stay in Normandy itself, which is ideal for our comprehensive programme of sightseeing excursions and visits.

Dates and Prices
Included in price
  • Change your booking for free up to 42 days before travel
  • Covid Cancellation protection included
  • Departure from your local area
  • British coach throughout
  • Return Channel crossings
  • 3 night’s bed & continental breakfast
  • Accommodation in twin bedrooms with private bathroom
  • Good standard, minimum 3 star hotels, in the Rouen area
  • Excursion to Giverny for Monet's Garden, including entrance fee
  • Excursion to Bayeux and Honfleur
  • Services of a Mistral Representative
  • All road tolls and service charges
  • Full ABTA security
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Accommodation

For our weekend away we have reserved accommodation for three nights in the 3 star Ibis Rouen Rive Gauche hotel which is in the St. Sever area of Rouen. Please note that due to demand we may also use other similar good quality hotels such as the Hotel Novotel Rouen Sud, which is set in a wooded park. All bedrooms are comfortably furnished and have en-suite private bathroom.

Dates and Prices

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1

We leave on Friday morning and travel to Dover, where we board the ferry for the early afternoon crossing to Calais in France. After disembarking, we drive through the countryside of Picardy and the Somme to the Rouen area of Normandy. Arriving in the late afternoon or early evening, we check directly into our hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

On Saturday morning we visit the ‘old town’ of Rouen, with time at leisure for you to explore the beautifully restored centre at your own pace. At the heart of the city is the famous Place du Vieux Marché, which is the site of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom in 1431, the Gros Horloge, which is an incredibly ornate one-handed astronomical clock and the towering Gothic cathedral. Later this morning we leave Rouen and drive through the meandering valley of the River Seine to picturesque Giverny where we visit Claude Monet’s house and gardens (entrance ticket included). We will stay here for some three hours, which also allows time to visit the Museum of American Art, where paintings from many of the artists who followed Monet are exhibited. Following our visit we return to our hotel, with the evening at leisure.

Day 3

On Sunday we have an included excursion to Bayeux and Honfleur. Leaving after breakfast we travel first to Bayeux. There will be plenty of free time here, enabling you to visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the Norman Conquest in 1066 (entrance fee not included). A visit to the Gothic Cathedral is also worthwhile. This afternoon it’s on to picturesque Honfleur, which is known as the cradle of Impressionism.

Day 4

Sadly, we leave Normandy on Monday morning after breakfast and return to Calais for the early afternoon ferry or shuttle. After disembarking we make our way directly back to our original departure points, arriving later in the day after what will surely have been a weekend filled with the ‘Impressions of France’.

Dates and Prices