Insight > Normandy Brittany and The Loire Valley

Normandy Brittany and The Loire Valley
10 Days starting from $2,175

Countries Visited:
France

 

Length: 10 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Europe and Britain Premium 2008
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E926
   
 
About This Tour


This is an evenly paced tour with three two-night stays in Mont St Michel, Loire Valley and Paris, plus one overnight stay in seaside Trouville. Travelling days have interesting stops en route with great photo opportunities.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 10

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of local cuisine & wine in the Loire Valley (HD)

10 Days ~ France

Tour Pace
This is an evenly paced tour with three two-night stays in Mont St Michel, Loire Valley and Paris, plus one overnight stay in seaside Trouville. Travelling days have interesting stops en route with great photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Paris.

DAY 2 – SAT – PARIS AT LEISURE
There are complimentary transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your Insight tour hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this fabulous city. Later, meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink, followed by a sparkling illuminations tour of the capital – the perfect introduction to Paris.
Hotel: Marriott Rive Gauche.

DAY 3 – SUN – PARIS – TROUVILLE
Travel to the elegant town of Versailles to visit the immense palace built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here the members of his court lived in unequalled splendour, enjoying a privileged lifestyle which led eventually to the violence of the French Revolution. Your guide leads you through the royal apartments and there is time to take a stroll in the fine formal gardens. Continue to Rouen, capital of the ancient Duchy of Normandy. Visit the cathedral so wonderfully painted by Monet, and see where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Your hotel tonight is in the charming seaside resort of Trouville. Consider a scenic drive through the Normandy orchards to learn the secrets of calvados making and visit the port of Honfleur?
Hotel: Le Beach. (BB)

DAY 4 – MON – TROUVILLE – PONTORSON
There are poignant reminders of the Second World War as you drive along some of the beaches of the D-day landings, including Sword, Juno and Gold. At Arromanches visit the Invasion Landings’ Museum and see the remnants of the artificial port, Mulberry B, which remain in the bay. Continue on to Omaha Beach to visit the American Military Cemetery of St Laurent. Afterwards, follow the route of the Rangers depicted in Saving Private Ryan and visit the bunkers and the Rangers’ Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Continue southwards to your hotel near Mont St Michel.
Hotel: Montgomery. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – TUE – MONT ST MICHEL & ST MALO EXCURSION
A locally guided tour of Mont St Michel takes you to the hill-top abbey surrounded by sea. The first structure, a simple oratory, was built here in the 8th century, and was subsequently expanded and enhanced over the centuries. The abbey’s increasing fame attracted pilgrims and, by medieval times, a ‘ville basse’ had developed, with shops and guest houses. Enjoy an insight into the distinctive Breton lifestyle as you head for the Emerald Coast and the magnificent fortified port of St Malo, where Jacques Cartier is buried. Take time to walk along the ramparts and explore before returning to your hotel. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – WED – PONTORSON – LOIRE VALLEY
Drive south to Brittany and follow the valley of the Loire, passing the mighty moated castle at Angers. Cross the Loire at Saumur, where you can sample some of the local wine. Drive quietly past the sleeping beauty château at Ussé en route to the beautiful Château de Rochecotte, once the home of Talleyrand, and yours for the next two nights. Enjoy a Highlight dinner with wine at the hotel.
Hotel: Chateau de Rochecotte. (BB,HD)

DAY 7 – THU – CHâTEAU COUNTRY EXCURSION
Stop at the castle of Azay le Rideau, once the home of a King’s minister, and still surrounded by its moat. Visit the apartments and take time to wander in the town. Then it’s on to the privately owned château of Villandry, sometimes called the ‘Jewel of the Loire’, to visit the apartments and the beautifully restored Renaissance gardens. Don’t miss the water garden, ornamental garden and kitchen garden – a stunning display of plants, fruits and vegetables designed in the 16th century. From here return to your own chateau. (BB)

DAY 8 – FRI – LOIRE VALLEY – PARIS
On a drive through the vast wheat fields of La Beauce, see the impressive cathedral at Chartres looming on the horizon. Stop to marvel at the beautiful stained glass rose window inside this famous cathedral, built on a sacred site. Return to ‘the city of light’, Paris, for a two-night stay. In the afternoon, there is time to explore at your own pace: relax in a Parisian café, window-shop in the elegant boutiques or visit Montmartre, with its street artists and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica nearby. As night falls, consider indulging in the excitement and glamour of a French cabaret, complete with can-can.
Hotel: Sofitel Bercy. (BB)

DAY 9 – SAT – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A Parisian guide introduces you to all the fabulous sights: see the 13th century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, with its tale of Quasimodo, hunchback of Notre Dame; drive through the courtyard of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde and along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Now a relaxing Seine River cruise through the centre of the city provides an unusual "insight" into Paris. The afternoon is at leisure: perhaps admire the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, buy last-minute presents in famous department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps, or celebrate with a farewell dinner. (BB)

DAY 10 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
8/22/2008 - 8/31/2008
$2,175
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/29/2008 - 9/7/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/5/2008 - 9/14/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/12/2008 - 9/21/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/19/2008 - 9/28/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/26/2008 - 10/5/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
10/10/2008 - 10/19/2008
$2,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
4/17/2009 - 4/26/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
4/24/2009 - 5/3/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/1/2009 - 5/10/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/8/2009 - 5/17/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/15/2009 - 5/24/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/22/2009 - 5/31/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/29/2009 - 6/7/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/5/2009 - 6/14/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/12/2009 - 6/21/2009
$2,675
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/19/2009 - 6/28/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/26/2009 - 7/5/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/3/2009 - 7/12/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/10/2009 - 7/19/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/17/2009 - 7/26/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/24/2009 - 8/2/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/31/2009 - 8/9/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/7/2009 - 8/16/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/14/2009 - 8/23/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/21/2009 - 8/30/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/28/2009 - 9/6/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/4/2009 - 9/13/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/11/2009 - 9/20/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/18/2009 - 9/27/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/25/2009 - 10/4/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
10/2/2009 - 10/11/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
10/9/2009 - 10/18/2009
$2,635
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
         

Hotels
Hotels range from the modern Marriott Rive Gauche on a tree lined Parisian boulevard, to the magnificent Château de Rochecotte near Langeais in the Loire Valley with its beautiful parkland setting.

Fellow Passengers
This regional tour attracts both first-time, as well as experienced travelers, whose interests include military history, the French chateaux of the Loire Valley and the irresistible excitement of Paris.

Highlights
Highlights include the emotive memorials and sights associated with the D-Day landings, the Palace of Versailles, the beauty of Mont St Michel, the châteaux in the Loire and the glittering boulevards of the Paris illuminations tour.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • Visit the Cathedral and Place du Vieux-Marché at Rouen Drive along the D-Day beaches
  • See the remains of the Mulberry Harbour used in D-Day landings
  • Guided visit of Mont St Michel
  • Visit the fortified port of St MaloWine tasting in Saumur
  • Guided visit to the beautiful Azay le Rideau
  • Visit to the sumptuous apartments of Villandry Château
  • See Saumur, Angers and Ussé.
  • Visit Chartres Cathedral, famous for its stained glass windows
  • In Paris - see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in Mont St Michel & ParisOrientation tours in Rouen & St Malo

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 10

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of local cuisine & wine in the Loire Valley (HD)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
Send This Tour to a Friend:
   
Your Name: Required.
Your E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Your Friend's Name: Required.
Your Friend's E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Comments:  
Required.