2-day Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy Express, 3 Loire Castles Private Trip from Paris

2 days (ID: 163637)
France
Private Tiered Pricing Mercedes E220/E300 Mercedes minivan

Overview

2-day Private Live-guided trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy’s capital Rouen, Medieval harbour-city Honfleur and Top 3 Loire Valley Castles: Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise with Full Guided visits. 

Tiered Pricing. Hotel Pick up & Drop off. Guaranteed departures. Double Room accommodation with breakfast for one night at a 3*+/4* Hotel. Mercedes E220 business class car for 2-3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3-7 participants.

This Experience can be customised.  See also other Private and Small Group Experiences by Clewel Travel.

Itinerary

DAY 1 Chambord Castle — Amboise Castle — Chenonceau Castle — Mont Saint-Michel area

 

DAY 1 07:30 Departure to Loire Valley

07:30 Hotel pick up and departure to the Loire Valey. There are 180 km to drive on highway by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan to reach the first Castle Chambord. It takes about 2,5 hours with one stop at the rest area. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history connected to the Castles of the Loire Valley.

 

DAY 1 10:00 - 11:45 Arrival at the Loire Valley at Château de Chambord

10:00 - 11:45  Visit of Chateau de Chambord. The Guide will tell You the history of the Castle and its construction. The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles because of its French Renaissance architecture. The building was constructed from 1519 to 1547 by Francis I (Francois 1-er) and is nowadays the biggest castle with its 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The castle is also known because of its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.

11:45  Departure to Amboise city. There is 1 hour drive (60 km).

 

DAY 1 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch time in Amboise city. 

12:45 - 13:45  Lunch time in Amboise city where You'll find many restaurants and cafes. We can as well recommend You or make a table reservation at a good restaurant.
 

DAY 1 13:45 to 15:00 Royal Chateau d’Amboise visit

13:45 to 15:00 Skip-the-line access with Guide to Royal  Chateau d’Amboise with Histopad explaining to You the history of this Castle and of each room.

Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise which is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

15:00  Departure to the Chenonceau castle which is located just 20 minutes drive.

 

DAY 1 15:20 - 17:00 Visit of Château de Chenonceau and its Gardens

15:20 to 17:00 Skip-the-line access to the Château de Chenonceau and its Gardens. The Guide will tell You the history of the Castle and its construction. You will get as well the brochure with explanations of each room. Chenonceau nicknamed the "ladies’ castle" is remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for its stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well. 

17:00 Departure from the Chenonceau castle destination Mont Saint-Michel. It takes about 3,5 hours (300 km).

 

DAY 1 20:30 Arrival at a hotel in Normandy close to Mont Saint-Michel.

20:30 Arrival and accommodations at 3*+/4* hotel in Normandy close to Mont Saint-Michel. Free time

 

DAY 2 Mont Saint-Michel — Honfleur — Rouen — Paris

 

DAY 2 09:00 - 12:00  Mont Saint-Michel visit

08:30 Hotel check out. You can put the baggage to our Minivan which will be located near the hotel.

09:00 - 12:00 Visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel and its Benedictine Abbey. Your guide will bring you up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top of the Island. You can admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets into the Abbey include audio-guides in many languages.

The whole island with the Bay remains practically the same since the Middle Ages as it was the goal of pilgrims from all over the world. Mont Saint Michel remains the most visited site in France.

 

DAY 2 12:00 - 13:00  Lunch in Mont Saint-Michel

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch in Mont Saint-Michel. We can make for You a restaurant reservation or You can choose a restaurant at your own.

13:00 Departure from Mont Saint-Michel to Honfleur. It will take about 2 hours (190 km).

 

15:00 - 16:30  Walking tour Honfleur. Free time and Lunch break

15:00 - 16:30 Arrival in Honfleur. The walking city tour takes about 1 hour.
Walking tour of Honfleur with its famous port. Honfleur, the main defensive port of Normandy of the XV century, transformed into a charming resort town with a picturesque Bay, much-loved by the artists of the XIX century. Honfleur was first mentioned in 1027, when it belonged to the Norman Duke Richard III. The owners of the city changed several times during The Hundred-Years War. In the XV century, there were French pirates, corsairs who ravaged the English coast. A little later, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the city became significantly rich in trade with the American colonies. After the port was closed, the city's economy declined and Honfleur became a suburb of Le Havre. Today it is one of the most known tourist cities in Normandy.
16:00 - 16:30 Free time.
16:30 Departure from Honfleur to Rouen. It takes 1,5 hours (90 km).
 

17:30 - 19:00  Rouen walking tour

17:30 - 19:00  Arrival in Rouen. Walking tour. Rouen is the capital of the Duke of Normandy, the city of a hundred bell-towers, famous for its Gothic cathedrals. Here You will have the opportunity to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral of the XIII - XVI centuries, known throughout the world in the paintings of Monet, the area of the Vieux Marché (Old Market), the place of execution of Joan d'Arc and the Church of Joan d'Arc, the Palace of justice of the XVI century, to see the old medieval clock Gros-Horloge on the pedestrian street. The walking tour lasts about 1 hour.
19:00 Departure to Paris. It takes about 2 hours (130 km).
 

21:00 Coming back to Paris 

21:00 Coming back to Paris. Drop off at Your hotel.

What's Included

  • Hotel accommodation in Double Rooms one night with breakfast at 3*+/4*
  • Mercedes E220 business class car for 2 - 3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3 - 7 people
  • Walking tours in Honfleur and Rouen 
  • Mont Saint-Michel visit including the entrance tickets and audioguide
  • Visit of 3 Castles: Château Royal d'Amboise, Château de Chenonceau, Chateaux Chambord, tickets included
  • Hotel Pick up and Drop off, Tiered pricing
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Bottled water