Romantic Normandy

Normandy is quirky. This region in northern France passionately stimulates imagination with gastronomic delights and rugged, breathtaking landscapes. No wonder it has been a magnet for some of the world's greatest artists.

This experience trip takes you from picturesque ports and fishing villages with their famous 'falaises' across one of Europe's largest suspension bridges to delightfully fashionable seaside resorts. Along the way, you will enjoy famous cheeses and calvados, and unrivalled 'plateaux de fruits de mer'.

But Normandy is also a synonym for lush and romantic gardens, impressive medieval castles, Gothic cathedrals and abbeys. In short, pure indulgence for your eyes and taste buds. Explore the fabulous land of the Normans, so you will always remember it, from your charming Caractère hotel.

Day 1: Departure to Surville

Today your trip to romantic Normandy kicks off, fasten all seatbelts and drive away! Along the way, be sure to stop in the capital of Upper Normandy and city of Joan of Arc, Rouen, with a beautiful historic centre and one of France's most impressive Gothic cathedrals, immortalised by Claude Monet. Its magnificent half-timbered houses, narrow winding streets, numerous bell towers and excellent museums turn Rouen into a priceless gem. You will stay two nights in Surville.

Day 2: Giverny and Monet's gardens

You'll drive via the famous water mill built on bridge piers over the Seine in Vernon to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's house and gardens. This French painter and Impressionism are inextricably linked to Normandy. This is where you can visit the home of an artist who lived here for 43 years. With any luck, the famous water lilies in the large water garden will be in bloom. After this you will continue to Evreux, the capital of the Eure and former Gallic-Roman town and episcopal city on the banks of the Iton with its rich architectural and artistic heritage.

Day 3: Along the banks of the Seine to the coast

After a possible stop at one of the three 'castles of God' just beyond Rouen, the impressive abbeys St-Martin-de-Boscherville, Jumièges and St Wandrille, you will continue your journey to beautifully located Villequier, with its Musée Victor Hugo. Afterwards, you will drive over the Pont de Normandie, one of the largest suspension bridges in Europe with magnificent views of the Seine estuary, to picturesque Honfleur. The next three nights of this unforgettable trip, you will stay at one of our top hotels in Honfleur or Deauville.

Day 4: La Corniche Normande

This day you will pass orchards, hedgerows, meadows to head to the fashionable seaside resorts of Deauville or Trouville, with their beautiful beach villas. Continue to the picturesque Honfleur, regular haunt of Boudin and Monet, with its 'bassin' and narrow streets with beautiful half-timbered houses creating a special atmosphere. A fleet of fishing boats brings fish and shellfish to the harbour every day, perfect for feasting on a delicious 'plateau fruits de mer'.

Day 5: Le pays d'Auge or Caen, the favourite city of William the Conqueror

Today is all about cheeses and calvados: Pont-l'Evèque, Le Breuil-en-Auge, Livarot and Vimoutiers with its Musée du Camembert. En route, you can visit Lisieux, famous pilgrimage site of Saint Theresa. Later, return via the medieval site Crèvecoeur-en-Auge, one of Normandy's oldest and best-preserved castles. If you are interested in war history, we recommend visiting Caen, the favourite city of William the Conqueror. The spirit of this thousand-year-old city nestles especially in the oldest quarters where William the Conqueror had a castle and two abbeys built. The city suffered badly in World War II but was completely rebuilt and restored. Today, Caen is a lively, modern city with interesting sights and charming spots that are definitely worth a visit. Return via Ouistreham with its famous 'Pegasus Bridge', the cosy seaside resort of Cabourg, loved by Marcel Proust and inspiration for his works, and the charming town of Houlgate with numerous villas and chalets testifying to seaside town architecture at the end of the 19th century.

Day 6: Going home

All good things come to an end and unfortunately so does your wonderful getaway, today you set course for home. If you are in need of a longer holiday, we will be happy to arrange an extension of your stay at one of our Caractère hotels of your choice.