At a Glance
Unfold the rich history, medieval; treasures and picturesque seaside villages of France on this 6 day walking voyage from Brittany to Normandy. Discover rugged coastlines, golden D-Day beaches, beautiful towns and mystical islands that will leave you inspired and transported into history.
Your adventure begins in Caen, after which you shuttle outside of Bayeux to a working cider farm. A region steeped in history, delve into the past as you pay your respect to the fallen soldiers at the Bayeux Memorial and War Cemetery. Venture into Pointe du Hoc, the war-torn bunkers of the old German stronghold and uncover the seaside town of Arromanches, where you will find the remains of Mulberry Harbour. A landscape that will surely transport you. Delve into its medieval treasures with a visit the Bayeux Tapestry, ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified
- 5 nights accommodation in 5 star hotels on a twin share basis
- All luggage, hotel and shutlle transfers
- Professional guiding: two support vans, 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio
- Sightseeing and activities as stated in the itinerary
- Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Park and other entry fees
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Itinerary
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TWO HIKING OPTIONS: Today, you meet with your tour leaders at 11:15 am at the Caen train station in Caen, France. Please arrive dressed in your hiking clothes. Bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear, and anything else you may want for today's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations). After meeting we shuttle outside of Bayeux to a working cider farm where we enjoy a picnic lunch. Exploration of the Norman Countryside begins as we set out on foot through the bucolic landscape, past green pastures, and charming villages. The path along the River Aure leads you to the historic town of Bayeux, the first French town to be liberated by the Allies. Afterward, we go on to the Bayeux Memorial and War Cemetery, where more than 4,000 commonwealth troops were laid to rest after World War II. |
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Moving on, we walk through the town’s centre to where we will be spending the next three nights, Villa Lara; a small luxury 5-star boutique hotel located in the historic centre of Bayeux featuring beautifully designed furniture and a view of the Bayeux Cathedral. It is a 2-minute walk away from the Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot-long piece of Embroidery that portrays the invasion of England by the Normans in 1066 led by William the Conqueror. Take a stroll through the length of the tapestry, admire the impressive detail and color of the tapestry, and be astonished at a piece of history that has survived over 9 centuries. We will be gathering tonight for a welcome reception followed by our first Norman dinner at a nearby restaurant. |
Villa Lara Hotel, Bayeux (5*)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today, we will be visiting historic sites with sentimental events behind them and it is perfectly normal to feel emotional. After breakfast at the hotel, we shuttle to the cliffs overlooking Omaha Beach before setting out along quiet roads to reach the shore. Along with a historian, we will be exploring the beach nicknamed Bloody Omaha, the spot where more than 3,000 American troops were killed or wounded on June 6, 1944, during their landing on the shore, but now a peaceful beach visited by carefree beachcombers and sightseers. Above the beach, you'll find the American Military Cemetery, where 9,387 white marble markers stand in perfect rows. A colonnaded memorial displays map accounts of the D-Day landings. Inscribed on a wall behind the memorial are the names of 1,557 soldiers whose remains were never recovered. Later today, we will be exploring Pointe du Hoc, the war-torn bunkers of the old German stronghold located atop cliffs and punctured with bullet holes. Tonight, you are free to wander the beautiful streets of Bayeux and enjoy dinner at your own expense. Ensure to amuse your palates with some French cuisines, cooked sea bass, foie gras and caramel cheesecakes. |
Villa Lara Hotel, Bayeux (5*)Breakfast, Lunch |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: This morning we travel to the seaside town of Arromanches, where you will find the remains of Mulberry Harbour, an engineering sensation that took just one week to finish and a temporary port constructed immediately after the D-Day Invasion. Hike along the waterfront with stunning views of all that remains of the port, climb up the cliff tops for views over the town and across the English Channel. Go on to the original German batteries at Longues-Sur-Mer, an impressive display of intact German defences. Away from exploration, we will be stopping for a lovely picnic at the 12th-century Abbaye de Longues-Sur-Mer, a former Benedictine monastery well known for its exceptional architecture and decorative arts. After the picnic, we make our way to Gold Beach passing apple orchards and green cow-spotted fields, then we return to the hotel where you can get some rest amdist the luxury amenities before dinner. |
Villa Lara Hotel, Bayeux (5*)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today’s adventure begins with a journey to the island monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel, a World Heritage site and one of three main pilgrimage sites in Europe, to experience the power of these hallowed grounds, which have attracted the faithful from throughout the Christian world for centuries. Venture to Pointe du Grouin, whose rocky finger protects the entrance to the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Take a stroll along with the fretted headline while admiring the majestic views across the water, try to spot the speck that is Mont Saint-Michel in the distance to the east. Explore the old-world fishing town of Cancale, the oyster capital of Brittany, and where Louis XIV, the Sun King, used to order his shellfish. Ride to Dinard, a favourite summer resort famous for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and fabulous villas with amazing architecture. |
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Here, we find our home for the next two nights, an executive 5-star Hotel with coastal elegance and top-notch amenities, the Le Grand Hôtel Barrière. It is located on the seafront in Dinard, facing Saint-Malo City, overlooking the Rance Estuary, and is a 4-minute walk away from the beach. Unwind by the pool or indulge in the spa including a sauna before an enticing dinner at the hotel.
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Le Grand Hôtel Barrière, Enghien-les-Bains (5*)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, we shuttle to Guesclin Beach to continue hiking along the coastline. Walk along the cliffs past fields of heather and pasturelands while enjoying the views and salty sea breezes. Get familiar with a unique style of architecture known to the region. In the 18th century, rich shipbuilders settled in the lands just outside of St-Malo, where they built malouinières or large aristocratic mansions. Enjoy lunch with awesome views of the Emerald Coast, after which we continue to Rothéneuf where an eccentric monk spent decades sculpting figures of monsters and grotesque faces. Continue to the fortified city of St-Malo, which juts defiantly into the ocean. Once notorious as a refuge for corsairs, this vibrant port town is now a popular tourist destination. Explore the cobbled streets to find a perfect Breton souvenir before riding on a ferry back across the bay to Dinard. This evening, after a cocktail overlooking the water, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner. Savour the taste of the gourmet cuisine or seafood platter in the restaurant, overlooking the sea. Bon appétit! |
Le Grand Hôtel Barrière, Enghien-les-Bains (5*)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft) Today being the last day of this awesome adventure, you can choose to wander along the Promenade au Clair de Lune for one last look at the splendid coastline and the spectacular town of Dinard. If you choose, you can also enjoy the morning over a cup of coffee while taking in views of the ocean. After that, we shuttle to an 18th-century merchant estate for a tour and one last exclusive lunch before departing by private coach to the Rennes train station, where the trip ends. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
The departure point is Caen, Normandy
The finish point is Rennes, Brittany
Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Caen. The nearest international airport is Caen Airport which is 7.3 km away. Other nearby airports include Deauville Saint Gatien Airport 60km and Le Havre Octeville Airport 98km.
Brittany and Normandy enjoy a mild maritime climate, moderated by the Atlantic wind. Slightly cooler, misty weather with some rain is possible along the coast—the cooler temperatures make it perfect hiking weather! On most days you'll be comfortable hiking in a short-sleeved t-shirt. (When you head out in the morning you might want to wear a lightweight jacket.)
The routes on this trip are rated Levels 1-3.
Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)
Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)
Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)
Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km(6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)
Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
