Normandy Gourmet Tour by Self-Drive

Itinerary

• Day 1: Paris - Giverny - Rouen - Pont Audemer

  On your arrival, a rental car of category G (Renault Megane/Auris- automatic or similar) will be at your disposal, thus you can move freely and comfortably in the following days.

  Thanks to A13, France's very first motorway running from Paris to Normandy, within 1.5 hours you can reach the Museum of Impressionism Giverny, a museum focusing on the history of Impressionism and its ramifications.

  Rouen is another 1.5 hours away. There you can walk through its historical center and discover its lovely half-timbered houses, splendid churches, and impressive gastronomy.

  In the evening, check into at an authentic 200 years-old Normandy thatched cottage in the picturesque town of Pont Audemer, about an hour from Caen.

  • Pont Audemer

• Day 2: Pont Audemer - Honfleur - Deauville

  This morning, before moving on to Honfleur and Deauville, you may like to spend some time glancing at the traditional French lifestyle at one of Normandy's colorful and lively markets. By the new bridge of the "Pont de Normandie," you can easily reach the coastal town of Honfleur that is famous for its pretty port and tall houses around the harbor area. Between the houses and the harbor, there are numerous cafes and in the old part of the town there are also some interesting medieval houses - all of these are waiting for your exploration.

  Spend tonight in a cozy room situated in the eaves of a charming four-star establishment in the Normandy countryside, close to the seaside.

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  • Deauville

• Day 3: Deauville

  The small town of Deauville appeared in the middle of the 19th century and was built by the half-brother of Napoleon III with the goal of an ideal tourist destination. Then, luxury hotels, restaurants, casinos, world-famous racecourses, golf courses also appeared. So many options at your choice!

  In the heart of the city, Lydie Perchey runs L'Etoile des mers, a high-flying fish shop that is also a Michelin guide restaurant at the same time. Her three brothers fish for her and bring the fish, as fresh as possible, to her directly from the port of Trouville. Chef Romain Trosselo and his griddle will cook for you the catch of the day.

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  • Deauville

• Day 4: Deauville - Caen - Bayeux, Cooking Lesson

  Depart fo Caen this morning where Ty Gibus offers its chef, Oliver Briand, the chance to exchange his skills with those people who love food and want to discover the secrets of a good chef.

  At the beginning of the cooking class, he will share with you the theme that he shapes around a product or menu. As cooking is learned by tasting, each dish is tasted and shared as it is prepared. Each class will take about three hours for a group of up to 6 people.

  After the meal, you can stroll around to discover Caen's soaring church towers, vast war museum - Mémorial de Caen, and the ducal castle - Caen Castle that is home to the Normandy Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

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  • Bayeux

• Day 5: Bayeux, Old Bayeux Walking Guided Tour & Sunset Jeep

  In the heart of the conservation area stands the Gothic style Bayeux Cathedral which was rebuilt after serious damage in the 12th century with the crossing towers, transepts, and east end most notable. Surrounding it is Bayeux's historic center full of timber-framed houses, manors, and townhouses. The two hours' walking guided tour will uncover some of the important stories of Bayeux.

  Late afternoon, enjoy a private guided tour in an authentic 1944 WW2 Willys Jeep and visit two significant historical locations of World War II: Arromanches and Longues Sur Mer. Whether you are a great admirer of military history or someone just curious about how the events played out on D-Day, this tour will help you to better appreciate the remarkable acts of courage and bravery that took place during this war.

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  • Bayeux

• Day 6: Bayeux - Camembert - Paris, Durand Cheese Factory

  A national cultural and gastronomic heritage, Camembert is much more than cheese but also a true symbol of France. Today, on the way back to Paris, you can stop at the village of Camembert and visit the last dairy that produces Camembert to discover the stages of cheese making: ancestral know-how. The visit is followed by a tasting.

  Drop off your car with your car rental company after arrival.

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