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Paris, Normandy, and Saint-Malo: A Northern France Journey

Art, History, and Coastal Charm: Your Tailor-Made, Seamless 11-Day Escape

Are you seeking a complete custom journey that combines the artistry of Paris, the poignant history of Normandy, and the rugged beauty of the Brittany coast? This tailor-made 11-day itinerary connects three distinct regions of France with your private guide and driver. You follow the footsteps of Monet from the Musée de l’Orangerie to Giverny, walk the historic D-Day Landing Beaches with an expert, marvel at the majesty of Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore the ancient ramparts of Saint-Malo.

This is the perfect way to explore the rich diversity of France with attentive, expert service and seamless logistics.

Museum
Private tour
Food

Detailed Itinerary


Day 1: Welcome to Paris

Your private driver meets you upon arrival and provides a seamless, comfortable transfer directly to your boutique hotel at the heart of Paris. Settle in and then meet your Paris Toujours travel advisor, who reviews your bespoke itinerary and presents your personalized road book.
Evening: Enjoy the luxury of free time to explore your neighborhood and absorb the intoxicating Parisian atmosphere. We provide curated suggestions for an authentic local dinner.

Day 2: Paris from Above

Morning: After a delightful breakfast, embark on a private city tour by car with your fluent-in-English guide and private driver. You glide past iconic landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Opéra Garnier, and the Louvre. Your guide narrates the history of Paris, offering you the keys to navigating the city like a local.

Afternoon: The tour concludes at the base of the Eiffel Tower. With your reserved tickets in hand, ascend to the summit for a breathtaking panorama of all Paris. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the capital at your leisure with our handpicked recommendations.

Evening: A quiet, gourmet dinner awaits with our curated suggestions.

Day 3: The Impressionist Masters

Morning: Meet your private expert guide for a visit to the Musée d’Orsay. Your reserved tickets guarantee you easy access to masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Manet, and Cézanne. Your guide illuminates the historical context and revolutionary techniques of Impressionism, revealing the nuances and stories behind these iconic canvases. This tailor-made tour is enriched by anecdotes about the artists’ lives and the stunning architecture of the former train station.

Afternoon: Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie at your leisure, a magnificent jewel nestled in the Tuileries Garden, famous for Monet’s expansive Water Lilies. The Walter-Guillaume collection complements your visit. Continue your Parisian exploration with a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens or a bit of high-end shopping on Rue Saint-Honoré.

Evening: Free to enjoy Paris with our recommended dining options.

Day 4: Montmartre, Bohemia’s Village

Morning: Enjoy a 2.5-hour private walking tour of Montmartre with your guide. In this hilltop bohemian village, you walk in the footsteps of 19th and 20th-century painters like Renoir, Manet, Degas, and Picasso. Your guide reveals the quiet, cobblestone streets and hidden passages of Montmartre. At the foot of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, you pause to contemplate the stunning view stretching across Paris.

Afternoon & Evening: The rest of the day and evening are yours at leisure to enjoy Montmartre’s unique atmosphere or return to the center of Paris.

Day 5: The Louvre and its Masterpieces

Morning: Visit the Musée du Louvre with your private guide. Discover must-see works like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. This visit is fully custom to your preferences; your guide can also introduce you to other hidden treasures based on your interests.

Afternoon: Free time to relax or explore Paris at your own pace.
Evening: We provide our most current, handpicked recommendations for a sophisticated dinner.

Day 6: Giverny and the Road to Normandy

Morning: Your private driver and guide collect you for a scenic drive to Giverny. Tour Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens, seeing firsthand the scenes that inspired his most famous paintings.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at your leisure with our insider recommendations for the best spots in the village.

Afternoon: Your driver continues the journey to Bayeux in Normandy. Check into your charming guesthouse for three nights. Enjoy free time to discover this perfectly preserved medieval town.

Evening: Dinner at one of our curated local restaurants.

Day 7: D-Day Sites with a Private Expert

Spend a profound, full day with your private guide, an expert on the D-Day Landings. You walk the ground of the Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944. Each stop at the Landing Beaches is an opportunity to understand the strategies and sacrifices of both sides.
Visit key sites including Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, and Sainte-Mère-Église. Your guide’s compelling accounts and detailed explanations bring these emotionally charged locations to life.

Evening: Return to Bayeux.

Day 8: Bayeux at Your Leisure

A full day at leisure to explore Bayeux’s treasures on your own terms. Though the famed Bayeux Tapestry is currently being restored (reopening 2027), you can still wander the medieval streets, visit the magnificent Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, and delve deeper into WWII history at the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie.
Lunch & Dinner: Enjoy dining at your leisure with our curated recommendations for Bayeux’s excellent restaurants.

Day 9: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Journey to Saint-Malo

Morning: After breakfast, your private driver takes you to Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage marvel. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the Abbey and explore its unique architecture that masterfully blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. Take your time wandering the medieval lanes, watching the spectacle of Europe’s most powerful tides, or simply taking in the majestic view from the ramparts.

Lunch: At your leisure with our suggestions.

Afternoon: Drive toward Saint-Malo, the legendary corsair city of Brittany. Check into your charming hotel for three nights.

Day 10: Saint-Malo, City of Corsairs

Morning: Begin with a private walking tour of Saint-Malo intra-muros (within the walls) with your guide. Pacing the massive ramparts, your guide recounts the city’s glorious past, from the exploits of famous privateers like Surcouf to its strategic role in naval history. You explore the reconstructed cobblestone streets, discovering fascinating stories that reveal the soul of Saint-Malo.

Afternoon & Evening: The rest of the day is yours at leisure. Stroll the ramparts for panoramic views of the sea, wander the old fortified city, or enjoy a walk on the sandy beaches. Be sure to indulge in local specialties like fresh seafood, Breton crêpes and galettes, and the famous salted caramel with our top-rated addresses.

Day 11: The Art of Breton Pastry

Morning: Enjoy your last moments in Saint-Malo: browse the local market, shop for Breton crafts, or take a final walk along the sea wall.

Afternoon: Participate in a private pastry workshop with a Breton chef. You learn to bake regional specialties like the buttery kouign-amann, palets bretons, and salted caramel candies. Your chef shares their passion for traditional techniques in a welcoming, convivial atmosphere. Taste your creations and leave with your pastries and recipes!

Evening: A final, memorable dinner with our last handpicked recommendations.

Day 12: Farewell

Enjoy a final Breton breakfast. Your private driver provides a seamless transfer to the train station or airport for your onward journey.

Customizable itinerary

This sample itinerary is designed to inspire you.
It is fully customizable with your travel advisor.

  • Duration

    Week / Long Stay
  • Perfect for

    Girls’ Getaway, Friends’ Trip, Romantic Escape

You’ll love

  • Contemplating Monet’s Water Lilies bathed in the natural light of the Musée de l’Orangerie
  • Strolling through the serene gardens of Giverny, where Monet found his deepest inspiration
  • Walking the sands of the D-Day Landing Beaches alongside a private expert guide who brings the history to life
  • Discovering the breathtaking, tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel and its medieval abbey
  • Pacing the massive, sea-facing ramparts of the legendary corsair city, Saint-Malo
  • Learning to craft your own authentic kouign-amann in a private Breton pastry class
  • The luxury of having private guides and drivers handling every detail of your journey
  • Staying in handpicked boutique hotels and charming guesthouses in Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo

Ideal for you if

  • You have a passion for Impressionist art and profound European history
  • You wish to experience three diverse and iconic French regions in a single, seamless journey
  • You seek a perfect balance between culture, history, and the pleasures of French gastronomy
  • You value the attentive service of passionate, fluent-in-English local experts
  • You are looking for a comprehensive itinerary that features authentic, immersive experiences
Itinéraire personnalisable

Cet exemple d’itinéraire est conçu pour vous inspirer.
Il est entièrement personnalisable avec votre conseiller voyage.

Marie Y

We had a fabulous trip to Paris and Normandy – due in large part to the perfect itinerary and arrangements made by Laurence at Paris Toujours. This was the first time my husband and I have used a travel agent. But we knew we wouldn’t have the time to research this trip on our own. Laurence helped with all of that. But an even bigger benefit of working with her was how personal it made the trip. After exchanging many emails it was fun to meet her in person the morning we arrived at her hotel. She arranged small group experiences including a wine tasting, Louvre tour, cooking experience and Normandy tour, and we were able to spend a lot of time talking with locals

Elizabeth R

Manon at Paris-tourjours planned a fabulous trip for us. My husband & I just returned from Paris and Normandy. Manon set the perfect itinerary for us: the transfers from the airport and between cities were flawless, our accommodations in Paris & Bayeux were clean & conveniently located and staffed by wonderful people. Manon set up several tours with knowledgable guides in Paris & Bayeux for a very meaningful experiences and understanding of the monuments, architecture and history of the sites. Manon was very professional, and extremely responsive by email and phone. I highly recommend Manon and Paris-tourjours. We were well taken care of!

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