Paris & Normandy: From Royal Splendor to Coastal Legacy

Experience France through the elegance of Paris and the layered history of Normandy, where grand boulevards, medieval streets, tidal islands, and pivotal moments in world history unfold across a single journey. Our tour begins in Paris, exploring the city by panoramic coach, on foot, and by Metro, discovering its architecture, neighborhoods, and daily rhythms. Along the way, we’ll sample traditional French specialties during a guided food walking lunch, complete with wine, and gather together for shared meals that mark the beginning of our time in the City of Light.

Leaving Paris, we visit the Palace of Versailles before continuing into Normandy, where timber-framed Rouen, the harbor town of Honfleur, and the Normandy Museum in Caen introduce the region’s deep cultural roots. In Bayeux, history stretches from the 11th century to the 20th, setting the stage for a full day at Mont-Saint-Michel, where a centuries-old abbey rises dramatically above the tides.

Our journey concludes with visits to key D-Day beaches and sites, offering reflection on the events of June 1944, before continuing to Giverny to explore the gardens and museum associated with Claude Monet. We return to Paris with a fuller understanding of France’s artistic, royal, and wartime legacy — a journey that blends city life, countryside landscapes, and enduring history into one cohesive experience.

Itinerary

June 14 – Arrival  Arrive in Paris and settle in at our hotel. After check-in, the afternoon is yours to rest or explore the neighborhood at your own pace — perhaps with a stroll or a café stop nearby. In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner, meeting fellow travelers and beginning our time in Paris together.

June 15 – Paris  This morning, we’ll set out on a panoramic coach tour of Paris, offering an introduction to the city’s grand boulevards, historic landmarks, and distinctive neighborhoods. Our tour concludes in Montmartre, where you’ll have time to enjoy lunch on your own and explore at your leisure — whether wandering its winding streets, browsing small shops, or simply taking in the atmosphere of this storied hilltop district.

June 16 – Paris  Today we experience Paris at street level, combining a guided walking tour with travel by Metro as we explore the city’s architecture, history, and daily rhythms up close. At midday, we’ll take a food walking tour for lunch, sampling a variety of traditional French specialties — with wine included — while learning more about the culinary traditions that shape French culture.

June 17 – Versailles & Rouen  This morning we depart Paris and travel to Versailles, where we’ll visit the palace and grounds to explore one of France’s most iconic royal residences. After time at Versailles, we continue onward to Rouen, arriving in this historic Norman city where we’ll settle in and begin discovering its medieval streets and enduring landmarks.

June 18 – Honfluer, Caen & Bayeux  We depart Rouen and travel to the harbor town of Honfleur, known for its historic port and maritime character, where we’ll have time to explore. Continuing on, we visit the Normandy Museum in Caen for deeper insight into the region’s history and culture before concluding the day in Bayeux, where we’ll settle in for the evening.

June 19 – Mont-Saint-Michel  Today is devoted to Mont-Saint-Michel, the island commune that rises dramatically from the tidal waters off the Normandy coast. We’ll visit the abbey at its summit, exploring the church, cloisters, and monastic spaces that reflect centuries of history and architecture. There will also be time to walk the narrow streets of the village below and take in views of the surrounding bay before returning for the evening.

June 20 – D-Day & Giverny  This morning we tour key D-Day beaches and sites, gaining insight into the events of June 1944 and the landscape where they unfolded. We then continue to Giverny to visit the gardens and museum associated with Claude Monet, exploring the setting that inspired many of his most well-known works. In the evening, we return to Paris, concluding at our airport hotel, with the option for those extending their stay to continue into the city.

June 21 - Depart Today guests depart for home, transferring to the airport for their return flights. For those choosing to extend their journey, the day offers the opportunity to continue exploring Paris or other regions of France independently.

This tour includes daily walking and guided exploration at a relaxed but steady pace. In Paris, we will navigate neighborhoods on foot and by Metro, which may involve stairs and standing for portions of the day. While terrain in most locations is relatively level, some destinations include uneven surfaces, cobblestones, and moderate elevation.

                                                         

Private bus, metro                                           English speaking guide(s)

Guided tours with all listed admissions
Food tour with wine

No optionals currently available

Not Included
Airfare, Travel Insurance, Additional Meals and Drinks, Souvenirs, Tips

Standard Pricing  $3,500 per person, based on a shared room.
Single Supplement  Additional $750 for those requesting a single room.

Deposit  $750 deposit required to secure spot (included in total tour cost).
Full Payment  Remainder due by April 1, 2026

Note: All guests are responsible for booking their own airfare, in order to best ensure their travel preferences and comfortability are met.  Once registration is closed, the museum will provide a recommended flight(s) or times in order to accommodate airport pick-up and drop-off.

Questions?  Give us a call at (419) 994-4050 or email us.  We're happy to chat!

Terms and Conditions

1. Payment Terms A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. Deposits may be paid by credit card with no additional fee. Remaining balances must be paid by check (payable to CRF Museum) or by credit card with an additional 3% processing fee.

2. Cancellation Policy Participants may cancel at any time; however, all payments made to date are non-refundable. If a participant cancels and we are able to fill the vacated space with another traveler, the CRF Museum will refund the amount recoverable based on payments received and any unrecoverable expenses. In the event of circumstances beyond our control — including but not limited to nationwide lockdowns, natural disasters, war, government actions, or other emergencies — the CRF Museum reserves the right to cancel the tour. In such cases, the museum will refund the maximum amount recoverable according to agreements with our travel partners.

3. Minimum Participation Requirement A minimum of 10 participants is required for the tour to operate. Registrations are confirmed in the order payment is received. Guests will be notified once the minimum has been met. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the tour will be canceled and all payments made will be fully refunded.

4. Itinerary Changes While we intend to follow the published itinerary, schedules, accommodations, transportation, and activities are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Any adjustments will be made with care and in the best interest of the group.

5. Travel Documentation & Requirements All guests are responsible for ensuring passport status and meeting all travel requirements. The CRF Museum and our travel partners cannot be held liable if your trip is impacted by health, legal, or other issues out of our control. If you need to renew or apply for a new passport, visit here. 

6. Travel Insurance We encourage guests to purchase travel insurance or use a credit card with automatic coverage when purchasing airfare. CRF Museum and travel partners cannot be held liable for any loss of funds due to termination or changes to your trip.

7. Independent Travel Arrangements Guests arranging additional travel components — including pre- or post-tour hotel stays, optional activities, or travel insurance — may do so independently. For those seeking assistance, our curator is an advisor with Seven League Travel and can assist with arrangements outside of the museum’s group tour. Any such services are separate from the CRF Museum and may result in advisors receiving commission. The CRF Museum is not responsible for independently arranged services.

8. Travel Agreement & Waiver All participants are required to complete and sign a Travel Agreement and Waiver Release prior to departure. Documents will be provided following registration. Participation is contingent upon receipt of these signed forms.