Normandy Highlights & Monet's Garden

Blessed with a stunning natural beauty, Normandy begs to be explored. You can expect dramatic coastal landscapes, quaint pastoral villages, picturesque ports, classic half-timbered buildings and fabulous food, from Camembert to Calvados, from cider to seafood. The legacy of the region's epic history, from the Norman invasion of England in 1066 to the D-Day Landings of 1944, has left its mark. This tour takes you on a discovery of the very best of Normandy and with a beautifully authentic Normandy hotel in the heart of the pretty pilgrimage town of Lisieux, you can start exploring as soon as you arrive. Complete your break with an included visit to Monet's House and Garden, in the village of Giverny on the Seine, where the artist found inspiration to create his impressionist masterpieces.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast- 3 dinners in the hotel (set menu)- Porterage- Tea / coffee with dinner- Included excursions as stated- Visit to Deauville & Honfleur- Entrance to Monet's Garden- Optional excursion to Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial & Caen

5 day tour
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you will travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais and then onto Lisieux to check in to your centrally located hotel for your 4-night stay. 3 nights DBB and one night BB only to allow you to try out one of the many local restaurants in Lisieux town (within easy walking distance from the hotel)

DAY 2 - 4 - At leisure in Lisieux with TWO included excursions and one optional excursion

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Monet's Garden
Today you visit the picturesque village of Giverny on the bank of the River Seine. A treat for art lovers and gardeners alike, Giverny is the home of French impressionist painter, Claude Monet for over 40 years. There will be time to explore the exuberant gardens which were the inspiration of his famous water lily series and well as take a look around his house. Admission to the house and gardens is included.

Deauville & Honfleur
With its fine sandy beaches, Deauville is renowned for its glamorous reputation and symbolises elegance, prestige and sophistication. Time to soak up the atmosphere here before taking the coastal road to the picturesque old port of Honfleur, a favourite haunt of numerous celebrated artists including Claude Monet. Situated on the Seine estuary, medieval Honfleur exudes maritime charm around the Vieux Bassin with its narrow houses and lively café scene but there is much more to see in the alluring cobbled streets of the old town.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial & Caen
Arromanches-les-Bains, a popular seaside resort, is inextricably linked with the liberation of Western Europe following D-Day. Some of the staggeringly large concrete blocks remain from the Mulberry Harbour towed over from Britain in June 1944 for what was meant to be a temporary port. The excellent war museum on the seafront brings the massive Allied operations here back to life (Musee Arromanches - entrance not included approx €12.70 pp in 2023). Depart with a brief stop at the British Normandy Memorial just outside the village of Ver-sur-Mer overlooking Gold Beach (8 min walk from parking). Opened on 6 June 2021, it records the names of more than 22,000 men and women under British command who lost their lives in Normandy between 6 June and 31 August 1944

Last stop of the day is Caen, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Despite massive damage in WW2, Caen offers heritage and history from the imposing bastions of an impressive medieval chateau to its ancient abbeys, from the deeply moving Caen Memorial War museum to the scenic yacht marina. Take a stroll around the Vaugueux old town district with its atmospheric stone houses dating back to the Middle Ages and its lively cafe and restaurant scene

DAY 5 - After breakfast, travel back to Calais for the return Channel crossing and the journey home.Grand Hotel de l'Esperance, Lisieux
This 3* landmark hotel in the centre of Lisieux, set in a typical Norman half-timbered building, offers a warm welcome and plentiful charm and atmosphere.

The upscale restaurant serves regional Normandy cuisine and there is also a bar.

The hotel have 90 recently refurbished, spacious and comfortable bedrooms with TV and a safe. There is a lift.