Hafen
Honfleur

Meet Chef Brigitte Dumant for a cooking lesson with lunch at her 'Long House in the Marshes' during this half-day, interactive culinary excursion.

Saint Etienne La Thillaye

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive towards Saint Etienne La Thillaye, a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of north-western France. Upon reaching the heart of the Auge region, which is dotted with pastures and cows, meet Chef Brigitte Dumant for an interactive cooking lesson at her lovely country home, La Longère des Marais, the 'Long House in the Marshes'.

Cooking Lesson

Upon arrival, enjoy the company of your host and the charming atmosphere of her home, then don your apron and commence your cooking lesson with Chef Dumant. Learn the secrets behind preparing Norman cuisine, and participate in the preparation of a main course and dessert.

Lunch in the Garden

Upon completion of your cooking lesson, proceed to the garden (weather-permitting) to dine on the food you've helped to prepare. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your van and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Relive one of the most historic events of World War II during this moving, full-day excursion to Normandy.

Colleville-sur-Mer and American Cemetery

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.75-hour drive to Colleville-sur-Mer, and a visit to the American Cemetery. The majority of the American soldiers killed at Omaha Beach are buried in this 170-acre (69-hectare) cemetery on land given to the United States by France as a token of its gratitude. Here, 9,386 marble crosses and Stars of David are aligned on a plateau above the beach. A memorial contains the Tablets of the Missing, and a map outlines the battle sites of the Normandy beaches.

Omaha Beach and Overlord Museum

Next, re-board your coach and drive to Omaha Beach, also known as 'Bloody Omaha', for an emotional and evocative stop on the beach where the Allied Forces landed. From here, head to the Overlord Museum, which depicts the period from the Allied landings to the liberation of Paris. Upon arrival, visit of the museum. View an unprecedented collection of artefacts largely found on Norman soil, and collected for over 40 years by a witness and actor of the reconstruction of Normandy. From soldiers' items to the biggest armoured vehicles of WWII, the armies that participated in the liberation are presented through reconstructions with breath-taking realism, and the implementation of more than 35 vehicles, tanks and guns from all belligerents.

Lunch and Arromanches

Leaving the museum, re-board your coach and proceed for a lunch consisting of Norman cuisine. After lunch, re-board your coach and head to Arromanches, a modest seaside resort that owes its fame to the fantastic 'Mulberry Operation', which was an integral part of the Allied Landing in Europe in June 1944. This artificial port was one of the most extraordinary industrial and maritime achievements of the entire war. During your guided visit, view the remains of this artificial port, which enabled Allied Forces to land in France. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.75-hour drive back to the pier.

Embrace the picturesque seaside beauty of Normandy during this half-day sightseeing excursion to Deauville and Honfleur. Annexed by Roman legions and Viking adventurers, disputed for centuries by English and French kings, beach-head for D-Day armies, Normandy is a melting-pot of peoples and languages, a cross-roads where cultures and ideas have met and mingled giving it a rich heritage of traditions, monuments and history.

Deauville

Depart the pier for the approximate 30-minutes' drive to Deauville. Upon arrival, proceed to the 'Planches', a wooden plank promenade that runs the length of the beach, and is the landmark of this famous sea resort. The 'Planches' are lined with elegant buildings that include the Pompeiian Baths and the Bar du Soleil.

After a brief orientation tour of this delightful locale, some free time is made available to explore the area at your leisure before driving back to Honfleur.

Honfleur

Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour along the picturesque narrow streets lined by timber-framed houses. Along the way, see the 15th-century St. Catherine's Church and its bell tower, the salt warehouses, the Lieutenance, residence of the former governor of the city, and the Old Port with its picturesque quay. Following your tour, some free time is made available to explore the city centre at your leisure before commencing the short drive to the pier.

The Seine valley region offers picturesque villages, green pastures and fertile orchards and a warm welcome. Rouen is an exceptionally historic town with fine buildings and many museums in the heart of Normandy in an area that is crossed by one of the most beautiful and famous rivers in the world, the Seine.

Rouen

Depart from the pier for your one hour and 30 minutes drive to Rouen, with its skyline dominated by towers and spires. Rouen, the capital of higher Normandy, has held great importance since the times of the Roman Empire due to its location as the lowest bridging-point on the Seine. The alignment of its two main streets (Rue du Gros Horloge and Rue des Carmes) still reflects the layout of the early city.

Offering a wealth of artistic delights, your guided walking tour will visit the historical part of the city. Some of the most important sites you will view during this tour include the Old Market Place where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, the Gros Horloge street and its belfry, a sculpted archway on which rests a 16C Renaissance lodge decorated with clock faces still indicating the time of the day, the Law Courts, Saint Maclou and the cathedral built over several centuries (from the 12C to 16C) which is a fine example of Gothic architecture.

After your tour concludes in Rouen you will return to Honfleur via the Seine Valley (drive will take approx.1 hour and 30 minutes)

Honfleur looks so utterly enchanting, it is hard to remember that it was built essentially for commerce. Discover the seaside beauty, charm and history of Honfleur during a picturesque walking tour. Honfleur's beauty has long attracted artists, with works to be seen both in the town museums and in the modern galleries that abound.

Walking Tour

Depart the pier on foot for a guided walking tour through Honfleur and explore this enchanting Normandy seaport and river-port. As you stroll along the picturesque narrow streets lined by timber-framed houses, see the 15th-century St. Catherine's Church and its bell tower, the salt warehouses, the Lieutenance, residence of the former governor of the city, and the Old Port with its picturesque quay.

Following your walking tour, time is made available to explore Honfleur's city centre at your leisure before returning to the pier on foot.

Relive one of the most historic events of World War II during this memorable, full-day excursion to Normandy. Early in the morning on June 6, 1944, about 156,000 Allied soldiers stormed a handful of beaches along the coast of Normandy, France. Although choppy seas and heavy German resistance prevented them from fully meeting their objectives that day, they were able to gain a crucial foothold.

American Cemetery

Depart the pier for the approximate 1.5-2 hour drive to Omaha Beach. The majority of the nearly 10,000 American soldiers killed at Omaha Beach are buried in this 170-acre (69-hectare) cemetery on land given to the United States by France as a token of her gratitude. Here, 9,386 marble crosses and Stars of David are aligned on a plateau above the beach. A memorial contains the Tablets of the Missing, and a map outlines the battle sites of the Normandy beaches.

Lunch at a Chateau

Next, proceed for a two-course lunch accompanied by wine at a chateau, where you will experience all the distinctive flavours of Normandy.

Arromanches Invasion Museum

Proceed next to the small seaside town of Arromanches. Upon arrival, visit the Arromanches Invasion Museum. This important museum was dedicated to the largest landing operation in history on June 6, 1944, when the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to attack the German lines.

During your visit, see films and models that re-create the entire operation along the D-Day beaches, and illustrate the logistical importance of Port Winston. A short distance offshore, remnants of the artificial port can still be seen.

Following your visit, commence the approximate 1.5-2-hour drive back to the pier.

Nestled in the heart of Normandy lies the Auge region: A landscape symbolising Normandy itself, full of authentic charm, shaped by the numerous orchards, stables, half-timbered farmhouses and a gastronomic legacy worthy of the region. Indulge yourself in the gentle way of life as you visit the picturesque village of Beuvron-en Auge, one of France's most beautiful villages, where colourful half-timbered facades are so typical of Normandy. Continue to the Coeur de Lion estate distillery for a calvados (apple brandy) tasting.

Beuvron-en Auge

An hour inland from the "Côte Fleurie" (the Flowered Coast,) the Auge region is a wonderful hinterland of pastures, thatched cottages, and manor houses. Within these bucolic settings, are hamlets producing specialized ciders and cheeses. Upon arrival in the region begin with a short stop in the quaint village of Beuvron en Auge, considered the most beautiful in the area.  Its highlight is the central square, ringed by a glorious ensemble of more than 30 half-timbered houses, including the yellow and brown 16th-century Vieux Manoir.

Coeur de Lion Estate

From Beuvron, continue on to the Coeur de Lion estate distillery, where excellent calvados (apple brandy) is produced. The Coeur de Lion estate is located in an old Norman farmhouse whose architecture is typical of the 17th-century structures of the Auge area. In 1995 the European Foundation awarded this estate its European Prestige Grand Prix for the whole of its production, which represents the quintessential calvados.  Upon arrival, you will be taken on a guided tour of the production facilities beginning with the apple press. Next see the bright copper stills before entering the cellar where the calvados age in oak casks.

Adjourning to the tasting room, you are invited to sample the current vintages of this outstanding brandy.  

Following your discovery of the estate and the Pays d'Auge begin the return drive to Honfleur and the ship.

Mix history and awakening of the senses in Le Havre, city who’s trade history has been linked to the Coffee industry for decades. Le Havre’s Coffee Exchange was once worldly renowned alongside New-York and London. Whether you are a curious novice or a true coffee enthusiast, this experience is an opportunity to (re)discover the art and taste of this famous bean: Coffee.

Spend the day with Bruno Michaut, grandson of the founder of the “Café Charles Danican” brand. You will learn to understand coffee, its history, its link with the city of Le Havre and how to truly savor and appreciate its famous nectar.

Les Jardins Suspendus

Start at the beginning, by visiting a coffee greenhouse at Le Havre’s Jardin Suspendus. There, you will enter a greenhouse where real coffee plants of more than 3 meters high have been implanted (a rather uncommon thing in France) while learning how the coffee beans are grown and produced.

Visit of the « Brûlerie Le Havre de Grâce »

Your experience continues with the next step in the coffee making process: roasting. As you arrive at the family owned Brûlerie “Le Havre de Grâce”, founded back in 1967, your senses will immediately be awakened by the smell of roasted coffee beans. You will have the privilege to visit the factory and see the behind the scenes of roasting coffee.

You will even step into the shoes of a coffee roaster as you create your own coffee blend, package it to have you own personalized packet of coffee to bring back with you.

Coffee Tasting  

Then discover the last step: the preparation and tasting. You will be taken through a coffee tasting harnessing all your olfactory and gustatory senses. After visualizing the beans and smelling the various smells a coffee can hold, you will taste different types of coffee, including one of the most prestigious coffees, prized worldwide: the Blue Mountain. Similar to a great vintage, the Blue Mountain is that type of coffee you might only have the opportunity to taste once in your life.

Take advantage of some free time in the shop to purchase some of the Danican coffee to bring with you.

On your way back to the pier, catch sight of the “Docks Vauban”. A shopping center nowadays, these long brick warehouse built between 1846 and 1884, used to store coffee. Today, if those docks are not directly linked to the coffee trade anymore, the memory of this era is reminded every two years, in the basin behind those docks, when the boats competing for Transat Jacques Vabre, are stationed before the start of the race that retraces the coffee route from Le Havre to Brazil.

Explore Honfleur at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Honfleur at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Honfleur at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Honfleur at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.