Welcome to Western France, where the past intertwines with the present in a captivating tapestry of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. The tour includes the charming harbor town of Honfleur, historic D-Day beaches, Le Mont St. Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, Loire chateaus, the bucolic beauty of the Dordogne Valley, the wine soaked village of St. Emilion and its big sister, the thriving city of Bordeaux, and much more. Culinary enthusiasts will delight in the regional delicacies-- fresh seafood, delectable Breton crepes, tasty goat cheeses and delicious duck dishes. You’ll also sample local ciders, and Loire Valley and Bordeaux wines. Imprint invites you on this multifaceted journey, promising a memorable blend of warmth, authenticity, and diverse experiences.

Day 1  Rouen
Welcome Meeting
Our tour starts in the ancient Norman capital city where colorful half-timbered houses line an extensive network of traffic-free lanes and cobbled squares. We’ll take time to get to know each other before taking an orientation stroll then have dinner together.
Hotel Mercure (2 nights) https://all.accor.com/hotel/1301/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

Day 2  Rouen
Walking Tour
There’s a lot of history in this city that gave birth to William the Conqueror and set fire to Joan of Arc. We’ll take a walking tour of the city’s gothic core, uncover its fascinating past, then be free to tour its array of museums and traffic free lanes.

Day 5: Dinan
St-Malo; Fort La Latte
Today is devoted to the exploring Emerald Coast. We’ll begin by taking the foot ferry from Dinard to St- Malo where we’ll enjoy a walking tour of its soaring walls that protect the city center and have some free time and lunch. After lunch we’ll drive west along the Emerald coast stopping for views before touring sensationally situated Fort La Latte. Hotel Manoir de Rigourdaine (2 nights) https://rigourdaine.com

Day 6: Dinan
Walking Tour; Le Mont St. Michel
We’ll spend our morning in delightful Dinan, exploring its ancient lanes and half-timbered center.  This afternoon we’ll take the short drive to the island abbey of Le Mont St. Michel. We’ll have a guided tour of the abbey and then free time for personal explorations.

Day 9: La Roque Gageac
Oradour sur Glane
It’s due south to the dreamy Dordogne Valley today. We’ll stop on the way to honor the martyr village of Oradour sur Glane, then set up for the next three nights in the riverfront village of La Roque Gageac.
Hotel la Belle Etiole (3 nights) www.belleetoile.fr

Day 10: La Roque Gageac
Rouffignac Cave; Castlenaud
We have all day to savor this glorious region where medieval castles rule and pre-history permeates the countryside with cave art dating back 30,000 years. We’ll tour a cave with original art and visit the castle of Castlenaud, an English stronghold for some of the Hundred Years War with impressive displays of medieval warfare. You’ll have free time this afternoon.

Day 13   Bordeaux
Walking tour
Today starts with a locally guided walking tour of Bordeaux. We’ll explore the city’s historic core and impressive monuments and learn about its unique, river front history then have free time to explore on our own before gathering for our last dinner together.

Day 14 Tour Over after Breakfast
Bordeaux has excellent air and rail connections. Imprint will assist with airport/station transfers.

[Itinerary details& hotels subject to change]

Day 3: Arromanches
Honfleur; D-Day Museum
We’ll drive directly to picturesque Honfleur where we’ll spend much of day savoring its lovely harbor and impressionist sights before moving on to Arromanches, a linchpin to the successful D-Day invasions. We’ll have time to visit its spectacular new museum together.
Hotel de la Marine (2 nights) www.hotel-de-la-marine.fr

Day 4: Arromanches
D-Day Beaches; Bayeux
Let’s start early today and spend most our day along the D-Day beaches, centering on Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc. We’ll end our day touring Bayeux’s marvelous tapestry which chronicles events of the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Day 7: Azay le Rideau
Abbey of Fontevraud; Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau
We’ll drive south and east today into the Loire Valley, stopping to tour the historic Abbey of Fontevraud before setting up in Azay le Rideau where we’ll tour its renaissance chateau.
Hotel TBD (2 nights)

Day 8: Azay le Rideau
Loire Valley Chateaux
Today is devoted to touring the best and brightest of Loire Chateaux—we’ll visit Chateau de Chenonceaux for its exceptional setting and interior and Chateau de Villandry for its radiant gardens.

Day 11: La Roque Gageac
Market Day; Canoes
It’s market day in several Dordogne towns and villages; we’ll pick one to explore and divide a picnic shopping list to share over lunch. If the weather agrees, we’ll rent canoes and paddle down the Dordogne or Vézere rivers passing bucolic villages and stone fortresses as we glide. If the weather disagrees, we’ll visit the Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies de Tayac.

Day 12: Bordeaux
Walking Tour St. Emilion
It’s due west today to the wine-soaked village of St. Emilion where we’ll spend our afternoon touring this pretty town with a local guide and sampling the local product. Then we’ll settle into our Bordeaux accommodations for our final stop on the tour.
Grand Hotel Francais (2 nights) https://grand-hotel-francais.com