Normandy and Brittany

Dramatic coasts, tiny stone villages, medieval abbeys, prehistoric ruins, renowned cuisine that includes perfectly prepared seafood and some of the most famous cheeses in the world—these are the treasures of Normandy and Brittany. Our adventures here find us walking the D-Day beaches with a historian, hiking to the exquisite abbey of Mont St. Michel, boating to mystical Gavrinis, and taking in the scale and majesty of Carnac, one of the largest megalithic sites in the world. As we explore these two fascinating regions full of history and proud traditions, we make wonderful culinary forays, visiting an oyster farm, tasting cidre from the orchards, and sampling abundant local specialties, including Coquilles St. Jacques, fresh Brittany clams, and tangy Camembert and Pont L’Eveque cheeses.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Caen / Bayeux / D-Day Beaches, Normandy

From Caen, we head to charming medieval Bayeux to see the astonishing thousand-year-old Bayeux tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England. The next day, we hike along Omaha Beach and the bluffs above with a historian for perspectives on the dramatic D-Day landings.

Days 3-5
Mont St. Michel / Cote d’Emeraude, Brittany

Rising like a mirage above the golden sands of the bay, Mont St. Michel has been a pilgrim site since the 8th century. We hike a coastal trail for magnificent views of the island, with its spire-topped abbey, then cross the sands to ascend the island’s single narrow street past cloisters, gardens, and medieval gabled houses to explore the awe-inspiring sanctuary. Our hike along Brittany’s ravishingly beautiful Cote d’emeraude (Emerald Coast) leads us to Cancale, home to the tastiest oysters in all of Brittany (Louis XIV had Cancale oysters brought to him at Versailles). We’ll sample some at an oyster farm, then head to the medieval port of Dinan for overnight.

Days 6-8
Dinan / Cap Frehel

A lovely hike brings us to Leon Abbey and along the River Rance, then we head back to Dinan to explore this perfectly preserved town and walk its 13th century ramparts. On Cap Frehel, we hike to the ruined abbey of Beauport, whose massive walls evoke medieval glory. On the enchanting Ile de Brehat, we follow footpaths through lush meadows and enjoy stunning vistas back to the pink cliffs of the Cote de Granit Rose.

Days 9-11
Bay of Morbihan / Carnac / Gavrinis Island

Heading to the southern coast at the Bay of Morbihan (Gaelic for “small sea”), we hike to Poul-Fetan, a gem of a village, the perfect place for a lunch of traditional galette Bretonne. On our private guided visit to mystical Carnac, we walk among thousands of standing stones that stretch for miles amid burial mounds. Inhabited since 7500 BC, this ethereal place predates the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge. We end our journey at Gavrinis Island, threading our way by boat through hidden channels, passing stone circles that disappear beneath the water, to explore the elaborately carved chambers of a megalithic tomb. At our farewell dinner, there may be fresh scallops on the menu!

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated 3+, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. We hike from 3 to 5 hours each day. The trails are not difficult but there are some rugged sections on the coastal tracks. Trip members should be in good shape and have good hiking boots. A vehicle will transfer our luggage between overnight accommodations. On some days, we enjoy picnic lunches with local wine and regional specialties. On “town” days, we often have lunch at local cafes. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the U.S. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM. Accommodations are in small hotels and inns. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you require a single room, please make your request as early as possible.

In an effort to capture the spirit of old Europe, the hotels we use are often family-run converted villas or inns, full of ambience and colorful local history. Although the rooms in these hotels are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders always try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.

Explanation of Trip Levels