SHORT BREAKS
4 DAYS
4 DAYS
NEW
NEW
Rouen
Etretat Gardens Credit Richard Bloom
The Gardens of Normandy PACKAGED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Monet’s Garden at Giverny & Vernon A Weekend in Rouen For 2025 we are featuring a choice of two itineraries to make the most of a weekend break based in Rouen, with charming cobbled streets, magnificent cathedral and the historic clock, Gros Horloge. Explore the dramatic Normandy coastline and charming Honfleur or admire the famous Monet’s Garden at Giverny and a lesser-known garden at Etretat. Making the Most of the Dramatic Coast PACKAGED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in. Day 2 Fécamp, Palais Bénédictine & Etretat
This morning, we travel to Monet’s country retreat in Giverny where we visit the impressionist painter’s charming pink house and iconic gardens. We can then relax in the gardens at our leisure, admiring the Japanese bridge and famous waterlily pond. Later, we travel to the pretty neighbouring village of Vernon and discover over 200 half-timbered houses with ancient doors and carved timbers, wrought iron shop signs, cobbled paths and the famous Old Mill. We can have lunch here and spend the afternoon exploring the church, museums, village and Today it is all about the amazing coastline and gardens of Etretat. We drive to the magnificent and famous cliffs which are one of Normandy’s most popular tourist spots, admiring the 3 stunning arches carved out of beautiful white limestone. After free time in Etretat, in the afternoon, we take a train ride on the Etretat Tourist Train to Etretat Gardens , a neo-futuristic garden which forms part of Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. The gardens are made up of seven individually designed parts, where cleverly crafted topiary and art ‘tell stories’. We take ourselves around this simply stunning collection of immaculate gardens; it’s no wonder they are recipients of a European Garden Award. Day 4 Departure After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Rouen before we begin our journey home. banks of the River Seine at leisure. Day 3 Etretat & Etretat Gardens
Today we see the dramatic coastline to the north of Rouen, between Fécamp and Etretat. Fécamp stands in a dramatic location along the Alabaster Coast and is surrounded by the tallest cliffs in Normandy, reaching over 300 feet in height. We can visit the town centre and market (Saturday is market day). Fecamp’s dramatic setting has always attracted attention and, in the Middle Ages, a Benedictine abbey was established here, which is open to visitors. We visit the Palais Bénédictine (Benedictine Palace) for a guided tour and tasting of where the now famous Bénédictine liqueur was invented from a recipe handed down by the Benedictine monks. We then continue on to Etretat, the magnificent and famous cliffs of which are one of Normandy’s most popular tourist spots, and admire the 3 stunning arches carved out of We spend this morning in Rouen, exploring the many small streets and enjoying market day (Sunday). We have time to explore the medieval cobbled streets and to admire the half-timbered houses, Gothic monuments and the magnificent Gros Horloge (Great Clock) with the oldest mechanism of its kind in France. We also see the Market Square where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431. In the afternoon we travel to Honfleur, Normandy’s most charming port and a favourite with impressionist painters such as Monet. Utterly enchanting, the Vieux Bassin area is the heart of the port, characterised by its front-row homes overlooking the yachts in the harbour Day 4 Departure & Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme After breakfast, we begin our journey home. We may wish to make a scenic lunch stop en-route to Calais at the charming resort of Saint Valéry-sur-Somme, with its lovely medieval town, beautiful promenade along the bay and picturesque harbour. beautiful white limestone. Day 3 Rouen & Honfleur
B&B HOTEL Rouen Centre Rive Droite Rouen, Normandy
VALUE HOTEL
The 3 star B&B HOTEL Rouen Centre Rive Droite is conveniently located on the right bank of the River Seine, 10 minutes’ walk to the city centre and Rouen Cathedral. The hotel has 88 modern, air-conditioned rooms equipped with TV and hairdryer. There is a spacious bar area and a modern restaurant (please note: the restaurant is not open at weekends except for group meals by prior arrangement). Coach parking is off-site at the Suite Novotel, approximately 2 minutes’ walk away and is free of charge (limited space). Alternative coach parking is a 10 minute walk away and chargeable. • Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Coach parking is off-site & free of charge (subject to availability) Making the Most of the Dramatic Coast 3 Nights Bed & Breakfast Based on Friday arrivals Inclusions The Gardens of Normandy 3 Nights Bed & Breakfast Based on Friday arrivals Inclusions
• Return short sea crossing • Welcome glass of kir cassis • Guided tour & tasting at Palais Bénédictine
• Return short sea crossing • Welcome glass of Kir cassis • Entrance to Monet’s Garden • Tourist train to Etretat Garden
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Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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