Paris
6 days / 5 nights
Somme and Normandy
SOMME AND NORMANDIE
6 days / 5 nights
School Tours in the Somme and Normandy
A 6 day tour to discover the history and the battlefields of the 1st World War in the Somme, and the Landing Beaches of the 6th June 1944 in Normandy. During this tour you will admire the Bayeux Tapestry and such jewels as Amiens cathedral, the Mont St Michel, and the magnificent town of Rouen.
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Accommodation
included, in youth hostels
Meal plans
Half board
Our programme
Day 1 – From Paris to Amiens
Morning : Departure by train or coach to Amiens Youth Hostel.
Afternoon : Visit of the World Heritage cathedral of Amiens, the largest gothic cathedral in France (twice the size of Notre Dame de Paris). Its façade is remarkable for its stone work both rich and light and the discovery made when cleaning it, of all the original bright colours dating back to the 13th century.
Dinner and night in hostel.
Day 2 - The Somme battlefields
- Morning and afternoon :guided visit of the Somme battlefields with specialist guide, including memorials and cemeteries you will never forget.
– For the Australian groups visit the Villers-Bretonneux Franco Australian museum.
– For the New- Zealand groups D3 can be modified to allow a visit to Le Quesnoy liberated by New Zealand troops and twinned with the town of Cambridge in Waikato. Dinner and night in hostel.
Dinner and night in hostel.
Day 3 - From Amiens, via Rouen to the coast near Caen
Morning : Departure in coach to Rouen, the ancient capital of Normandy, founded by the Romans, made into a dukedom for the Normans (Vikings), and belonging to the English kingdom till the 13th century. It is the 3rd most important river port in France and the capital of flamboyant gothic architecture. Its streets lined with beautifully restored half-timbered houses have a great charm.
Afternoon : Guided visit of Rouen.
NB – For New Zealand groups : Option to go direct from Amiens to Le Quesnoy for a welcome by the town and a visit of Vauban fortifications and the NZ memorial.
Then to the coast near Caen to settle in youth hostel on the coast.
Dinner and night in hostel.
Day 4 - Visit of the beaches of the D DAY Normandy landing, 6th June 1944.
Morning and Afternoon : Guided whole day visit with specialist guide from Utah and Omaha to Juno and Sword beach.
In the middle of the afternoon : cinema 360° in Arromanches.
Dinner and night in hostel.
Day 5 - Mont St Michel and Bayeux
Morning : Visit of the Mont Saint Michel, one of the most famous World Heritage sites in France. It fascinates every visitor both by its spectacular setting, by the beauty of its architecture but also by the numerous legends linked to its creation and its site
Afternoon : The Bayeux tapestry, the celebrated and famous Romanesque tapestry was made round 1070, embroidered in multi coloured wools, depicting over a length more than 68 metres (50 cm wide) the conquest of Britain by William the Conqueror in 1066,. (Legend says it is the work of Mathilde, William’s wife).
Dinner and night in hostel.
Day 6 - Caen and return to Paris or Roissy-CDG airport
Morning : Visit of the very lively town of Caen. It was the capital of William the Conqueror and the fortifications of his Castle are still very impressive. With its 2 prestigious abbeys and numerous churches the town has a great attraction. The Caen Memorial (City of History for Peace) was built there after WW2.
Afternoon : Return to Paris or Roissy-CDG Airport by TGV.
Your made-to-measure quote
France Heritage Travel offers made-to-measure and personalized tours.
Service
The quote includes
- 1 teacher FOC for 10 students
- Half-board in hostels
- All transport in France
- Guided visits
- Reservation of places to be visited
- Documentation on the tour
The quote does not include
- One light meal a day
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- Journey to and from France
