Rouen & Monet’S Garden

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1:  After arriving in Calais we will travel to Rouen.  This afternoon there will be free time to explore this wonderful city. If you enjoy a little retail therapy, you’ll  be spoilt for choice with a fantastic range of shops from designer brands, department stores and independent boutiques. Alternatively, maybe enjoy a leisurely walk along the banks of the Seine taking in the relaxed atmosphere and joie de vivre.

Day 2: This morning, we travel to Monet’s country retreat in Giverny where we visit the impressionist painter’s charming pink house and stunning, iconic gardens where some of his most famous works of art were painted. The inside of the house is simply furnished and colourfully painted with a warm and inviting atmosphere and large bedroom windows overlooking his beloved garden. There will be time to relax in the tranquillity of 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 – standing on the piers of an old medieval bridge. There are plenty of quaint cafes and restaurants to enjoy lunch or you can spend the afternoon exploring the church, museums, village and banks of the River Seine at leisure. 

Day 3: Sunday is Rouen’s largest market day and there will be plenty of time this morning to browse the abundance of stalls with their huge array of goods. A delight for the senses with fresh local produce, hand-made treasures and antiquities.  We have time to explore the medieval cobbled streets and 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, unsurprisingly, a favourite with impressionist painters such as Monet. This picture-perfect setting is utterly enchanting and is characterised by its front-row homes with colourful cafes and restaurants overlooking the yachts in the harbour. It is the ideal setting to while away a sunny afternoon. 

Day 4: After breakfast we begin our journey home making a stop en route in the charming town of Saint-Valery-Sur-Somme. A typically French town and popular tourist destination with a long waterside boardwalk and breath-taking vistas of the Bay of Somme. It is also home to a lovely marina and Gothic church, brimming with medieval character. 

B&B Hotel Rouen Centre, Rive Droite

St valerie

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Accommodation

B&B Hotel Rouen Centre, Rive Droite

This modern, simply furnished 3 star hotel is conveniently located right on the bank of the River Seine, 15 minutes’ walk to the city centre and Rouen Cathedral.

All rooms are en suite with TV, air conditioning, hairdryer and free WiFI. There is a spacious, light and airy bar with an outside terrace. The restaurant serves a continental buffet breakfast.

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