ALUMNI COLLEGE IN FRANCE: NORMANDY AND BRITTANY ITINERARY

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Paris, France. (Flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

Day 2
Upon arrival, transfer by motorcoach to Cabourg and the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg. (Transfer provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

Independent Exploration: The afternoon is free to walk along seaside Cabourg’s historic streets and gardens.

This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Day 3
Educational Focus: A Brief History of Normandy.

Excursion: Bayeux and Caen. Marvel at the famous Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century work illustrating the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Visit the Cathedral Notre-Dame and enjoy some free time in this charming town. After lunch, spend the afternoon in Caen, where two 11th century monasteries, one for men and one for women, are fascinating sights. Then visit the Caen Memorial and Museum for Peace, which is dedicated to the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

Day 4
Educational Focus and Excursion: D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Listen to a lecture about the details of D-Day. Visit Omaha Beach and the World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at St. Laurent-sur-Mer.

Day 5
Educational Focus: Culinary Traditions of Normandy.

Excursion: Calvados Distillery and Honfleur. Visit one of the region’s highly regarded Calvados distilleries and try the smooth apple brandy for which the region is famous. Afterwards, explore the charming harbor town of Honfleur at your leisure.

Day 6
This morning, depart for Rennes. Along the way, stop at Mont-St-Michel, a magnificent monastery and one of the most impressive sights in France. Construction began in the eighth century and continued for 1,000 years. During its history, Mont-St-Michel also has been a fortress and a prison.

Upon arrival in Rennes, check into the Mercure Rennes Centre Colombier.

Day 7
Educational Focus: Breton History, Language, and Traditions.

Excursion: Walking Tour of Rennes. Explore the capital of Brittany, which has a striking combination of earthen houses, medieval timber-framed buildings, elegant civil architecture and magnificent churches. After the walk, wander through the renowned Musee des Beaux-Arts.

Day 8
Excursion: Josselin, Vannes and Carnac. This full-day tour takes you to an impressive Renaissance castle in Josselin, the historic and well-preserved town of Vannes and then Carnac, where prehistoric stone monuments are the stars.

Educational Focus: Meet the People.

Day 9
Educational Focus: Contemporary France.

Excursion: Historic Dinan, Rance Valley Cruise and St-Malo. In Dinan, take a walking tour of this medieval town that sits high above the scenic Rance Valley. Then, embark on a cruise down the Rance River to St-Malo, once a privateer haven.

Attend a Graduation Reception and Dinner.

Day 10
This morning, transfer to Paris by deluxe motorcoach. Stop in Chartres, home to the stunning, French Gothic Chartres Cathedral. After a walking tour of the city and lunch, continue to Paris.

Upon arrival in Paris, check into the Hotel Jules.

Day 11
Excursion: Highlights of Paris. In the morning, join a panoramic tour of Paris.

Independent Exploration: The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Paris.

Day 12
Transfer to the Paris airport for the return flight to your gateway city. (Transfer and flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)