Brittany & Normandy Hiking & Walking Tour
France's D-Day Beaches to Saint-Malo
Journey through seaside promenades and belle epoque elegance. Explore World War II sites, ancient monasteries and Norman villages where history comes alive and the present brims with possibility.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $5,599 - $5,899/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Explore Normandy’s coastal villages and walk along D-Day beaches to significant World War II monuments
- Wander the narrow, historic streets of Mont-Saint-Michel, a breathtaking island village that rises majestically from the sea, crowned by its iconic abbey
- Savor fresh-caught seafood and regional specialties like apple cider, crêpes, delectable oysters and classic moules-frites
- Hike trails among flower-dotted hillsides, atop the dramatic cliffs of Brittany’s celebrated Emerald Coast
- Admire Gothic churches, 19th-century villas and medieval stone ramparts in the historic French towns of Bayeux, Dinard and Saint-Malo
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Caen Airport & Travel Details
- Head into Normandy’s idyllic bocage countryside
- Enjoy a picnic lunch at a working cider farm
- Follow a path along the Aure River to beautiful Bayeux, the first French town to be liberated after D-Day
- Experience the splendor of Normandy’s coast, with its rugged cliffs, misty coastline and gold-sand beaches
- Walk along Omaha Beach and to the Normandy American Cemetery, led by our knowledgeable local guide
- Discover the village of Arromanches, famous for its artificial port, which was constructed to aid in the D-Day invasion
- Wind down with an apple brandy or Pommeau de Normandie aperitif after another epic day.
Nights 1-3
Luxury Hotel
This fanciful 30-acre château exudes historic charm with 18th-century stylings and fascinating connections to WWII. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Revel in the luminous colors of the Côte d’Émeraude (Emerald Coast)
- Journey to the island monastery of Mont-St-Michel, one of Europe’s most hallowed pilgrimage destinations and a World Heritage Site
- Witness Europe’s most extreme tides in the Bay of Mont-St-Michel
- Pause in Cancale, the oyster capital of France
- Meander through St-Malo, a fortified city with unparalleled sea views, once notorious as a refuge for the king’s pirates
- Visit an 18th-century malouinière, or merchant estate, for a tour and exclusive lunch.
Nights 4-5
Luxury Hotel
This stately 19th-century hotel welcomes you with warm décor and mesmerizing views overlooking the coast and Saint-Malo. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Rennes Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 1-3
All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 5 lunches
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
