Normandy Private Food & Calvados Tour

Bienvenue en France! Your adventure begins in Paris, the fabled “City of Light.” A private Mercedes will be waiting to whisk you from the airport to your first destination: Giverny. This delightful country village has long been a place of pilgrimage for devotees of Impressionism. Claude Monet lived here from 1883 until he died in 1926, in a pastel-pink house surrounded by idyllic gardens. Enjoy a private guided tour of the artist’s home and stunning gardens; marvel at the symmetrically laid-out gardens bursting with every conceivable type of flower. They are indeed a sight to behold.

Vernon, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Seine in the Eure department, is another highlight of your 1st day. Its charming streets and squares are filled with lovely half-timber houses dating back to the 16th century. Construction of Vernon’s Gothic church began in the 11th century, although it wasn’t completed until the 1600s. The stained-glass windows are stunning.

Of course, you must make room for the sensual and historic. After your tour, your chauffeur will take you to Le Jardin des Plumes, one of Normandy’s best restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the convivial surroundings of a contemporary, welcoming restaurant. Chef David Gallienne’s menus change with the seasons and showcase Normandy produce, with wine pairings available.

After lunch, you deserve some luxurious rest. Your chauffeur will take you to your hotel, Château d’Audrieu,  a glorious chateau in Normandy’s splendid countryside. Check in, relax, and unwind. A pampering spa awaits you, or perhaps you’d prefer a stroll and an evening aperitif. The evening is yours at leisure.

Today will be very special indeed. After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, your driver will take you to the lovely town of Bayeux. It has become famous throughout the English-speaking world for the Bayeux Tapestry, an extraordinary 11th-century embroidery that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is currently closed for renovation and is due to reopen in October 2027.

Lunch is served at L’Angle Saint-Laurent, another of Normandy’s gastronomic hotspots. This quaint, inviting restaurant specializes in local delicacies and is understandably popular with discerning locals. The menu changes with the seasons and showcases local Norman produce, with wines selected to complement each course.

After lunch, prepare to be utterly captivated by one of France’s most iconic images: the slender towers and sky-scraping turrets of the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel rising from stout ramparts and battlements, the whole ensemble connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway.

Marvel at the extraordinary architecture – this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the Middle Ages. During the Hundred Years’ War, the English blockaded and besieged Mont-Saint-Michel three times. The bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is also famed for having the highest tides in continental Europe.

After a surfeit of culture and gastronomy, it’s time to return to your luxurious accommodation. The evening is entirely yours.

Another day, another rich variety of sights, smells and sounds in Normandy. After breakfast, your luxury Mercedes will take you to France’s most famous cheese village – Camembert. Even non-aficionados of the renowned cheese will love this enchanting village. With its timber-framed farms built on lush green slopes, Camembert offers an authentic entry into Normandy’s timeless rural life. Of course, you’re here to learn more about the village’s signature export, so we’ve arranged a VIP tour and tasting at Fromagerie Durand.

The invention of Camembert is generally credited to Marie Harel, who was supposedly given the secret of soft cheese-making by a priest from Brie who had taken refuge in the area during the French Revolution. But whatever the truth of the legend, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled tour at what is arguably Normandy’s most excellent artisan cheese producer.

And there’s more to follow. After you finish sampling delicious Camembert, we’ve arranged another VIP visit to Calvados producer Pierre Huet Cambremer. One of the leading lights of boutique Calvados production, this family firm has made Calvados (apple brandy) for generations. Gain invaluable insights into the unique apple-growing terroir of the region and enjoy their exquisite collection of apple brandies – this is a significant highlight of the tour.

Lunch is a light affair today – we’ll arrange a traditional Norman lunch in the Cambremer area before the afternoon tasting. Bon appétit!

The afternoon then calls for something exceptional indeed. Chateau du Breuil is one of the region’s most historic and renowned Calvados producers, so a VIP tour and tasting in their grandiose premises will be memorable. Remember, you’re not driving today, so enjoy the tasting to the fullest and indulge yourself.

When you’re ready, the chauffeur will take you to Cabourg. This exclusive seaside town was reportedly Marcel Proust’s favorite vacation spot, and it’s easy to see why. Chic, understated, and supremely elegant – Cabourg has an effortless class about it. We’ve arranged your stay in the town’s leading hotel, Le Grand Hôtel, which offers sea views and exemplary service. Check in, relax, and enjoy a blissfully relaxing stroll along the promenade.

After a gourmet breakfast at your hotel, we invite you to get to know Caen better. Founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, Caen was heavily damaged during the Battle of Normandy. Tastefully and lovingly restored, Caen today is a fascinating destination, offering a walled medieval chateau, two ancient abbeys, and several excellent museums, including a groundbreaking war memorial. Situated 3km northwest of the city center, the innovative Memorial – Un Musée pour la Paix (Memorial – A Museum for Peace) provides an insightful and vivid account of the Battle of Normandy.

Lunch should prove to be equally memorable. We’ve reserved a table for you at a leading Michelin-starred restaurant, Ivan Vautier, which boasts a gorgeous garden terrace. It’s an enticing package – world-class service, gastronomy, and wine in the most sumptuous surroundings. Your personalized lunch-tasting menu will be tailored to your tastes and dietary requirements. Naturally, the wine pairings will be 1st class.

After lunch, your driver will take you on a tour of Normandy’s most famous strip of coastline – the five D-Day landing beaches. Code-named Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings were the largest amphibious invasion in military history. On 6 June 1944, swarms of landing craft hit the northern Normandy beaches, and tens of thousands of soldiers from the USA, the UK, Canada, and elsewhere began pouring onto French soil. The code names for the five landing beaches were Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

We have also made time for you to explore the Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer. The military cemeteries scattered across Normandy are a powerful reminder of the actual cost of the liberation of Europe from Nazi domination. The cemetery stands on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on 8 June 1944. Strolling around the memorial, one cannot help but be moved by the sheer scale of the devastation and marvel at the courage of the US service members who helped liberate Europe.

When you’re ready, your chauffeur will take you back to Cabourg for a relaxing evening at your leisure. A glass of Champagne before dinner? Why not!

This morning, you’ll have the chance to visit Normandy’s coastal gems, towns of such charm and elegance that you’ll never want to leave. Your driver will start today’s tour in Houlgate, a chic, compact resort with a lovely beach perfect for the aimless ambler. After enjoying Houlgate’s tranquility, prepare to be dazzled.

Honfleur is, without question, Normandy’s most charming seaside town. Long a favorite with painters but now more popular with the Parisian jet set, Honfleur’s nautical tradition dates back millennia. After the Norman invasion of England in 1066, goods bound for the conquered isle were shipped across the channel from here. Today, Honfleur’s beating heart—and unmissable attraction—is the Vieux Bassin (Old Town), where explorers once set sail for the New World; now filled with pleasure yachts, the pastel-colored buildings surrounding the port beg to be explored. A local expert will guide you around this magical town, highlighting the key sights and offering amusing insights and anecdotes about local characters throughout history; together, you will explore Quai Sainte-Catherine, lined with tall, taper-thin houses. Something about this part of the world feels timeless.

The Église Ste-Catherine also begs exploration. Initially intended as a temporary structure, this extraordinary Church has stood in the square for over 500 years. Constructed by the people of Honfleur during the 15th and 16th centuries, after their stone predecessor was destroyed in the Hundred Years’ War, the Church was built in wood to save funds to strengthen the surrounding fortifications. The Church’s free-standing wooden bell tower is magnificent.

Lunch is at your discretion, but we recommend Restaurant L’Homme de Bois, a traditional brasserie serving exquisite shellfish, fish, and meat dishes in a candle-lit dining room. Specialties include mussels, fish soup, and lobster.

After your gourmet, leisurely lunch, relax in your comfortable Mercedes as we ferry you to a glamorous, luxurious hotel, La Ferme Saint Siméon, on the outskirts of Honfleur. After a painless check-in, why not avail yourself of the pampering spa – the essence of tranquility. The evening is free, but the hotel has an excellent on-site restaurant. Alternatively, they will be happy to recommend restaurants in Honfleur.

Today, we would like you to experience the epic beauty of Rouen. After breakfast, your chauffeur will whisk you away to one of Normandy’s key highlights. An expert private guide will be waiting to ensure you enjoy the very best on a bespoke tour of this medieval gem. With its elegant spires, beautifully restored medieval quarter, and soaring Gothic cathedral, the ancient city of Rouen understandably features on everyone’s bucket list.

Known to the Romans as Rotomagus, Rouen has had a turbulent history – it was devastated several times over the centuries by fire and plague. The old city’s main thoroughfare is delightful and demands a lengthy investigation. oan of Arc was burned at the stake in the Place du Vieux-Marché in 1431 after being condemned for heresy. She died a martyr.

After your VIP tour, we invite you to lunch at a quintessential Rouen tavern – La Petite Auberge. One of their specialties is snails, but if that’s not your liking, then a host of gastronomic delicacies await. A local highlight is Canard à la Rouennaise – duck stuffed with its liver and served with a red wine sauce, a Rouen-style delicacy. Enjoyed with a glass of red Burgundy, perhaps Volnay; nothing is finer.

In the afternoon, your driver will detour to Pont-l’Évêque, a hamlet synonymous with cheese for centuries. Some of the most enduring names in the pungent world of French cheese come from Normandy, and Pont-l’Évêque is undoubtedly the prettiest destination. During World War II, the Battle of Normandy severely damaged the hamlet, but it has been carefully restored. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, order a glass of wine with a selection of local cheeses, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere.

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel. Why not reserve a table at their excellent restaurant or bar?

This is your last full day in Normandy, so we have organized a spectacular send-off! After breakfast, your driver will take you to Deauville airport, where a VIP helicopter tour of the surrounding region awaits. The itinerary is terrific, encompassing Honfleur, Le Pont de Normandie, and Etretat. The small village of Etretat is known for its twin cliffs: the Falaise d’Aval and the Falaise d’Amont, positioned on either side of a pebbly beach. Maupassant famously compared the arch at Falaise d’Amont to an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea. The adjacent Aiguille is a 51m-high spire of chalk-white rock rising from the waves.
After that exhilarating ride, we think a gourmet lunch is in order. We promised you a spectacular finale, and l’essentiel does not disappoint. Chefs Mi-Ra and Charles Thuillant lead the kitchen, with menus ranging from a three-course lunch to longer discovery and inspiration menus, and the restaurant’s cellar is formidable!

What could surpass this hedonistic feast? We’ve decided to let you enjoy Deauville at your own pace. Impossibly chic, Deauville has served as a playground for the rich and famous since its founding in 1861 by Napoleon III’s half-brother, the Duke of Morny. Today, it is packed with excellent restaurants, deluxe hotels, and glamorous boutiques and is home to two racetracks and a high-profile American film festival.

So, where to start? In Deauville, the rich and beautiful strut their stuff along the beachside Promenade des Planches, a 643m-long boardwalk lined with cabins named after famous Americans (mainly film stars), before swimming in the nearby Piscine Olympique or losing some euros at the casino. Alternatively, you can unwind at a seafront cafe with a glass of Champagne.

When you’re ready to depart, the chauffeur will return you to Honfleur. We sincerely hope you’ve had a blast. The last evening is at your leisure, so why not explore some of Honfleur’s lovely and hospitable restaurants?

We are sorry to say that today marks the end of your tour. Your private chauffeur will transfer you back to Paris or your next port of call at your convenience.

We hope you had an unforgettable time on this gourmet, luxury tour of beautiful, historic Normandy. Bon voyage!