Glorious
Gardens of Normandy
Charming
landscapes and formal designs
from Giverny to Mont Saint-Michel
To
say that "Normandy is the land of a thousand-and-one gardens" is hardly
an exaggeration, so many of them are peppered around the countryside. An excellent
way to discover this lush and verdant province of northern France is to visit
a few of those artistic and colorful creations - public or private, French or
English style, decorative or simply "potager" (vegetable garden).
The
itinerary first takes you to the Giverny
gardens where Claude Monet, the famous Impressionist painter, lived and worked
most of his life. You can then marvel at a cornucopia of different styles: The
17th century Château du Champ
de Bataille and its formal gardens, for example, gives you the illusion
of Versailles. In contrast to the geometry of these French-style gardens, the
Harcourt
Castle, surrounded by a magnificent park and arboretum, takes you back to
medieval times. For a more informal look, the theme gardens of Clos
du Coudray, Pays d'Auge and Castillon-Plantbessin (just to name a few)
offer a rustic and intimate décor - great settings for total peace and
relaxation. Such variety of designs in a region with the most favorable climate!
Be ready to discover the horticultural art at its very best.
The
gardens are wonderful, but there is more heritage and culture to discover: the
Gothic cathedral of Rouen
with an unusual laser and light show; Palais Bénédictine where B&B
liqueur is made; Musée Malraux in Le
Havre, with a fine collection of Impressionist paintings; the incomparable
Bayeux
tapestry (230 feet long) recounting the battle of Hastings and the invasion of
England in 1006 by William the Conqueror; and UNESCO World Heritage Site, le
Mont
Saint-Michel with its medieval abbey, fortified ramparts and half-timbered
houses.
Add
a few more places with recognizable names for good measure: Rouen with its Place
du Vieux Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431, an ornate
castle in Balleroy,
owned by the family of Malcolm Forbes (the billionaire American publisher), and
the house, museum and gardens where world-famous designer Christian Dior lived
in Granville.
The
Giverny gardens were the inspiration for some of the greatest art in modern times
and Normandy is pure heaven for flower and nature lovers - to say nothing of the
local French cuisine and the cheeses (Camembert, Livarot, Pont-L'Evêque
and Neufchâtel). You will leave this little corner of the Garden of Eden
with a strong desire to come back on another tour and explore more of it.
There
are many more possibilities on this tour route: Caen, WWII Normandy Beaches, etc.
Let us know where and when you want to go. With the help of expert local providers,
we
will create a custom program that fits your
requirements.
Please
note. This is a "suggested" private group itinerary, which can be
changed to suit your interests. The tour price will depend on the number of participants,
dates, type of hotels and other variables.
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