Tours to Normandy departing Paris
Norman History
Bayeux & William Conqueror
In 1066 William the Conqueror invaded England from Normandy. This momentous time was commemorated by perhaps the most famous artifact that has come down to us from medieval times. The Tapestry is actually embroidery in wool on a background of linen 230 feet long and 20 inches high. It is a pictorial account of the events leading up to the military invasion of England, the battle of Hastings, the death of King Harold, and the crowning of William in Westminster Abbey. A unique witness to life in the world of the 11th century. It was accomplished on the orders of Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux, William’s half-brother, to be unfurled to celebrate the rebuilding and dedication of the cathedral of Bayeux in July 14, 1077. The work was probably accomplished by a group of women in Canterbury, England. The towers and crypt from Bishop Odo’s cathedral remain in the gothic Cathedral Notre-Dame that stands on its site. Bayeux was the first town in France to be liberated by the Allies in 1944
Les Andelys & Richard I
Following the Seine to Paris is Les Andelys dominated by the Chateau Gaillard built in 1196 by Richard Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy, to keep the King of France from reaching Rouen. By 1203 when Richard I was succeeded by King John, after a fierce siege, the castle was taken and Rouen fell to the French king. Normandy, of course, has many chateaux and historic sites and possesses a rich heritage of sacred architecture in its cathedrals and abbeys.
Chateau Gaillard
Think back to the fantastic life of Richard the Lionheart, the friend of Robin Hood, as Walter Scott related it in his novel Ivanhoe. Chateau-Gaillard is the very place where these romanticized stories meet History. For this fortress was dreamed of, skillfully designed and built by the fiery Richard I of England, feudal Duke of Normandy, better known as Richard the Lionheart. This nickname was given in recognition of his bravery in the Crusades. It seems hard to believe that the construction of this massive stronghold was completed in one year, but it is historically true. One imagines the site swarming with thousands of laborers. Over 6,000 of them had to work relentlessly to achieve such a feat. Construction began in 1197 and was completed in 1198. Richard-who had spent a huge amount of money on it-could then exclaim: "How beautiful she is, my one-year-old daughter! What a 'gaillard' (well fortified) castle!"
Rouen
Rouen is the historical capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th century to the 15th century. It was in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burnt in 1431.
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Attracted by Beauty
South of Les Andelys near the border with the Ile de France, is Monet’s house and garden at Giverny, Monet who was born in Paris but moved with his family to Le Havre when he was 4 years old, always returning to Normandy during his lifetime, eventually making his home at Giverny.
Artists born in Normandy include Nicolas Poussin, J. F. Millet and Raoul Dufy. Eugene Boudin, whose birthplace was Le Havre, marked the link between Corot and the Impressionists as he worked directly from nature on the Normandy coast and in particular at the fashionable resorts of Deauville and Trouville. He was responsible for introducing Monet to this method of painting outdoors. Normandy has also been the source of inspiration to artists such as Courbet and Corot. The Impressionists, Sisley and Pisarro, particularly loved the Normandy light and landscape. Other famous artists associated with Normandy are Gericault, Van Dongen, Braque and Jongkind. There are eighteen Art Museums in Normandy.
Quick Links to Places in Normandy:
Private Tours to Normandy Departing Paris
Normandy offers a surprising variety of countryside and coastline. The coastline is sometimes wild and rugged, but the countryside with it's half timbered houses surrounded by apple orchards , fresh undulating landscape, and forests of beech and pine, is a haven of peace and serenity. The name Normandy is derived from the Norsemen, Vikings who came here in their wooden-prowed boats and settled between 800 AD and 911 AD when a Viking, Rollo, became the first Duke of Normandy.
Many writers were born or have written about Normandy. To English speakers perhaps the best known are Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)who was born in Rouen, his great novel, ‘Madame Bovary”, takes place in a small village outside Rouen and in Rouen itself, and Guy de Maupassant (1850-1945) of short story fame.
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Impressionist Routes
As you drive up to Normandy stop at the home of Claude Monet. But there is so much more. Why not discover where Monet and his fellow artists painted scenes that have become recognized all over the world.
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Giverny - Half Day Tours Departing from Paris
As you drive up to Normandy your guide will introduce to the life and work of Claude Monet. You will have a guided visit Monet's home and gardens and the cemetery to visit Monet's tomb.
On your return to Paris you will drive along the Route des Crêtes where you enjoy an exceptional panorama over the Seine valley, you will see a watchtower of the 9th Century built at the time of the Viking's Invasion, the château of La Roche Guyon that became Erwin Rommel's headquarter during World War II, the village of Vetheuil where Monet spent the 3 hardest years of his life, Mantes la Jolie and its 12C gothic cathedral, before reaching the highway back to Paris.
Optional Afternoon Visit to Rouen
Back east, just to the north of the Seine River, is the capital of Normandy, the 2000 year-old city of Rouen with its gothic churches and cathedral immortalized by Monet, who painted it at different times of day and in different lights. The many beautiful half-timbered houses characteristic of Norman architecture still stand in Rouen's picturesque old quarter. It was here that Joan of Arc was convicted of heresy by the French clergy and burnt at the stake in 1431. And, not forgetting the wonderfully impressionist collection at the Museum of Beaux Arts.
Optional Overnight in an elegant B&B in Honfleur
Spend the night in one of the most picturesque ports on the Normandy coast and in the morning who not take a watercolor class and paint the wonderfully scenery.
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Normandy by Vintage Citroen
You will take the train from Paris direct to Vernon in about 30 minutes. There you will be picked up at the station by our driver who will take you to Giverny and show many places of interest that most visitors never see
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Vetheuil + Old watermills (Fourges + Vernon + Blaru + Croisy sur Eure + Cocherel) + Castles (Gillard at Les Andelys + Gaillon + La Roche Guyon + La Madeleine)
Be chauffeured in the mythic Citroen Traction.
This car dates back to 1952. Ideal for a lovers or a friends drive (4 passengers maxi), at a slow rhythm, as if you were back in the past. Your chauffeur will tell you the story of the car and of the places you will discover. You we’ll be charmed by the cultural treasures of this country and by the splendour of its landscapes which have inspired the most famous impressionist painters.
