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Join Ainsley Arment on a pilgrimage to France. This trip will visit Giverny, Honfleur, Mont Saint Michel, Normandy Beaches, Rouen, Paris and more
Join Ainsley Arment on a pilgrimage to France. This trip will visit Giverny, Honfleur, Mont Saint Michel, Normandy Beaches, Rouen, Paris and more!
Ainsley Arment is the founder of Wild + Free, host of the Wild + Free podcast, and author of books encouraging families to cultivate wonder and connection. She brings that same spirit to pilgrimages designed for Wild + Free mothers, pairing sacred destinations with community, beauty, and reflection.
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Depart Newark International Airport on an overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights from different airports and for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request. Group air restrictions do not permit specific seating requests on flights. We recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and booking the Land Only package if seat location is an important part of your trip.
We arrive in Paris and are greeted by our French tour host, who will accompany us all week. We drive to the town of Giverny. Fans of Monet will love visiting the inspiration for many of his paintings, the lily ponds, his gardens, and the home where he lived. We visit the Museum of Impressionism just down the road from Monet’s Estate and have time for lunch before driving to our hotel. Settle into our comfortable accommodations, spend time unpacking and getting to know the group members. A welcome drink and dinner await us at our hotel. Overnight in Deauville.
Etretat is a lovely coastal town where we can enjoy a walk on the beach or hike to the famous “arch” cliffs for a bird’s-eye view of the area. Explore the city that French artists, including Monet, loved. If you are familiar with the French book series Arsene Lupin or have seen the show on Netflix, you can visit the home (now a museum) of its author, Maurice Leblanc. Our afternoon in Honfleur, which has a stunning harbor, is a delight as we walk through the narrow streets, visit the shops and the coffee spots, and see its all-timber church, Eglise Sainte-Catherine. We return to Deauville for dinner at leisure. We recommend La Jardin and the incredible XL cafe for dessert. Overnight in Deauville.
We explore fun cider farms where we enjoy a taste of Calvados, the famous pear brandy made in this area or Pommeau (apple brandy mixed with apple juice). We tour Chateau du Breuil on a private visit and not only taste the brandy, but also learn how to make our own. Then continue to the stunning gardens at Jardins du Pays d’Auge to enjoy the flowers and say hello to the resident donkey. Our last stop is the cheese town Pont-l’Eveque, where we visit a fromagerie to taste some famous cheeses from Normandy, including Livarot and Camembert. Grab some cheese, a baguette, and some fruit, and have dinner the French way. Overnight in Deauville.
A long day awaits us as we drive to the island of Mont Saint-Michel to see its incredible Abbey. The island is known as a tidal island because when the tide is low, it is possible to walk across the sand to the island. There is a bridge to access the island, as well, and this is the best way to get there from the parking lot. We hike up to the abbey for spectacular views and spend time exploring the island after visiting the abbey. On the return to our hotel, we visit Maison du Camembert to learn all about the history of this famed Norman cheese and how it is made! Dinner and overnight in Deauville.
We drive to the Normandy Beaches to see Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Get ready for a day of strong emotions and tears, as we are reminded of the decisive WWII battle which took place here, and as we remember our brave fallen soldiers who died fighting on these shores for freedom and peace. Return to Deauville for dinner and overnight.
Deauville is an iconic resort town, full of the charming architecture of Normandy but with other influences like Art Nouveau. Enjoy a relaxing day as we explore this lovely town, including spotting the horse barn stables throughout the city, walking along Deauville beach and taking a photo at the iconic lifeguard stand, and even strolling along the Promenade des Planches to see the old Pompeian baths from the 1920s and celebrity names on the old bathing cabins. We have a morning visit to the Deauville Market, where we can shop for everything from fresh fruits and seafood to silk scarves and clothing. Afterwards, you may wish to walk across the bridge over to Trouville for the Marche aux Poissons, a fish market where you can order your lunch to be cooked in front of you. Grab a seat at one of the tables and enjoy your fresh catch of the day with some wine. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Deauville.
We check out after breakfast and depart the hotel at 8 am, driving toward Rouen, where we have several hours to explore, visit the Cathedral, see the Gros Horloge, and enjoy the beautiful Old Town. We have lunch in the restaurant where Julia Child ate and was so inspired by the food that she decided to become a chef. The restaurant has changed, but the legend remains. Continue to Paris. Settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure. Overnight in Paris.
Our day starts with a panoramic tour of Paris by bus and a guided visit of the Notre Dame Cathedral, where we see the iconic church in its newly restored glory. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Paris on your own, do some shopping, visit a museum, OR enjoy a hands-on culinary experience, learning classic French cooking techniques during a 4-hour optional cooking class ($165.00 per person – minimum 10 participants). Dinner tonight is on a Seine River Cruise where we enjoy seeing the illuminated city from the water and watch the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. Overnight in Paris. (B. Special dinner)
Extend your time in Paris or transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Land Only. Main trip package.
Group Airfare from Newark. Add-on option.
Solo Room Supplement. Additional supplement.
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