Luxury France self-drive touring holiday to Brittany with overnight stops at Honfleur and Bayeux
This is a self-drive holiday of nine nights in total with seven spent at Trebeurden on the dramatic northern, ‘Pink Granite’ coast of Brittany and with overnight stops in Normandy in both directions. You have the seven nights in Brittany to relax at your hotel, on the nearby, sandy beaches and to explore Brittany, both coast and inland in the comfort of your own car. There are sheltered coves, long beaches, gorse-covered headlands, inlets where small boats are moored, and as you travel along the coast it seems as if inlets and islands appear in the sea and distance and merge into one. Inland there are granite stone crosses and menhirs, moor and heath, tall-spired churches, slate and timber-clad houses and market towns. Breton lobster and pudding-cakes are local specialities. Leaving your car behind for a day or two, there are plenty of local hikes or mountain bikes can be rented. Along the way you drive through northern France passing the valley and estuary of the River Somme and into Normandy, renowned for its apples, cream and cider. Your first overnight stop is near the picturesque artists’ port of Honfleur and on the return you stay near the city of Bayeux, famous for its cathedral and tapestry. Just to the north are the Landing Beaches and the mulberry harbours at Arromanches. You can extend your stay and add on nights in either location. You return to Folkestone by Eurotunnel from Calais.
Highlights
Estuary of the Somme • Honfleur • Trebeurden • Visit the Pink Granite coast • Bayeux • Visit Arromanches and the Landing Beaches
Day by day
After arriving in Calais via the Eurotunnel, begin your drive through the rolling, chalky fields of the Pas-de-Calais and then the valley of the Somme, into the charming landscape of Normandy, crossing the mouth of the mighty River Seine by the dramatic Pont de Normandie. Your overnight stop is just outside Honfleur. It’s worth trying to arrive early enough in the afternoon to have some free time in Honfleur before reaching your hotel. Honfleur’s harbour is lined by elegant, townhouses and warehouses that are now occupied by an array of restaurants and art galleries.
Today’s drive takes about four hours in total, so you have time to explore the vicinity of Honfleur, perhaps with a drive along the coast to the seaside resort of Deauville or to drive through the delightful Calvados countryside with its apple trees, pasture-land and half-timbered Normandy farmhouses. Your route takes you around the city of Caen and then south-west through the village of Villers-Bocage, scene of a tank battle on 13 June 1944. Further on, stop in the town of Villedieu-les-Poeles, which is famous for copper working. It is here that countless pots and pans have been produced since the Middle Ages. Another key site just off your route is Mont St Michel, a striking island linked by a causeway and upon which perches a mediaeval abbey. Reach the coastal resort of Trebeurden in time to check-in for the evening.
You have six whole days to rest, relax, explore, unwind and venture out. Trebeurden is a small resort at the start of the Pink Granite coast. There are many activities with a focus on the sea from marina, diving, sailing and boat trips, as well as several fine, sandy beaches. From the town itself you can hike along the coastal paths and also discover the regional archaeological heritage by seeking out menhirs, dolmen and covered walkways. There are natural headlands such as Bihit and Castel and just offshore is the island of Milliau, only accessible at low tide. Naturalists will enjoy the bird sanctuary at Sept-Iles, the freshwater marshes at Quellen (now home to many birds, amphibians and Camargue horses) and at Roscoff there is an exotic botanical garden. There are hiking and biking trails in the area and if you leave the car behind, you can always ask the hotel to arrange a car to pick you up – it depends on how adventurous you might want to be. Depending on the dates of your stay, you might be lucky enough to be able to witness one of the several local festivals and events in Trebeurden, mostly to do with the sea, such as sculling championships, a regatta and a festival of the sea. There are also music and folklore festivals.
You retrace your steps towards Bayeux, perhaps taking time to visit the mediaeval Breton town of Dinan, with cobbled streets, ramparts and fine half-timbered houses. Your overnight stop is in the countryside north of Bayeux and a few miles inland from the Normandy Landing Beaches.
Today there is a choice (unless you opt to have an extra night here) of heading north to Arromanches and the Landing Beaches tracing the coast to Caen and perhaps visiting Pegasus Bridge, or driving a few miles south to the charming cathedral city of Bayeux, famous for the tapestry, but also home to a poignant British military cemetery. Then cross the River Seine and it’s back to Calais and your return Eurotunnel crossing.
Excellent. So much easier coming to you than trying to book accommodation ourselves. Will certainly come to you again, especially for a self-drive holiday.Mr D, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRSD15
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France self-drive touring holiday to Brittany with overnight stops at Honfleur and Bayeux
After arriving in Calais via the Eurotunnel, begin your drive through the rolling, chalky fields of the Pas-de-Calais and then the valley of the Somme, into the charming landscape of Normandy, crossing the mouth of the mighty River Seine by the dramatic Pont de Normandie. Your overnight stop is just outside Honfleur. It’s worth trying to arrive early enough in the afternoon to have some free time in Honfleur before reaching your hotel. Honfleur’s harbour is lined by elegant, townhouses and warehouses that are now occupied by an array of restaurants and art galleries.
Today’s drive takes about four hours in total, so you have time to explore the vicinity of Honfleur, perhaps with a drive along the coast to the seaside resort of Deauville or to drive through the delightful Calvados countryside with its apple trees, pasture-land and half-timbered Normandy farmhouses. Your route takes you around the city of Caen and then south-west through the village of Villers-Bocage, scene of a tank battle on 13 June 1944. Further on, stop in the town of Villedieu-les-Poeles, which is famous for copper working. It is here that countless pots and pans have been produced since the Middle Ages. Another key site just off your route is Mont St Michel, a striking island linked by a causeway and upon which perches a mediaeval abbey. Reach the coastal resort of Trebeurden in time to check-in for the evening.
You have six whole days to rest, relax, explore, unwind and venture out. Trebeurden is a small resort at the start of the Pink Granite coast. There are many activities with a focus on the sea from marina, diving, sailing and boat trips, as well as several fine, sandy beaches. From the town itself you can hike along the coastal paths and also discover the regional archaeological heritage by seeking out menhirs, dolmen and covered walkways. There are natural headlands such as Bihit and Castel and just offshore is the island of Milliau, only accessible at low tide. Naturalists will enjoy the bird sanctuary at Sept-Iles, the freshwater marshes at Quellen (now home to many birds, amphibians and Camargue horses) and at Roscoff there is an exotic botanical garden. There are hiking and biking trails in the area and if you leave the car behind, you can always ask the hotel to arrange a car to pick you up – it depends on how adventurous you might want to be. Depending on the dates of your stay, you might be lucky enough to be able to witness one of the several local festivals and events in Trebeurden, mostly to do with the sea, such as sculling championships, a regatta and a festival of the sea. There are also music and folklore festivals.
You retrace your steps towards Bayeux, perhaps taking time to visit the mediaeval Breton town of Dinan, with cobbled streets, ramparts and fine half-timbered houses. Your overnight stop is in the countryside north of Bayeux and a few miles inland from the Normandy Landing Beaches.
Today there is a choice (unless you opt to have an extra night here) of heading north to Arromanches and the Landing Beaches tracing the coast to Caen and perhaps visiting Pegasus Bridge, or driving a few miles south to the charming cathedral city of Bayeux, famous for the tapestry, but also home to a poignant British military cemetery. Then cross the River Seine and it’s back to Calais and your return Eurotunnel crossing.
Excellent. So much easier coming to you than trying to book accommodation ourselves. Will certainly come to you again, especially for a self-drive holiday.Mr D, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRSD15
Our prices include
● Eurotunnel return crossing from Folkestone to Calais for car and passengers
● 1 night’s bed and breakfast in a Campagne double room at the Auberge de la Source, near Honfleur
● 7 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Hotel Ti al Lannec, in Trebeurden
● 1 night’s bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Chateau de la Cheneviere, near Bayeux
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
Additional information
Dates
This self-drive holiday can be arranged throughout the year subject to the opening dates of the hotels.
Driving times for this touring holiday
Calais to Honfleur 3 hours
Honfleur to Trebeurden 4 hours
Trebeurden to Bayeux 3 hours 15 mins
Bayeux to Calais 4 hours
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France self-drive touring holiday to Brittany with overnight stops at Honfleur and Bayeux
Auberge de la Source is a 4-star hotel in an idyllic country location a few miles from Honfleur and near the Cider Route and Calvados distilleries. The excellent fresh local cuisine and secluded setting afford guests a truly tranquil and authentic Norman experience.
Campagne double room
Hotel Ti al Lannec is a 4-star country-house hotel in a remarkable cliff-top position on the rugged coast of northern Brittany. Delicious seasonal cuisine and excellent spa facilities afford guests a truly relaxing and indulgent experience.
Classic double room
Chateau la Cheneviere is a luxury boutique chateau-hotel dating from the 18th century, located in parkland a short distance from both the Normandy landing beaches and the city of Bayeux.
Classic double room
Special offers
Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.
Excellent. So much easier coming to you than trying to book accommodation ourselves. Will certainly come to you again, especially for a self-drive holiday.Mr D, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRSD15
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France self-drive touring holiday to Brittany with overnight stops at Honfleur and Bayeux
About Brittany
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Brittany is a chance to explore this extreme western part of France, which has been known as the Land of the Sea as wherever you are in Brittany it is never very far away. The sea continues to influence the way of life in Brittany as it has done for centuries and provides much of the charm and magnetism for the visitor with dramatic sunsets over the ocean, the excellent diet of fresh fish, breath-taking seascapes and authentic fishing harbours. There are both rugged cliffs and sheltered coves on the northern coast of Brittany where sea and land seem to merge into one as you pass around headlands and inlets and islands appear in the sea in the distance. On the southern coast of Brittany miles of soft sandy beaches are the right ingredients for a family beach holiday and mediaeval fortified towns are perfect sightseeing centres. Our selection of luxury hotels in Brittany are all located close to the sea with panoramic views of beautiful coastal scenery. Brittany is perfectly located for a self-drive touring holiday due to its location in northern France. Enjoy a holiday exploring Brittany's coastal scenery or incorporate a stay in the region into a longer holiday in a different part of the country.
Highlights of Brittany
Sample the local gastronomy of seafood or cider. The Breton costume is still worn on special occasions, see Nautical fashions, and experience the Folklore festivals.
Festivals in Brittany
Pardons - religious processions on Saints' Days throughout the year.
Climate in Brittany
Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 9.3, Feb: 8.6, Mar: 11.1, Apr: 17.1, May: 16.0, Jun: 22.7, Jul: 25.1, Aug: 24.1, Sep: 21.2, Oct: 16.5, Nov: 12.1, Dec: 9.3.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France self-drive touring holiday to Brittany with overnight stops at Honfleur and Bayeux
About Normandy
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Normandy holds an astonishing familiarity for the British visitor, due to its lush green pastures and close historical ties. Normandy is an attractive land of white chalk cliffs, long sandy beaches, fishing ports and harbours, rich green pastures and apple orchards, half-timbered and thatched houses and barns, lively market towns, sophisticated sea side resorts such as Deauville and Cabourg and sleepy villages. Famous for its dairy produce, cider and calvados, the cuisine of Normandy is hearty reflecting both its rich pastures and its proximity to the sea. Historical ties provide links from William the Conqeror to 1944. Normandy is a gentle and friendly land, small and pretty where the comforting aroma of apple wood fires lingers in the air and where the salt of the sea is in the breeze. With its nearby location, beautiful scenery, countless activities and charming hotels, Normandy is well-suited to both short breaks and longer holidays. A self-drive touring holiday is an excellent way to explore Normandy, and the region is a perfect place to stay en route further south, perhaps to the Dordogne region or the Loire Valley.
Highlights of Normandy
Calvados, cider and camembert, horse-races in Deauville in August, markets every day of the week throughout the region, the Route du Cidre, and the summer art exhibitions.
Climate of Normandy
Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 7.6, Feb: 6.4, Mar: 8.4, Apr: 13.0, May: 14.0, Jun: 20.0, Jul: 21.6, Aug: 22.0, Sep: 18.2, Oct: 14.5, Nov: 10.8, Dec: 7.9. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France.
