While the most celebrated garden in Normandy is undoubtedly at Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, it is only one of many beautiful gardens in the region. We include two private gardens and the formal grounds of a restored chateau to make this tour of Normandy one to remember.

ITINERARY

Day 1 After a local pick up by taxi, we travel to Dover for the short channel crossing to Calais. We then travel down through France to our hotel in a small village close to Rouen.

Day 2 Today we visit two wonderful nearby gardens. The Saint-Georges de Boscherville Abbey & Gardens. The gardens were reconstructed twenty years ago just as the Maurist monks created them in 1683. They were influenced by the late Renaissance style and mingled the heritage of medieval gardens with that of the Italian style gardens. After lunch we view Le Jardin d’Agapanthe in the pretty village of Clères, where twisting footpaths take you to different garden ‘rooms’.

Day 3 We spend time exploring Rouen, the former capital of Normandy, with its impressive cathedral, quaint historic neighbourhoods and wealth of shops and cafés. We then travel to the Chateau de Champ de Bataille. Known as the Norman Versailles, it has recently been restored to its 18th Century spendour, complete with parks and gardens in the style of Louis XIV.

Day 4 The highlight of the week as we visit the gardens at Giverny, which have been carefully restored to the way they were painted by Monet. The water lilies, wisteria-clad bridges and weeping willows were his inspiration for more than twenty years. Also in the town is the Impressionism Museum (entry not included).

Day 5 Departing after breakfast, we make our way back to Calais via Boulogne. After the short sea crossing, we continue to the local area, our taxis and home.