Normandy Museums & exhibitions

Discover one of the world's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel abbey. Explore the site with a self-guided tour aided by an information booklet and learn the fascinating history of the site entirely at your own pace. The worship of Saint Michel was introduced on the holy mount in 708 and it became one of the most important places of medieval pilgrimage. Benedictine Monks began building an abbey here in the 10th century.   The abbey has withstood the assaults of man, time, and the elements. The heroic resistance of the mount to English attacks during the Hundred Years’ War (14th and 15th centuries) made it a symbol of French national identity.  Monks left the abbey in 1790 and it was listed as a historic monument in 1874. The whole site has been returned to its former glory thanks to ongoing restoration work. The abbey is located at the top of the village of Mont-Saint-Michel. The abbey is located at the top of the village of Mont-Saint-Michel. Due to its location at the top of the rock and the large number of steps, the site is difficult to access for disabled people and strollers.

Travel through Normandy on the way to the medieval Mont-St-Michel on a day trip from Paris aboard an air-conditioned bus. Choose to go alone, with a live guide, or with an audio guide. Discover the UNESCO-listed island and its Gothic abbey. Learn of its fascinating history and legendary stories. Depart Paris and travel through the French countryside by an air-conditioned bus to the amazing fortified city of Mont Saint-Michel off the Normandy coast. Sit back and relax and get stunning views of the countryside along the way. Stop for a break at a nearby village dating back to the days of the Normans, and stroll the winding streets and narrow pathways to find the best views of the bay. Continue to the mouth of the Couesnon River, where Mont-Saint-Michel was built on an islet just a few hundred meters from the mainland. Spend the afternoon exploring the remarkable monuments of the walled city, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1979. Take time to discover the rocky islet at your own pace. Climb along the ramparts to make your way up to the abbey at the top of the town. Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with an included entrance ticket. this Benedictine building has played a vital role in the history of the commune and the feudal society it represents. Marvel at this magnificent example of Gothic architecture from the early 13th century. Admire views of the surrounding bay before leaving Mont-Saint-Michel in the late afternoon. Be driven back to the French capital to get dropped off at the starting point.

Escape the bustle of Paris and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Claude Monet with a guided half-day tour to Giverny. Travel in comfort aboard an air-conditioned coach, enjoying a scenic one-hour journey as your expert, English-speaking guide provides fascinating insights into Monet’s life and artistic legacy. Upon arrival at the Fondation Claude Monet, your guide will offer a brief yet insightful introduction before you set off to explore at your leisure. Wander through the picturesque gardens that inspired Monet’s iconic masterpieces, from the vibrant flowerbeds to the tranquil lily ponds immortalized in his Water Lilies series. The ever-changing colors and reflections create a breathtaking scene that art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike will appreciate. Step inside Monet’s charming, ivy-clad house, meticulously restored to its original appearance. Discover the rooms where he lived and worked, and view an intimate collection of his lesser-known artworks. Every corner of the estate offers a glimpse into the painter’s personal world and creative process, making for an unforgettable experience. After soaking in the beauty of Monet’s home, take time to explore the idyllic village of Giverny. This storybook town offers charming cafés and boutiques where you can enjoy a relaxing break before heading back to Paris in the early afternoon. Whether you’re an art lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking a serene escape, this tour promises an inspiring and memorable journey into the world of Impressionism. For those looking to extend their experience, an upgrade option is available to continue the adventure with an afternoon visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles. Enjoy a guided tour of the lavish palace interiors and spend free time exploring its breathtaking gardens before returning to Paris in the evening.

Visit Mont Saint-Michel on a guided day trip from Paris. Discover the highlights with your guide before taking an audio-guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Enjoy some free time after to explore on your own. From Paris, board a private coach to the island of Mont Saint Michel. On the journey, listen as your guide provides interesting stories from the history of the abbey. Follow your guide on an orientation tour to ensure you see the most important attractions, including the hilltop Abbey of Mont Saint Michel. Enjoy a few hours at your leisure to explore the abbey and soak up the splendor of its interior with an audio guide tour, or stroll in the picturesque streets. Choose from a variety of lunch options ranging from dining rooms with rustic meat to sophisticated restaurants with bay view terraces specializing in seafood. Or, stop by one of the Mont Saint Michel's creperies to feast on galettes (buckwheat pancakes) with Normandy cider. In the late afternoon, board the coach for a return journey to Paris.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through French artistic and royal history with our day trip from Paris! Join us on an air-conditioned coach as we whisk you away to the enchanting realms of Monet's Giverny estate and the opulent Palace of Versailles. Your adventure begins as you're picked up from our Paris meeting point, ensuring a convenient and hassle-free start to your day. Immerse yourself in the world of Claude Monet at the Monet Foundation, where a brief introduction sets the stage for your self-guided exploration of the House and Gardens of Monet. Wander at your own pace using our user-friendly app, meandering through the iconic lily pad pond and marveling at the charm of Monet's ivy-clad house. After a leisurely morning, savor a delightful lunch in town, choosing from a variety of delicious options [at your own expense]. Then, relax and take in the scenic views during a comfortable drive to the majestic Palace of Versailles, a testament to French royal extravagance. Benefit from skip-the-line privileges upon arrival at Versailles, avoiding the queues and maximizing your time inside this iconic palace. Follow your knowledgeable guide through the opulent rooms where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette once hosted lavish soirées, gaining insights into the history and stories that permeate the walls. Delight in the freedom to roam the meticulously manicured gardens at your own pace, capturing the essence of Versailles before rejoining the coach for a seamless return journey to Paris. Don't miss this opportunity to indulge in the beauty of Monet's artistry and the grandeur of Versailles, all while enjoying the comfort and luxury of our carefully curated day tour. Book your spot now for a day filled with culture, history, and the magic of French elegance!

Enjoy a half-day trip to the former home of Claude Monet, one of the most famous painters of French Impressionism. Located in the tiny hamlet of Giverny on the banks of the River Seine, 50 miles west of Paris, the house and gardens were bequeathed to the Académie des Beaux-Arts by his son in 1966. They were opened as a public museum in 1980 following large-scale restoration work. Depending on the option you choose, your tour will either be guided, audio-guided or at your own leisure.  Depart Paris and travel by comfortable air-conditioned coach. As there is no direct public transport to Giverny, this is the ideal way to get there. You will drive via the western districts of Paris and take the Normandy motorway as far as Bonnières. After crossing the River Seine at Vernon, continue to Giverny through the wooded plateaus of Eure. Giverny attracted several Impressionist painters in the 19th-Century, most following the lead of the movement’s founder, Claude Monet, who lived there for 43 years. Visit the Master’s house, where the spectacular colors and enchanting garden were designed like a work of art. Be dazzled by the flowerbeds and plants and get a sense of the artist’s feelings and inspirations as you stand in front of the famous water lilies and weeping willows in the delightful water garden.

Embark on a fully guided day trip from Paris to explore the stunning Normandy countryside and visit the legendary D-Day landing sites. Your journey begins with a visit to the historic battlefields and landing beaches along the coast, including the Utah Beach Museum, set inside an original German bunker on the very shore where the first American troops landed. Learn about the intricate planning behind Operation Overlord and hear powerful stories of the brave men and women who helped shape the course of history. The museum also offers breathtaking views over Utah Beach and is home to one of the last remaining B-26 bombers in the world. Next, enjoy an authentic Norman-style lunch featuring freshly prepared, seasonal ingredients at a restaurant overlooking the port of Grandcamp-Maisy. After lunch, continue to Pointe du Hoc, one of the most dramatic battle sites of D-Day. Here, you'll walk among the remains of the German clifftop fortifications, still scarred by bomb craters, and stand where the U.S. Army Rangers courageously scaled the cliffs under heavy fire to secure this strategic point. The site offers breathtaking views over the English Channel, a stark reminder of the battle fought here. From Pointe du Hoc, head to Omaha Beach, where you'll have free time to walk along the shoreline, reflect, and take in the significance of this historic site. It was here that American troops faced some of the fiercest resistance on June 6, 1944. Standing on this vast stretch of sand, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the immense bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. The final stop is the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach. Here, you'll have ample time to walk through the beautifully maintained grounds, pause at the reflecting pool and memorial, and pay tribute to the nearly 10,000 American soldiers buried here, including Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the son of President Roosevelt and a Medal of Honor recipient. The serene setting, with its rows of white crosses and Stars of David, offers a solemn and deeply moving conclusion to the day. This unforgettable tour provides a powerful and immersive look at one of history’s most pivotal events, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of those who fought on D-Day.

Explore the beautiful village and home in Upper Normandy where the Impressionist artists, Claude Monet spent the last 40 years of his life. Visit the charming village of Giverny, and discover why it proved such a source of inspiration for Impressionist artists. Following your transfer from Paris, look inside the house where Monet lived and worked. Set within an exquisite valley of the River Seine, the gardens and surroundings formed a great part of the subject matter for his paintings after he moved there in 1883. Once you have seen the rooms where the artist lived with his family, stroll through 2 unique gardens that Monet designed and modified throughout his life. See more than 100 different types of flowers, and intertwined foliage in Monet’s Flower Garden. Then, feel as if you have stepped into one of his paintings in the Japanese Garden. Go to the lake full of water lilies, and get a better appreciation of why Monet used this garden as the inspiration for over 250 of his paintings.

Meet your guide at Place de Québec and then begin your D-Day exploration adventure, retracing history as you uncover the day of June 6, 1944. The first stop of the tour is Omaha beach, where the deadliest landings of the day took place. From your guide, learn about the landings here and the soldiers who risked their lives. After Omaha, visit the US military cemetery for the chance to pay respect and honor the soldiers of World War ll. The tour continues to Pointe du Hoc next, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel. The site was built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans because it was the highest point between the Omaha beach and provided a great observation spot to notice any arrivals from the sea. Tailor your half-day experience to your meet interest and schedule.

Escape the busy city and visit the enchanting home and gardens of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. Stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens with your knowledgeable guide and learn more about the flora as well as the importance of the gardens in Monet's paintings.  Meet with your small group and your guide before entering the gardens. First, visit the water garden with the water lilies and japanese bridge that inspired many of his paintings and then the 'Clos Normand'. Your guide will point out different species of flowers and features of the garden. As you wander through the gardens and visit Monet's house also learn more about Claude Monet's life, and why he became the master of impressionism.  At the end of the tour, you can stay longer to stroll on your own or take a look in the big gift shop before you exit. From early spring till the first days of November, Monet's gardens are a fairy of colors and fragrances. Feel free to ask your guide about the picturesque village of Giverny and what more there is to see.