Although it was the first large town liberated by the allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy.

Without a doubt, one of the most impressive sites is the cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town built between the 11th and 13th century under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. This monumental architectural wonder using both roman and gothic styles continued to evolve right up until the end of the 18th century.

You can't hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. This 11th century "comic strip" is one of the best and most complete sources for historians to learn about and analyze medieval costumes, boat building and strategies that were employed in Norman and British camps leading up to the battle of Hasting.

Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of Nazi occupation.

Travel through Normandy as far as Bénouville where you will see the famous Pegasus Bridge and visit the "Café Gondrée", which was the first house liberated in France. You then travel along the coast road past the Landing Beaches: Juno and Gold as for as Arromanches, where you will see the ruins of its artificial harbour (built by the Allied Forces in less than 15 days). Lunch will be served in a restaurant in front of the sea. The afternoon begins with a visit in the Pointe du Hoc, then the American Cemetery in Saint Laurent. You will finally travel along the coast road past the Omaha Beach and visit its museum before returning to Paris.

You'll really appreciate the magic of Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo on a private tour of these exquisite French highlights. The fairytale island of Mont Saint Michel is just off the coast of Normandy, and is one of the most popular attractions in France. You'll have the individual attention of your expert tour guide on your personalized private tour.

With two and a half million visitors a year, Mont Saint Michel is undoubtedly Normandy's most spectacular attraction. The abbey traces its roots back to 708 A.D. As the centuries went by, buildings were added and enlarged, using the different architectural styles of the time and resulting in the enchanting abbey and monastery we admire today.

You'll have free time to take a walk around the fascinating World Heritage–listed island. Perhaps you'd like to take a wander along Mont Saint Michel's narrow streets, browse the shops on the main street, visit the island's museums or take a walk around the abbey's ramparts, with views over the sands of the bay.

Next, it's on to the old town of Saint Malo. You'll drift back in time as you walk through streets ringed by high fortified walls. The spectacular views of the port and bay look just as they were when 16th-century explorers such as Jacques Cartier, who discovered Newfoundland, would have seen them.
Perhaps you'd like to try one of the creperies, much loved by the locals, where you will find the regional specialty, a galette bretonne. Or try the numerous seafood restaurants where you can sample the fishermen's catch, freshly caught that morning.