We recommend the 8 days itinerary, however it is possible to organise a shorter stay with a minimum of 3 days (min 2 pers).
8 days in Normandy is like a green field dream full of daisies, happy cows under apple trees with a blue sea in the background...This is the land of butter, cream, camembert; a land where talented chefs offer a delectable medley of typically flavoursome beef, veal, lamb, crabs, lobsters, scallops, oysters, and fish. And not to forget, the apple which is the main fruit of this terroir, that helps to celebrate life in Normandy thanks to the famous Calvados drink!
Video presentation about the Normandy tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCrVxd-pp0&feature=share
ITINERARY
DAY 1 FRIDAY
Welcome to France! I meet you with my dad at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport before heading “Home” (4 hours drive). On the way, we stop in charming villages such as Beauvron en Auge, Honfleur, Deauville. W have lunch in an auberge for a good introduction to Norman traditional recipes. When we arrive "home", my mum welcomes you with Champagne before we have dinner together.
DAY 2 SATURDAY
After a delicious breakfast with French specialties, we go to the lively town of Cherbourg to experience its market, gourmet shops, shops that sell special kitchen tools and equipment, and more shops if you feel like it. We have lunch at a brasserie and for dessert, we meet with a pastry chef to have some delicious patisserie after a visit of his workshop. We finish the day with a French cooking class. Dinner and Night at “Home”.
DAY 3 SUNDAY
Wake up with the smell of breakfast with croissants, baguettes and a bowl of coffee! We then go shopping for fresh veggies, fruits and a leg of lamb in a market. We visit a cidrerie (cider factory) and we have lunch in a fine dining restaurant with a superb view. We spend the afternoon, discovering little hamlets of sandstone houses and countryside of la Hague. We finish the day at my friend's farm most probably with crabs or lobsters!
DAY 4 MONDAY
French breakfast at “Home” and visit of Briquebec market. We have lunch in the castle and visit a lovely biscuiterie shop. Walk in the countryside. I take you to a supermarket to see all the typical French products that you may add to your ‘already less empty’ suitcase! Dinner and night at home.
DAY 5 TUESDAY
French breakfast at “Home”. Visit of Carteret, a lovely fisherman village. The lunch is spent at La Marine, 1 Starred Michelin restaurant. We digest by walking for an hour along the dramatic sea cliffs with a splendid view. Our senses being now fully awake, we visit a sweet and jam farm for our little gouter. We go back “Home” for a French cooking class.
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY
Today, we visit the small and charming village of St Pierre Eglise and its market. We have lunch at a restaurant with a beautiful view. In the afternoon, we drive and walk in various beautiful fisherman villages of le Val-de-Saire, that the native Alexis de Tocqueville saw as a "long prairie that the sea brings to an end on the horizon" and the chefs as Normandy's leading vegetable ans sea produce area. We finish the day with a already made dinner at “Home”.
DAY 7 THURSDAY
After a nice breakfast, we go to the copper pot city of France, Villedieu les Poeles where you get to understand the advantage of using copper for cooking and an opportunity to bring some with you in your luggage! We visit the "Marvel of the Western World", the Mont St Michel Abbaye perched on its rocky peak. The dinner is made of a serious seafood platter to end up the day in a perfect way!
DAY 8 FRIDAY
On the way back to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, we stop at a village known for its ceramic, an ideal place to buy amazing ceramic French plates and dishes and we finish the tour with a great lunch in a nice restaurant specialised in fireplace cooking.
Dates: Tours can be organised at your own dates from end of April to September. Tours must start on Friday (arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle) and finish on Friday (drive back to Paris airport or city centre).
Total cost guided tour on request
Includes:
Return transportation to Normandy from Charles de Gaulle Airport
Everyday transportation with chauffeur (my dad!) during the week in Normandy
Breakfast & Dinner with my parents to share family stories, songs and loads of laughter
7 Nights accommodation in a charming Norman style house
Wine, cider and calvados- my husband is a wine professional and collaborates on this!
2 hands on cooking classes & recipes
Nadege (myself!) as a guide, translator, chef and friend!
24x7 support during your trip
Excludes:
International Flights
Extension of trip
Lunch at restaurants
Sightseeing visits
Souvenirs and personal expenditure
Group size: Min 2, Max 8
For more information, contact nadege@nadegecuisine.com