This trip across Normandy and Brittany could rightfully be named the legends' tour.

In Giverny we will meet Claude Monet, the father of impressionism, the artistic movement named after his painting "Impression Soleil Levant". In his last years Monet painted his particularly famous series of water lilies in his magnificent garden in Giverny, as well as on the banks of the Seine on which we will row.

In Caen, let us pay tribute to the D-day heroes and row under Pegasus Bridge, taken by the British Sixth Airborne Division on the morning of D-day.

The Mont-Saint-Michel is the top French tourist destination outside of Paris. The abbey, built on a rock in the middle of a vast bay, is topped by the archangel Saint Michael slaying the dragon, a legend from medieval times.

In the fortified harbour Saint-Malo, the local hero is Surcouf, the most famous french corsair.

At Le Mans we will relive the best hours of the mythical car race and have thoughts for its legendary drivers.

On our return journey to Le Perreux we will stop at Chartres. Its cathedral has the largest and best preserved collection of medieval stained glass windows in the world.

We will row on the Seine, the Orne, the Rance, the Sarthe, the Marne and, if local conditions permit, in the Channel in Saint-Malo (or on the river Couesnon).

 

Programme

Saturday: Hotel check-in

Sunday: Drive to Giverny. Visit to Monet's house and gardens. Rowing on the Seine. Night in Giverny.

Monday: Transfer to Caen. Visit of the D-day museum. Rowing in Caen. Night in Caen

Tuesday: Visit to the D-day beaches and to Mont-Saint-Michel. Night close to the Mont.

Wednesday: Coastal rowing in Saint-Malo (if conditions allow, otherwise rowing on the Couesnon). Visit of Saint-Malo. Night in Saint-Malo

Thursday: Visit Dinan, a medieval Breton town. Rowing on the Rance. Night in Le Mans

Friday: Visit to the Le Mans racing circuit and museum. Rowing on the Sarthe. Night in Chartres

Saturday: Visit to the Chartres cathedral. Drive to Le Perreux. Lunch. End of tour at around 3pm.

 

Boats used: touring quads / yolettes / C-Vierer, except in Saint Malo: coastal quads

Daily rowing distance; average 15 km, maximum 18 km

 

Cost: 1990€ (+380 in single room) ALL inclusive: accomodation, meals incl. drinks, boat rental, visits, transfers, support team 

 

Post tour services:

Rowing in Le Perreux on the Marne on saturday afternoon: free

Saturday to sunday night in Neuilly-Plaisance: 55€ in double occupation, 95€ in single occupation

 

Participants: Min 8, max 12