Honfleur and the Pays d'Auge from Bayeux

Bonjour! My name is Sarah and I will be glad to welcome you soon for sharing all the aspects of my region (HISTORY, PAINTING, ARCHITECTURE, TRADITIONS, GASTRONOMY and FRENCH LIFESTYLE as well many other hidden gems and out off the beaten paths). I was born in Paris and studied art history at a private school from the age of 15. I then obtained my first diploma from the CNAM school in Paris, one of the best schools in France for training tour guides, and I also attended evening classes at the Louvre school. This first diploma enables me to guide in all the monuments and sites in France admitted by the French government (the Louvre, Versailles, Orsay, Mont-Saint-Michel). I continued my studies with a master's degree in history, focusing on the Second World War and more specifically on the Battle of Normandy. Indeed, I wanted to learn more about my personal story linked to this tragedy. My grandmother is 101 years old. She is still alive and one of the last civilian witnesses to the evacuation of Dunkirk. Then she has lived all her life in Calais, which was Europe's largest fortress, with its invincible Atlantic Wall. As a child, I visited all the remains of the Atlantic Wall with my grandfather, who was requisitioned to manufacture V1s flying rockets and V2s missiles in the biggest military german complex in France. As for my grandmother, she unfortunately lost 30 members of her family. Some chose to join the Resistance, and one of my grandmother's two brothers was deported to 4 concentration camps, only to die a few days after the Buchenwald camp was liberated by American troops. As a result, I have archives from French, American, German and Red Cross authorities that I can share with you if you decide to book a tour with me. Two books written by one of France's leading historians also mention my family's involvement in the battle for France. Of course, Normandy is not just a land of sadness. I can also offer you customized tours according to your interests. Here is a list of some suggestions : *The Pays d’Auge with its typically Norman landscapes, its local architecture, its diverse gastronomy and its famous cows. In this district, you will discover the most picturesques Norman villages (Beuvron-en-Auge, Pont-l'Evêque, Cambremer, etc.) with its colorful half-timbered and thatched-roof houses, its castles, manor houses, orchards, distilleries, stud farms, churches, wash houses, cheese factories, local markets, educational farms, remarkable gardens and parks and various panoramas of the surrounding valleys from Beaumont-en-Auge or Pierrefitte-en-Auge…) *The island of Mont-Saint-Michel with a possible crossing of the bay on foot with an approved guide; *Honfleur and its colorful fishing port (the Vieux Bassin, the Sainte-Catherine district, the Léonard district, the Côte de Grace, etc.) which is the cradle of impressionist painting where Monet grew up; *The trail of the Impressionist painters in the footsteps of Boudin, Monet, Courbet, Jongkind : Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg, Houlgate, Giverny, Etretatat, Le Havre,… *The 19th century seaside resorts recounting the fashion for sea bathing: Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg, Houlgate… *The epic of William the Conqueror which left its mark on some cities such as Caen, Bayeux with its famous Bayeux Tapestries, Falaise, etc.) or the end of the medieval period with the city of Rouen strongly linked to the destiny of Joan of Arc ; *Gourmet itineraries/food tours with local specialties: cheese or cider route, local products (salted butter caramel, madeleines, oysters, scallops, seafood, ice-cream from the farm ...) with the possibility of preparing your own picnic by purchasing products at a local market ; *Outdoor activities: hiking/biking tours on the landing beaches, in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel ; *Discover our local artisans and artists, art galleries … *Excursions to Paris for cruise passengers departing from Le Havre or Honfleur during the day or in the evening ; *Immersive visit to a German battery by day or night: jeep tour, visit to a German barracks, dormitories, reconstructed German cannons, real anti-aircraft gun, equipment Germans and allies, transmission post, 1940s bar specially adapted for a tour of the Normandy Landing Beaches in family and kids ; *Helicopter tour to visit the Normandy Landing Beaches ; *And many more exceptional and stunning experiences : sea fishing, tractor rides, bird watching, visits to oyster farms, workshops for making lace, perfume, soap, calvados, pastries, chocolate, picking and cooking wild plants, fruits and vegetables, teatime with a lord, lunch or dinner in a chateau, private conference with Helen Patton’s granddaughter. I am a very open person with GREAT ADAPTABILITY and I prefer to guide SMALL GROUPS, couples, friends, families and I LOVE the KIDS and CHILDREN. My greatest satisfaction is to make you DISCOVER PLACES NOT STORMED by tourists and to IMMERSE you in the LOCAL CULTURE where you will meet locals who will take the time to meet you. There are so many things to discover in Normandy and spending a week of vacation is not too much. Trust me so that you have an unforgettable stay and visit places that are not listed in the tourist guides and that you could not find on your own. I am looking forward to meeting you in NORMANDY !!! Sarah