For nearly 1000 years, Caen stood tall — a testament to the power of the Norman king William the Conquorer. But the city was no match for WWII bombing, which flattened three quarters of the buildings. Today this city in northern France serves as a hub for visitors exploring Normandy.

Take a Caen private tour and explore the Normandy region of northern France with a local guide.

Despite being nearly flattened in the fighting, Caen's city centre contains some architectural gems. Meet your guide at Place Saint-Pierre for a walking tour that includes the Abbaye aux Hommes, used by civilians to shelter during the war, followed by the 11th century Vieux Palais.

The coast north of Caen was a major landing site for allied troops. Our guides offer private tours of Juno, Sword and Pegasus beaches, as well as the cemeteries and memorial sites.

For off-the-beaten path adventures, ask your guide to organize a tailor-made trip to rural villages and nature spots in Normandy

Caen

Did you know that Camembert is a village and not only a cheese?

On this full day Foodie tour of Normandy, you will discover all the off the beaten track local products. You'll visit the birthplace of the Camembert cheese, and learn everything you should know about Normandy and french cheese.

You will meet local producers. They will explain you how they live, how they work and what make their products so special to this region. In a real Chateau, you will taste Normandy's best apple brandy, and if you want, make your own unique blend! If you want, I can show you up to five of the best Apple Brandy Chateau and Distilleries of Normandy on that day.

Throughout the day, I will explain you how history, the landscape, and the products combine so well here so as to become Paris and Parisians favorite garden.

This Full-day tour can be done year round, and is better enjoyed for adults only.

Near Rouen with a family from Norway last year

At the Breuil en Auge Calvados Distillery

Your Guide in one of his favorite restaurants in St Malo

Enjoy some cider, calvados , Camembert cheese tastings and a "Gourmet" lunch with an expert foodie of Normandy.

Gourmet Full day Tour of Normandy

Deauville - Historical Private Walking Tour

A small town built from scratch in the 1860s , turned out to be an extremely profitable real estate deal and the most prestigious sea-side resort in Normandy .

It has always had everything to please :  an endless sandy beach, outstanding villas and a casino, the most prestigious horse races and purebred auctions, fashionable boutiques, all kinds of cultural festivals : classical music, cinema, photography, literature.

It's not surprising  Coco Chanel's opened her  first prêt-a-porter boutique in Deauville.  

Deauville has always been a perfect place to see and to be seen! 

Come along and become an expert in the life of a distinguished member of Parisian aristocracy.

If you wish to customize this tour, please do not hesitate to ask!

Gare Trouville - Deauville (Train station)

Parasols in Deauville ( Beach umbrella characteristic to this town)

Ready for a day in the life of a distinguished member of Parisian aristocracy?

Le Mont Saint Michel and Mont Dol Transfer from up to 75 miles with historical and cultural commentary en route.

Known as Mont Tombe, from the Roman name Tumba, Le Mont St Michel is a granite outcrop, a tidal island,
that was formed 525 million years ago.

The first community was formed by an Irish Hermit. But it was the Bishop of Avranches (Saint Aubert)
who built the first church on Le Mont in 709.
It came under the control of the Bretons in 867, but William Longsword, annexed it in 933.

Over the centuries the church became the beautiful Gothic monument that is seen today, with eventually the Gold Archangel at the summit. It, along with Mont Dol plays an important part on the Bayeux tapestry and it was one of the turning points in the 100 years war.

This tour takes us through the spectacular regions of Normandy and Brittany, separated largely by the Couesnon river, this has been a disputed boundary for hundreds of years between the rival dukes.
We can climb the narrow, medieval street to the abbey and descend by the ramparts, having lunch either
on le mont in one of the many restaurants in the nearby villages.

The Skull of St Aubert in the Basilica of St Gervais, Avranches. Visible is the hole, legend believes it to have been made by the Archangel Michel.

A superb night time view of Le Mont, The lighting really emphasizes the architectural and natural beauty of the structure.

This is le Mont Dol, another granite outcrop formed at the same time as le Mont, and is the legenadary setting of the great battle between The Devil and the Archangel Michel. It also gives us an incredible view of le mont from the western perspective.

The little chapel and tower, used for early radio transmisions, at the top of Le Mont Dol. Rebuilt after a lightning strike.

The new raised roadway to le Mont, this enables us to travel at anytime and any tide to le Mont and is also part of the grand project to prevent the moving sands permanently surrounding the tidal island.

Le Mont st Michel looking accross the salt marshes, home to the Prés Salés sheep. The early evening light really shows the shadowy isolation of this legendary rock.

The salt marshes with Le Mont St Michel and Tombelaine in the distance. The latter is now a wildlife sanctuary but once supported a fortress built by the English under Thomas Scales during the 15th century sieges. very little now remains, it was destroyed on the orders of Louis XIV.

A perspective from the east, showing the Brittany coastline in the distance. The sovereignty has been much disputed by the breton people since it was reclaimed in the year 933 by William Longsword, second Duke of Normandy.

A July to September nightime view of the Abbey Church, showing the Flying Buttresses and Gothic towers.

The large supporting pillars of the abbey, designed by Saint William of Volpiano in the 11th century to support the abbey as it protruded from the conical point of le mont.

Fantastic day in Normandy and Brittanny at one of the worlds most popular destinations

Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour - Private transportation

If you want to discover the most iconic site of Normandy in one day, this tour is for you!

During that day I will take you to Mont Saint Michel where 1, 200 years of history is awaiting us. History, architecture, and legends Mont won't have any secrets for you after the tour.

I have brought visitors to Mont Saint Michel for 7 years and my enthusiasm is like on my first day! This unique site will leave you in awe.

Looking for a tour of Mont Saint Michel?

My mother was born in Caen, only a few years after the end of the Second World War and she and her famiIy lived in the middle of the city reconstruction. I was also born in Caen and lived in Bayeux for a few years, so these two cities are familiar to me. They are very different as one was spared (Bayeux) and the other one has been very badly destroyed during the Second World War but nicely rebuilt (Caen). In both of them, it's impossible to walk without finding a monument related to William the Conqueror.

You have probably heard of William the Conqueror, but what do you know really about him ? In England he has a very bad reputation, in France, he is considered as a very successful and fair chief of state. I have always been fascinated by his history, and there are so many legends about him that it's difficult to find out where is the truth.
During this tour, I will let you "meet" William and his wife Mathilda.

Renaissance half-timbered houses in street St Pierre, Caen

Caen : Flamboyant gothic church St Pierre through the gate of the castle

Caen Castle : Flamboyant gothic church St Georges

Caen Castle : 12th C. building, considered as the Palace's Great Hall of William the Conqueror's son, Henri Beauclerc, or Henry I.

Caen : The "Quatrans" section at the foot of the castle

Caen :The half-timbered Quatrans house, and flamboyant church St Pierre in the middle of post-war buildings

William the Conqueror's tomb in church St Etienne, Caen

11th and 12th C. façade of church St Pierre, Caen

Façade towers of church St Etienne, 11th and 12th C.

Walking in the footsteps of William The Conqueror

Full Day Caen and Bayeux Highlights

From the Caen castle offering a nice view of the city, to the tomb of William the Conqueror, I will let you discover my city.
We will walk old streets, as well as modern ones, and see shops located side by side with historical monuments.
We will go to the Abbey of the men, where the Duke of Normandy and King of England William the Conqueror was buried in 1087.

I will tell you about the other famous people of Caen and also the unknown and how scary and destructive it was for inhabitants during summer 1944, the summer of the liberation.

I will talk equally well about the old architecture and the way the city came back to life after the heavy destructions of the Second World War and let you appreciate why Caen is now a pleasant and attractive city to live in.

Renaissance half-timbered houses in street St Pierre

Exchequer hall from 12th C. in Caen Castle

Abbey of the Men's church St Etienne from distance

Discover the city of William the Conqueror.

Caen City Highlights - Walking Tour

Mont Saint Michel & Normandy from Le Havre full day tour

So here we are. The tour you are all searching for!

Our direction is the most popular attractions in France, the fairytale island of Mont St-Michel located on western the coast of Normandy. French are calling this isle the "Marvel of the Occident", some say that it is the pyramid of Keops, some describe it as an imaginary manor-house, stupefying as a dream palace. . .

The questions are: who is this Michael? Why this isolated island has been chosen? By whom? What hide the legends?

Travel with me through the centuries of the French history. You will definitely remember this place as a unique treasure of the European history!

Taking this tour, you will find your own description of the unique place where each room, each step is interesting and the views are spectacular!

Visit the fairytale so called "Marvel of the Occident".

Claude Monet lived from 1883 to 1926 in Giverny. His two main passions were gardening and colours, his garden and water garden were true works of art. In his house and gardens one can still feel the atmosphere of this well known Impressionist artist.

Claude Monet noticed the village of Giverny while looking out of a train window. He made up his mind to move there and rented a house and the area surrounding it. In 1890 he had enough money to buy the house and land outright and set out to create the magnificent gardens he wanted to paint. Some of his most famous paintings were of his garden in Giverny, famous for its rectangular Clos Normand.

Monet lived in the house with its famous pink crushed brick façade from 1883 until his death in 1926. He and many members of his family are interred in the village cemetery.

Caen tours

Explore with 8 tours and 6 guides.

Igor R.

$ 1,489 (USD)

Daria L.

$ 383 (USD)

Graham O.

$ 796 (USD)

Yannick S.

$ 932 (USD)

Karine P.

$ 947 (USD)

Karine P.

$ 401 (USD)

Svetlana V.

$ 2,650 (USD)

Graham O.

$ 1,025 (USD)

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