Amboise, Paris, Normandy, San Malo - wonderful trip

France | Sep 24 - Oct 6, 2025

Everything went so well. The hotels were great, and our tours were very good (even Mont St Michel in a downpour.)
Our first guide, Agate was wonderful for our chateau tours in Amboise. We rented bikes but never used the bikes bc it was raining. Amboise was really beautiful. Hotel Le Manoir St Thomas was very comfortable and a nice blend of modern with a nod to the history of the area. There was a food truck for snacks, lunch and the like but we went out to dinner most nights in the town. Che Bruno was a huge favorite. L'Arpents also.
All the Paris tours were great but of course, very crowded so slow going. The Louvre was a really crowded so we didn't see as much as planned but we loved what we did see. Stephanie was an exceptional guide for the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle. The Hotel Verneuil was really nice . The rooms are small but so comfortable and clean. The location was perfect. The Eiffel Tower at night was a definite highlight.
The food tour of the Marais district was fun. I don't remember the guides name. It was hard name to remember bc it was unusual - Mairiaty - or something like that. She took us to the market and various pastry and chocolate shops.
Our favorite restaurant in that area was Cinq Mars just down the street from Hotel Verneuil on rue Verneuil. It was so good. I had the best omelette that has now ruined me for any omelettes moving forward. We also had their fish and chocolate mousse - both so good. We walked over to the Rodin Museum. Not crowded and a small museum but packed with wonderful Rodin works including The Thinker. The gardens were beautiful.
We are so glad we stopped in Giverney - it was one of our favorites. It was really interesting to see Monet's house and gardens and then visit the musse d Orsay and see so many of his paintings back in Paris later on.
David was our guide for DDay and did an awesome job. We started with the German cemetery and ended with Omaha Beach. It was a beautiful day. We were able to be at the American cemetery for Taps at 4pm. It was very moving. Our hotel was one of our favorites - Hotel Belle Normandy. The people were so friendly and the setting was beautiful. The town was interesting. A lot of Americans and Brits. Finding a restaurant was more difficult so call ahead before your trip.
Our Mont Sainte Michel day was a downpour but we made it through and it was fascinating. Oliver was very good and getting us through the crowd and seeing all the high points without getting drenched. His knowledge of the area and the history of France and WW1 was really interesting . His stories and facts kept us entertained on our walking.
We loved walking around San Malo. What a beautiful town. The Golden Tulip Grand Be was a nice hotel with lots of amenities. They had a spa and workout room and a sauna. We only used the sauna one day but it was appreciated after I swam in Bon-Secours Beach saltwater pool which was quite cold. The locals were swimming so I ventured in. Walking the ramparts was okay but too windy to enjoy thoroughly. I would imagine in nicer weather, it would be a beautiful walk. The food was amazing. We ate at two restaurants - L'armateur and L'Atelire. Both really good.
Our last afternoon in Paris, we went to the Musee' dOrsay and dinner at le-Coup-Chou near our hotel, Hotel Jardin du Cluny. Musee d'Orsay was packed which we expected bc it was a free Sunday but we are very glad we made the effort. Both the hotel and the restaurant did not disappoint.
Nathalie was very helpful with the planning of our trip. We made changes and tweaks and she accomodated easily. During our trip she was able to help out when we needed to add my neice very last minute to the tours in Paris. She was just what we needed for planning and implementing this trip. She thought of everything . We are grateful to her for a wonderful trip.

Sue and Bill