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William The Conqueror and Medieval Normandy Tour

This tour traces the early life of William of Normandy and his rise from Duke of Normandy to the first Norman king of England, visiting key locations connected with his story, including Château de Falaise, where he was born in 1026, historic Caen, Bayeux, magnificent Mont St Michel, Dinan and the walled port of St Malo.

Travelling in the company of historian Julian Humphrys, the tour includes Caen’s two great abbeys, the birthplace of William the Conqueror and a drinks reception at Château de Creully. Guests will also see the Bayeux Tapestry back on display in the renovated Bayeux Tapestry Museum and enjoy a special owner-led guided visit of Château de Fontaine-Henry.

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£1,949

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Return overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Saint Malo in a cabin for double occupancy with private facilities and four nights at the four-star Le Lion d’Or Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room    .
  • Discover William the Conqueror’s Medieval Normandy
    Trace the story of William of Normandy, from his birthplace at Château de Falaise to medieval Caen, Bayeux, Mont St Michel, Dinan and the walled port of St Malo, with expert historian Julian Humphrys. Highlights include Caen’s two great abbeys, the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to the renovated Bayeux Tapestry Museum, plus a special owner-led guided visit of Château de Fontaine-Henry.
  • Your Expert Guides
    Julian Humphrys and tour manager throughout.
  • Transport & Travel
    Transfers, tours and entrance fees.
  • Ferry from the UK
    Return overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Saint Malo
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Julian Humphrys

Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has worked at historic sites in Britain and abroad. A trustee of the Battlefields Trust and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he has written widely on castles, battles and military history.

With infectious enthusiasm, wit and panache, Julian leads more than a dozen Travel Editions tours across the UK and Europe. His extraordinary historical insight brings fortresses, battlefields and medieval landscapes to life, creating tours that are educational, entertaining and consistently popular with travellers.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Depart Portsmouth by overnight Brittany Ferries service to Saint Malo with reserved cabin 

Parking at Portsmouth: https://www.apcoa.co.uk/parking-in/portsmouth/portsmouth-international-port/ or the train station is 5 minutes by taxi.

Day 2: Arrival in Saint Malo, Mont St Michel and Bayeux 

This morning we arrive in Saint Malo then travel towards Mont St Michel for our first visit. The island commune has been the seat of a monastery since the 8th century though it was at its most influential in the 12th and 13th centuries as a pilgrimage site. The abbey, unchanged for centuries, crowns the island, the village at its foot full of shops and restaurants.

After free time for lunch (not included) we will make the journey (approx 1 hour 30 mins) towards the lovely town of Bayeux for check-in to the Lion D’Or Hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink, lecture from Julian, ‘Rise of the Conqueror: The early life of William of Normandy’, and dinner with wine at the hotel. 

Day 3: Bayeux

This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Bayeux including the 11th century Cathedral Notre-Dame and the Museum of Art and History, which is housed in the Bishop’s Palace and showcases the journey through history of European art, from archaeology to Modern Art.

We also visit the newly renovated Bayeux Tapestry Museum, for a free flow viewing of the recently restored Tapestry. The rest of the day is free to explore independently. 

This evening Julian will give us another lecture  ‘Triumph of the Conqueror. William of Normandy and the invasion of England’ before dinner with wine at the hotel. 

Day 4: Château de Falaise and Caen

This morning we visit the Châteaude Falaise, perched on a high crag on the site of an earlier castle where William was born in 1026.

This afternoon we visit the Norman city of Caen, which boasts a host of ancient buildings dating back to the time of William of Normandy, including the Château de Caen which houses the Musée de Normandie, the Abbaye aux Dames, the Eglise de la Trinité, built by William’s wife Mathilde in 1062, and the Abbaye aux Hommes, the Eglise St Etienne. 

This evening is free to enjoy dinner at your own leisure. 

Day 5: Fontaine-Henry, Priory St Gabriel, and Château de Creully

Morning visit to Château Fontaine-Henry, a Renaissance masterpiece renowned for its towering roof and sculpted stone façade. Built on medieval foundations and still inhabited by the same family for over 800 years, we take a special guided tour of the interiors led by the owner. 

This afternoon we drive through the picturesque Bessin and visit the Priory of St Gabriel, founded in 1058 by the Abbot of Fecamp and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture in Normandy.

We also visit the Château de Creully, a fortified castle which played a major role in 1944 during the landing of Allied troops in Normandy, and was also home to the BBC Headquarters in its square tower. Return to our hotel in Bayeux. 

Day 6: Dinan, St Malo and home

This morning we check out and drive to Dinan for a visit to the Château de Dinan. Built in the 1380’s at the request of Duke Jean IV to assert his power, the Chateau rivals the royal Chateau of Vincennes and offers an insight into the daily life at the court of Brittany.

The panoramic terrace offers wonderful views of the pretty town of Dinan, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France with over 130 half-timbered houses dating back to the Middle Ages. Free time for lunch in Dinan (own expense) before we continue onto St Malo for some free time in the old town. The walled port city was once notorious for piracy, but today the only treasure is the elegant, old architecture, particularly the superb citadel at the city’s heart and a host of superb mansions that line its ancient streets.

Approx. 18.00hrs we transfer to the port to check-in for our return overnight ferry to Portsmouth which departs at 20.45hrs.  

Day 7: Arrival 07.45hrs in Portsmouth

After disembarking the ship, it is time to say goodbye to the group and begin the journey home.

Availability

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Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
15/11/2027
Portsmouth
£1,949
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £240
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Brittany Ferries overnight crossing 
A cabin is provided for the return overnight ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Saint Malo. Standard inside cabins have comfortable beds for a good night’s rest and also private bathroom. 

The Lion d’Or Hotel, Bayeux
The four-star Le Lion d’Or Hotel is located in the heart of the lovely and historic town of Bayeux. With just 31 rooms, it is small and friendly with a bar, restaurant and cosy, well-appointed rooms with all modern facilities. Bedrooms have a private bathroom with bath/shower, TV, free wi-fi and hairdryer. 
Lion d’Or Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
 
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
 
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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