Chartres and Normandy

Can only help with Normandy and we used HQ Company tours twice and booked again for September. Obviously highly recommend them. Yoh should book now. I wouldn't wait. They do have numerous tours to pick from. Good luck.

I just drove home from 2 days in Chartres and most of a week in Normandy. I don't do tours, so no advice there. The Chartres cathedral is very much in the middle of a major restoration project, so it's not as nice as many will expect. I spent a fair amount of time walking the old fortifications, and don't know of any tour that focuses on those. The Labyrinth display at the Muse Beau Arts is interesting, but the rest of their collection is pretty limited. That building seriously needs an upgrade. Note it's been in the high 70's and there's not a lot of shade or AC.

It's been foggy on the Norman coast, in the mornings, so wear layers. Try to get to the tapestry before the tour busses arrive or you'll just get shoved through. Don't bother trying to hit all the D Day museums, they get repetitive; pick one or two and call it quits. Clams, oysters, mussels, fish, Norman cheese, and Cotentin ciders! If you get tired of the WWII stuff go up to Cherbourg and visit the Cité de la mer.

Thanks Gail and KGC for the information.
Very helpful.

Construction/restoration is constant, though you always hope it won’t impact too much. I had plans to go to Chartres in October. How badly is the experience compromised? Mostly exterior or interior?

If KGC is referring to the Bayeux tapestry, it will be gone from Bayeux as of Sept. 1 for a two years' restoration project (plus some time in England, if I heard correctly).