Rick: Has any consideration been given for a 3 day pre-tour to Normandy coordinated with the Loire to South France tour? I think this would a great combination for 2020. I am considering doing this but the logistics are a bit overwelming. I have toured Paris and that area of Eastern France several times so the Eastern France tour is not an option.
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We did a 3 day on our own - a group of 6 friends. We stayed in Bayeux and booked a full day tour of the Normandy area, cemetery, beaches etc. Our tour was booked with Overlord Tours and it was fantastic. There were 7 of us and they had a large new 8 passenger van and an excellent guide.
We did 2 days of tours - day 1 was Beaches of Normandy and the cemeteries - it was fantastic. If you go try to be at the American Cemetery at 4:00PM ish when they play taps and lower the American flags.
Our second full day tour was with the same company and we went to Mont St. Michel - another very enjoyable day with a great guide who told us the history of all that we were seeing.
Happy Travels