THE INTRIGUE OF BRITTANY & NORMANDY STORIES OF WIZARDS, STONES, KINGS, & BANDS OF BROTHERS May 25 - June 5, 2010 Come with us to explore a land with a history that goes back before writing . .and a culture that preserves the best of our past in a modern context. We can explore an exciting mixture of medieval architecture, early industrial workshops, one of the most momentous and important confrontations of modern time, the remnants of our Neolithic ancestors and a romantic myth that has attracted admirers for hundreds of years. Add to this an invigorating landscape of sea coast and countryside. A visit to Brittany and Normandy is an opportunity to experience the enchantment of a unique corner of Europe! Our time in Brittany will give us a chance to discover wonderful towns and villages. Vannes was an important center during the time of the Celts, the Romans and then the Breton period of independence. Its medieval walls and streets clustered around the cathedral draw visitors every year. Fougeres, the largest medieval castle in Europe - is truly a sight to be seen! Dinan is a wonderful walled medieval town, complete with imposing ramparts, port and a castle. Josselin is a beautiful medieval town set on the river Oust, boasting a delightful château near the town square where many cafes overlook the Basilica de Notre Dame du Roncier. Mont Saint Michel is an iconic image of France. It has been a place of worship and pilgrimage since the 6th century when a church was built by the Bishop of Avranches after the Archangel Gabriel had burned a hole into the Bishop's head with his finger. But it has also seen battles such as when the British attacked during the 100 Years War. Accessed across the sands on a one km roadway -- where tides can rise up to 40 feet per day -- the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk up the steep narrow streets and then explore the fortified abbey. Tales of King Arthur are to be found throughout Europe and are particularly strong and interwoven into folklore in this part of France. In Brittany, the Château of Comper-en- Brocéliande contains the "Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurian". Many of the Arthurian names can be easily translated into Breton. Paimpont Forest, formerly the magical Brocéliande forest, is where Merlin built a crystal castle for the Lady of the Lake. The stories claim that the Lady of the Lake raised Lancelot (translated as 'Wanderer' in Breton) here to become the most chivalrous of all the Knights of the Round Table. The forest also contains the tree (in which the Lady of the Lake imprisoned Merlin) and the fountain of youth. Carnac, in the Gulf of Morbihan, is one of the world's most renowned megalithic sites, We will take in the impressive atmospheric stone alignments, passage graves, menhirs and dolmens that surround the village. Many menhirs rise up to 20 meters and weigh up to 200 tons. Imagine the work that men undertook to raise these monuments when sea level was lower than today. We will also explore some of the other notable Neolithic sites in the Gulf. William the Conqueror is one of the prominent names of history for French and British alike. For both nations the history of the last 1000 years has been underpinned by the events that took place in Normandy and southern England in 1066. The hands of the Normans, the Plantagenets, the Capetians, the Bourbons and even the Tudors have marked these lands as kings, queens, lords and feudal barons fought for power and money. Normandy will forever be associated with the D-day landings that initiated the liberation of Europe. We will pay tribute to the men and women who played a role in that momentous contest . from the drop zones for US airborne troops in and around St Mere Eglise through the great concrete emplacements at Pont Du Hoc . .from Utah and Omaha Beaches to Pegasus Bridge (captured by British paratroopers and considered to be one of the first places in France liberated on D-Day). Our time visiting the D-Day landing areas will honor the brave 'bands of brothers' who fought here in 1944. We will also examine the culture in Brittany and Normandy that travelers from across the world enjoy. Our tour will include Glass Blowing in Saint Meloir des Ondes, a Bell Foundry, Copper workshop in Villedieu les Poeles and a visit to a village, Poul Fetan, which preserves the medieval way of life. We will also sample some of the local delicacies such as cheese - the world famous Camembert, Cider and Calvados. LEADERSHIP The expedition will be lead by Mike Scott, a British schoolmaster and historian. Mike has a BSC in Politics and History, BA in Computer Sciences and MA in Management. He has led trips for his own pupils since 1985, mainly in Europe but now also in Africa and India. He has worked as a tour guide since 1999 and is a full member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. Mike has had several works published. Mike thoroughly enjoys leading trips and interacting with travelers who share his love of travel, different cultures, and history. ITINERARY Day 1-2 JFK to Brittany - The Adventure Begins Depart from JFK International Airport on Air France for Paris. Arrive on the morning of Day 2, and take a connecting flight to Rennes. Meet your expedition leader and transfer by coach to our hotel in Vannes (3 nights). Afternoon for rest and leisure, then guided walk around the center of the town. Evening trip orientation and dinner. D Day 3 Neolithic Brittany Today we will explore the land surrounding the Gulf of Morbihan (the Little Sea). This area is populated with megaliths and monuments raised by Neolithic tribes. Carnac is one of the world's most renowned sites for Neolithic megaliths - dolmen, menhirs and stone alignments. We will visit Le Menec, Kerlescan and Kermario. Lunch at an atmospheric creperie, La Potion Magique. In the afternoon visit other pre-historic sites on the Morbihan coast including Locmariaquer. Our day will give us a comprehensive insight into the different types of structure erected by ancient man in this area. Enjoy local cuisine this evening. B,L Day 4 Breton History We leave our hotel to immerse ourselves in history today. First we travel to the village of Poul Fetan about 25 miles northwest of Vannes. Poul Fetan is a 17th Century village in which the inhabitants demonstrate the crafts of the past from spinning and weaving to baking and the ancient farm. This morning evokes the life lived by Bretons 300 years ago. From Poul Fetan we drive to the picturesque medieval town of Josselin. The half-timbered buildings and charming character of the town are why Josselin has been recognized as a Petite Cité de Caractère. B Day 5 The Magic of Arthur Today we leave our base in Vannes to move to Dinan (2 nights) on the Channel (La Manche) Coast of Brittany. Today is a day of myth, story, legend and imagination - a place of magic, if you let yourself believe! Starting at the Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurien in the Château de Comper en Brocéliandee we will explore the story of Arthur, Merlin, Queen Guineviere and the Lady within Paimpont (Broceliande) Forest. En route to Paimpont we will stop at the Chateau de Largoët, or Towers of Elven, (a name you may recognize from the Lord of the Rings story). This is one of the tallest medieval keeps in France and dates from the 13th Century. It was fought over in the Breton War of Succession, hosted Henry Tudor before he became king, and has been used as a film set, notably for Lancelot du Lac. B,L Day 6 Breton-Norman Coast - Mont St. Michel Today we will start with a visit to a glass blower in Saint Méloir des Ondes. We will see the methods and may be able to attempt the skills of a glassmith (or gaffer) ourselves. From here we move along the Breton Channel Coast, crossing the Brittany-Normandy boundary for the first time, to one of the world's great treasures - the impressive and iconic Mont St Michel. Driving on the narrow roadway across the tidal sands, we will arrive at this island which for centuries has been a place of refuge and pilgrimage. We will have time for lunch, a tour of the Abbey and shopping in the narrow and evocative lanes of the island. B,D Day 7 On to Normandy This morning we depart our hotel for a transfer to Caen (5 nights). We will stop at Fougères, which lies at the borders of Brittany, Normandy and Maine. Here is the biggest remaining castle in Europe - dating from the 13th Century - originally built at the Breton border to help preserve independence from France and Normandy. This will be an afternoon of industrial history. We will stop in Villedieu les Poeles to visit a Bell Foundry and a Copper Workshop, with temptations for the acquisitive traveler, though some of the larger bells may be an interesting challenge in your baggage on the flights back home. B Day 8 Caen & Bayeux Caen is the capital of Lower Normandy. It is a lively city blending heritage and culture. Founded by William the Conqueror around 1060, Caen has preserved its splendor through peace and war as the town developed into the city we see today. The heart of the city is in the old quarter where we will walk a route which takes in the fabulous medieval landmarks and Caen's rich history.