Skip to main content
Stanford Alumni AssociationTravel/Study
Travel/Study
A region shaped by invasions, presidents, and kings

Normandy Walk

Explore one of France’s most historic regions, and stay in luxury châteaux. Fine cuisine, serene landscapes, and politically pivotal sites await.

Overview

Enlightening explorations of a vibrant region

Normandy is a lovely and historically significant destination, and we travel to sites both familiar and unexpected. Even our five-star accommodations provide opportunities for learning, as we step back in time and experience castle life at the Château d’Audrieu and walk in the footsteps of Monet at La Ferme Saint Siméon in the lovely Honfleur. 

Highlights abound on our journey. Guided by an expert on the topic, we explore the landing beaches of D-Day. We also spend a day in breathtaking Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy’s iconic rock-top abbey that rises dramatically from the sea. In a lesser-known region of Normandy, the Suisse Normande, we walk the dramatic ridges overlooking the Orne River and on to Cabourg where we stay in Marcel Proust's summer hideaway.

Dates

September 1–9, 2026

Duration

9 days

Price

From $10,795 per person

Trip size

30 participants
Reserve(opens new window)

Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Gil-li Vardi

History




Gil-li Vardi joined Stanford in 2012 and serves as a core lecturer in the department of history and the program in international relations, where she specializes in modern military history.

Learn more about Gil-li

Bringing battlefields to life

"The Normandy landing was a tremendous operational feat, with dramatic immediate tactical results and even more dramatic long-term strategic implications. As I led WWI staff rides in France and Belgium in the past, I know there is nothing quite like being in the place of battle—experiencing the geography, flora, topography, weather, even the scents. Certain harsh battle realities can be truly understood only by visiting the battlefield."

—Gil-li Vardi

Meet our walking guide

Peter Watson has led the way for Stanford travelers across Western Europe since 1996. His carefully crafted itineraries reflect his passion for the culture and history of the regions we visit. A graduate of Oxford University in French and Spanish literature, Peter provides insightful commentary along our walks, adding to the trip’s educational experience.

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

From William the Conqueror to Dwight Eisenhower, this is the land of invasions. Examine the link between Britain and the continent of Europe as we visit important historical sites. We’ll walk through the bucolic countryside and along the stunning coast, staying in luxury châteaux and historic inns and feasting on the region’s divine cuisine.

  • Paris, France / Audrieu

    Upon arrival in Paris, transfer to our lovely château hotel in the heart of Normandy.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Château d'Audrieu

    Included meal: Dinner

  • Omaha Beach

    Today, venture north to the landing beaches for a walk along Omaha Beach and over the headlands, revisiting some of the most extraordinary and deadly moments of World War II. After our first picnic lunch, we continue our walk to Arromanches, the site of the remains of the floating ‘Mulberry’ harbors, towed across the Channel to facilitate the invasion. Return to our hotel by road.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Château d'Audrieu

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Mont Saint-Michel

    Travel to the very western edge of Normandy and its most-visited site, Mont Saint-Michel. After exploring the great abbey, enjoy lunch at the renowned La Mère Poulard. This afternoon, return by road to our château home.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Château d'Audrieu

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Utah Beach and Bayeux

    Today’s route takes us to the Cotentin peninsula, where we walk along Utah Beach and inland to Ste-Mère-Église, where the effigy of a paratrooper still hangs from the church steeple. Later, as we pass through the town of Bayeux, stop to admire the famous tapestry, woven just after the invasion of England in 1066.

    Accommodations:

    Hotel Château d'Audrieu

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • La Suisse Normande

    Visit a lesser-known region of Normandy, called the Suisse Normande after the hills that rise along the river Orne. This is beautiful walking country also boasts famous towns and villages such as Livarot, home of the famous cheese, and Falaise, the castle birthplace of William the Conqueror. This afternoon, continue by road to our hotel overlooking the Normandy Coast and which once served a summer retreat of the great writer Marcel Proust.

    Accommodations:

    Grand Hotel Cabourg

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Caen

    This morning, we explore the great city of Caen. Take in the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, founded by William the Conqueror, then visit the château he built in 1060. After lunch on our own, tour one of the newest and most striking museums in France, the Mémorial de Caen, dedicated to peace and featuring the events of the World War II. From here we return to our hotel by road.

    Accommodations:

    Grand Hotel Cabourg

    Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

  • Cabourg / Honfleur

    Today, concentrate on the Seine Valley and Jumièges Abbey, one of the most important monastic buildings in the West. Enjoy a picnic lunch and time to visit the abbey. Afterwards, continue our walk before driving to Honfleur to check in to our luxurious hotel, once a retreat for Monet, Sisley, and other Impressionists.

    Accommodations:

    La Ferme Saint-Siméon, Honfleur

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Étretat

    Head north along the ‘Alabaster Coast’ to the seaside port of Étretat. Marvel at the stunning coastline with its sheer chalk cliffs eroded into extraordinary formations that have been the subject for many Impressionist masters. Return by coach to the town of Honfleur to visit the port that was made famous by Boudin and other Impressionist painters. Return to our hotel and gather this evening to toast our journey at a farewell dinner.

    Accommodations:

    La Ferme Saint-Siméon, Honfleur

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Honfleur / Paris / Home

    This morning, transfer to Paris CDG Airport for flights returning home.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Activity level

The terrain of Normandy is quite varied, but walking is largely easy along good paths and trails as well as open farmland, vehicle tracks, and small roads. Our walks range from 3 to 8 miles, or approximately 1.5 to 4 hours of walking. The trails undulate over sometimes muddy, rocky, and uneven terrain that may include numerous stiles or other obstacles. The walks have altitude gains and losses of up to 1,000 feet. All walks are led by experienced leaders.

Travelers should be able to walk carrying a light daypack with rain gear (we walk rain or shine), extra clothing, and personal water supply. Participants must commit to walking with the group for the entire day as there is often no support vehicle or opportunity to otherwise deviate from the excursion. Additionally, travelers must be comfortable making use of a bush, tree, rock, or whatever else the terrain might provide when “nature” is the only restroom available. One must also be comfortable sitting on a blanket on the ground for picnic lunches.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Price

Double occupancy:
$10,795 per person

Single occupancy:
$13,295 per person

Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $450 per person.

What’s included?

  • Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including an education resource list and travel information

  • Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

  • All meals, tours, and excursions as described in the itinerary

  • Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities

  • 8 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations

  • Group transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days

  • Minimal medical, accident, and evacuation coverage 

You are responsible for your personal travel expenses, including flights to and from the program.

Deposits, payments, and cancellations

A $2,500-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 150 days prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee, until 150 days prior to program start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and we resell your place(s), in which case a $2,500-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Join us in Normandy

Make your reservation now

Have a question for us?

Get in touch with someone at Travel/Study.

Contact us
Subscribe to our emails