Normandy and Brittany

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: With its 60,000 students, the regional capital of Brittany is a dynamic and cultural city. Its superb medieval quarter includes narrow, winding streets, two royal squares, imposing public buildings and numerous palaces with a solemn elegance. Vieux Rennes is the old town that survived the great fire of 1720. Numerous old houses, dating back to the 15th century, still stand proudly showing its corbelled floors. Particularly noteworthy are the streets of Saint Michel, with its wooden houses, rue de la Psalette and rue du Chapitre, where we find the Brie and Blossac palaces, as well as the Freslon de la Freslonnière palace, located at rue des Dames. St-Pierrre cathedral is distinguished by the richness of its interior. Rennes attracts tourists by its unique architecture and amazingly beautiful natural landscapes. At night, this student city has no end of lively places to pop in for a drink and its restaurants are also superb.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Quimper is a commune and capital of the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. "Quimper" is Breton for "Meeting of Two Rivers," and when you enter Quimper by train you walk along the River Odet, which has many pleasant small bridges along it. One can also walk up the River Steir for a quiet promenade, leaving city streets behind for greenery.The city's grandest and most unmistakable monument is the Cathedral St. Corentin, a Gothic cathedral with two spires which dominate the townscape. The interior is beautiful. Other remarkable churches include St. Mathieu, which is also Gothic style, and Locmaria, a church preserved from the Middle Ages, with a spare elegance.It is pleasant merely to walk up and down the streets of Quimper, which are very well-preserved, but for an excellent view you can also climb Mont Frugy, the large green hill to the south of the river Odet. Frugy has several trails, and not only is a walk peaceful and not-too-challenging, but the views of the city can't be beat.There are several charming gardens open to the public in Quimper: the Medieval garden to the southwest, near Locmaria and the Earthenware Museum, which is a faithfully preserved Medieval cloister garden, and the Garden of the Retreat, in the north of town, near the Jesuit Chapel. This garden has more exotic plants such as palm trees. Also the Max Jacob Theater, near the train station, has a beautiful garden behind it, which is open to the public.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Saint-Malo is a port city in Brittany, in northwestern France. Tall granite walls surround the old town, which was a bastion of corsairs (pirates authorized by the king). In the center of the old town is the Saint-Malo cathedral, Romanesque and Gothic, with stained glass windows that represent the history of the city. Nearby is La Demeure de Corsaire, a museum located in the house of an 18th-century corsair.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Caen is the capital of Lower Normandy and of Calvados département in northern France and has a population of 115,000. Caen is a college city and thus very active. In summer, tourists gather in Normandy for Second World War remains and the Memorial for Peace. Caen is a modern city, four-fifths of which was demolished in 1944 and rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s. However, some old buildings remain, especially churches.The most important places to visit in Caen are: the Memorial for peace, a modern museum focusing on Second World War and the Cold War, the Caen Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe and the Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames, a wonderful example of Romanic architecture. Caen is close enough to the D-Day sites to act as a base from which to explore the D-Day sites.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Rouen is the capital of the French region of Upper Normandy and situated on the River Seine, approximately 90 minutes’ drive northwest from the center of Paris. The city has a population of 110,000 and its metropolitan area includes some 520,000 inhabitants. It is where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake, but the main reason for visiting is its incredible cathedral that inspired Monet to paint over 30 canvases. Rouen was the home of the author, Gustave Flaubert.The most important places to visit in Rouen are: Rouen Cathedral, a stunning building that dates back to the 4th Century and is a wonderful mixture of various architectural styles, the birthplace of writer Gustave Flaubert, which has been converted into a museum of his life and the Big Clock, located in the middle of the rue du Gros Horloge. Climb to the top for a beautiful view of the city.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION:

The City of Lights – and sights

Few cities rival Paris for culture, history and atmosphere. From the Mona Lisa at the Louvre to the sparkling Eiffel Tower and the bohemian cafés of Montmartre, every visit feels unique. Stroll along the Champs Élysées, relax in the Tuileries Gardens or enjoy a sunset cruise on the Seine.

Despite its size, Paris is easy to explore on foot, by bike or by river boat, making sightseeing simple and enjoyable.

All year round, the city hosts an exciting calendar of events — from major football matches at the iconic Parc des Princes stadium to concerts by world-famous singers, as well as celebrations like Bastille Day, Nuit des Musées and the Fête de la Musique. TUI also sells tickets for many of these events, so you can plan everything in one place.

Beyond the city, highlights like Disneyland Paris and the Palace of Versailles make perfect day trips for families and culture lovers alike.