A Taste of Northwestern France

Normandy and Brittany
August 31 – September 7, 2025

Premium packages from $8,195

Breton_Crepe_Making

Learn Breton crepe-making at the birthplace of the beloved French staple.

Embracing a Rich Gastronomy
and Moving History

Journey inside the charming seaside villages and agricultural heritage sites of Normandy and Brittany as you gather and cook with renowned regional ingredients. Daily itineraries brim with colorful, hands-on experiences that open a window to the region’s best-kept culinary secrets.

You'll drink in a rich culture and geography that includes centuries-old architecture, unspoiled coastline, and welcome provincial charm with intimate dining and boutique accommodations waiting for you at the end of each illuminating, action-packed day.

Trip Itinerary

WHAT YOU’LL SEE, DO, AND DISCOVER

Experience the unique tastes and traditions of Northwestern France as you roam with intention (and your expert guide) through the quaint villages and idyllic, seaside outposts of Normandy and Brittany. Discover endless treasures, both culinary and artisanal, as you participate in hands-on experiences like Breton crepe-making and touring the centuries-old factory of revered Henriot pottery. The best-kept culinary secrets of France are yours to discover and delight in.

  • Arrive into Rennes Regional Airport.

    Join your fellow travelers on the group transfer to Avranches, an intimate market town just off the coast of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel.

    Check into the hotel accommodations and enjoy time at leisure prior to the opening event of the journey.

    Begin your Culinary Journey with a Welcome Dinner at a gourmet French gastronomic restaurant.

    Included Meals: Dinner
    Accommodations: Hotel Mercure Granville

  • Discover how whole-milk caramels are made on a farm in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. You will tour the farm that supplies the milk from cows who graze on salty grass and the factory where the caramel is produced, complete with a tasting of the specialized candy.

    Group lunch at a local bistro to indulge in culinary excellence at Restaurant Treize Assiettes. Nestled in the heart of charm, savor exquisite French cuisine crafted with precision. The ambiance, a perfect blend of sophistication and warmth, sets the stage for an unforgettable gastronomic experience in the heart of Normandy.

    Visit the iconic island and abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site and architectural feat spanning centuries.

    Evening and dinner at leisure.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodations: Hotel Mercure Granville

  • Morning visit to a local organic farm, Naturellement Normande, where you will learn about sustainable agriculture and participate in the cheesemaking process.

    Lunch will be served at Naturellement Normande featuring the farm’s own products.

    Visit a copper workshop, foundry, and castle featuring 18th century tableware. Explore the artistry at Mauviel Workshop, where skilled craftsmen forge exquisite copper cookware. Witness centuries-old techniques and immerse yourself in the culinary heritage of Villedieu-les-Poêles. Step into the enchanting Château de Chantore, a historic gem nestled in Normandy where you will surround yourself in its rich history, exquisite gardens, and timeless charm.

    Dinner at Manoir Pommeraie, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, showcasing cheese and apple flavors, including Camembert and Calvados.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodations: Hotel Mercure Granville

  • Visit an artisanal salmon workshop in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel that specializes in smoked salmon. You’ll witness firsthand how the bay waters impart flavor to the salmon and how this farm engages in sustainable aquaculture.

    In the afternoon you will take a one-of-a-kind carriage ride along the shore during low tide to explore shellfish farms, nurseries, and reserves.

    Evening and dinner at leisure.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodations: Hotel Mercure Granville

  • Check out of hotel and transfer to Quimper in Brittany.

    Stop along the way at Atelier de la Crêpe, a professional cooking school devoted to the Breton style of crêpes.

    For lunch, you will try your hand at making your own crêpes at the Atelier under expert guidance.

    The final stop of the day is a tour of the parish enclosures, an architectural hallmark unique to Brittany from 16th-century pilgrimages.

    Check into hotel.

    Evening and dinner at leisure.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodations: Hotel Ginkgo

  • Start your day with an exclusive tour of the Henriot factory, the famed hand-painted pottery of Quimper. You’ll witness the artistry of traditional pottery up close, where centuries-old techniques bring vibrant designs to life.

    From there, you proceed to the seaweed workshop of Scarlette Le Corre, showcasing aquaculture of the Bay of Biscay and flavorful, nutritious seaweed products. You’ll roll up your sleeves alongside a head chef for a live cooking demonstration of Breton shrimp and dine on your savory creations for lunch.

    To conclude the day, watch the boats come back to the harbor and take part in the afternoon fish auction. After exploring an installation focused on the maritime heritage of Brittany you will end the day with an aperitif and ocean view.

    Evening and dinner at leisure.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodations: Hotel Ginkgo

  • Morning visit of the Quimper Biscuit Factory, a behind-the-scenes tour to see and taste the signature baked goods of the region, including Kouign Amann.

    Stop for a group lunch in Les Halles Saint-François, the only covered market in Quimper, to sample fresh, artisanal goods and produce.

    In the afternoon, you’ll visit the traditional embroidery school of Pascal Jaouen. Explore Breton culture through intricate stitches, traditional designs, and expert guidance in this unique artistic journey.

    For the final activity together, visit a ciderie to compare the flavors of Brittany’s ciders to those of Normandy with a tasting in picturesque orchards.

    Raise a glass to close out your culinary journey with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant highlighting the seasonal flavors of Brittany.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodations: Hotel Ginkgo

  • Fuel up for your travel home with a final breakfast at the hotel.

    Pack your belongings and check out of the hotel.

    Catch the group transfer to Rennes Regional Airport for departure travel.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

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A Taste of Northwestern France

8-Day Premium Travel Package starting at $8,195

(based on double occupancy; excluding flights)

August 31 – September 7, 2025

Questions? Contact our travel provider at 877-298-9677

FAQs

  • A deposit of $1000.00 (unless otherwise specified) is due to secure your space on the tour. Deposits are refundable up to 50% until 120 days prior to departure. Your deposit is due upon reservation. Your final balance is due upon receipt of your invoice, 90 days prior to departure. If you are making a reservation within 90 days of the trip’s departure, full payment will be required upon confirmation.

    Once you reserve your trip and pay your deposit, you will be sent a confirmation email with our Terms and Conditions, insurance information, and a Participant Information Form. Your Guest Services Advisor will reach out when it’s time to book airfare after a minimum of 10 travelers have enrolled on your departure. Final trip details will be sent roughly 2–3 weeks before departure.

  • To get in touch with your travel provider
    Email: reservations@academic-travel.com
    Phone: 1-877-298-9677 (M-F, 9am-5pm ET)

  • Airfare to and from the starting and ending point of the program is not included in the price to give you maximum flexibility in choosing your preferences for air travel. This way you can use frequent flier upgrades, depart from your airport of choice, or add pre- and post- trip extensions with no constraints. Please refrain from booking your airfare until your Guest Services Advisor reaches out to confirm your departure.

    All drinks (wine and soft drinks) are included in the trip price for all group meals. Any additional alcoholic beverages are not included in the program price.

    Tips to local guides, restaurant staff, bell staff, and drivers are all included in the trip price. Your Trip Leader and Travel Director are taken care of and will not accept tips. The only time tips are not included is during free time and meals on your own.

  • Chef Meredith Abbott is the Culinary Director and Travel Ambassador of Sur La Table. A Seattle-based, classically trained executive chef and chef educator, she fuels her passion for inspiring confidence in the kitchen with an endless curiosity and extensive knowledge across many culinary disciplines. True to the Sur La Table mission, Meredith encourages building cooking skills that translate to a lifetime of celebration at the table.

  • Our trips have a maximum group size of 25 people. They are large enough to meet new people with diverse backgrounds, but small enough to be on a first-name basis with everyone.

  • Solo travelers are welcomed with open arms and there are usually a good number of them on our trips. Group meals generally take place at medium to large tables, and our Travel Directors ensure that everyone is included in conversation. Because our trips are priced for doubles sharing a room, there is a supplemental cost for those who choose to have the privacy of their own room.

  • Our trips are designed to give our travelers special insight and understanding of the places we visit. The talks and commentary by our hosts and local guides are what make our itineraries special, and this kind of curated experience cannot be obtained on one’s own. For this reason, our trips generally do not incorporate long periods of free time during the day, although night times and some meals will be at leisure.

  • Travelers should be in good health and able to walk up to 2 miles (with stops) over uneven terrain and be able to navigate stairs unassisted. In city centers, we try to walk from place to place due to traffic restrictions and in keeping with our commitment to environmental sustainability.

  • Every effort will be made to try to accommodate any special dietary requests you may have. Please discuss your requests with us when signing up for a trip.

  • We’ll send you a detailed clothing and equipment list well before departure so you know what you’ll need. We provide the rest: comfortable accommodations, an engaging daily itinerary, expert trip management and access to people and places that will thrill and delight you.

  • Deposits will be 50% refundable 120 days prior to departure. Cancellation between 119-91 days before departure: 100% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellation between 90-61 days, 50% of the trip price is forfeited. Cancellation within 60 days of departure: no refund. You always have the option to transfer your deposit to a future Sur La Table Culinary Journey departure up until 90 days prior to departure with no penalty.

  • We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance to help protect your investment and provide you with financial recourse should you face trip cancellation or interruption due to sickness or quarantine. When purchasing a policy, please consult with a trip insurance agent to review what COVID-19- related contingencies are covered. While we will do our best to recover any unused portion of your trip due to sickness, it is often the case that payments cannot be refunded. We recommend using our partner insurance provider, Travel Insurance Services, which offers three different policies for you to choose from.

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Space is limited to 25
travelers — reserve your spot today!

Please call us to inquire about this trip
1-877-298-9677