Walking through History: Discover Normandy & Brittany, France with Tour Designers Brooke & Michelle

A new trip begins long before guests lace up their hiking boots.

Designing a Boundless Journeys itinerary takes months of research, scouting, and collaboration—from selecting the perfect routes and hotels to uncovering unique local experiences that bring destinations to life.

For our newest France: Brittany & Normandy Walking Tour, debuting with three departures in 2027, Destination Managers Michelle Cournoyer and Brooke Carleton explored France’s spectacular northwest coast.

Let’s sit down with them and learn what inspired their new itinerary…

Q: What inspired you to create a Brittany and Normandy hiking journey?

Michelle: It actually started with some of our most loyal guests, who asked if we’d be willing to create a custom hiking journey in Brittany and Normandy—and they even volunteered to be our “guinea pigs.” As it turned out, we were already curious about the region, so their enthusiasm gave us the perfect reason to start exploring.

Q: Many travelers know the D-Day story. What surprised you most as you researched and designed this itinerary?

Brooke: Like many, I was familiar with the broad story of D-Day, but researching this trip gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the Allied invasion. I learned more about the five landing beaches, the strategy behind each operation, and how each location played its unique role. On this tour, our guests visit Omaha Beach, home to the American Cemetery; Utah Beach, with its outstanding museum; and Gold Beach in Arromanches, where you can still see the remnants of Mulberry Harbour—a reminder of the extraordinary engineering and planning that made the invasion possible.

Q: Was there a particular place that gave you goosebumps?

Michelle: The American Cemetery was incredibly moving. Seeing thousands of white crosses stretching across the landscape made the scale of the sacrifice very real. Listening to General Eisenhower’s recorded address to the troops in the adjacent museum was powerful. Afterwards, we hike down a beautiful hillside to Omaha Beach where families now stroll and children play—a poignant reminder of how places of profound loss can also be peaceful.

Brooke: For me, it was walking the dunes at Utah Beach. Today it’s a protected nature preserve—quiet, windswept, and full of wildlife. Standing there, it’s hard to reconcile this gorgeous landscape with the events that unfolded there on D-Day. That contrast between past and present really stayed with me.

Q: St. Malo is one of the highlights. What makes this walled seaside city so special?

Brooke: Have you read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr? If not, I highly recommend it—or watch the 2023 Netflix limited series before you go. Although it’s a work of historical fiction rather than a true story, it’s beautifully rooted in the history of World War II.

The novel follows two young people whose lives intersect during the war, including a blind French girl who flees Paris to live with her uncle in Saint-Malo. Walking the 360-degree ramparts after reading the book felt like stepping into its pages. The ancient stone walls, narrow cobblestone streets, and sea views make the entire city feel like a stage set. Visiting Saint-Malo nearly ten years after reading the novel was a personal highlight of the trip for me.

Q: If you had to describe the landscapes of Normandy and Brittany in just a few words, what would they be?

Brooke: Serene, pastoral, and wonderfully undeveloped. It’s a landscape that invites you to slow down and simply enjoy being outdoors.

Michelle: Dramatic coastlines, rolling farmland, and timeless villages. There are moments when it feels as though time has stood still. Walking through the countryside often reminded me of a Monet painting with soft light, vibrant greens, and fields stretching toward the sea.

Q: What are some lesser-known places on the trip that travelers might not know?

Brooke: One of my favorites is the hike from Carolles along dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. The trail climbs a stairway to sweeping coastal views, passes the tiny Cabane Vauban—a 17th-century stone guardhouse perched on the cliffs—and offers magical views of Mont Saint-Michel in the distance. It’s one of those hidden gems.

Q: Every trip has a “wow” moment. What are the standout moments on this journey?

Brooke: It’s hard to beat sitting down to a pot of fresh Normandy mussels cooked with garlic, white wine, and herbs. The locals dip their crispy frites right into the steaming broth—and once you try it, you’ll understand why. Even something as simple as a fresh green salad tastes different in France. The lettuce is incredibly fresh and full of flavor. Sometimes the simplest meals become the most memorable.

Michelle: Mine is an evening in Saint-Malo. Watching a crêpe flambé prepared tableside at Les Corps de Garde, a restaurant built into the historic ramparts and one of the few buildings to survive the wartime bombing, was unforgettable. Pair that with a pitcher of local Breton cider and views over the sea, and you have one of those quintessential French moments that stays with you.

Q: How does walking help travelers connect with the history of this region in a deeper way?

Brooke: Hiking puts you directly into the landscape where history happened. Standing on the beaches, following the coastline, and moving through the same terrain gives you a much better sense of the geography and scale of the events. You’re not just hearing the story—you’re feeling the wind, seeing the distances, and understanding the land beneath your feet. And of course, many of the soldiers were on foot, so walking creates a more physical, human connection to their experience.

Q: What role does food play in understanding Normandy and Brittany?

Michelle: Food is an essential part of understanding this region. Normandy and Brittany are celebrated for their incredible seafood—fresh oysters, mussels, and even blue lobster—along with iconic local specialties like apples, Calvados, cider, buckwheat galettes, crêpes, salted butter, and exceptional cheeses. The rich pastures and famous Normandy cows produce some of the finest butter and dairy in France.

Q: Were there any local traditions, customs, or encounters that particularly stayed with you?

Brooke: One of the most memorable moments happened over dinner in Bayeux. We struck up a conversation with an American couple from Washington State who had traveled to Normandy to retrace the story of the husband’s uncle, a U.S. paratrooper who landed inland on D-Day. Through a local historian, they learned exactly where he had landed, the home where he died after being cared for by a French family, and where he was buried. The historian even gave them fragments of a nylon parachute. During the war, parachute material was so precious that local families repurposed it into skirts, scarves, and other clothing. It was a powerful reminder that the history of Normandy is deeply woven into the memories of the people who live there today.

Q: What kind of traveler do you think will fall in love with this trip?

Michelle: This journey isn’t just for World War II history enthusiasts. It’s for travelers who enjoy a wonderful balance of history, culture, scenic walking, charming villages, medieval churches, dramatic coastlines, rolling farmland, fields of poppies, and exceptional regional cuisine. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundant birdlife, while food lovers will savor the local specialties at every turn.

And here’s the funny thing—even if you don’t consider yourself a history buff when you arrive, you just might become one by the end of the trip. If you’re anything like we were, you’ll head home wanting to watch every documentary and movie you can find about Normandy and D-Day.

Q: Did you discover a hidden café, bakery, market, or local spot that guests will enjoy?

Michelle: Absolutely! One of my favorite discoveries was the fishing village of Port-en-Bessin. It’s full of wonderful specialty shops where you can sample handcrafted chocolates, taste regional Calvados, and enjoy some of the freshest oysters you’ll ever eat. We also discovered Café Calva—an espresso finished with a splash of local Calvados. The local way is to drink about two-thirds of the espresso first, then top off the cup with Calvados. As the French like to say, “La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin.” (“Life is too short to drink bad wine.”) I think the same philosophy applies to Calvados!

Q: What was your favorite walk on the itinerary and why?

Brooke: Honestly, it’s impossible to choose just one! What struck me most was how beautifully unspoiled the coastline is. The beaches haven’t been overdeveloped, so every hike is peaceful, natural, and authentic. We spend days along dramatic cliffs, quiet coastal paths, and expansive beaches without seeing anything that distracted from the landscape. It was incredibly refreshing. I remember thinking, “there’s nothing ugly here.”

Q: If you could sum up this journey in one sentence, what would it be?

Michelle: It’s a journey that wraps around you like a warm blanket—rich in culture, delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and experiences that leave you feeling inspired, captivated, and deeply connected to the region.

Brooke: This journey leaves you with immense gratitude—for the courage and sacrifice of the Allied soldiers, and for the resilience of the people of Normandy and Brittany who had to rebuild their towns, their communities, and their lives.

Below are Brooke Carleton (left) and Michelle Cournoyer (right), Destination Managers and Designers of the France: Normandy & Brittany tour.