Also see the photography tour calendar for trips that precede or follow this one

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR OVERVIEW: Normandy, Brittany and the Loire valley in northwest France are not known as destination 'icons' as it were, but join this trip and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Whatever your favorite photography subjects may be, you'll find that this photography workshop contains a variety of captivating subject matter to suit all tastes. From Monet's flowers in Giverny, to the historical beaches of Normandy and on to the Loire Valley Châteaus [castles]. In-between you'll photograph quaint harbor scenes, lighthouses, medieval villages and walled towns, ancient standing stones and the entrancing island castle of Le Mont San Michel. In all, this is a photography tour awash with a potpourri of photographic opportunities.

INCREASING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS: There isn’t a straightforward way to describe everything you will learn on one of our photography tours in just a few words, but I'll give it a try . . . I instruct, encourage, nurture, coach, nudge, help and guide clients etcetera, all day and every day.  This includes one-on-ones and 'collective instruction', i.e. advice given to the whole group at each photo stop. Subjects and techniques discussed and demonstrated are composition strength, shutter speeds, exposure compensation, how aperture choice influences depth of field, lens choice, filter use, long exposure effects, deliberate blur, macro and so on. I also encourage you to 'see' an image when the opportunity presents itself, i.e. to be on the lookout for those less obvious shots that are no less stunning. Lastly, I conduct image critiques both on location - digital camera screens are ideal for this - and via the use of laptops. PhotoShop sessions are also included as time permits. For more details regarding what you'll learn go here.

DAY 1  |  To GIVERNY, NORMANDY
After the group has gathered together at a local hotel we'll head northwestwards to Giverny and the gardens made famous by the impressionist painter Claude Monet. Here you will see the artist's home, garden and the bridge seen in so many of his paintings. I'll help you get some 'Monet effects' as you're going to have to play with long exposures, intentional blur, and perhaps some tinkling about in PhotoShop! Then to our overnight stay at a small chateau for dinner and late light photography.
VIEUX VILLEZ, 1 night

DAYS 2 + 3  |  To the NORMANDY COAST
Early light on day 2 above the River Seine for a panoramic view, plus a quaint village church. After breakfast we will continue northwestwards in Normandy [Normandie], and beyond Caen, join the coast at Luc-sur-Mer. This is the coastline where brave Allied forces came ashore on June 6, 1944, in what has become known as the D-Day Invasion. We'll explore the beaches of Gold, Juno and Sword where British, Canadian troops and heroes from ten other countries landed and fought so bravely. Remnants of the temporary Mulberry harbor are still visible offshore at Arromanches les Bains.
At first light on day 3 we will explore Port-en-Bessin harbor. After breakfast back at our hotel we shall capture respectful and 'symmetric' images of the American Cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer where 9,386 young American soldiers lie having fallen here in June of 1944. Also at the cemetery is a memorial with the names of another 1,557 young Americans who died in this battle, and whose remains were never found. Heading west we'll explore Pointe du Hoc and the hallowed Omaha beach where thousands of brave young Americans landed on that fateful day in 1944. The rest of the day will be spent following the eastern coastline of the Valognes peninsula to places such as Sainte Marie Du Mont village, Utah Beach, Sainte Vaast la Hougue fort, Barfleur harbour and the Gatteville lighthouse.
PORT-EN-BESSIN, 2 nights

DAY 4  |  To Le MONT SAN MICHEL
More harbour photography at dawn and more following breakfast as we make our way to Mont San Michel the photography along the way will include the La Cambe German cemetery, and rolling Normandy scenes plus the ancient town of Villedieu-les-Pôeles. We'll check into our hotel in the late afternoon, take dinner, and at late light we'll be in the southwest corner of Normandy shooting the French icon of Le Mont San Michel [St Michael's Mount]. This special Gothic 'pyramid' was originally a tidal island, now connected to land by road, and constructed in the 13th to 16th centuries. It's a spectacular sight as it sits just off the Normandy coastline.
PONTORSON, 1 night

DAY 5  |  To TREGUIER
Back to Le Mont San Michel at dawn to once again capture the magic of this magical island castle. After breakfast we'll return one last time to Mont San Michel to explore the streets, and walls on foot. Then west into Brittany [Bretagne] for photography along the 'pink granite coast' including locations such as Fort la Latte that stands on a cliff edge, and the Cap Frehel lighthouse. On to our remote Chateau for the night.
Near PLOUGRESCANT, 1 night

DAYS 6 + 7  |  Western BRITTANY
Early light at Pointe du Château where a 'house sandwich' is a worthy photographic oddity. After breakfast we shall head west and take in a coastline that offers Perros-Guirec, and the Ploumanac'h lighthouse complete with some giant boulder formations. Via Morlaix and into the Brittany region known as 'Finistère', 'the end of the land'. Late light photography on the beach in front of our remote hotel.
On day 7 we’ll explore the Crozon Peninsula with photography in such places as Camaret-Sur-Mer, Pointe de Penhir, plus on our return, historic Locronan, one of the most quaint and authentic villages in all of Brittany. The late, late light will be shot out at La Point du Raz.
Near PLOGOFF, 2 nights

DAYS 8 + 9  |  QUIBERON and STANDING STONES
Early light at Pointe du Van this morning then following breakfast we'll go west to Audierne for shots of the harbor. Then on to the ancient town of Quimper which sits pictorially on the banks of the River Odet. It's a place to experience the Celtic side of Breton culture and find another potpourri of images including centuries old half-timbered buildings, and the twin-spired Saint Corentin cathedral. We’ll then head for Concarneau which is a walled fort in the middle of the harbor that contains the medieval Ville Close. Then to the charming Pont Aven for a water mill and 'le toilette', followed by the late light at the tip of the Quiberon peninsula where we’ll make our home for two nights.
On day 9 we’ll be hoping for mist in the fields as we shoot a stunning collection of standing stones near the village of Carnac. This particular concentration of megalithic stones reputedly dates to between 2000 BC to 5000 BC, and some are believed to be older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. We’ll also spend part of the day exploring the rocky Quiberon peninsula, an oddly situated Dolmen, and more. Evening light in Port Haliguan and Portivy harbours.
QUIBERON, 2 nights

DAY 10 + 11  |  LOIRE VALLEY CASTLES
Early light in Quiberon harbor this morning, breakfast, then too Carnac village, and the bridge at La Trinite-Sur-Mer. On to historic and picturesque Auray prior to taking the fast track eastwards into the Loire region for our two night home near Chinon on the Vienne River. Evening light on Chateau Chinon tonight.
The Loire Valley nee 'Valle de la Loire' or 'Garden of France', is also considered to be the 'cradle of the French language.' We will photograph several significant chateaus [castles] while in the Loire, but will start today with Château Azay-le-Rideau. The Château dates from 1515 and is located adjacent to the River Indre. Historically, in 1418 Prince Charles [later King Charles VII] visited and was jeered by the guards upon his arrival. The Prince was so angry he had all 350 of the soldiers killed and burned the local village down to the ground. Also scheduled is Château Villandry, built in 1536 and complete with magnificent vegetable gardens, plus Château d'Ussé that dominates the village of Rigny-Ussé.
Near CHINON, 2 nights

DAY 12  |  LOIRE VALLEY CASTLES . . . and on to Paris
Early light in the vicinity of our farm accommodation this morning and following breakfast we'll head for Château de Chenonceaux situated quite literally on the River Cher complete with drawbridge and moat. The original castle burnt to the ground in 1411, then the replacement was demolished too. Today's building was completed in 1521. Next will be Château Chaumont. We'll shoot the château from across the Loire River, a pleasing composition, then explore the grounds and château on foot including the contemporary Festival Gardens. Our last major stop of the trip will be the Château de Chambord, the largest of all the Loire valley castles and a magnificent example of French Renaissance architecture. It was built between 1519 and 1547 and has a roof-line like no other castle. The classic image includes the river foreground plus whatever flowers are in bloom on the day. And finally . . . we'll take a fast track to our hotel north of Paris to close the trip.
GONESSE, 1 night

DAY 13  |  Flights home
Departing flights can be arranged for any time this morning. USA residents will arrive home on the same calendar day. Free transport is available to the next scheduled photography tour.

Photographer/Leader John Baker