London to Paris via the Channel Islands
Tour summary
16 meals
- 11 breakfasts
- 5 dinners
Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy
A patchwork of rich traditions and stirring stories awaits on this carefully curated adventure through Southern England, the Channel Islands and into Northern France. Feel the fresh sea breeze kiss your face along the wild coastlines of Sark and encounter echoes of the past in Jersey’s wartime bunkers. Sink your teeth into sumptuous cheese-filled galettes at a local crêperie in Saint-Malo, then feast your eyes on the majestic medieval architecture of Mont Saint-Michel. This is a journey of deep cultural discovery... are you ready to be fully immersed?
Tour highlights
- Spend a day on beautiful Sark, the iconic 'Dark Sky Island'
- Explore the only part of the British Isles to be occupied during WWII
- Wander the enchanting island village of Mont Saint-Michel
Tour itinerary
Day 1 - London (England)
An epicenter of rich history and innovation, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
An epicenter of rich history and innovation, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Wellington by Blue Orchid (or similar)
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - London – Winchester – Dorset
After breakfast, we’ll travel to our first stop: the collegiate city of Winchester. Here, we’ll take some time to tour the magnificent Gothic cathedral before exploring the city’s old-worldly centre at our own pace. En route to our hotel, we’ll visit the sublime Corfe Castle – a site with over 1,000 years of diverse history. Then, a delicious meal awaits us at our Dorset hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll travel to our first stop: the collegiate city of Winchester. Here, we’ll take some time to tour the magnificent Gothic cathedral before exploring the city’s old-worldly centre at our own pace. En route to our hotel, we’ll visit the sublime Corfe Castle – a site with over 1,000 years of diverse history. Then, a delicious meal awaits us at our Dorset hotel.
Included today
Accommodation
Morton’s Manor Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 3 - Dorset – Guernsey (Channel Islands)
This morning, it’s all aboard the ferry for the journey to Guernsey. When we arrive at St Peter Port, there will be free time to wander its charming, cobbled streets, marina and stores at your leisure. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included dinner together at the hotel.
This morning, it’s all aboard the ferry for the journey to Guernsey. When we arrive at St Peter Port, there will be free time to wander its charming, cobbled streets, marina and stores at your leisure. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included dinner together at the hotel.
Included today
Accommodation
Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4 - Guernsey – Sark – Guernsey
The famous ‘Dark Sky Island’, Sark, will be our next stop – and here the day will be yours to spend as you please. No cars are allowed on the island, giving it a unique ‘olde worlde’ charm. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the various viewpoints around the island including the lighthouse and Pilcher Monument. Or embark on the strikingly beautiful walk along La Coupée to Little Sark. There’s even the option to admire the island’s captivating landscapes from aboard a horse-drawn carriage, if you’d prefer. After returning to Guernsey on the ferry, take the leisurely walk into town for dinner at a local restaurant or enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.
The famous ‘Dark Sky Island’, Sark, will be our next stop – and here the day will be yours to spend as you please. No cars are allowed on the island, giving it a unique ‘olde worlde’ charm. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the various viewpoints around the island including the lighthouse and Pilcher Monument. Or embark on the strikingly beautiful walk along La Coupée to Little Sark. There’s even the option to admire the island’s captivating landscapes from aboard a horse-drawn carriage, if you’d prefer. After returning to Guernsey on the ferry, take the leisurely walk into town for dinner at a local restaurant or enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.
Included today
Accommodation
Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Guernsey
Prepare for another day soaking up the delights of Guernsey, including a morning visit to the tiny but atmospheric Little Chapel. It’s the smallest chapel in Europe (seating just eight people!) and it’s wonderfully adorned with pebbles, seashells and colourful broken china. Later, we’ll delve into the island’s fascinating war history at the German Occupation Museum before heading back to our hotel for an evening of leisure.
Prepare for another day soaking up the delights of Guernsey, including a morning visit to the tiny but atmospheric Little Chapel. It’s the smallest chapel in Europe (seating just eight people!) and it’s wonderfully adorned with pebbles, seashells and colourful broken china. Later, we’ll delve into the island’s fascinating war history at the German Occupation Museum before heading back to our hotel for an evening of leisure.
Included today
Accommodation
Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 - Guernsey - Jersey
Today, we’ll be waving goodbye to Guernsey and making the short ferry hop across to the equally as captivating Jersey. First up on the agenda when we arrive? An orientation walk around the beautiful harbour village of St Aubin – where we’ll explore the Bulwarks, quaint streets and pubs at our leisure. Later, we will reconvene at the hotel and share stories of our day over an included dinner.
Today, we’ll be waving goodbye to Guernsey and making the short ferry hop across to the equally as captivating Jersey. First up on the agenda when we arrive? An orientation walk around the beautiful harbour village of St Aubin – where we’ll explore the Bulwarks, quaint streets and pubs at our leisure. Later, we will reconvene at the hotel and share stories of our day over an included dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Hotel L’Horizon (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 - Jersey
Today we’ll uncover one of Western Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic sites: La Hougue Bie. Stand inside the chamber of the passage grave and feel the heart of this centuries-old place of worship, before discovering more at the geology and archaeology museum. Then, we’ll press on to the imposing Mont Orgueil Castle – a medieval fortress that has overlooked the beautiful fishing port of Gorey for more than 800 years. This afternoon you’ll be free to relax before we move on again. Saint-Malo is coming up tomorrow!
Today we’ll uncover one of Western Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic sites: La Hougue Bie. Stand inside the chamber of the passage grave and feel the heart of this centuries-old place of worship, before discovering more at the geology and archaeology museum. Then, we’ll press on to the imposing Mont Orgueil Castle – a medieval fortress that has overlooked the beautiful fishing port of Gorey for more than 800 years. This afternoon you’ll be free to relax before we move on again. Saint-Malo is coming up tomorrow!
Included today
Accommodation
Hotel L’Horizon (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 - Jersey – Saint-Malo (France)
Elizabeth Castle has played a huge role in Jersey’s history for more than 400 years. Choose to take the Castle Ferry or walk out along the causeway at low tide. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the grounds at your leisure – uncover wartime bunkers, marvel at the hermitage where Saint Helier is thought to have lived, and take part in living history demonstrations. Later this afternoon, we’ll swap Britain for France as we sail into the dramatic port town of St-Malo. Be tempted by an array of restaurants in the town centre and savour some downtime relaxing in the fresh coastal air.
Elizabeth Castle has played a huge role in Jersey’s history for more than 400 years. Choose to take the Castle Ferry or walk out along the causeway at low tide. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the grounds at your leisure – uncover wartime bunkers, marvel at the hermitage where Saint Helier is thought to have lived, and take part in living history demonstrations. Later this afternoon, we’ll swap Britain for France as we sail into the dramatic port town of St-Malo. Be tempted by an array of restaurants in the town centre and savour some downtime relaxing in the fresh coastal air.
Included today
Accommodation
La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 9 - Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo’s labyrinthine streets are best explored on foot, so we’ll begin today with an orientation walk with our expert Tour Leader. Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to wander the medieval ramparts surrounding the town, visit the cathedral or enjoy a walk in the sunshine along Bon-Secours Beach. This evening, take the opportunity to indulge in some classic French cuisine. Bon appétit!
Saint-Malo’s labyrinthine streets are best explored on foot, so we’ll begin today with an orientation walk with our expert Tour Leader. Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to wander the medieval ramparts surrounding the town, visit the cathedral or enjoy a walk in the sunshine along Bon-Secours Beach. This evening, take the opportunity to indulge in some classic French cuisine. Bon appétit!
Included today
Accommodation
La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 10 - Saint-Malo – Dinan – Mont Saint-Michel – Saint-Malo
Today we journey to Dinan, a quaint town nestled upon a hilltop overlooking the Rance Valley. After spending some time exploring its medieval walls, cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, we’ll wind our way along the coast of Normandy to magical Mont Saint-Michel – a rocky islet topped with a medieval monastery. Here we’ll have some free time to explore the abbey and Logis Tiphaine Museum before finding lunch in the island village. This afternoon, we’ll return to Saint-Malo for an evening of leisure.
Today we journey to Dinan, a quaint town nestled upon a hilltop overlooking the Rance Valley. After spending some time exploring its medieval walls, cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, we’ll wind our way along the coast of Normandy to magical Mont Saint-Michel – a rocky islet topped with a medieval monastery. Here we’ll have some free time to explore the abbey and Logis Tiphaine Museum before finding lunch in the island village. This afternoon, we’ll return to Saint-Malo for an evening of leisure.
Included today
Accommodation
La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 11 - Saint-Malo – Fougères – Maintenon
Our morning begins with a visit to the Château de Fougères, the largest medieval castle in Europe. It features 13 majestic towers, beautiful gardens and is surrounded by the River Nançon. Following a stop for lunch in the Old Town, we then journey to Maintenon. Tonight, we’ll regroup at the hotel and enjoy one final dinner together.
Our morning begins with a visit to the Château de Fougères, the largest medieval castle in Europe. It features 13 majestic towers, beautiful gardens and is surrounded by the River Nançon. Following a stop for lunch in the Old Town, we then journey to Maintenon. Tonight, we’ll regroup at the hotel and enjoy one final dinner together.
Included today
Accommodation
Castel Maintenon (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 12 - Maintenon – Chartres – Paris
We’ll end our tour with a trip to the Cathedral of Chartres – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully preserved example of Gothic architecture. Our final stop will be Paris, where we’ll say ‘au revoir’.
We’ll end our tour with a trip to the Cathedral of Chartres – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully preserved example of Gothic architecture. Our final stop will be Paris, where we’ll say ‘au revoir’.
Included today
Meals
- Breakfast
Worth noting:
Please note that some ferry departures are scheduled to leave very early in the morning. Bear in mind that timetables can also change at short notice, so there may be slight changes to your itinerary.
Things we think you'll love
A coastal fortress
Flip through the many chapters of Elizabeth Castle during a leisurely visit to its ominous 16th-century fortress. Free time is your friend here, so lead the way and discover the grounds at a pace that suits you!
Guernsey's tales of past
Stroll through the idyllic island of Guernsey, taking in captivating coastline views and wandering through cobbled streets, and learn of its occupation during WWII.
Island of dark skies
Wander the 'Dark Sky Island', also known as Sark, for the day - roving through this car-free landscape to spot various viewpoints and monuments.
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo
Susan No September 2025
Unfortunately, ill health prevented me from enjoying several days of the tour. I would probably have rated it a 5 otherwise..
Interesting selection of locations to visit and plenty of time to enjoy...
Frederik No September 2025
Unfortunately personal circumstances prevented our enjoying this tour to its fullest but, that aside, the tour was well curated, allowed for some flexibility in regards to some specific experiences...
Read full reviewAnonymous August 2025
Carolyn was an excellent and informative guide. She was extremely helpful and efficiently followed up on any queries we had.
The places we visited were, what can I say, terrific.
I absolutely loved...
Anonymous July 2025
Not up to the standards of guided tours I have been taking for the last 17 years!
Graeme Mi July 2025
The Backroads experience was new to us, but we did enjoy it, especially the extra stuff you would not see on the highways. We were disappointed that changes were made to the schedule before departure...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2025
This trip gives you a taste of England, Channel Islands and Western France.
Great itinerary, enhanced by Tony as leader and Mark, our driver.
Colleen Ke July 2025
I enjoyed my London to Paris via the Channel Islands
Anonymous July 2025
My travel agent found the tour the dates fitted in with the rest of my itenary. So it was a happy outcome to find the tour so good
A very caring knowledgeable tour guide so all went smoothly
The bus...
Anonymous July 2025
Places visited were very interesting, historically and culturally. Tour guide and driver were excellent. The one disappointment was the ending hotel in Paris. Wi-fi out for some days. Poor lighting in...
Read full reviewDebra Si July 2025
Fantastic tour with visits to some very interesting places. Small group of 9 with a fabulous TD and driver. Enjoyed all the hotels we used as while. Highly recommended
Anonymous July 2025
Choice of visits very good. Enjoyed Channel Islands. Tour guide and driver good. Fine tunings lacking. For example, on the first night at the White Orchid Hotel welcome dinner, I asked for a...
Read full reviewSusan Mi July 2025
Would give review verbally to someone I knew.
Anonymous July 2025
Really enjoyed the tour. Well organised and everyone responded by always being friendly, respectful to other travellers and being punctual.
Hotels were well placed and a good standard. Meals provided...
Anthony Lu June 2025
The basic tour was good. It was improved to a great standard by the tour director Tony Knight who added some extra information on each of the visits to locations to a very high standard. Also the...
Read full reviewAnonymous June 2025
Great tour leader and Driver
Anonymous October 2024
Expert tour leader carolyn..soo knowlegable, helpful.with onward boʻokings I cannot speak highly enough...nice hotels ..
Anonymous October 2024
Excellent tour, especially for people who seek the Road Less Traveled.
Roger September 2024
Good small group tour.
Made better by the excellent tour guide Tony and very skilled driver Jordan and good hotels.
Anonymous September 2024
Our guide Tony was committed to making this trip great for all his passengers and Jordon our driver also committed.The Channel Islands full of history and Back Roads seem to capture all of that in...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Great tour leadership from Tony and excellent driving by Jordan. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Anonymous September 2024
Good tour, great guide. Was great to stay in places for more than one night
Colleen Du September 2024
We had a wonderful experience with our first time with Backroads. London to Paris via the Channel Islands was great in that our guide Carolyn had a good knowledge of the history of the areas we were...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Great way to experience the beauty
of the Chanel Islands. So much history to explore.
It was also a great taste of regional France.
Ian We September 2024
Everything was top quality. Carolyn the Tour Guide was well prepared, organised, pleasant, full of knowledge and proactive in seeking additional information when requested. She had very good...
Read full reviewAnonymous August 2024
I love this tour, it was my first with back roads. I would recomend it to anyone interested in seeing the channel Islands. Hight lights for me was the people I traveled with, a wonderful group of...
Read full reviewJudyB August 2024
Thoroughly recommend this tour. The Channel Islands history and countryside was fascinating as were the areas around Saint Marlo and Maintenon. Good balance of sites and towns visited. The ferry trip...
Read full reviewAlexandria Pu July 2024
Even though the weather disappointed me (I used the pooling Maintenon once) the tour was great. Tony was an outstanding tour guide who really made a difference daily with his attention to detail and...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2024
A great introduction to the Channel Islands with our excellent tour guide, Tony.
Anonymous July 2024
Tour guide Tony and driver Gordon were excellent. Would highly rate them both. Nothing seemed too much trouble. Tony was most informative in his knowledge of the local area. His people management...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2024
Tony the tour leader is very knowledgeable, a likeable man and helpful. His knowledge of the areas we attended is extensive and delivered in a friendly and professional manner.
Gordon our bus driver...
Audrey El July 2024
Brilliant, so much to see and do and our guide Tony and driver Gordon, were very good at making sure we got the best out of each day and safely
Jennifer Do July 2024
Outstanding! Great driver and guide. Well balanced and thought out tour.
Learnt so much and had a very positive time. Highly recommend it!
Anonymous July 2024
OUR TOUR LEADER TONY WAS WONDERFUL. SAW PLACES WE WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND. WE FELT SAFE AND SECURE WITH GORDON DRIVING
Lorraine Fa June 2024
Have said 3 star only because there was alot of walking. Ok for :70 - 80 tourists but really hard going for older persons like 86! .
The tour was very interesting lovely accomodation. lots of...
DAVID FL June 2024
My second time touring with Backroads and this one didn’t disappoint, great guide and driver, Tony & Steve, interesting trip and surprising Chanel Islands. Will plan another trip next year.
John Mc June 2024
Excellent tour, the Chanel Islands are beautiful with a lot of history. Both our guide and bus driver were very good. Our guide had a great knowledge and experience of this tour so as to maximise our...
Read full reviewAnonymous June 2024
Fabulous guide and driver. Thankfully we had 3 empty seats otherwise the bus would have been a bit claustrophobic. Great hotels and itinerary.
Anonymous June 2024
Very well sourced and organised tour.
Tony and Lee were terrific.
We had lots of fun.
Really enjoyed 3 nights at L'Horizon hotel in Jersey.
Anonymous June 2024
I liked the size of the group and the amount of time to explore on our own after getting an introductory tour and outline from our excellent guide.
Jennifer En June 2024
This tour was excellent from start to finish. The accommodation choices were great.
We visited every place on the itinerary and more.
The Channel Islands are delightful. And the places we visited in...
Anonymous October 2023
Great itinerary and guide, driver excellent and amazing amount of history to absorb
A real. Learning experience in amazing places, hearing about amazing people who suffered so much during occupation...
Anonymous October 2023
Hotel Duke of Richmond and L Horizon fantastic accommodation and service
Well thought out itinerary
Tony our guide ensured we had the best time
Rosslyn Pa October 2023
Very interesting, and informative tour. Beautiful scenery and historic places.
Anonymous October 2023
Excellent hotels, great experience all round.
Susan Ma September 2023
So much was included in the trip eg Winchester, Corfe Castle, St Malo, Mount Saint Michel, Dinan, surprise visit to Chateau de La Motte-Husson, Chateau Maintenon and Chartres Cathedral etc Visiting...
Read full reviewVijaya Ma September 2023
Good itinerary and smooth travel arrangements especially when we were taking ferries to the Channel Islands and to France
Janifer Ha September 2023
Visiting the Channel Islands was a highlight especially Sark.
Carol Hi August 2023
Excellent tour guide, excellent driver, comprehensive itinerary.
Anonymous August 2023
Zeer goed geregels, Tourhub reisbureau zeer hulpzaam en zeer vriendelijk
John La July 2023
I have already answered this
Our friendly Customer Service team are available to advise you Monday to Friday.
Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.
FAQs
The timings of ferries will differ depending on the day’s schedule. However, a typical crossing between Dover and Guernsey usually takes around three hours. The crossings are usually smooth and scenic, although wet and windy weather can impact them at certain times of the year.
It's not uncommon for ferry schedules to change at the last minute and, unfortunately, this is out of our control. It could mean a few earlier starts and later finishes than you might be expecting but we’ll always warn you about these in advance where possible.
You can pay in British Pounds Sterling in all the Channel Islands and many places will also accept credit/debit cards. ATMs are easy to find in Jersey and Guernsey, although they may dispense cash in the local Pounds Sterling which can be tricky to change to Euros when you arrive in France.
Many of the Channel Islands' impressive castles, charming seaside villages and spectacular viewpoints are tucked away in more remote areas. Access is often via steep but scenic paths or steps, so we’d recommend packing your comfiest pair of walking shoes. You’ll always have the option to skip more challenging walks and enjoy some extra free time, too.
Have a chat with your Tour Leader at the start of your tour and they’ll do their best to add any extra stops to your itinerary. While we love helping our groups explore personal connections at specific historic sites or local archives on the Islands, it’s not always possible depending on the timings of the ferries.
Paris may be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe but it’s also one of the busiest. While we aim to arrive in the city by 3pm on the last day of your tour, it’s a good idea to allow some extra time for traffic delays – especially if you’re heading onwards to the airport or train station.
All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!
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