About This Festival
The 2027 Normandy International Choral Festival is a part of the official agenda for the European Year of the Normans and the 1000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror.Welcome to Normandy, a region in the northwest corner of France characterized by its stunning natural beauty and rich, fascinating history. Normandy’s rolling hills and breathtaking coastline that once provided inspiration for artists including Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin are sure to inspire your ensemble.For details about the 2027 event, visit our blog post "Celebrate 1000 Years of Norman Legacy in 2027."
The Normandy festival will return to it's regularly scheduled programming in 2028, so check back on this page regularly for dates and itinerary info.
Join choirs from around the world to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and honor the heroic legacies of those who fought during World War II. Spend time exploring the highlights of France, seeing the Caen Memorial, La Manche, and more! Experience Normandy from a musical perspective while taking part in this historic city’s offerings at this special event.
The Performance Experience
Day 1: FLY TO FRANCE
Your International Choir Festival in Normandy experience begins with an overnight flight from North America to Paris, France.
Day 2: WELCOME TO FRANCE & VISIT THE CAEN
Your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your ensemble at the airport in Paris. Together, board your private motorcoach and take in first impressions of the beautiful French countryside as you travel to your hotel in historic Normandy.
En route, stop in Caen, the seaside capital of Lower Normandy. Many of this city’s landmarks are crafted from local Caen stone, a cream-colored limestone quarried nearby. Explore Caen’s picturesque harbor and enjoy free time for lunch at your leisure.
Next, visit the Caen Memorial, a museum dedicated to peace. Built on the site of a former bunker, the Caen Memorial is considered the best World War II museum in France. Wander through the museum’s memorial gardens and poignant photographic exhibitions honoring this unforgettable fixture in global history.
Continue to your hotel in Normandy. Check in and refresh before enjoying a hearty dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: MONT-SAINT-MICHEL & CONCERT
Wake up to your first day in France! Enjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room.
Board your private motor coach for a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site rising dramatically from the Normandy coast. Marvel at the medieval abbey perched atop a rocky island, explore the abbey's Gothic architecture, and immerse yourself in centuries of history. Enjoy lunch on your own in the quaint village before returning to your hotel to get ready for your evening performance.
Tonight, your ensemble will perform a concert at a historic and well-attended venue in the Normandy area, such as the Église Notre-Dame de Saint-Lô.
Day 4: UTAH BEACH | CIMETIERE AMERICAIN DE COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER
After breakfast, spend today on a guided excursion of Utah Beach, the first of five coastal sectors of the Allied invasion during World War II. Your choir’s guided visit will combine historical information on each site, as well as time to explore and climb inside the bunkers and stroll on the beautiful sandy beaches of the Normandy coast.
Next, visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Overlooking Omaha Beach, this stunning 172-acre memorial honors the fallen American soldiers of World War II.
After, there will be an opportunity for lunch at one of the region’s quaint eateries.
Tonight, wonderful musical memories are made at friendship concerts hosted by French choirs at their home venues. Sing for each other and a local audience, followed by refreshments and time to mingle with your new friends from France!
Day 5: COUTANCES | FESTIVAL CONCERT
This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a scenic drive through La Manche, a lush, rural region nestled on the English Channel. See the magnificent Mont Saint-Michel Abbey standing tall on the tidal island of the same name. Continue to Coutances and enjoy free time wandering about this beautiful historic city.
Tonight, gather with all the festival choirs for the main concert of the International Choir Festival in Normandy at Coutances Cathedral. Each choir will perform a few selections individually, followed by a massed sing with all guest choirs. It will be a splendid night of music!
A farewell dinner at a special restaurant with all participating choirs rounds out your stay, with ample opportunities to recount the many highlights of the International Choir Festival in Normandy!
Day 6: FLY HOME
Your International Choir Festival experience ends with a private coach from Normandy to Paris Charles de Gaulle, where you will embark on your return flight to North America. Heartfelt goodbyes are exchanged at the airport and your group is sent off with a fond “Thank you for connecting our world through your music. Until we meet again!”