Born and raised in Cherbourg, Normandy, France, where I lived until I graduated from High School, I then resided in Paris for 7 years, attending college in Paris, studies mostly focused on oriental languages at INALCO Paris, and hosting & hospitality at EIHT Paris.
I then returned to Normandy and after a few years decided to move to the USA where I spent 5 years, in Colorado and California. Afterwards I came back to my beloved Normandy.
Well traveled, it’s my passion for languages since childhood (I have studied 9 languages during my school & university years) and a strong curiosity for different cultures which made me chose the tourism industry. The deep connection and affection for my native region and its rich history compelled me to chose a career that would allow me to share "my Normandy" with the rest of the world, and quite naturally I started guiding.
For my first 3 years as a tour guide I was conducting tours of the WWII D-Day Battlefields for a highly reputable company. Then, as of fall 2014, I have decided to become an independent guide and offer my services to propose more diversified, authentic and unique experiences.
More recently, I have been dedicating my winters to studying and completed in May 2017 the only existing University Degree in Normandy Studies, History, Arts & Traditions. I also have completed a Bachelor's Degree in English Language, Literature & Civilization in May 2018. After completing my first year of Masters Degree in Tourism Management & Engineering in 2019 focused on Remembrance Tourism and having succesfully presented my dissertation about "Sainte-Mère-Eglise and Gettysburg, Sister Cities", then I attended courses to complete a Masters Degree in English Literature.
My family during WWII : My father and two of my uncles (one uncle in the RBFM -French Commandos- with the French 2nd Armored Division of General Leclerc in Normandy, Alsace and Germany) fought in WWII and my dad was also an active member of the French resistance in Cherbourg, then in August 44 joined the 4th Company of the 3rd Transport Group, formed in Bayeux on the 20th of August, company known later in 45 as the "404" when it was attached to the 4th Régiment Automobile Maine.
My dad's family is from Cherbourg and my mother's family from Marigny (west of Saint Lô).
Claude BOQUET, my father & Lucien CADIOU, my uncle
However DDay and WWII are not the only tours that I offer and I would be delighted to help you explore other aspects of the Norman history, countryside, traditions, and specialties.
Beyond Normandy : I can help you plan several days in Normandy as well as in other parts of France and be with you every step of the way. Please make sure you check all the tours I can offer.
I am totally fluent in English and you can be assured there won’t be a language barrier when booking my services. I’m looking forward to meeting you !
Don't hesitate to check my reviews on Trip Advisor and leave one as well !