DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for France
Depart for France
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Paris
Arrive in Paris, the "City of Light" and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Paris
DAY 3, Monday - Chartres, Chambord, Wine Tasting, Loire Valley
After breakfast, begin your tour with a visit to Chartres, home to the great Gothic Chartres Cathedral. Originally built in 1020, the cathedral contains the sacred Veil of the Virgin relic and a world-renowned collection of stained glass windows. Depart Chartres and travel to the Chateau de Chambord, in the Loire Valley. Chambord was built for Francois I in the 16th century by 1,800 men and master masons. After a photo stop, continue for a wine tasting before heading to the hotel in Tours. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tours
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4, Tuesday - Loire Valley
Spend the day in the Loire Valley exploring the nearby sights. Travel to Chateau de Chenonceau. Stretching across the river Cher, the chateau boasts a 197-foot gallery, built over a series of arches. Take some time to explore the extravagantly furnished rooms and formal gardens, added by the mistress of Henry II, Diane de Poitiers. Proceed to the Royal Chateau d'Amboise for a guided tour. The castle is most closely associated with King Francois I who introduced the Renaissance to France and brought Leonardo da Vinci to his court. The artist is buried in the chapel. Return to Tours in early evening
Overnight: Tours
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Wednesday - Mont St. Michel, Normandy
Depart northwards today to the iconic Mont St. Michel, rising from the sea on a mighty rock. Cross the causeway by shuttle and browse the narrow streets and admire the views of the surrounding bay, with time for lunch on your own in this charming town. Discover Bayeux's Old Town on an orientation walk through its cobbled streets, lined with timber-framed houses and centuries-old architecture. Stroll past the Aure River and admire the towering Bayeux Cathedral. Afterwards, head to Bayeux for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Bayeux
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Normandy Landing Beaches
Spend the full day in Normandy* exploring the famous sites. Turn your attention to World War II and the D-Day invasion, a day that is remembered for true bravery and sacrifice and the beginning of the liberation of France. Visit Utah Beach and continue to St. Mere Eglise on the Cotentin Peninsula, where the allied invasion began on June 6, 1944 - D-Day. Explore the Airborne Museum, dedicated to the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who landed in Normandy on D-Day. Highlights include a Waco glider, a C-47 transport plane, and interactive displays that recreate the experience of the airborne landings. Next, make a stop at the Ranger Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Continue east to visit Omaha Beach** and the site of the Normandy American Cemetery and memorial. The cemetery covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 American soldiers. Return to your hotel in early evening
*During the the Tour de France, there may be minor changes and delays.
**The visit to Omaha Beach is subject to local conditions.
Overnight: Bayeux
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday - Giverny, Paris
This morning, depart for Paris. On the way, stop in Giverny and visit the former house of Claude Monet. Explore the famous gardens which inspired many of Monet's paintings. On arrival in Paris, have dinner in a French bistro
*For Oct 31 departure, Giverny will be replaced with Honfleur due to its closure.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday - Paris City Tour
This morning, take a guided city tour of Paris, including a drive along Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. View the iconic Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Latin Quarter, and the lively Opera district. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or join the optional tour to Versailles* to witness the grandeur of French classical architecture on the visit to the Palace and extravagant State Apartments
*The Palace of Versailles optional tour must be booked prior to departure and may not be available to be purchased locally.
Optional: Palace of Versailles (PM)
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Sunday - TGV Train to Avignon, Pont du Gard
Transfer to the train station for your journey to Provence by the high-speed TGV train. Admire vistas of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley during the comfortable ride. Upon arrival in Avignon, proceed to view the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the most ancient Roman aqueduct in France. Next, drive to the Rhone vineyards and the lovely town of Chateauneuf du Pape, where you will enjoy a sampling of some of the wines for which Rhone is famous. Transfer to the hotel in Avignon. Later, take an orientation tour with your Tour Manager. View some of the city's landmarks, including the famous broken bridge, and the lively Place d'Horloge, before dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Avignon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Monday - Medieval Pope's Palace
Today, visit the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most significant medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Afternoon is at leisure, or join the optional tour to Arles & St. Remy de Provence. Take a tour of Arles where you will see the Roman amphitheater and the 12th century Cathedral of St. Trophime. Your guide will show you the exact places where artist Vincent Van Gogh sat to create some of his most famous paintings. Continue to St. Rémy de Provence to see the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the asylum where Van Gogh spent some of his troubled last days. The artist spent a year at the hospital and created some of his most celebrated paintings here, including "The Starry Night" and "Irises"
Optional: Van Gogh's Arles & St. Remy de Provence (PM)
Overnight: Avignon
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Tuesday - Travel to Nice
This morning, depart for the French Riviera. Admire the scenery which inspired so many of the impressionist artists. You will pass by the Mont St. Victoire and the Abbey of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume en route to Nice. Visit a French perfumery in Grasse before arriving in Nice. Tonight, perhaps join the optional tour to Monte Carlo by night. Drive along the Corniche road to the Principality of Monaco. Stop at the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, one of the Riviera's most frequented landmarks. View the route of the Grand Prix, the luxury boats in the harbor and the Prince's Palace, atop the famed "Rock." Enjoy the lights of the coastline on your return to Nice
Optional: Monte Carlo by Night (PM)
Overnight: Nice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Wednesday - Nice
A day at leisure to soak up the sun, swim in the Mediterranean, stroll the Promenade des Anglais or see the Old Town, and Place Massena. Perhaps, join the optional St. Paul de Vence with Cannes. Drive into the pine-scented hills above Nice to visit the hilltop St. Paul de Vence, a walled town which still retains its medieval character and is a haven for artists. Wander the cobbled streets to the central fountain and see the burial place of Marc Chagall. You will pass by the Mont St. Victoire and the Abbey of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume en route to Cannes, famous for its glamorous film festival and beautiful beaches. Enjoy free time to see the Festival Palace and for lunch at one of the plethora of chic cafés and restaurants. This evening, celebrate your final night in France with dinner and bid au revoir to your Tour Manager
Optional: St. Paul de Vence with Cannes
Overnight: Nice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13, Thursday - Depart France
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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