DAY 1, Friday - Depart for France
Depart for France
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Paris
Arrive in Paris, the "City of Light," and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, relax and enjoy the endless delights of Paris. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 3 PM
Overnight: Paris
DAY 3, Sunday - Paris City Tour
Drive along the famous Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and the iconic Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris. On to the celebrated "Rive Gauche," the vivacious Left Bank where artists, philosophers, and writers once flourished in the artistic community at Montparnasse. View the Latin Quarter, home to many of France's higher education establishments, including the Sorbonne. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or join the optional tour to the magnificent Palace of Versailles*. Tonight, enjoy exhilarating views from the top of the village-like art colony at Montmartre, on the optional tour that is highlighted by a drive around the illuminated monuments of Paris*
*The Palace of Versailles tour ends before the Evening in Montmartre begins. Both tours can be done on the same day.
*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
Optional: Evening in Montmartre
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Normandy Beaches
Depart Paris this morning for Normandy. This is a stirring and emotional day as you explore the D-Day beaches. Stop at the Ranger Memorial at Pointe du Hoc and the historic St. Mere Eglise on the Contentin Peninsula, where the Allied invasion began on June 6, 1944. Here you visit the Airborne Museum, telling the story of 82nd and 101st airborne divisions and their heroic deeds on D-Day. Afterward, travel to your hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Normandy
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Bayeux Walking Tour, Mont St. Michel
This morning, continue on to the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach*, the final resting place of thousands of U.S. Troops. Offer your respects and salute their bravery. Then, head to the historic town of Bayeux. Embark on a walking tour through its cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and quaint shops. View the majestic Bayeux Cathedral, an impressive Gothic structure dominating the town's skyline. Travelling through Normandy, you have your first sight in the distance of the magnificent Mont St. Michel, rising from the sea on a mighty rock in the Gulf of Saint-Malo. This structure is one of France's most recognizable sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reached by a shuttle across the causeway, the lower towers and medieval sea wall protect a small village, capped by the commanding shuttle across the causeway, the lower towers and medieval sea wall protect a small village, capped by the commanding Benedictine abbey. Tour this amazing structure with its many levels, culminated by a walk, if you wish, to the hilltop to visit the abbey. Later, travel to St. Malo and check into your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure
*The visit to Omaha Beach's landing site is subject to local conditions.
Overnight: St. Malo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Wednesday - Loire Valley, Chateau d'Angers, Wine Tasting
Drive south today to the lively riverside city of Angers, gateway to the Loire Valley and home of the Plantagenet royalty. This medieval center is dominated by the massive 13th century open-air Chateau d'Angers. The distinctive striped stonework is eye catching. This French city is also known for the production of Cointreau, the orange flavored liquor created by Édouard Cointreau, who was born in Angers. Continue this afternoon past historic Saumur, surrounded by rolling hills and miles of vineyards. Stop for wine tasting at a winery before reaching your hotel in Tours. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tours
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Loire Valley, Chateau de Chenonceau, Royal Chateau d'Amboise
Spend the full day in the Loire Valley exploring the nearby sights. First, travel to the magnificent 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 Diane de Poitiers, mistress of Henry II. Next stop is at the village of Amboise, crowned by the Royal Chateau d'Amboise. The castle is most closely associated with King Francois I who introduced the Renaissance to France and brought Leonardo da Vinci to his court. Take a guided tour of the castle, built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. Return to Tours for an evening at leisure or, join the optional candlelit dinner in an authentic Troglodyte Cave* restaurant. Savor regional specialties and wine
*For November dates the optional may not be available due to local events.
Optional: Troglodyte Cave Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Tours
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - Chartres to Paris
Depart Tours and travel toward Chartres, a medieval city in the center of France. En route, view Chateau de Chambord, a strikingly beautiful residence in the Loire Valley, once used as hunting grounds. Chambord was built for Francois I in the 16th century by 1,800 men and master masons. Continue to Chartres, home to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest architectural examples of High Gothic style in France. Originally built in 1020, the cathedral contains the sacred Veil of the Virgin relic and a world-renowned collection of stained-glass windows. After, head to Paris for the rest of the day on your own. This evening, bid au revoir to France and to your Tour Manager, during dinner
*Parts of the cathedral may be inaccessible due to local events or celebrations.
Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Saturday - Depart France
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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