DAY 1: Depart for France
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DAY 2: Arrive in Paris
- Arrive in Paris, the "City of Lights," and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, relax and enjoy the endless delights of Paris.
- Overnight: Paris
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DAY 3: Paris City Tour, Palace of Versailles & Montmartre & Illuminations
- Drive along the famous Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbol of Paris. On to the celebrated "Rive Gauche", the vivacious Left Bank where artists, philosophers and writers in a long-gone era flourished in the artistic community at Montparnasse. View the Latin Quarter, home to many of Frances higher education establishments, among them the Sorbonne. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Palace of Versailles, Relive the glorious period of Louis XIV, XV and XVI as you pace one of the largest and most influential formal gardens in the world. Todays tour takes you to Versailles Palace to witness the grandeur of French classical architecture. Visit the Palace and extravagant State Apartments, including a guided visit to the Reception Halls, the Royal Bedroom, and the Hall of Mirrors. You will also have time to walk the palace grounds and formal gardens, designed by Andre le Notre, at your leisure. Enjoy VIP access and skip the lines on this unforgettable tour. Countinued with Montmartre & Illuminations, This evening, ride up the hill on the funicular and enjoy an exhilarating view from the top of Montmartre (weather permitting), the hill crowned by the white Basilica of Sacre Coeur on the north side of Paris. Admire the whole city at your feet before strolling this delightful artist colony with its village-like atmosphere, cobbled streets, cafes and street artists. Dinner on your own before heading to Pigalle district, with its renowned and colorful nightlife. Conclude with a drive around the floodlit monuments of Paris, the City of Light on an illumination tour, seeing the Louvre, Concorde Square, with a drive along the Seine River and its gracious bridges to the Eiffel Tower.
- Overnight: Paris
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 4: Normandy Beaches
- Depart Paris this morning to 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. Afterwards, travel to your hotel for dinner and overnight
- Overnight: Normandy
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 5: Bayeux Tapestry, Mont St. Michel
- This morning, continue on to the unforgettable American Cemetery on Omaha Beach, final resting place of thousands of U.S. Troops. Offer your respects and salute their bravery. Then, in delightful Bayeux, continue the day at the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry. This 230 foot long embroidered cloth depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Travelling through Normandy, you have your first sight in the distance of magnificent Mont St. Michel, rising from the sea on a mighty rock in the Gulf of Saint-Malo. This structure is one of Frances most recognizable sights and designated by UNESCO as a 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 10th century Abbey. Prior to the causeway, Mont St. Michel was on an isolated island that pilgrims approached on foot, mindful of tides that could seep in at any time. Tour this amazing structure with its many levels, culminated by a walk, if you wish, to the hilltop to visit the Abbey. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
- The visit to Omaha Beachs landing site is subject to local conditions.
- Overnight: Mont St. Michel
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 6: Loire Valley, Chateau of the Plantagenets, Wine Tasting
- Drive south today to the lively river side city of Angers, gateway to the Loire Valley and home of the Plantagenet royalty. This medieval centre is dominated by the massive 13th century open-air Chateau of the Plantagenets. The distinctive striped stonework is eye catching. This French city is also known for the production of Cointreau, the orange flavored liquor created by Edouard Cointreau, born in Angers. Continue this afternoon past historic Saumur, surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills and miles of vineyards. Stop for a wine tasting at a winery before reaching your hotel in Tours. Tonight, have an evening at leisure
- Overnight: Tours
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 7: Loire Valley, Chateau de Chenonceau, Royal Chateau dAmboise, Troglodyte Cave Dinner
- 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 dAmboise. 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 via Blois to Tours for an evening at Troglodyte Cave Dinner, This evening we drive to one of the small villages along the Loire to enjoy a candlelight dinner of regional specialties, with wine included. We will dine in a troglodyte cave, hewn out of the local limestone and experience this cozy venue that has been in the same family for 42 years. Several of these caves are still used for storing wine, growing mushrooms and even as permanent homes.
- Overnight: Tours
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 8: Chartres to Paris
- Depart Tours and travel north towards 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 the drive through Chartres, on 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
- Overnight: Paris
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 9: Depart France
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
- Meal: Breakfast
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