Day : 1
Arrive Paris (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Welcome to Paris. After a welcome meeting with your Travel Director, there is time to relax and explore this beautiful city. Consider an evening tour to Montmartre, an area full of charm and character.
Day : 2
Paris Orientation and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
This morning your orientation features views of the Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Spend the rest of the day as you wish or join an Optional Experience to a Parisian Cabaret.
Day : 3
Paris – Beaune – Lyon
Number of Days : 1
Visit medieval Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Arrive later in Lyon, a dynamic cultural city. Enjoy an orientation tour en route to your hotel.
Day : 4
Lyon – Avignon – Monaco – French Riviera (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Enjoy a scenic drive south to Avignon to view the Palace of the Popes and St. Bénezet Bridge. Then continue to the tiny Principality of Monaco on the coast. Finally, drive to your hotel on the glamorous French Riviera.
Day : 5
French Riveria Free Day
Number of Days : 1
Relax and experience the Côte d'Azur's sophisticated atmosphere. Perhaps laze on the beach and sip cocktails in a shady terraced bar, shop for the latest fashions or explore the town of Cannes famous for its film festival.
Day : 6
French Riviera – Pont Du Gard – Nîmes
Number of Days : 1
View the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct which was built in the 1st century to supply water to the nearby towns. Continue to your hotel in Nîmes.
Day : 7
Nîmes – Carcassonne – Lourdes
Number of Days : 1
Drive to Carcassonne for an orientation of this walled medieval town. Visit Lourdes, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrénées to view the basilica on top of St. Bernadette's Grotto. This evening, there is an opportunity to join a procession by torchlight to the basilica with the pilgrims - a magical and moving experience.
Day : 8
Lourdes – Biarritz – Bordeaux
Number of Days : 1
Drive westwards from Lourdes to the Atlantic coast. In the glamorous resort of Biarritz explore the chic boutiques and watch the surfers perform their stunts. Traverse the rolling countryside of Les Landes to classical Bordeaux.
Day : 9
Bordeaux – St. Émilion – Tours (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Enjoy a scenic drive to the hilltop village of St. Émilion which is famous for its wine. Continue past the strange buildings of Futuroscope, the amusement and science theme park at Poitiers, to the Loire Valley.
Day : 10
Loire Valley and Château Excursion
Number of Days : 1
Your Local Specialist takes you on a fascinating visit to Chenonceau, a fairytale château built across the River Cher, home to priceless collections of Renaissance art and furniture. Your journey continues through verdant countryside. View the imposing castle at Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is said to be buried and view the splendid Château de Chambord. Tonight why not try delicious local Touraine cuisine?
Day : 11
Tours – Mont St. Michel – D-Day Landing Beaches (Omaha) – Deauville
Number of Days : 1
Head north through the picturesque countryside of the Loire Valley and Normandy. Visit Mont St. Michel and view the abbey. Then continue to the historic D-Day Landing beach and the American cemetery at Omaha Beach. Arrive later at your Normandy hotel in Deauville, the elegant resort renowned for its racecourse, harbour and international film festival.
Day : 12
Deauville – Honfleur – Rouen – Paris
Number of Days : 1
Explore the picturesque harbour at Honfleur on the Normandy coast, a summer haunt of the impressionist painters. Drive through cheese and cider country to Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, and view the impressive cathedral. Your day ends in the glittering capital, Paris, where you may consider an Optional Experience to a local restaurant.
Day : 13
Depart Paris
Number of Days : 1
Say 'au revoir' to Paris, your Travel Director and newfound friends at the end of a memorable holiday in France. Transfers are available to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Conditions apply.