Ah Paris! Audrey Hepburn described it best when she said 'Paris is always a good idea'. We’re sure you’ll agree. After checking in, meet your Travel Director for a glimpse into what lies ahead then hit the streets and explore the city your way, perhaps seeking out delicious French flavours at a local café. This evening you may wish to discover why Paris is so deserving of its title, the 'City of Lights'. Join your fellow travellers for an optional evening tour through Montmartre’s maze of streets which once nurtured the talents of great artists and writers.
Retrace the steps of one of France’s beloved daughters, St. Joan of Arc, when you visit medieval Rouen today. Here you’ll view the city’s impressive cathedral whose towers, statues and pinnacles were favourite subjects in the paintings of French Impressionist, Claude Monet. There’s time to stretch your legs along Honfleur’s colourful 17th-century harbour before heading to Deauville. With its racecourse and high-profile international film festival, this handsome resort town has long been a playground for well-heeled Parisians.
Begin your day with a moving visit to the D-Day Landing beaches and American cemetery at Omaha. Today the views may be serene, but you can’t help thinking back to that summer day in 1944 when thousands of Allied soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice to reclaim Europe. After this incredibly humbling experience, you’ll continue through the Loire Valley stopping at the UNESCO-listed Mont-Saint-Michel, which rises almost magically up from the sea at high tide. The spire of the Abbey seems to touch the heavens, inhabited by a golden statue of the Archangel which legend has it ordered the construction of the chapel in this unusual island location in the first place. Arriving in Rennes later, you’ll be free to explore the city as you wish.
This is châteaux country, where elegant estates and manicured gardens dot the Loire River as it slices through the heart of France. You’ll see why this scenic area has attracted French aristocracy for centuries. Discover Saumur, sitting elegantly astride the Loire and home to France’s national equestrian school. Not only is the city of Tours the former capital of France and a beautiful gateway to the Loire Valley, it’s also heaven for foodies as you’ll have an opportunity to discover on your free evening. Raise a glass to good food and good friends as you join an Optional Experience dinner in the Loire Valley.
All that glitters really is gold which you’ll come to discover as you explore the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley today. Your first stop is at Château d'Amboise whose art and architecture were both inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Join an optional guided tour delving into the life of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, including a visit to the Manor House and gardens where he spent his last years. The next jewel to admire is stylish Chenonceau, straddling the Cher River. Join your Local Specialist for a whimsical tour of this 16th-century château and its garden, a pleasure palace deserving of its nickname the “château of the ladies”. Admire the priceless collections of Renaissance art and furniture and its extraordinary collection of 16th-century tapestries before returning to your hotel in Tours where you’ll enjoy dinner tonight.
There’s another château in store this morning as you begin your return journey to Paris. We’ve saved the biggest for last and you’ll have an opportunity to view the grand Château de Chambord and its surrounding forest. Imagine royal hunting parties combing the woods for wild game as you wind your way north past orchards, vineyards, cathedrals and châteaux. You’ll arrive in Paris just in time to enjoy a memorable Optional Experience featuring dinner and a dazzling cabaret show. You’ll have two nights in the French capital to indulge in its legendary nightlife and make lasting memories with new friends.
All the main icons feature on your morning sightseeing tour of Paris with your Travel Director. From the Eiffel Tower and grand Champs-Élysées to the iconic Arc de Triomphe, honouring those who fought and died for France over the centuries, you won’t miss a thing. There’s plenty of time this afternoon to discover Paris for yourself. Take a stroll through the medieval Latin Quarter with a Local Specialist during an Optional Experience. There’s even time to people-watch at a sidewalk bistro.
Your whirlwind adventure through France has come to an end. You’ve seen medieval cities, walked in the footsteps of saints, soldiers and noblemen, and immersed yourself in the art, culture, history and cuisine of northern France – just enough to whet your appetite for another visit. Say a fond au revoir to your Travel Director and newfound friends. Find out more about your airport transfer at costsavertour.com/transfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 1
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec – tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighborhood.
Adult Price: € 37
Available on Day 4
Santé! Make the most of your travels through this picturesque part of France and toast our newfound friends, enjoying a typical French meal in an atmospheric setting. Known for outstanding wine, delicious food and old-world charm, the Loire Valley is the perfect setting for an elegant evening out with your travel companions. Drinks are included.
Adult Price: € 66
Available on Day 4
A jewel of the Renaissance era nestled on the banks of the Loire, your Local Specialist will transport you back to the 16th Century as you discover the chateau’s stunning interior. Next, we’ll enjoy VIP entry to the Loire Valley’s best-kept secret; the avant-garde magnificence of France’s most beautiful gardens as you stroll through the Gardens of Sun, Water, Music and Love.
Adult Price: € 43
Available on Day 5
Truly one of the giants of history, Leonard da Vinci left behind many marvelous treasures in the Manor house and gardens where he spent his final years, close to his patron: King Francis the First. Our Local Specialist will reveal some of da Vinci's most extraordinary inventions, from submarines to helicopters, as we explore the must-visit grounds of the Manor du Clos Lucé.
Adult Price: € 39
Available on Day 6
No tour of Paris is complete until you’ve enjoyed dinner and cabaret at the world-famous Moulin Rouge! The original Parisian cabaret, immortalized in film by Baz Luhrmann, boasts 60 dancers and entertainers, with more than 1000 costumes to admire as you take in the spectacular show. With wine and champagne included, you’ll toast to an unforgettable evening in Paris.
Adult Price: € 165
Ooh, la LA! Get swept away by Can-Can dancers and other dazzling acts at one of Paris’s oldest and most authentic cabaret houses. We’ll dine, pop a few bottles of champagne, and enjoy fun, music and la joie de vivre! Truly a night you’ll never forget.
Adult Price: € 139
Available on Day 7
With your Local Specialist, visit the historic Saint-Sulpice Church once used in the filming of Dan Brown’s famous ‘Da Vinci Code.’ En route to the iconic Latin Quarter, you’ll stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, admiring a replica of the Statue of Liberty and the garden’s famous beehives before enjoying free time to explore the Latin Quarter and view Notre Dame Cathedral.
Adult Price: € 32
Experience the ‘Mode’ in Paris through a picturesque walking tour of the city's hippest haunts, introduced to you by a chic Parisian Fashion Expert. Stroll through the Palais Royal and the "glass tunnels" that run through Parisian buildings, bordered by typical Parisian shops and textile workshops. We'll also stop by Galerie Vivienne, a 19th-century covered passage full of shops.
Adult Price: € 68
Make your Parisian travel dreams a reality, as you explore the famous Montorgueil neighborhood on a foodie walking tour. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll sample some of the city’s finest pastries, bread, charcuterie and cheese – meeting local vendors and artisans along the way! Exploring a beautiful historic neighborhood and sampling authentic French cuisine; this is the life.
Adult Price: € 73
To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterward, we’ll drive through the City of Light to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer. In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
Adult Price: € 38