Bienvenue! The 'City of Light' welcomes you as you prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through France. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director this afternoon for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive to admire the glittering cityscape of Paris – past grand boulevards and iconic sites like the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
This morning, we depart Paris and venture to the city of Rouen, the tragic site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. We travel to the enchanting harbour town of Honfleur – its narrow lanes and colourful shopfronts have long attracted artists who have immortalised its beauty on canvas. Arriving in Bayeux, we visit the Tapestry Museum. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and see the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting events before and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This evening, we dine at our hotel.
Today we explore the poignant D-Day Landing Beaches in the company of our Local Specialist. We begin with a visit to the American Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Omaha Beach, imagining the mingled sense of terror and triumph felt on the fateful day when Allied forces set foot on mainland Europe. We stop for lunch in the seaside town of Arromanches, the setting for the Mulberry Harbour, once at the heart of the Normandy landings.
Travel through Norman countryside to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed bay of the Mont St Michel. Spend your afternoon here admiring the ever-changing natural backdrop to the rocky island and its medieval abbey, or perhaps join an Optional Experience to Brittany's Emerald Coast jewel of Saint-Malo, where you can walk the ramparts and learn about the historic walled port city from a Local Specialist. Tonight we dine at our hotel.
This morning we join a Local Specialist to explore Mont Saint-Michel and tour the impressive medieval Benedictine Abbey. Legend has it, the abbey was built after the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avranches inspiring him to build a church atop the island. Journey onward through scenic countryside, stopping to Connect With Locals at a lunch with wine in a 17th-century château during a Be My Guest experience set within beautiful gardens. Later, continue to the beautiful Loire Valley, where we will spend the next two nights.
We spend our day admiring the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley and join a Local Specialist for a visit to the Amboise Royal Château. It is here that King François I hosted Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb now lies in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert adjoining the château. We continue with a visit to Château de Chenonceau, built on the Cher River. The château is often referred to as the 'Ladies Castle', due to the many women who influenced its construction and development. Today it contains priceless collections, including Renaissance furniture, tapestries and masterpieces by Rubens and Tintoretto.
Our first stop today is the town of Chartres and its beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral, regarded as one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture from the early 13th century. We journey back to Paris this afternoon and spend the rest of our day in the 'City of Light'. Celebrate with your Travel Director and newfound friends this evening at a Farewell Dinner with local wines at a Parisian bistro.
For now it's time to say a fond au revoir to France and your fellow travellers at the end of a memorable trip. Find out more about available airport transfers at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
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 3
Experience true Norman hospitality with a visit to a family-run cider farm. We’ll discover their secrets and have the opportunity to taste the newest cider batch. Then, we'll head off to a Farmhouse Inn for a typical meal of traditional Norman flavours with drinks included.
Adult Price: € 64
Available on Day 4
Take in the stunning natural beauty of the Emerald coastline and learn about the privateer past of Saint-Malo. This port town is known for its striking medieval ramparts, handsome aristocratic houses and its famous son, Jacques Cartier, who claimed what is now Canada for the French. Join our Local Specialist to uncover the secrets of this "Jewel of Brittany."
Adult Price: € 35
Available on Day 6
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: François I. Our Local Specialist will reveal some of da Vinci's most extraordinary inventions, from submarines to helicopters.
Adult Price: € 39
Available on Day 6
An Old-World setting is the perfect place to toast new-found friends. The Loire Valley, known for its romantic chateaux and stunning natural beauty, is often called the Garden of France thanks to its sublime produce and top restaurants. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a meal together and savour typical French cuisine.
Adult Price: € 69
Available on Day 7
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 neighbourhood.
Adult Price: € 37
Available on Day 7
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. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.
Adult Price: € 43
Note: In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
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