This France escorted tour is the perfect way to see the highlights of Paris plus Brittany, the Loire Valley, and the World War II landing beaches in Normandy. Beautiful scenery combined with famous landmarks, charming châteaux and fascinating history sum up this tour—with overnights in Paris, Caen, Mont St. Michel, and the Loire Valley.

World War II history comes to life as you focus on some of the locations involved in D-Day, June 6, 1944. You’ll visit the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town where American soldiers parachuted into the night before D-Day. You’ll also visit the Memorial Museum for Peace, where you’ll learn about the Battle of Normandy, in Caen. Go even further back in history when you visit the 13th-century gothic cathedral in Chartres, and the jewel of the French Renaissance, Château Chambord in the Loire Valley, and a huge castle with towers on all corners. Also visit the 16th-century château of Catherine de Medici, Chenonceau, fairytale castle with a moat, drawbridge, and towers.

To give you a sense of the local traditions and culture, your tour includes some out-of-the-ordinary treats. Enjoy a cider tasting in Beuvron-en-Auge and learn about the local wines at a wine cellar in Civray de Touraine with a wine tasting.

From the scenic beauty to the charming experiences, this guided French tour is sure to delight all of your senses!

Itinerary

Day 1ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE Welcome to Paris! At 5:30 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. Then, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” Dinner
Day 2PARIS In the morning, an optional excursion to the impressive Palace and Gardens of Versailles, built by the “Sun King,” Louis XIV, is available. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL with its Rose Window. Later, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the artists’ hill of Montmartre, followed by a cruise on the beautiful Seine River.  Breakfast
Day 3PARIS–ROUEN–BEUVRON-EN-AUGE–CAEN In Rouen, admire the façade of the cathedral, which was one of Monet’s favorite subjects for his Series Paintings, where he tried to prove how a subject was visually influenced by the ever-changing light. Twenty paintings of the cathedral existed, and many are today in Paris’ Orsay Museum. Time to stroll along the lovely cobblestoned Rue du Gros-Horloge leading to the square where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431. Next, stop in Beuvron-en-Auge along the Route du Cidre for  a CIDER TASTING before arriving in Caen. Look forward to a visit of the fascinating MEMORIAL MUSEUM FOR PEACE with its great exhibits and audiovisual show about the Battle of Normandy.  Breakfast Dinner
Day 4CAEN–NORMANDY BEACHES–MONT ST. MICHEL Focus on the scene of the Allied Forces’ landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Drive by Juno Beach, then stop at Gold Beach for a view of the Mulberry Harbor remains at Arromanches. Visit the AMERICAN CEMETERY at OMAHA BEACH. Continue to Sainte Mère Eglise, where American soldiers parachuted into the town the night before D-Day. Among them was John Steele, whose parachute was caught in one of the steeples of the church, made famous in the movie The Longest Day. While here, see the evocative parachute memorial. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided visit of the famous ABBEY OF MONT ST. MICHEL, perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Overnight is on the coast near Mont St. Michel.  Breakfast Dinner
Day 5MONT ST. MICHEL–CHÂTEAUBRIANT–ANGERS–LOIRE VALLEY–TOURS Enjoy a scenic ride right across Brittany via Châteaubriant to Angers. Stop here for pictures of the impressive 13th-century castle. Then, continue your journey to the Loire Valley. Tonight, why not sample French cuisine at one of the area’s excellent restaurants?  Breakfast
Day 6TOURS. EXCURSION TO CHÂTEAUX COUNTRY Today, visit two of the most important castles in the area. Start with the jewel of the French Renaissance, CHÂTEAU CHAMBORD. Next is the 16th-century château of Catherine de Medici, lovely CHENONCEAU. Then,  enjoy a WINE TASTING at the Père Auguste wine cellar in Civray de Touraine to learn about the local wines before returning to your hotel, where dinner will be served in the evening.  Breakfast Dinner
Day 7TOURS–CHARTRES–PARIS Stop in Chartres with its superb 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL—a jewel of medieval architecture, and arrive in Paris. Tonight, dinner and a lively cabaret show at one of Paris’ nightclubs might just be the ticket!  Breakfast
Day 8PARIS Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.  Breakfast