Get to know France from the inside on this exciting vacation. From Paris, head north to Rouen, then Honfleur, an overnight in Caen, and the historic Normandy D-Day landing beaches from World War II. On to Bayeux, the enduring beauty of Mont St. Michel, Angers with its cathedral, and along the Loire to Amboise for two overnights. Travel through the countryside famous for its cognac and champagne production and visit Poitiers, a picturesque town of Roman heritage, as well as seaside La Rochelle. Spend a night in Bordeaux and continue through the Dordogne to the cliffside village of Rocamadour before reaching Toulouse.

An orientation tour shows you medieval Carcassonne on the way to Nîmes, Pont du Gard, and an overnight in Avignon. Visit Arles, made famous by Van Gogh, and the enchanting town of Aix-en-Provence. Next up: the magnificent French Riviera. Head northwest via the Route Napoleon, visiting a perfume workshop in Grasse, then carry on to Lyon on the banks of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Stop in the delightful town of Beaune for an included wine-tasting session. Return to Paris, the “City of Light,” with included sightseeing of the main attractions and leisure time to soak in the romantic atmosphere.

Note:
December 19 Departure - New Year in Paris including "Reveillon" dinner

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 2 Paris–Rouen–Honfleur–Caen
Drive first to the fine old city of Rouen and walk through its center, rich in gothic architechture. Next, stop in lovely Honfleur and then in the world-famous seaside resort of Deauville. Overnight in Caen. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 Caen–Normandy Landing Beaches–Bayeux–Mont St. Michel
Time to see Caen before a visit to the legendary beaches where the Allied troops landed more than 60 years ago. The highlights are Arromanches, St. Laurant, and the American Cemetery at Omaha. Next, journey to Bayeux, where you can admire the famous tapestry (entrance fee extra). Then, southwards to the unique beauty of Mont St. Michel, which stands on an island reached by a causeway, for an overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 4 Mont St. Michel–Angers–Amboise
Time this morning to enjoy a visit of Mont St. Michel before a mid-morning departure to Angers to visit its cathedral. Then, along the banks of the Loire to Amboise for two overnights. A chance this evening to join an optional dinner at a typical local restaurant. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Amboise
Time at leisure or join the optional excursion to see some of the most spectacular castles of the Loire, steeped in the history of noblemen and kings since the 11th century. Gothic spires, medieval turrets, great fortresses, and beautiful châteaux make for splendid panoramas. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Amboise–Poitiers–La Rochelle–Bordeaux
Travel on the comfortable Autoroute L’Aquitaine as far as Poitiers. Next stop is the picturesque town of La Rochelle, situated on the Atlantic coast. Continue westwards into the world-famous Cognac region to visit the Hennessy museum in Cognac. Then, journey to Bordeaux for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 Bordeaux–Dordogne–Rocamadour–Toulouse
Time for an orientation walk of Bordeaux, then drive into the heart of one of France’s most scenic regions, the Dordogne. Stop in the dramatically located medieval town of Rocamadour, perched high upon a cliff. Southwards by way of Cahors to Toulouse for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 Toulouse–Carcassonne–Nîmes–Pont Du Gard–Avignon
Drive this morning along the Autoroute des Deux Mers for an orientation walk in Carcassonne. Then, continue eastwards to Nîmes, an elegant city famed for its busy boulevards shaded by lotus trees. Also visit the famous Roman amphitheater. Get a view of the Maison Carrée, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in the whole of France. Short picture stop at the famous Pont du Gard, before reaching Avignon for an overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Avignon–Arles–Aix-En-Provence–French Riviera
South this morning to visit Arles, the most famous of all the Provence towns, known the world over by the paintings of Van Gogh. Stop in Aix-en-Provence to see its main street, the Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees and its 17th-century palace, houses, and fountains. Finally, to the French Riviera on the shores of the Mediterranean. Don’t miss the optional evening excursion. (Breakfast)

Day 10 French Riviera
Take the opportunity today to enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera. (Breakfast)

Day 11 French Riviera–Grasse–Lyon Area
First to Grasse for a visit to a perfume workshop. See more of Provence and follow one of France’s great panoramic routes, the one Napoleon took on his return from Elba in 1815. From Grenoble, join the expressway to Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 Lyon Area–Beaune–Paris
Travel through the picturesque vineyards and fields of Burgundy to medieval Beaune, the region's wine capital since Roman times, where you visit the famous Hotel-Dieu before continuing to the French capital and “City of Light,” Paris. Don't miss the optional evening cabaret show, a real Parisian spectacle. (Breakfast)

Day 13 Paris
Included sightseeing with a local expert starts with an inside visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (Breakfast)

Day 14 Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US
Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES
Ask about airport transfer times, prices and what's included with your vacation.

Vacation Highlights

INCLUDED FEATURES
Headsets throughout the tour Visits to Rouen, Honfleur, Deauville, Caen, Normandy Landing Beaches, Bayeux, Mont St. Michel, Angers, La Rochelle, Cognac museum, Bordeaux, Rocamadour, Carcassonne, Nîmes, Avignon, Arles, Nîmes, Aix en Provence, Beaune

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Loire Valley, Perigot Noir, Dordogne, Cognac, French Riviera, Burgundy wine country, Route Napoleon, Pont du Gard

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES
Local Guide for city sightseeing in Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

Accommodations

MEALS
Buffet breakfasts; 5 dinners

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
PARIS Forest Hill (ST) at La Villette or Novotel Defense (F), CAEN Mercure Côte de Nacre (ST) at Herouville, MONT ST. MICHEL Motel Vert (ST), AMBOISE Novotel Amboise (ST) or Novotel Blois (ST), BORDEAUX Mercure Meriadeck (ST), TOULOUSE SAS Radisson Toulouse Airport (F), AVIGNON Ibis Pont Europe (ST), FRENCH RIVIERA Holiday Inn Garden Court (ST) at Cannes les Cannet or All Seasons (F) at Nice or Park Inn (ST) at Nice, LYON Park Inn (ST) or Park Inn (ST) at Macon, PARIS Mercure (F) at Porte de St. Cloud

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Nice

Dinner On The French Riviera
Enjoy a pleasant dinner in a typical French restaurant where you try out local dishes and regional wine.
Approximate value: EUR €32 per person

Excursion to St. Paul De Vence
See lovely landscapes on your drive to St. Paul de Vence, a medieval Provencal village set on a spur, surrounded by well-preserved ramparts. Enjoy the serene setting of this picturesque spot made famous by artists such as Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, and Miro.
Approximate value: EUR €15 per person

Monte Carlo By Night - Drink Only
A beautiful drive along the French Riviera - arriving in the Principality of Monaco see the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Stop for a drink at "Le Café de Paris" giving you the opportunity to absorb the jet-set atmosphere of Monaco. Afterwards time to gamble* at the famous Casino or just relax and enjoy the elegant ambience. *Personal ID required and jacket and tie recommended. Minimum age limit to enter the Casino - 21 years.
Approximate value: EUR €33 per person

Monte Carlo By Night & Dinner
A beautiful drive along the French Riviera - arriving in the Principality of Monaco, where you will have a delicious French dinner. After dinner see the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Then stop for a drink at "Le Café de Paris" giving you the opportunity to absorb the jet-set atmosphere of Monaco. Afterwards time to gamble* at the famous Casino or just relax and enjoy the elegant ambience. *Personal ID required and formal dress code (but not evening wear) recommended. Minimum age limit to enter the Casino - 21 years.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person

CITY: Paris

The Louvre & Its Masterpieces
Once a royal palace and now a museum housing one of the most famous art collections in the world, the Louvre is yours on a guided tour. The Louvre Museum is open every day except Tuesdays and bank holidays. On these days, you will be offered alternative sights.
Approximate value: EUR €38 per person

Cabaret Show
A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to a typical cabaret show. A glass of champagne is served during the show.
Approximate value: EUR €65 per person

Versailles Sun King's Palace (Sat-Sun)
Week-ends visit: Historic Versailles is the beautifully restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays and bank holidays. On these days, you will be offered alternative sights.
Approximate value: EUR €70 per person

Farewell Dinner & Montmartre
The evening consists of a visit to Montmartre, the heart of Bohemian Paris, with time to see the Sacre-Coeur Church enjoying a panoramic view of the city. Included is a memorable four-course dinner with an aperitif and wine.
Approximate value: EUR €57 per person

CITY: Tours

Chateaux Chenonceaux/Amboise
Discover the "Chateaux country" in the Loire, taking a guided tour of the Chateau of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci lived the latter part of his life and died. On to the splendid Chateau of Chenonceaux, taste sparkling wine in the Monmousseau winery and tour the labyrinth of the Chalk Cellars.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person

Regional Dinner In The Loire
You will be accompanied on a short drive to a characteristic restaurant in the centre of Tours to enjoy a delicious dinner. An evening to enrich your French expereince.
Approximate value: EUR €38 per person