La France

Day 1 (Sun.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrive in Paris, France (Mon.)
The day is free to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. After dinner you may wish to join an optional outing to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” (D)

Day 3 Paris (Tue.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Balance of the day at leisure and lots to do. An optional afternoon excursion to the Palace of Versailles and evening excursions are available. (B)

Day 4 Paris–Rouen–Caen (Wed.)
A pleasant drive through the rural area west of Paris takes you to historic Rouen in the lower valley of the River Seine. Time here for a leisurely stroll along the lovely cobbled Rue du Gros-Horloge leading from the cathedral to the square where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431. Then, continue to Caen and look forward to the highlight of the day: a visit to the fascinating MEMORIAL MUSEUM FOR PEACE. Its great exhibits and audiovisual show focus on the Battle of Normandy. (B,D) Map

Day 5 Caen–Normandy Beaches–Bayeux–Mont St. Michel (Thu.)
Drive by the Normandy Beaches on the way to Bayeux. Here, admire QUEEN MATILDA’S TAPESTRY, depicting in extraordinary detail William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. In the afternoon, visit the famous ABBEY OF MONT ST. MICHEL, perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Overnight on the coast near Mont St. Michel. (B,D)

Day 6 Mont St. Michel–Tours (Fri.)
Enjoy a scenic ride right across Brittany via Châteaubriant to Angers. Stop here for pictures of an impressive 13th-century castle overlooking the River Maine. Then, continue your journey to Tours in the Loire Valley. Tonight is your chance to sample French cuisine at one of the area’s excellent bistros. (B)

Day 7 Tours. Loire Valley Excursion (Sat.)
A rich day of sightseeing. Visit the jewel of the French Renaissance, Château CHAMBORD, and the 16th-century château of Catherine de Medici, lovely CHENONCEAU. Time to explore on your own. Return to Tours in the late afternoon. (B,D)

Day 8 Tours–St. Emilion–Bordeaux (Sun.)
First stop this morning is in St. Emilion, world famous for its wines. Enjoy a WINE TASTING before continuing to Bordeaux, and join your Tour Director for a walking tour through this pretty city. (B,D)

Day 9 Bordeaux–Carcassonne–Nîmes (Mon.)
From Bordeaux to the beautifully preserved, medieval, walled town of Carcassonne for a leisurely walk on the ancient BATTLEMENTS and time to explore the town on your own. Overnight in Nîmes. (B,D)

Day 10 Nîmes–Pont du Gard–Avignon–Cannes–Nice (Tue.)
Motor through the splendid vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon. At Pont du Gard, admire the Roman Aqueduct, a monumental feat of engineering completed in the year 19 BC. Stop in Avignon for pictures of the magnificent Palace of the Popes and the bridge of the popular song. Next, drive through Cannes, opulent resort of film festivals, on your way to Nice, the sophisticated “Queen of the Riviera.” Later, why not join an exciting optional outing to Monte Carlo? (B)

Day 11 At Leisure in Nice (Wed.)
Enjoy this enchanting resort on the Côte d’Azur at your own pace. Browse through the elegant shops or stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. Join your Tour Director for a walk through the OLD TOWN and its colorful flower market, and you may wish to join an optional excursion to the famous artist town of St. Paul de Vence. (B)

Day 12 Nice–Grenoble (Thu.)
This morning, a scenic drive along the famous Route Napoleon through the French Alps past medieval towns to Grenoble. (B,D)

Day 13 Grenoble–Lyon–Dijon (Fri.)
Your orientation of Lyon includes a panoramic view from FOURVIÈRE HILL with its basilica to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city and its Roman ruins. Then, drive north into Burgundy, where road signs read like the wine list of an expensive restaurant, to Dijon, which was the capital of Burgundy from the 11th to the 15th centuries. During your orientation, hear about the various dukes who ruled over the area, then have the rest of the afternoon to browse the shops and enjoy this charming city. (B,D)

Day 14 Dijon–Paris (Sat.)
Enjoy a ride on the highspeed TGV train to Paris. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to the Louvre Museum is available, as well as exciting possibilities for an unforgettable night out on the town! (B)

Day 15 (Sun.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

INCLUDED FEATURES

Headsets throughout the tour

Paris: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, ascend the Eiffel Tower
Rouen: Walking tour
Caen: Visit the Memorial Museum for Peace
Normandy Beaches
Bayeux: Visit Queen Matilda’s tapestry in the Tapestry Museum
Mont St. Michel: Guided visit of the abbey
Châteubriant: Morning break
Angers: Picture stop of the castle
Loire Valley: Full-day guided sightseeing, visit the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau
St. Emilion: Wine tasting
Bordeaux: Walking tour
Carcassonne: Walk on the ancient battlements
Pont du Gard: Take pictures of the Roman Aqueduct
Avignon: Walking tour, take pictures of the Palace of the Popes and Pont d’Avignon
Cannes: Drive through the film festival town
Nice: Walking tour of the Old Town
Lyon: Orientation including Fourvière Hill
Dijon: Orientation
Dijon–Paris: By TGV train

Note:
In the rare event that the TGV train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided.

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

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

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B); 8 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Paris.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Paris Mercure Tour Eiffel Suffren (F), Caen Mercure Centre (F), Mont St. Michel Mercure Mont St. Michel (F), Tours Holiday Inn City Centre (F), Bordeaux Mercure Château Chartrons (F), Nîmes Imperator Concorde (F), Nice Boscolo Park (F), Grenoble Grand Hotel Mercure Grenoble Président (F), Dijon Mercure Clémenceau (F), Paris Pullman Paris Bercy (SF)