Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Paris, France. The day is free to rest or to
start exploring the splendid French capital. At 4 p.m. meet your traveling
companions for a welcome drink hosted by your tour director.
Day 3 Paris. Morning sightseeing with a local guide on both banks
of the Seine: Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, Champs-Elysées...
For a panoramic view take the elevator to the first floor of the EIFFEL
TOWER. Of course you also visit Paris' greatest treasure, the Gothic
cathedral of NOTRE DAME with its gleaming stained-glass windows. Balance of
the day at leisure and lots to do. Consider a visit to the great
impressionist Claude Monet's home in the Seine Valley, or stroll through one
of the magnificent parks, promenade along the Champs-Elysées... After dark
check out the famous gourmet restaurants and irresistible revue shows. (BB)
Day 4 Paris-Caen. A pleasant morning 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. After lunch 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. (BB,D)
Day 5 Caen-Mont St. Michel. Drive to the scene of the Allied
Forces' landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Visit the NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY
and see the Rangers Memorial at Point du Hoc. Then to Bayeux where you
admire QUEEN MATILDA'S TAPESTRY, depicting in extraordinary detail William
the Conqueror's conquest of England. In the afternoon visit to the famous
ABBEY OF MONT ST. MICHEL, perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo.
Its awesome fortifications were attacked many times during the Hundred
Years' War, but never captured. Overnight on the coast near Mont St. Michel.
(BB,D)
Day 6 Mont St. Michel-Loire Valley. Enjoy a scenic ride right
across Brittany, past Rennes and Châteaubriant to Angers. Stop here for
lunch and pictures of an impressive 13th-century castle. Continue your
journey eastward to Saumur, known for its cavalry school and a great
sparkling wine. Then to Amboise in the Loire Valley. (BB,D)
Day 7 Châteaux Country Excursion. A rich day of sightseeing. Drive
through the 13,600-acre park of Chambord and stop for pictures in front of
the massive Renaissance château. Visit lovely CHENONCEAUX, the 16th-century
château of Catherine de Medici. At CLOS LUCÉ marvel at an amazing collection
of models of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions, painstakingly reconstructed
from the drawings of the great Renaissance genius. Finally tour the
impressive fortress-castle of AMBOISE, royal residence of Charles VIII and
burial place of Leonardo. Tonight is your chance to sample French cuisine at
one of the area's excellent bistros. (BB)
Day 8 Loire Valley-Chartres-Versailles-Paris. This morning visit
Chartres with its superb 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL--a jewel of medieval
architecture. Much of the afternoon is dedicated to the PALACE AND GARDENS
OF VERSAILLES, the retreat of French royalty at the height of absolutistic
power. Admire the sumptuous reception rooms, the intriguing Hall of Mirrors,
the famous fountains and formal gardens. Return to Paris in the late
afternoon. Ask your tour director for suggestions on how to make your last
night in France an unforgettable experience. (BB)
Day 9 Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
