6-Nights French History & Culture: Paris to Normandy - Arts & Culture from $3,058

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Paris

Transfer: Paris Charles de Gaulle Aptto Paris - Arr8/16: Etoile-C.Elysées/Trocadero

Hotel: Chateau Frontenac (4 Star Rating)

Experience the epitome of Parisian charm at Hotel Chateau Frontenac, boasting 104 stylish guestrooms adorned with iPod docking stations. Stay seamlessly connected with complimentary Wi-Fi and unwind with satellite programming on your entertainment system. Luxuriate in private bathrooms featuring designer toiletries and invigorating showers. Find convenience in safes, desks, and phones offering free local calls. Indulge in delectable room service or savor a drink at the sophisticated bar/lounge. With amenities like a business center, dry cleaning services, and event space, your every need is catered to in this Parisian gem.

Day 2: Private Eiffel Tower Tour with access to the 2nd Floor & Champagne Cruise on the Seine

Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, the Eiffel tower is considered to be the symbol of France! The tower was assembled in two years, which is a speed record considering the rudimentary means available at that time. The decision to build the tower was extremely criticized, now it is a mythical site that represents the magic of light: with its glittering beacons in the Parisian sky. Your guide will share stories, facts & secrets of the iconic tower.Shared boat cruise starting at the base of the Eiffel Tower, sailing down the picturesque River Seine. Admire iconic Parisian landmarks like Le Grand Palais, Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The boat will then turn around, offering a return journey to the starting point. A guide will provide entertaining anecdotes about Paris and its monuments while you enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne.

Day 3: Full Day Small Group Claude Monets Giverny & Versaillies Tour

Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of Claude Monet's Home and Gardens in Giverny, being among the first visitors. Gain insights into Monet's life, tour his vibrant residence, meander through the flower-filled garden and admire the water garden featuring his renowned water lilies. Following a scenic drive, the afternoon unfolds in Versailles. Enjoy a lunch break at a stylish French creperie before exploring Marie-Antoinette's private Domaine. Here, take advantage of free time to explore charming thatched-roof buildings and a farmyard. The tour then proceeds through the renowned French Gardens with a Musical Fountain Show, offering historical insights into the French Revolution. Explore the Palace at your leisure with an audio-guide, uncovering the grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors.

Day 4: Paris To Normandy

Transfer: Paris - Arr8/16: Etoile-C.Elysées/Trocadero to Paris Train Station

Transfer: Bayeux Train Station to Bayeux

Hotel: Hotel Tardif - Maison d'hotes (4 Star Rating)

Experience the epitome of historic luxury at Hotel Tardif, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Bayeux. Dating back to the 18th century, this meticulously restored boutique hotel exudes elegance and charm at every turn. Indulge in a tranquil retreat within its walls, where modern comforts harmonize with timeless sophistication. Each guest room offers a sanctuary of relaxation, complete with plush bedding and luxurious amenities. Start your day with a delightful breakfast served in the elegant dining area, and unwind with a drink in the cozy lounge. With its prime location, Hotel Tardif invites you to explore Bayeux's rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere.

Day 5: Full Day Small Group Tour to the American Landing Sites: Omaha & Utah Beaches

With your guide, walk along the sand on Omaha Beach, following the footsteps of the brave soldiers who lost their lives. Visit the American Cemetery where many named and unnamed soldiers are buried. Driving along the coast, explore the cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoc, including an original German bunker and large craters from bombings. After a lunch break, drive westward towards the Utah sector and Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first village freed by American forces. Visit the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Eglise or the Utah Museum (depending on the programme), focusing on the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions that landed in the sector in June 1944.

Day 6: Full Day Small Group Mont Saint Michel Tour

Start off your tour with an enchanting drive through Normandy and its charming villages - Discover Mont-Saint-Michel, a granitic island in the midst of a vast bay influenced by Europe's largest tides - As you explore Mont-St-Michel, hear about its rich history dating back to 708 when the Archangel St Michael instructed the construction of a sanctuary. The original monastery evolved into a Benedictine Abbey in the 10th century, becoming a place of prayer and pilgrimage for centuries. Witness the audacious architecture suspended between earth and heaven, with "builder-monks" adding structures over the centuries until their expulsion during the French Revolution in 1791. The abbey later served as a prison before being restored, listed as a French Historic Monument in 1864, and opened to visitors - Marvel at the Abbey's stunning rooms, including the "Wonder," the Cloister and the Church, with a breathtaking view from the top. Your guide, well-versed in the symbolism of the Abbey's architecture, will lead you through its incredible rooms, and you might even encounter monks from the new community, hearing their Gregorian Chants during mass. Enjoy some free time for lunch stop amidst the historical charm of Mont-St-Michel. Explore the narrow cobbled streets surrounding the village, adorned with granite or half-timbered houses and stroll along the medieval fortification wall built during the Hundred Years War.

Day 7: Depart from Normandy

Transfer: Bayeux to Bayeux Train Station