Itinerary Details
Grand Tour Of France
Day 1 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE Check into your hotel and spend free time strolling around Paris. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travel companions.
Day 2 PARIS–ROUEN–HONFLEUR–CAEN Drive first to the historical capital city of Normandy, Rouen—one of the most prosperous cities of medieval Europe. Walk through its center, rich in Gothic architecture. Next, visit lovely Honfleur, known for its picturesque port and houses with slate-covered facades. Continue to Caen.
Today’s Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B)
Day 3 CAEN–NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES–MONT ST. MICHEL–ST. MALO Embark on an emotional journey to the legendary beaches where the Allied troops landed on D-Day, June 6,1944, and experience the most moving site of the American Cemetery at Omaha. Travel through the Normandy countryside and stop to marvel at the unique beauty of Mont St. Michel, which stands on an island accessed via a causeway. Overnight in St. Malo.
Today’s Distance: 147 mi/ 236 km (B)
Day 4 ST. MALO–ANGERS–CHaTEAUX COUNTRY Time for a stroll on the shores of St. Malo, a popular seaside resort, then depart for Angers to visit its cathedral. Continue along the banks of the Loire River to reach the enchanting Chateaux Country.
Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B)
Day 5 CHaTEAUX COUNTRY Spend the day at leisure or walk in the footsteps of French royalty on the optional visit of the Loire Valley castles. If these walls could talk, they would tell the intriguing tales of kings, ladies, and lords who called these sumptuous palaces home. (B,D)
Day 6 CHaTEAUX COUNTRY–BORDEAUX Enjoy a scenic drive through the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, rich in agricultural resources including vineyards, forests, and cereal fields, and stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Pyrenees in the South. On arrival in Bordeaux, discover the city on the included guided city sightseeing tour.
Today’s Distance: 230 mi/ 370 km (B)
Day 7 BORDEAUX–DORDOGNE–ROCAMADOUR–TOULOUSE Discover one of France’s most scenic regions, the Dordogne. Stop in the sacred medieval town of Rocamadour, dramatically perched high upon a cliff. Built on three successive levels, this storybook village is both a place of legend and history where old stone houses, majestic towers, and impressive castle stand poised on the cliff’s edge above Alzou Canyon. Continue southwards to Toulouse.
Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km (B,D)
Day 8 TOULOUSE–CARCASSONNE–PONT DU GARD–AVIGNON Immerse yourself fully in the medieval atmosphere of the city of Carcassonne and discover some of its secrets during an orientation walk. Then, stop for a picture at the famous Pont du Gard, one of the wonders of Antiquity, and the finest remaining example of an ancient aqueduct built 2000 years ago by the Romans. This architectural gem, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is set in a beautifully pristine natural setting. Upon arrival in Avignon, free time to explore the old quarter featuring amazing architectural and historic heritage, such as the Palace of the Popes or the St. Bénézet bridge.
Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)
Day 9 AVIGNON–ARLES–AIX-EN-PROVENCE–FRENCH RIVIERA Visit Arles, known all over the world for Van Gogh’s paintings. Admire the famous Roman amphitheatre, then continue to Aix-en-Provence. Walk down its main street, the Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees in the French tradition, and the 17th-century palace, houses, and fountains. Finally, head to the French Riviera on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Today’s Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B)
Day 10 FRENCH RIVIERA Take time to enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera at your own leisure. Or picture yourself on an optional excursion to the artist mecca of Saint Paul de Vence. Masters such as Matisse, Cézanne, Chagall, and Picasso drew inspiration for their works here. Tonight, you’re invited to roll the dice and rub elbows with high rollers on an optional “Monte Carlo by Night” excursion amid the glitz and glamour of Monaco. (B)
Day 11 FRENCH RIVIERA–ORANGE–LYON See more of the Provence region today and stop in Orange, a town surrounded by beautiful countryside, featuring two ancient Roman monuments listed by UNESCO: the Arc de Triomphe and the Ancient theater. It also boasts first-class wines and original culinary and craft products. Next is Lyon, located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour.
Today’s Distance: 298 mi/ 480 km (B)
Day 12 LYON–BEAUNE–PARIS Travel through the picturesque vineyards and fields of Burgundy to medieval Beaune, the region’s wine capital since Roman times. Stop to visit the famous Hôtel-Dieu. Return to the French capital of Paris.
Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B)
Day 13 PARIS Discover the glorious ville lumières (City of Lights) and its many boulevards and monumental buildings. Join a local expert with a guided tour through Parisian history, tradition, and modern living. Optional excursions are also available to complete your experience.* (B)
*Note: for operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded
Day 14 PARIS Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
