Normandy Brittany And Chateaux Country

2012 Season
Departs From: Paris

From 1,241EUR

Length:  8 days from Paris to Paris, or 9 days incl. travel

Overview

This trip is the perfect way to see the highlights of Paris plus the World War II landing beaches in Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley in a short amount of time. In Paris, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, then visit magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and ascend to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower during your guided sightseeing. Travel to Normandy, where World War II comes alive at the fascinating Memorial Museum for Peace and the Normandy American Cemetery. Next is the famous Abbey of Mont St. Michel. Here, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Then, travel via Brittany into the Loire Valley, where a special “châteaux day” has been included: visit Catherine de Medici’s lovely Chenonceau and Clos Lucé to admire Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions. To top it off, you’ll explore Chartres’ cathedral and back in Paris, there is time to join an optional excursion to the Louvre Museum.

Duration:  8 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
02 June, 2012	09 June, 2012
09 June, 2012	16 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	23 June, 2012
23 June, 2012	30 June, 2012
30 June, 2012	07 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	14 July, 2012
14 July, 2012	21 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	28 July, 2012
28 July, 2012	04 August, 2012
04 August, 2012	11 August, 2012
18 August, 2012	25 August, 2012
25 August, 2012	01 September, 2012
01 September, 2012	08 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	15 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	22 September, 2012
22 September, 2012	29 September, 2012
29 September, 2012	06 October, 2012
06 October, 2012	13 October, 2012

City Highlights

Paris
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, ascend the Eiffel Tower

Rouen
Walking tour

Caen
Visit the Memorial Museum for Peace

Normandy Beaches
Visit the Normandy American Cemetery and its visitor center

Mont St. Michel
Guided visit of the abbey; dinner at a local restaurant

Châteaubriant
Morning break

Angers
Take pictures of the castle

Loire Valley
Full-day guided sightseeing, visit the Castles of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Leonardo da Vinci’s home of Clos Lucé

Chartres
Visit the gothic cathedral

Headsets throughout the tour

Day 1   Arrive in Paris, France. 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 2   Paris. 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 excursion to Versailles Palace and Gardens as well as exciting evening outings are available. (B)

Day 3   Paris–Rouen–Caen. A pleasant morning drive takes you to Rouen. Time here for a leisurely stroll along the lovely cobblestone 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 a visit to the fascinating MEMORIAL MUSEUM FOR PEACE with its great exhibits and audiovisual show about the Battle of Normandy. Continue to Caen for your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 4   Caen–Normandy Beaches–Mont St. Michel. Focus on the scene of the Allied Forces’ landing on D-Day, June 6th, 1944. Drive by Juno Beach, then stop at Gold Beach for a view of the Mulberry Harbor remains at Arromanches. Visit the AMERICAN CEMETERY and its visitor center at Omaha Beach. Continue to Sainte Mère Eglise, the first town to be liberated, with its evocative parachute memorial. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided visit of 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 and a special dinner is included. (B,D)

Day 5   Mont St. Michel–Loire Valley. Enjoy a scenic ride right across Brittany via Châteaubriant to Angers. Stop here for pictures of the impressive 13th-century castle. Then, continue your journey to the Loire Valley, where you will stay for the next two nights. Tonight, why not sample French cuisine at one of the area’s excellent restaurants? (B)

Day 6   Loire Valley. Excursion to Castle Country. 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. On to Amboise. Visit CLOS LUCÉ and marvel at an amazing collection of models of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, painstakingly reconstructed from the drawings of the great renaissance genius. (B,D)

Day 7   Loire Valley–Chartres–Paris. This morning, visit Chartres with its superb 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL—a jewel of medieval architecture. Arrive in 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 8   Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 4 three-course dinners with wine (D), including a special welcome dinner in Paris and a special dinner in Mont St. Michel

Hotel Information:  PARIS Concorde Montparnasse (F), CAEN Mercure Centre (F), MONT ST. MICHEL Mercure Mont St. Michel (F), LOIRE VALLEY Holiday Inn (F) at Blois


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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