On this tour, you’ll witness the glittering lights of Paris, wander through the ancient chateaux of the Loire Valley and acquaint yourself with the coastal charms of Normandy. At every turn, you’ll discover sumptuous French cuisine, elegant architecture and fascinating historical sites.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Your trip begins with an overnight flight to Paris aboard an internationally recognized airline.
Day 2 - Paris
Welcome to Paris! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the City of Light on your own. You’ll meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day 3 - Rouen
This morning, you’ll travel to Giverny (seasonal) to visit Claude Monet’s Gardens. Next, continue on to Rouen where a professional local guide leads your tour of this medieval city. See the enormous 16th-century Renaissance clock on Rue du Gros-Horloge and view the two-towered Notre-Dame Cathedral. You’ll also see the Church of Joan of Arc, which stands in the market square where Joan of Arc was executed, and the multi-turreted Palais de Justice.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 4 - Rouen
Continue your explorations of Rouen today on your own or join our optional Honfleur and Calvados excursion for a guided tour and a calvados (apple brandy) tasting at a local distillery.
Included meals: breakfast
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$59 CAD |
Honfleur & Calvados
On an optional excursion farther into the traditional villages of Normandy, journey to Honfleur for a guided tour. You’ll quickly discover why this picture-perfect seaport—full of brightly colored sails and lively cafes—is a perennial favorite among artists, writers and musicians. Later, visit a distillery to taste the eponymous apple brandy of the Calvados region.
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Day 5 - Normandy Coast
Continue along the rugged Normandy coast into Lower Normandy. Pass through the Auge region with its picture-perfect cottages and manors nestled into the rolling countryside. Stop in the town of Lisieux, where St. Therese spent her childhood, and see the basilica constructed in her honor. Upon arrival in Deauville, your Tour Director leads an orientation of the town. Continue to your hotel where dinner is included.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Basilique de Sainte-Thérèse
Day 6 - Normandy Coast
Explore the Normandy Coast at your leisure today, or you might choose to join an optional excursion to the Normandy beaches, where the Allies waded ashore on D-Day. You’ll visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches, visit the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and stand on Omaha Beach.
Included meals: breakfast
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$75 CAD |
D-Day Beaches of Normandy
Immerse yourself in World War II history during this fascinating optional excursion to Normandy, where the Allied troops landed in June 1944. First, travel to the D-Day Museum in Arromanches. Next, stop at the American Cemetery in Colleville—the burial place for more than 9,000 American soldiers who lost their lives in the D-Day invasion. From there, visit Pointe du Hoc to view the evocative granite monument erected by the French in honor of the American Second Ranger Battalion, who seized German positions here before they could be used to fire on American troops landing on Omaha Beach.
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Day 7 - St.-Malo
Journey through the village of Bayeux to view the famed Bayeux Tapestry, an ancient work of art depicting the Battle of Hastings. Continue on to the rocky seaport of St.-Malo for an included dinner tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Bayeux Tapestry
Day 8 - St.-Malo
From the rocky Atlantic outpost of St.-Malo, pirates once set sail, as did explorer Jacques Cartier on his way to eastern Canada. On your fully guided tour, take in the narrow streets, tall granite homes and medieval ramparts, and learn how the town’s seamen fought Barbary pirates and plundered English, Dutch and Spanish merchants. This afternoon, opt for an excursion to the spectacular Mont-St.-Michel monastery, situated on a tiny islet surrounded by dramatic tides.
Included meals: breakfast
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$79 CAD |
Mont St.-Michel
Tour the breathtaking monastery of Mont St.-Michel. Perched high on a granite rock, this eighth-century abbey is surrounded by water at high tide and quicksand at low tide. You’ll also visit the surrounding town. After your guided tour, you’ll have free time for a stroll around town. Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking, some over uneven terrain.
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Day 9 - Loire Valley
Depart St.-Malo and head south in to the lush Loire Valley, now a major wine-producing region and once France's "Playground of the Kings." Upon arrival in the Loire Valley, your first stop is Fougeres, a fortified city and military stronghold in medieval times. You'll also top to view the Château Amboise. Arrive later at your hotel and enjoy an included dinner with your group.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 10 - Paris
Today, explore the Loire Valley’s Renaissance castles. Experience a fully guided tour of romantic Chenonceau, arching gracefully over the River Cher. You’ll also stop to admire the impressive Chambord, before transferring back to Paris. Upon arrival, you can enjoy an optional Evening in Paris that begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant and ends with a cruise along the Seine.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrance: Chenonceau
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$99 CAD |
Evening in Paris
Take in the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a local restaurant. After you dine, board a boat cruise along the Seine. As you coast along the river and under Paris’ bridges, you’ll behold the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris glittering alongside the riverbanks. Please note: The dress code may vary depending your restaurant, and your Tour Director will advise you on what to wear, but shorts and sneakers are likely to be considered inappropriate attire.
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Day 11 - Paris
An expert local guide introduces you to the historical and cultural landmarks of the City of Light. Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most celebrated avenues. You’ll pass the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair. See Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood, and absorb the haute couture of the Opera district.
In the afternoon, join an optional excursion to Versailles, a small hunting lodge turned magnificent château. Designed by Europe’s most talented 17th-century architects and landscape designers to be the envy of royalty worldwide, Versailles is a sight to behold. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your group.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
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$99 CAD |
Versailles
The reign of Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” set new standards for decadence among the crowned heads of Europe. It took 50 years and 35,000 workers to turn Versailles, once a small hunting lodge, into the most magnificent château in all of France and the envy of royalty worldwide. On this excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Then stroll through the lavish gardens with their fine statuary, splendid fountains and colorful flowerbeds. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.
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Day 12 - Paris
Board your flight home or prolong your vacation with two additional nights in Paris.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)
Extend Your Stay
Add 2 nights in Paris for only $309 CAD (Single room: add $145 CAD)
Ah, Paris, the city of life, love and light. From the Eiffel Tower to the Mona Lisa, from the bustling Champs Elysées to the winding streets of Montmartre, you'll find magic, romance and history as you sip a café au lait, stroll manicured parks and watch the sun set over the Seine.
