| 9 Days ~ France
Tour
Pace
Evenly paced tour with three, two night stays
(Mont St. Michel, Loire Valley & Paris), plus one overnight stay in seaside
Trouville. Travelling days have several interesting stops en route with
great photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SAT –
PARIS AT LEISURE
There are complimentary
transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your Insight tour hotel. After
checking in, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this fabulous
city, with its grand boulevards and world famous landmarks. Later, meet
your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink, followed by
a sparkling illuminations tour of the capital – the perfect introduction
to Paris. Hotel: Paris Rive Gauche
DAY 2 – SUN –
PARIS – TROUVILLE
Leave the capital to
explore the north-western region of France. Begin by driving into the
ancient Duchy of Normandy and stop in the historic capital of Rouen to visit
the cathedral, so wonderfully painted by Monet. See where Joan of Arc was
burned at the stake, then settle into your hotel in Trouville, a charming
seaside resort called the 21st arrondissement or suburb of Paris. There is
time on arrival to relax and stroll through the town. Hotel: Le Beach.
(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – MON –
TROUVILLE – PONTORSON
There are poignant
reminders of the Second World War as you drive along some of the beaches of
the D-day landings, including Sword, Juno and Gold. Then it’s on to
Arromanches to visit the Invasion Landings’ Museum and see the remnants of
the artificial port, Mulberry B, which remain in the bay. Continue on to
Omaha Beach to visit the American Military Cemetery of St Laurent.
Afterwards, follow the route of the Rangers depicted in Saving Private Ryan
and visit the bunkers and the Rangers’ Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Continue
southwards to your hotel near Mont St Michel. Hotel: Montgomery.
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – TUE –
MONT ST MICHEL & ST MALO EXCURSION
A locally guided tour of
Mont St Michel takes you to the hill-top abbey surrounded by sea. The first
structure, a simple oratory, was built here in the 8th century by the Bishop
of Avranches, and was subsequently expanded and enhanced over the centuries
with the addition of Romanesque and Gothic buildings. The abbey’s
increasing fame attracted pilgrims and visitors and, by medieval times, a
‘ville basse’ had developed, with shops, eating places and guest houses.
Enjoy an insight into the distinctive Breton lifestyle as you head for the
Emerald Coast and the magnificent fortified port of St Malo, where Jacques
Cartier is buried. Take time to walk along the ramparts and explore before
returning to your hotel. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – WED –
PONTORSON – LOIRE VALLEY
Drive south to Brittany
and follow the valley of the Loire, passing the mighty moated castle at
Angers. Cross the Loire at Saumur, where you can sample some of the local
wine. Drive quietly past the sleeping beauty château at Ussé en route to
the beautiful Château de Rochecotte, once the home of Talleyrand, and yours
for the next two nights. Enjoy a Highlight dinner with wine at the hotel.
Hotel: Chateau de Rochecotte. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality
Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – THU –
CHâTEAU COUNTRY EXCURSION
Stop at the castle of
Azay le Rideau, once the home of a King’s minister, and still surrounded
by its moat. Visit the apartments and take time to wander in the town. Then
it’s on to the privately owned château of Villandry, sometimes called the
‘jewel of the Loire’, to visit the apartments and the beautifully
restored Renaissance gardens. Don’t miss the water garden, ornamental
garden and kitchen garden – a stunning display of plants, fruits and
vegetables designed in the 16th century. From here return to your own
chateau. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI –
LOIRE VALLEY – PARIS
On a drive through the
vast wheat fields of La Beauce,see the impressive cathedral at Chartres
looming on the horizon. Stop to marvel at the beautiful stained glass rose
window inside this famous cathedral, built on a sacred site. Return to
‘the city of light’, Paris, for a two-night stay. In the afternoon,
there is time to explore at your own pace: relax in a Parisian café,
window-shop in the elegant boutiques or visit Montmartre, with its street
artists and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica nearby. As night falls, consider
indulging in the excitement and glamour of a French cabaret, complete with
can-can. Hotel: Sofitel Bercy. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SAT –
PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A Parisian guide
introduces you to all the fabulous sights: see the 13th century Gothic Notre
Dame Cathedral, with its tale of Quasimodo, hunchback of Notre Dame; drive
through the courtyard of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde and along
the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. See the
Parisian landmarks from a different perspective on a relaxing cruise onthe
River Seine. The tour concludes with a visit to the gilded Église du Dôme
to see Napoleon’s tomb. The afternoon is at leisure: perhaps admire the
Mona Lisa in the Louvre, buy last-minute presents in famous department
stores like Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps, or celebrate with a
farewell dinner. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 9 – SUN –
PARIS
Our memorable French
experience ends after breakfast this morning with a transfer to
the airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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