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Day 1
- Departure Overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2
- Arrive Paris
Welcome
to France! Relax and
unwind after your
journey or take some
time to explore the
City of Light. This
evening meet for a
Welcome Reception with
your fellow travellers
and Travel Director.
Later enjoy an
orientation drive which
will introduce some of
the sights of this
magical city to you.
Day 3
- Paris - Rouen - Honfleur -
Bayeux
This
morning visit Rouen,
where Joan of Arc was
burnt at the stake.
Then travel to Honfleur,
a picturesque port
immortalised by many
artists. Later in
Bayeux visit the
Tapestry Museum and see
the Bayeux Tapestry,
depicting events before
and during the Battle
of Hastings in 1066.
Dine tonight at your
hotel.
Day 4 - Bayeux
- D-Day Landing Beaches -
Mont St. Michel
 Your
Travel Director
provides excellent
historical commentary
during
your visit to the D-Day
landing beach at Omaha
and the military
cemetery. Stop for
lunch in Arromanches, a
town at the heart of
the Normandy landings.
You might like to
finish your day with an
optional experience to
the historic walled
port town of Saint Malo,
former home of French
explorer, Jacques
Cartier.
Day 5
- Mont St. Michel - Loire Valley -
Ambroise (2nights)
Visit
the Benedictine Abbey
at Mont St. Michel with
a Local Specialist.
Legend has it that the
Archangel Michael
appeared to the Bishop
of Avranches, inspiring
him to build an oratory
on this rocky island
jutting into the
English Channel. Travel
through the scenic
countryside of the
Loire Valley and later
stop for a memorable Be
My Guest experience on
a picturesque farm.
Travel to your hotel in
Amboise where you dine
tonight.
Day 6
- Châteaux Excursion:
Your
Local Specialist takes
you on a fascinating
visit to Chenonceau, a
fairy tale château
built on the River Cher.
The beautiful
architecture –
reflected in the waters
of the river – is
complemented by
magnificent landscaped
gardens.
The
château is often
referred to as the
Ladies Castle, as a
number of women
influenced its
construction and
development. Katherine
Briçonnet oversaw
construction in 1513,
creating one of the
most remarkable castles
in history. Diane de
Poitiers and Catherine
de Medici contributed
to the splendour by
commissioning a bridge
to span the river from
the castle and the
addition of luxurious
landscaping. The Château
contains priceless
collections including
Renaissance furniture,
tapestries and numerous
masterpieces by Rubens
and Tintoretto, among
others. Return to
Amboise to visit the château
where King François I
spent much of his
childhood with his
mother, Louise of
Savoy. During the first
few years of his reign
the château reached
the pinnacle of its
glory. As a guest of
the King, Leonardo da
Vinci came to château
Amboise in December
1515 and lived and
worked in the nearby
Clos Lucé, connected
to the château by an
underground passage.
Leonardo is buried in
the Chapel of
Saint-Hubert adjoining
the château.
Day 7
-
Amboise - Chambord -
Chartres - Paris (2nights)
Visit
Chambord, one of the
most remarkable and
recognisable châteaux
in the world.
Influenced by Italian
Renaissance
architecture, the château
resembles a medieval
stronghold
incorporating classical
Italian ornamental
flourishes. The château
was constructed by King
François I as a royal
hunting lodge, however,
he didn't live to see
it completed. Visit
Chartres Cathedral, an
important place of
pilgrimage. Marvel at
the architectural
splendour featuring
original stained glass
windows. Continue to
the glittering capital,
Paris. Tonight,
consider going to see a
spectacular cabaret
show, for which the
city is internationally
renowned!
Day 8 -
Paris at leisure
This
morning's sightseeing
tour with a Local
Specialist will include
views of the Champs Élysées,
Arc de Triomphe, Place
de la Concorde and the
Tuileries Gardens.
During your free time
you may want to explore
a world class museum or
gallery, or even join
an optional experience
to Versailles. This
evening, the finale of
this great trip starts
with visit to the
second level of the
Eiffel Tower for
breathtaking views
across this wonderful
city. Then celebrate
with your Travel
Director and newfound
friends at a Farewell
Dinner with wine at a
local restaurant.
Day 9
- Paris - Home
Say
'au revoir' to France and your fellow
travelers at the end of a wonderful vacation.
NB: You can add extra nights on your own in Paris before or after this tour.
Sightseeing
Highlights:
- City
tour in the Loire Valley and Paris
- Orientations
of Bayeux and Amboise
- View
the Arc d'Triomphe and Champs Élysées
in Paris.
- Visit
Amboise Château, Bayeux Tapestry,
the town of Rouen and the
picturesque port of Honfleur, the
monastery of Mont St. Michel, the
historic D-Day beach of Omaha, the
châteaux of Chenonceau and
Chambord, Chartres Cathedral and
the second level of the Eiffel
Tower
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Dining Highlights:
A welcome drink with your Tour Director in Paris
- 7
hot
Buffet breakfasts
- 5
dinners
(
including
Welcome
Reception,
3
three-course
dinner
with
wine
and
Farewell
dinner).
12 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights:
The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors. A qualified local city guide in Paris and the Loire Valley. Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats and washroom. A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.
First Class Hotels:
You'll stay in superior rooms with private facilities at these superb hotels: Paris:
Movenpick
Neuilly Bayeux:
Novotel Mont St. Michel:
Le Relais Du
Roy Amboise:
Novotel Paris: Renaissance La Defense
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Return airfare in economy class included.
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