Your day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel. After a bienvenue à Paris! get-together, we'll take a short walk through our neighborhood, followed by dinner. Sleep in Paris (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Historic Paris and the Orsay

This morning we'll start our tour where Paris did, on the historic Ile de la Cité, and we'll visit many of the island's most interesting sights, including the soaring Notre-Dame cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle church. After lunch, we'll visit the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art at the Orsay Museum. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 3: Masterpieces of the Louvre

We'll spend all morning touring masterpieces housed in Europe's greatest museum, the Louvre. You'll have the afternoon free to stroll the Champs-Elysées, climb the Eiffel tower or visit other Paris sights. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 4: Medieval Guédelon

Today we'll leave Paris and head for the perfectly back door French town of Bourges. En route we'll stop at the medieval Château de Guédelon, where we'll visit a castle being built today using 13th century materials and techniques. We'll end our day in Bourges with a walking tour of the town before dinner. Sleep in Bourges (1 night). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 5: Chambord

This morning, we'll head off for the biggest and brightest of all the Loire Valley Chateaux, the Château de Chambord, where 365 fireplaces warmed royal hunting parties for more than 500 years. Then it's a short drive further into the Loire Valley, where we'll sleep for the next two nights. Bus: 3 hrs.Walking: strenuous.  

Day 6: Chenonceau and Amboise

This morning we'll visit the elegant river-straddling Château de Chenonceau. Then this afternoon you'll have free time in Amboise to visit Leonardo da Vinci's home, tour Amboise's cliff-hanging castle or wander the pleasant pedestrian streets. Bus: 2 hrs.Walking: moderate.

Day 7: Brittany and Mont St. Michel

We'll depart the Loire Valley this morning and make a bee-line to Brittany. We'll stop for lunch in a quintessential Brittany town. Later this afternoon, we'll take a short drive to the picture-perfect island of Mont St. Michel, where we'll sleep (1 night). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 8: Treasure of Bayeux

After a morning tour of Mont St. Michel's towering abbey, we'll drive north to Bayeux, in the heart of Normandy. This afternoon we'll study the 1,000 year-old tapestry that brings to life William the Conqueror's victory over the English at the Battle of Hastings before settling into our hotel where we'll sleep for the next two nights. Sleep in Normandy. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 9: Normandy's D-Day Beaches

Today we'll visit powerful memorials to the D-Day landings, including the American cemetery at Omaha Beach and the now quiet town of Sainte Mère Eglise, sight of the heroic airborne drop made famous by the movie "The Longest Day." A local expert will explain these dramatic events as we tour the key sights. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 10: Monet's Gardens at Giverny

We'll depart early this morning in order to visit Monet's masterpiece-inspiring gardens in Giverny. After lunch, we'll make our way back to Paris, leaving time for some last minute sightseeing before sharing a farewell feast together. Sleep in Paris (1 night). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 11: Tour Over After Breakfast

The Paris airports are easily accessible via shuttle vans or taxis. For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip planning needs. Au revoir et merci!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

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