The Treasures of France 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris
Day 2 - Arrive Paris Welcome to France! After hotel check-in, there is time to relax and unwind or perhaps to start to explore this magnificent capital city. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Drink and tour briefing with our Tour Director and meet our fellow travelers.
Day 3 - Paris - Rouen - Bayeux Our sightseeing tour includes the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Place de
la Concorde, views of Notre Dame Cathedral and an ascent to the second level of the Eiffel Tower for panoramic views over the city. Then we drive to Montmartre where we take the funicular to the Place du Tertre, for a walking tour of the area in the shadow of the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Afterwards, we drive to Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. From here we make our way to Honfleur and on to Bayeux for the night. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Bayeux - D-Day Landing Beaches - Mont St. Michel We visit the Tapestry Museum where the tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the event which radically changed the history of both France and England for centuries. Then we visit the landing beaches of the 1944 campaign and the Omaha military cemetery. Then on to Mont St. Michel, where we visit the Benedictine Abbey. The first structure, a simple oratory, was built here in the 8th century by the Bishop of Avranches, and was subsequently expanded and enhanced with the addition of Romanesque and Gothic buildings. Later we enjoy dinner in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Mont St. Michel - Loire Valley - Amboise (2 nights) Today our Tour Director will reveal to us the location of a Hidden Treasure! But first we travel south, passing by the beautiful town of Château Gontier beside the River Mayenne, en route to the Loire Valley, renowned for its chateaux and delicious wines. We have the opportunity to sample some of these local wines in Saumur before continuing onto our hotel in Amboise where we have dinner tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Châteaux Excursion Today with a local guide, we will visit fairytale Chenonceau, built on the River Cher where the unique beauty of its architecture is reflected in the water. The château owes a large part of its charm to women: it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briconnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici and saved from the rigours of the French Revolution by Madame Dupin. The château is not only remarkable for its architecture and history but also for the fine quality of its collections including the Renaissance furniture, priceless tapestries and numerous masterpieces including Rubens and Tintoretto. Then we will 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. Some historians believe Leonardo is buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, adjoining the château. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Amboise - Chartres - Paris (2 nights) After breakfast our first stop is at Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley. It is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture that blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Italian structures. The chateau was constructed by King François I in part to be near to his mistress the Comtesse de Thoury, but was really built to serve only as a royal hunting lodge, because his main royal residences were at Château de Blois and at Château d'Amboise. Then we drive on to Chartres to visit the cathedral. Here we stop to marvel inside at the beautiful stained glass rose window. From here we continue to the Palace of Fontainebleau, originally designed as a royal hunting lodge but later one of the grandest of the royal country residences, particularly known for its magnificent gardens. Then we return to the glittering capital city, Paris, for the next two nights. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Paris at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure. You may sightsee further or perhaps shop in the boutiques for next year's fashions. Why not browse around the Left Bank and take a Seine cruise to view the beauty of Paris from a different perspective" Or perhaps visit the Musee d - Orsay where the most important collection of
the Impressionist paintings are found or maybe the Louvre Museum where one can still be mystified by the Mona Lisa. Later we will enjoy a celebratory Farewell Dinner with wine together with our Tour Director and our new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 9 - Paris - USA Bid 'au revoir' to your Tour Director and fellow travelers as our tour of Northern France comes to an end. Transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00 and 11.30.
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