Northern France
Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, Chartres, Versailles, Paris
Day 1: After your arrival in Paris, France, drive directly to Mont Saint-Michel, where you will stay the night. Before retiring, get a close look at the island fortress from the mainland for an impressive night view.
Day 2: In the morning, tour the never-conquered island bastion of Mont Saint-Michel, then drive to the solemn World War II US Cemetery in Normandy with its seemingly endless white crosses and ponder the sacrifices made for freedom. At nearby Pointe du Hoc, tour the heavily shelled area where bomb craters and cement bunkers are still present. From there, drive back toward Paris, and spend the night in the city of Chartres.
Day 3: After breakfast, tour the Chartres Cathedral with its lovely stained glass and then drive on to Versailles and tour the extravagant palace and gardens of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Afterwards, drive back to Paris, return your rental car and spend the night in the beautiful capital.
Day 4: Your time in Paris is limited, so get an early start by first visiting the well-known gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Take your time and admire the famous construction with its gargoyles and innovative flying buttresses from all angles. After a quick stop for a mouthwatering crêpe, walk a short distance to another famed Parisian site, the Sainte-Chapelle and its ornate stained glass. In the afternoon, walk along the Seine to the Louvre, where you will spend the rest of the day browsing the world famous art collection, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. In the evening, take the Paris Metro to the Eiffel Tower, where the elevator will take you up the glittering tower for breathtaking views of the softly lit city. After a perfect end to a busy day, retire to your hotel for the night.
Day 5: With any time left on your last day, admire the Arc de Triomphe and then walk the popular Champs-Élysées. Sadly, it is time to depart the City of Light, but you leave with lasting memories from a truly special place.
Day 1: After your arrival in Paris, France, drive directly to Mont Saint-Michel, where you will stay the night. Before retiring, get a close look at the island fortress from the mainland for an impressive night view.
Day 2: In the morning, tour the never-conquered island bastion of Mont Saint-Michel, then drive to the solemn World War II US Cemetery in Normandy with its seemingly endless white crosses and ponder the sacrifices made for freedom. At nearby Pointe du Hoc, tour the heavily shelled area where bomb craters and cement bunkers are still present. From there, drive back toward Paris, and spend the night in the city of Chartres.
Day 3: After breakfast, tour the Chartres Cathedral with its lovely stained glass and then drive on to Versailles and tour the extravagant palace and gardens of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Afterwards, drive back to Paris, return your rental car and spend the night in the beautiful capital.
Day 4: Your time in Paris is limited, so get an early start by first visiting the well-known gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Take your time and admire the famous construction with its gargoyles and innovative flying buttresses from all angles. After a quick stop for a mouthwatering crêpe, walk a short distance to another famed Parisian site, the Sainte-Chapelle and its ornate stained glass. In the afternoon, walk along the Seine to the Louvre, where you will spend the rest of the day browsing the world famous art collection, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. In the evening, take the Paris Metro to the Eiffel Tower, where the elevator will take you up the glittering tower for breathtaking views of the softly lit city. After a perfect end to a busy day, retire to your hotel for the night.
Day 5: With any time left on your last day, admire the Arc de Triomphe and then walk the popular Champs-Élysées. Sadly, it is time to depart the City of Light, but you leave with lasting memories from a truly special place.
Southern France
Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées, Dordogne Valley
Day 1: On your first day in exciting southern France, arrive at the Toulouse Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Arles in the Provence region. After checking into your hotel in the wonderful old town and having a good meal, take a self-guided walk visiting as many of the town’s sites as you have time for, including the Roman arena, classical amphitheater, Forum square, and St. Trophine Church as well as the easels around town that display various scenes Vincent van Gogh painted when he lived in Arles. Day 2: After breakfast, get in your car and drive to the city of Orange to see one of the best preserved Roman theaters in existence and then walk over to see the Roman Arch. After lunch, drive to Pont Du Gard and visit the museum and Roman aqueduct. Make sure to bring your swimsuit as swimming in the river in the shadow of the ancient aqueduct is sure to be one of your treasured memories of the trip. Day 3: In the morning, pack your bags, but make sure to visit the ancient history museum in Arles before you leave to see the wonderfully preserved Roman barge that was recently discovered in the river. Afterwards, take a short drive to the hilltop town of Les Baux-de-Provence, where you will wander through the remains of the destroyed castle in this breathtaking setting, making sure not to miss the live crossbow, sword fighting, and catapult demonstrations. After touring the castle, check into your room in Les Baux and take advantage of the absence of tourists to take a pleasant walk through the peaceful village before dinner. Day 4: After checking out of your hotel, drive to Carcassonne, where you will stay for the night. After check-in, wander the streets of the amazingly preserved medieval city, making sure to stop at one of the many restaurants to try the local dish, cassoulet, and then enjoy an after-dinner walk through the serenely light city. Day 5: Start today by checking out of your hotel and driving to the cave of Grottes De Cougnac, where you will be amazed at the wonderful cave formations as well as the prehistoric cave paintings. After your cave tour, get back in the car and drive to the Dordogne river valley, where you will make your base in the area around the towns of Castelnaud and Beynac for the next two nights. After lunch, visit the castle at Beynac and then spend the rest of your day wandering the cobbled streets of this French gem. Have a nice dinner in one of the good restaurants and enjoy a quiet evening in one of the most beautiful spots in France. Day 6: Get an early start on what will be one of the most memorable days of your trip. After breakfast, drive to the river for your prearranged canoe trip, which begins in the town of Vitrac. Take your time on the river to savor the experience as you drift through the tree-lined shores past quaint villages and limestone cliffs. Your first stop of the day will be at the picture perfect town of La Roque-Gageac, where you can beach your canoe and take a quick stroll through the small town. Next, continue down river to the town of Castelnaud which is the perfect spot for a swim and a picnic lunch. If you didn’t bring your own lunch along, there is a conveniently located shop nearby where you can get whatever you need. After lunch, climb to the top of town for soaring views and a tour of the castle. Upon your return, get in your canoe and finish your day in Beynac, just a short paddle from Castelnaud. Day 7: In the morning, pack your bags and drive to Cahors to visit its handsome medieval bridge. Then continue on through the eastern Dordogne valley to the cave at Grote du Pech Merle to see more beautiful cave formations and an even more impressive display of prehistoric cave painting. After the cave tour, drive a short way to what just may be the most beautiful village in all of France. Set above the eastern Dordogne river on limestone cliffs, St-Cirq-Lapopie, will not disappoint, especially in the evening hours when the gawking day-trippers have departed. Check into your hotel for your last night in a place that will make you wish you had another week to enjoy the splendors of southern France. Day 8: Wake up early to catch the town in the glow of the morning light before the tourists arrive. After breakfast, depart for the airport in Toulouse as you finish a memorable trip in one of the world’s favorite regions. |