Compare Exploring the Seine from Paris to Normandy With Your Grandchild by Road Scholar vs Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,895 | $ 3,375 |
| Price Per Day | $ 278 | $ 375 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A | N/A |
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| Description | Learn the stories of Paris and Normandy alongside historians as you explore landmarks, museums, Châteaux and war monuments on an enriching adventure with your grandchild. | Enjoy the sights and smells of France during this 8-day guided tour. Travel to Normandy and stand on the 100-foot-tall Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the beaches where soldiers fought in World War II — and walk with a Local Expert through the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach, where Allied Forces landed on D-Day. Drive through the Loire Valley to the glorious fragrant gardens of Château de Villandry, stopping to smell the basil, rosemary and other herbs grown in its gardens. You’ll remember those scents at a celebration dinner featuring a farm-to-table feast and sparkling wine. See Paris’ top attractions, from the glistening pyramids of the Louvre to the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, then watch as the City of Light illuminates at dark. |
Day
1
Departures from the U.S.
In Flight
Day
2
Arrival and Welcome to Paris
Paris D Hotel Les Jardins du Marais
Morning: Arrivals at Charles de Gaulle airport and transfers to the program hotel in Paris. Please note that rooms are not generally available until early to mid-afternoon, so you should plan to drop off your luggage at the hotel and then take some time to explore Paris or relax and have a leisurely lunch (on your own). There are Paris maps available at the hotel, and your Group Leader and hotel staff will be present to provide recommendations and directions.
Lunch: On your own to explore local fare.
Afternoon: Check-in at hotel and have time to freshen up and relax before meeting for a welcome orientation and program briefing. We will gather in our private meeting room where the Group Leader will greet you with a warm welcome and introduce everyone. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. All routes, field trips, and excursions are subject to change as weather and river conditions may affect the itinerary. River conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice.
Dinner: Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
3
Montmartre / Paris Overview
Paris B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement. Montmartre is on a hill; there is some walking uphill at a leisurely pace.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Depart on foot to Montmartre to walk the winding streets of this “village”. Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacré Coeur can be seen from many points in Paris. This butte (hillock) is a delightful area of village streets and steep stairways that suddenly rise from the Grands Boulevards. The Romano-Byzantine Basilica of the Sacred Heart dates to the late 1800’s. The interior is decorated in mosaic. The bell, named La Savoyarde is one of the world’s heaviest bells at 19 tons. Nearby the Place du Tertre (Painters Square) is very popular with tourists and street artists vying for the chance to paint their portraits. Poets, singers and artists were drawn to the area by its reputed Bohemian way of life. In the early days, they gathered in the cafés to share their works. This led to the tradition of the café-concert. The most famous of these, the Moulin Rouge, opened in 1889. Until the outbreak of World War II, La Butte remained the city’s artistic and literary center. We will end the morning with a treasure hunt.
Lunch: At a local Montmartre restaurant.
Afternoon: We will go on a field trip by coach for an overview of Paris. This excursion will drive by the Opera, Place Vendôme, Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Louvre Museum, The City Island and the Left Bank. Afterward, we will embark the river cruise ship.
Dinner: Welcome and ship orientation followed by dinner on board.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
4
Paris: L'Île de la Cité and Eiffel Tower
Paris B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include use of the Paris Metro (subway) which has unavoidable stairs. Walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement, as well as walking and standing during visits.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: We will go on a field trip to the heart of the city, where Paris was founded, L'Île de la Cité. Discover the word's most famous cathedral, Notre Dame, as well as the stunning stained glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: Explore the iconic symbol of modern Paris, the famous Eiffel Tower. The tower was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the World's Fair that marked the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. Enjoy a fantastic view of the city.
Dinner: On board.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
5
Monet's Giverny
Vernon B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking on pavement and gravel up to one mile.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: Enjoy a lecture about Impressionism and Claude Monet in Giverny. With your Study Leader, learn the basics of the Impressionism movement and its artists, while the ship navigates along the Seine.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: Discover Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny and the stunning foiliage that inspired the great artist.
Dinner: On board.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
6
Historic Rouen
Rouen B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: Delight in a hands-on activity onboard to learn about French culture.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: Explore historic Rouen, its magnificent gothic cathedral where Monet studied and painted the effects of changing light, and its famous medieval half-timbered houses. Stroll the cobble stone street of the Big Clock to the Old Market Square and the site where Joan of Arc was martyred.
Dinner: On board.
Evening: Enjoy a free evening and perhaps walk over to the Rouen cathedral.
Day
7
Duclair and the Abbey of Saint Wandrille
Duclair B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to one mile.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: Enjoy a hands-on activity to learn about French culture.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: A short distance from Duclair, is Fontenelle Abbey, also called the Abbey of St. Wandrille. Hosted by one of the abbey’s monks, visit the monastery and learn the story of its founder, Wandregisel, or Saint Wandrille. Although much of the abbey has been rebuilt, the chapel of St. Saturnin remains standing on the hillside overlooking the abbey and is one of the oldest ecclesiastical structures still in existence. After exploring the abbey, you will have the option of attending mass with the Benedictine monks as they sing Gregorian chants.
Dinner: On board.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
8
Honfleur / Marine Museum
Honfleur B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities includ walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: Enjoy unique architecture during a tour of historic Honfleur. Learn why this city has one of the few remaining all-wooden churches and the important role of this city in the settlement of New France.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: Learn how Honfleur’s history is tied to the sea at the Marine Museum, where model ships, paintings and objects depict daily life, business and crafts of the 18th and 19th centuries. Next, you may enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Port or visit the Eugène Boudin museum independently.
Dinner: On board.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
9
Disembark/ Bayeux Tapestry/Caen
Caen B,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities includ walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.
Breakfast: On board.
Morning: Disembark the river cruise ship and depart by motorcoach to Bayeux. Examine the Bayeux Tapestry, a lively description of the Middle Ages that describes the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The tapestry is nearly 230 feet long and depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy and Harold, Earl of Wessex, later King of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings. The actual origins of the tapestry remain a mystery, but legend has it that William's wife Mathilda and her ladies-in-waiting embroidered it. Visit the museum using a personal audio guide and watch a film in English about the making of the Tapestry. Next, enjoy some free time in the heart of Bayeux's pedestrian area before continuing on to Omaha Beach.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon: Depart by coach to check-in at the hotel.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
10
Caen Memorial and D-Day Museum
Caen B,L Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Walking and standing up to two miles over the course of the day on paved and unpaved ground. Walking and standing in the museum.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Visit the Caen Memorial and Museum, where displays, films and exhibits tell the story of World War II and the D-Day Landing Beaches.
Lunch: At the Caen Memorial.
Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore Caen at your own pace.
Dinner: On your own.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
11
Omaha Beach / American Cemetery / Point du Hoc
Caen B,L,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles over the course of the day on paved and unpaved ground.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will go on a field trip to Omaha Beach and have an on-site lecture. The battle for Omaha Beach is brought to life through stories and experiential learning activities that include a treasure hunt, while traveling the length and breadth of the beach with a D-Day expert.
Lunch: At a restaurant near Omaha Beach.
Afternoon: We pay our respects with a wreath laying ceremony at the US Normandy American Military Cemetery before exploring the cemetery and the visitor center. Our expert leads us to Pointe du Hoc to learn about the Ranger Assault. Take a walk on the craters, now grassed over, left by the bombings of WWII.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
12
Mont Saint Michel
Caen B,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include travel by motorcoach, walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement. Mont Saint Michel is built on a hill, therefore there is some uphill walking and steps to arrive at the abbey.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Enjoy a field trip to Mont Saint Michel, a place the locals call "le Mont" and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perched on a small rocky island that is connected to the mainland at low tide, Mont Saint Michel is a Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Michael dating from the Middle Ages.
Lunch: Your choice to explore local fare.
Afternoon: We will depart by coach to return to Bayeau.
Dinner: Near the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
13
Sainte-Mère-Église / Cotentin Peninsula
Caen B,L,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles on pavement and sand. Plan to wear shoes that can get wet if walking across the sand at low tide.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will take a field trip to Sainte-Mère-Église to learn the story of the paratrooper whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will take an excursion to the island of Tatihou, just opposite the port of Saint Vaast La Hougue and accessible on foot at low tide or by amphibious vehicle.
Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
14
Departures
In Flight B
Activity note: Transfer Caen to Charles de Gaulle is approximately 2.5 hours.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, transfers leave for the hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:30. After checking in, the capital’s grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. At 17:30, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner at Rural, a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Rouen, Honfleur and Deauville
Follow the River Seine to Rouen, capital of Normandy, to admire its ancient cathedral - a masterpiece of Gothic style and the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. Wander through the narrow streets beneath the Great Clock to the Old Market Square. Here, a superb modern church commemorates the burning of Joan of Arc on this very spot in 1431. Continue to the charming fishing town of Honfleur and to your luxurious hotel, located in the chic seaside resort of Deauville.
Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville.
Breakfast
Day 3: Normandy Beaches and D-Day Landings
Follow the route of the Rangers and visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Then with a Local Expert, spend a few reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent, near Omaha Beach. Explore Normandy with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay. Alternatively, visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and learn about the epic story of William, Duke of Normandy becoming the King of England. This evening you are treated to a delightful dinner, which promises creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients and delicious wines.
Hotel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo
Journey through Bocage country and explore the hilltop abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with your Local Expert. Situated on an island, the abbey is reached by a bridge across the shining sands. Behind the outer ring of defences huddles the small town - it's one street containing shops, cafes and hotels. Continue along the Emerald Coast to stunning Saint-Malo, situated on the Rance Estuary and one of the most charming places in France. A Local Expert will take you on an exploration of the City of the Corsairs. Walk through the maze of streets of Intra Muros, the walled city, home of Jacques Cartier and other celebrated voyagers. At your leisure, you can wander around the ramparts of the thick city walls, offering fantastic views over the old town and the bay. By night, the town’s medieval maze of winding streets is abuzz with quaint bars and restaurants. Alternatively, you may wish to join an Optional Experience to Cancale, known throughout France of its oyster beds, for a delicious meal of fresh seafood and other Breton specialties?
Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde, St Malo.
Breakfast
Day 5: Villandry Experience
Head south to follow the valley of the Loire, passing the moated Angers Castle. Cross the Loire to Saumur, where a local vintner will guide you through tastings of the region's delicious wines. Head to Château de Villandry, the jewel of the Loire, to visit the glorious sustainable gardens on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Ensure you don't miss the water, ornamental and kitchen gardens. This stunning sea of fragrant green herbs, silvery cabbages and purple basil which has been grown organically to re-generate the local ecosystem. Continue to your chateau hotel, where you can relax like royalty in sumptuous surroundings.
Château De Rochecotte, Saint Patrice, Loire Valley.
Breakfast
Day 6: Scenic Drive Along the Loire Valley
Journey to the fairy-tale Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, considered one of the best representations of French Renaissance architecture. Having recently undergone extensive restoration, your Local Expert will show you the subtle blend of French tradition and innovative Italian decor within this 16th century icon of the Loire Valley. Return to your superb chateau for relaxation and free time. This evening, your Celebration Dinner starts with a glass of local sparkling wine and continues with excellent service and delicious Farm-to-Table dishes in the most wholesome setting, ensuring the memory of your meal will linger long after you've returned home.
Château De Rochecotte, Saint Patrice, Loire Valley.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: La Beauce and Chartres to Paris, City of Light
Travelling through the vast wheat fields of the the Beauce region, Chartres Cathedral, nicknamed the 'Acropolis of France' by August Rodin, looms large on the horizon. Enjoy a guided tour of this architectural delight.From here, return to the French capital where your Travel Director introduces you to all the fabulous sights, including the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and the immense facades of the Louvre. Behold the vast Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood, then travel down the Champs Élysées to Napoléon's Arc de Triomphe. After dark, the City of Light really lives up to its name, when the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour, don't miss the chance to experience one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Pullman Paris Centre Bercy.
Breakfast
Day 8: Au Revoir Paris
Your departure transfer will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 or 11:00.
Breakfast
