EUROPE
France: Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley 12 days from $9,850
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of France as you make your way from incomparable Paris to Normandy, Brittany, and the châteaux of the Loire Valley. WHERE TO STAY Les Jardins du Marais – A peaceful courtyard hotel in the fashionable Marais district of Paris. Hotel le Dauphin les Loges A family-run hotel set in three 17th-century houses in the heart of Honfleur. Hotel Villa Lara An intimate, familyrun property located on a tree-lined square in old Bayeux. La Maison des Armateurs A stylish boutique hotel within the walls of Saint-Malo’s historic Intra Muros district. Le Clos d’Amboise A 17th-century home offering easy access to the châteaux of the Loire Valley. 16
HIGHLIGHTS �
Enjoy guided tours of treasured sites, from Le Marais to the Opéra Garnier and Versailles.
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Trace the events of D-Day with a private guide on a visit to the beaches of Normandy.
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Explore the medieval abbey of Mont-SaintMichel and spend a night in enchanting Saint Malo.
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Sample France’s legendary flavors on visits to cheesemakers, wineries, and artisanal shops.
The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Days 1–3 – Paris, France Arrive in Paris and transfer by private car to your hotel in Le Marais. Join a private guide for a walking tour of the historic quarter, and stop at epicurean shops to sample their wares. On a private orientation tour of Paris’s Right Bank, see the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, the Jardin de Tuileries, and the Louvre. Take in views from Montmartre, once the haunt of Picasso, Renoir, and Van Gogh; then enjoy a private tour of the Opéra Garnier. Tour the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay, and take a private walking tour of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. Day 4 – Versailles Travel to the Château de Versailles with your driver and guide. Tour this extravagant palace, built by Louis XIV, and explore the vast gardens. Later, head to Paris’s
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Marché d’Aligre. Stroll past stalls filled with local produce, and enjoy a wine and cheese tasting. Day 5 – Giverny and Honfleur Travel to Normandy, stopping to visit the house of Claude Monet at Giverny and the picturesque village of Les Andelys. Venture into the 7th-century Jumièges Abbey before checking in to your hotel in Honfleur. Days 6–8 – Normandy and Brittany Discover the celebrated flavors of Normandy. Sample the apple brandy called calvados on a guided tour of an apple cider distillery, and taste traditional cheeses at the medieval Domaine Saint-Hippolyte. On a full-day excursion to the D-Day landing sites, stroll Omaha and Utah Beaches, and visit the poignant Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Spend the night in Bayeux. Drive to Brittany, stopping en route at Mont St. Michel, a fortified medieval abbey built on a tidal island. Travel to a seaside town for lunch and a tasting of fresh oysters, and enjoy a free afternoon to discover the walled city of Saint-Malo. Days 9–12 – Loire Valley and Amboise Continue to the Loire Valley with your private driver, stopping to see the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry in Angers and visit the World Heritage-listed Fontevraud Abbey, where Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine are buried. From your base in Amboise, take guided tours of the Château d’Amboise and Clos Lucé, where Da Vinci spent his last three years. At elegant Chenonceau, glide under the archways on a shared boat ride. Visit the private residence of Château de Cheverny and the magnificent Chambord before your final evening in France.
