Compare Unforgettable France by SmarTours vs Highlights of France and Barcelona (Barcelona) by Trafalgar

Day 1: Depart USA.

Your fascinating journey to France begins this evening with an overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2: Arrive Paris (France)

Accommodation: Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles

Arrive in the beautiful city of Paris, also known as the “City of Light.” For centuries, Paris has been been one of the world’s most important cities and certainly one of the world’s most beautiful. Not only is Paris the capital of France, but Paris is considered the global capital for cuisine, art, fashion, and more. After being picked up at the airport by your Tour Director, you’ll be taken to your upscale hotel. You’ll have some time to say “bonjour” to Paris before a welcome drink and briefing at your hotel. Oceania Porte de Versailles Hotel

Day 3: Paris/Giverny/Normandy.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance

After breakfast, travel to the lovely town of Giverny. The town rose to fame in 1883, when the famous impressionist Claude Monet “discovered” the village and moved there. Here, enjoy a visit to the Monet House and Gardens and see firsthand the inspiration for many of Monet’s most famous works. Your next stop is Rouen, one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe located on the River Seine. Upon arrival in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, you’ll enjoy a walking tour and visit the famous (and imposing) Notre Dame cathedral, which was the subject of a series of paintings by none other than Claude Monet. You’ll also visit the Place due Vieux-Marche (or “Old Marketplace”), where Joan of Arc was executed for heresy in the 15th century and where a church in her name was built in 1979. Continue your journey and arrive at your hotel in Caen, in the heart of the Normandy region. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance Hotel

Day 4: Mont St. Michel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance

Today travel to the rugged coast of Normandy and savor the breathtaking views of magnificent Mont St. Michel, built on an isolated island in the gulf of Saint-Malo. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont St. Michel is reached by causeway. The lower towers and medieval sea wall protect a small village, capped magnificently by the commanding Abbey dedicated to the Archangel Michael. You’ll enjoy a visit of the spectacular interior of the Abbey, which was designated as a monument historique in 1874. Prior to the causeway, Mont St. Michel was on an isolated island that pilgrims could approach mindful of a tide that could seep in at any time. Return to Caen and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 5: Normandy Beaches/American Cemetery & Memorial.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance

Spend a remarkable day experiencing and learning about one of the most famous days in history: D-Day. You’ll visit the Normandy Beaches, including Omaha Beach near the coastal village of Colleville-sur-Mer. Omaha was one of the principal beachheads where the U.S. Army stormed ashore on D-Day (June 6th, 1944).  Explore Pointe du Hoc, located between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, where a group of American Army Rangers defied all odds by scaling a massive cliff at a critical moment during the invasion. Continue to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a spectacular and emotional setting located on a bluff overlooking both Omaha Beach and the English Channel. You’ll later visit the city of Bayeux, home to the world famous Bayeux Tapestry and the fortress of William the Conqueror, before returning to your upscale hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Normandy/Chateau Villandry/Loire Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Novotel Amboise Hotel

Morning at leisure to explore Caen (Normandy) independently before traveling to Loire Valley, famous for its old world villages and charming chateaux (castles). En route, pay a visit to the Chateau and Gardens of Villandry, the last of the great Renaissance chateaux built on the banks of the Loire River. The estate’s renowned architecture is matched (if not surpassed) by its magnificent gardens, which are spread across three levels and are truly a sight to see. You’ll continue to your upscale hotel, where you’ll enjoy an included dinner. Novotel Amboise Hotel

Day 7: Chateau de Chambord/Chateau de Chenonceau/Wine Tasting.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Amboise Hotel

This morning, you’ll visit Chateau de Chambord, the undisputed crown jewel of the region and arguably the emblem of the French Renaissance. Originally a weekend hunting lodge for King Francois I in the early 16th century, the Chateau evolved into among the most expensive (and excessive) architectural projects by a French Monarch. Continue to Chateau de Chenonceau, the second most visited chateau in France (behind Versailles), where you’ll be blown away by the magical architecture that was constructed in harmony with the beautiful River Cher. On the way back to your hotel, enjoy a delicious wine tasting in Saumur, a region known for its sparking wines and Cabernet. Return to your hotel, and your evening is at leisure.

Day 8: Loire Valley/Paris.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles

After breakfast, travel back to Paris for your second taste of one of the world’s greatest cities. Upon returning to Paris, enjoy a guided city orientation tour of this magnificent city. See the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Latin Quarter, Pantheon, Place  Vendome, and the Paris Opera. The evening is at leisure with endless possibilities. You may wish to take a stroll along the famous River Seine, where you’ll savor spectacular views, before you select an authentic Parisian restaurant or cafe for dinner. Oceania Porte de Versailles Hotel

Day 9: Optional Versailles Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles

A full day at leisure or perhaps join an optional excursion to Versailles for a fascinating visit of the Chateau and the brilliant hall filled with mirrors and chandeliers, numerous galleries, salons, and royal apartments, all lavishly decorated and fitted with ornate furnishings. The magnificent fountains, supplied by almost 100 miles of pipes, spray jets of water in a forceful dance. You will also have an opportunity to explore the palace and grounds at your own pace. This evening, enjoy dinner at an authentic Parisian restaurant in Montmartre, a famous area part of the Right Bank (“Rive Droite”) in Paris.

Day 10: Paris/Avignon.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Novotel Avignon Centre

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Paris train station and board the TGV train to the historic city of Avignon in the heart of Provence. En route, be sure to admire the beautiful landscapes of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. A charming medieval city that was home to seven successive popes during the 14th century, Avignon will wow you with its imposing Gothic architecture, magnificent art, and fascinating history. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a guided city tour, highlighted by the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in the world. You’ll also marvel at the iconic bridge Pont Saint Benezet on the Rhone River, better known as Pont d’Avignon because of the famous French song that the bridge inspired in the 15th century called “Sur le Pont d’Avignon”. Later, arrive at your upscale, centrally located hotel in Avignon and enjoy an included dinner this evening. Novotel Avignon Centre Hotel

Day 11: Aix-en-Provence/Les Baux-de-Provence.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Avignon Centre

Today, visit the arts capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence (or “Aix”, as it’s commonly called). A vibrant town located in the shadow of Mt. Sainte-Victoire, Aix is famous for its charming squares, elegant fountains, majestic avenues, and, of course, spectacular art. Following a guided city tour, you’ll visit the home and workshop of renowned painter, Paul Cezanne, who used the natural beauty of Aix and its surrounding areas as the subject of much of his work. Continue to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, a historic village where Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 depicting the view from his hospital window. Here, you’ll enjoy an olive oil tasting before some free time for lunch on your own. After lunch, you’ll visit one of the most beautiful villages in all of France, Les Baux-de-Provence, perched on a hill in the Alpilles mountains. Set atop a rocky formation, the village’s name is derived from “baou,” meaning rocky spur. Along with its paved alleyways and stone houses, enjoy a visit to the Church of St. Vincent, the oldest religious building in the village  and home to magnificent stained-glass windows. Later, return to your upscale hotel, and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 12: Marseille/Cassis/Nice.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame

This morning visit Marseille, a vibrant port city and the oldest city in France with twenty six centuriers of history. Marseille, the second largest city in France, has a contagious energy and rich culture that centers around Vieux Port (or “Old Port”). You’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, where you’ll savor the magnificent architecture, highlighted by your visit to Notre-Dame de la Garde, a Neo-Byzantine Catholic basilica. Later, travel east to Cassis, a quaint fishing port famous for its cliffs and sheltered inlets (calanques). Boasting a picturesque harbor and quintessential Provençal houses, Cassis will be the launching point for your spectacular calanques cruise, featuring France’s version of fjords with its inlets surrounded by dramatic rocky cliffs. After your cruise, continue to Nice, the capital of the French Riviera (Cote D’Azur), where you’ll check into your centrally-located hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Mercure Centre Notre Dame Hotel

Day 13: Nice/Antibes.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame

With the beautiful blue waters of Cote D’Azur as its backdrop, Nice is one of the most beloved cities in all of Europe, blending old-world opulence with a lively cosmopolitan vibe. Long recognized as one of the gems of Europe, Nice changed hands several times between the French and the Italians before eventually settling in as part of France. In the old city of Nice, you’ll discover the narrow streets and renowned Baroque architecture and enjoy a walk along the Promenade des Anglais (“Walkway of the English”), a famous promenade along the Mediterranean named as such due to the large number of English tourists who began flocking to Nice in the 19th century. Train up to the Colline du Chateau (or “Castle Hill”), where you’ll savor a sweeping panorama of Nice and the Baie des Anges (“Bay of Angels”). In the afternoon, proceed to the charming neighboring town of Antibes, where you’ll visit the Picasso Museum, housing one of the world’s great Picasso collections: 24 paintings, 44 drawings, 32 lithographs, 11 oils on paper, 80 pieces of ceramics, two sculptures, and five tapestries. The rest of your day is at leisure before an included farewell dinner with your group.

Day 14: Nice/USA.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame

After breakfast, say “au revoir” to France and head to the airport for your flight back to the USA. Your exciting journey ends as you touch down in New York. 

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

Glittering Paris is your launchpad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Light' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit a renowned gallery, shop up a storm or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. Later, join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.

Pullman La Défense

Dinner

Day 2: Explore the Sights of Paris

Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris, to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.

Pullman La Défense

Breakfast

Day 3: Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley Connect with Locals

Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on the 'Way of Saint James', and see its inspiring French Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience with local wines.

Mercure Tours Nord

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Onwards to Lyon

Traveling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill, followed by free time to explore this city between two rivers.

Crowne Plaza Lyon Cite Internationale

Breakfast

Day 5: Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera Dive Into Culture

From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Popes' Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the remnants of the famous bridge immortalized in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Later we continue to the French Riviera, arriving in the seaside retreat of southern France, favored by aristocrats for centuries. With an evening at leisure, perhaps stroll around the Bay of Angels and join the Promenade des Anglais. Or sit and enjoy a glass of wine while the sun sets and listen to the blue Mediterranean waters lap against the shore.

Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000

Breakfast

Day 6: Enjoy Monaco and the Cote d'Azur

A fun-filled day includes a visit to the tiny Principality of Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. See the superyachts in the port and catch a glimpse of the famed grand prix circuit. Enjoy relaxing on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur, retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, or perhaps embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000

Breakfast

Day 7: Off to Colorful Arles and Carcassonne

We travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, with its honey-colored façades and Roman ruins, enjoying some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, or perhaps choosing an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert. Later we continue through the landscapes of Provence, immortalized in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh, to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.

Tribe Carcassonne

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona Dive Into Culture

Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.

Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia

Breakfast

Day 9: Discover Lively Barcelona

Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Perhaps pay a morning visit to mystical Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to discover the fascinating Gothic Quarter. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a vibrant Spanish restaurant.

Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Journey Home

It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions.

Breakfast