Compare Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley 2023 by Tauck vs Paris and Versailles by Eskapas

Day 1 Arrive Paris / Versailles

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Trianon Palace Versailles. A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, less than a mile from Château de Versailles. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Trianon Palace Versailles – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Versailles, France

Day 2 Chartres to Châteaux

Begin the day traveling from Versailles to Chartres. See some of the world's greatest examples of the art – more than 27,000 square feet of it, created by artisans of the 12th and 13th centuries – inside Chartres' Gothic cathedral, among the most impressive in all of Europe. After touring the town of Chartres, continue on to Langeais in châteaux country, where you'll spend the next two nights at Château de Rochecotte, once the private estate of diplomat Prince Tallyrand and the Duchess of Dino. Tonight, enjoy an immersive Loire Valley experience at Château de Champchevrier, a private country estate, where you'll meet the Baron and his family, enjoy a reception and dinner, and witness a hunting hound demonstration in full regalia.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Château de Rochecotte

Day 3 The Loire Valley & Châteaux Country

For centuries, royalty and nobility built their magnificent châteaux in the Loire Valley, which also attracted poets, novelists and artists to find their inspiration in the lush forests and rich farmland of the "Garden of France." First, enjoy a glimpse of the princely life on a guided visit to Château de Langeais, overlooking the Loire River; King Charles VIII of France was married here in 1491. Next up is a private visit to the vineyards of Le Moulin Bleu in Bourgueil for lunch and a wine tasting. Later, visit Château Villandry – reputed to have the most spectacular formal gardens in all of France – prior to returning to your Langeais château hotel for dinner and an evening spent as you please.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Château de Rochecotte

Day 4 Château d'Angers and the Seaside

In the midst of the wine-growing area of the Loire Valley lies the 13th-century Château d'Angers, home to the famous Apocalypse Tapestry, the longest medieval tapestry in the world. After a visit to this 17-towered fortress to view its celebrated depiction of scenes from the Book of Revelations – of which about 329 feet of its original 459-foot length survive – continue on to Port du Crouesty to enjoy a two-night stay in the elegantly furnished and quite unusual waterfront spa resort, Miramar La Cigale – Hôtel Thalasso & Spa.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Miramar la Cigale – Hôtel Thalasso & spa

Day 5 Scenic Cruise & Rochefort-en-Terre

As Tauck's most delightful of France and Normandy tours continues, start the day with a walking tour of Le Petit Mont, a Neolithic-era tomb that German forces used as a bunker during WWII. Take a sightseeing cruise among the islands of the scenic Golfe du Morbihan, followed by an excursion to Rochefort-en-Terre. This lovely 19th-century stone village has earned a reputation as one of France's top floral towns thanks to a century-long tradition, begun by French-American painter Alfred Klots, of blanketing the town with pink and red geraniums each spring.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Miramar la Cigale – Hôtel Thalasso & spa

Day 6 From Vannes to Josselin & St-Malo

Brittany's medieval history reveals itself as you take a walking tour, view the Cathedral and meander along the Promenade de la Garenne in Vannes. Visit the ancient town of Josselin and explore its castle, Château Josselin, one of the oldest châteaux in western France and the residence of the aristocratic Rohan family. Your guided tour reveals the castle's turbulent history and includes a collection of rare dolls in its Doll Museum. Wind your way through idyllic Breton villages to St-Malo, where you'll spend the next two nights on the English Channel coast at Le Grand Hôtel Dinard.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Grand Hôtel Dinard

Day 7 Mont-St-Michel & Medieval St-Malo

Considered to be one of Western civilization's premiere achievements, the impressive Abbey of Mont-St-Michel was once totally unreachable at high tide. Check out the range of architectural styles it embodies – with lots of walking up and down hills – on this morning's visit. Once the infamous base for French corsairs, the medieval port town of St-Malo, set dramatically overlooking the sea, offers much to discover on a guided walking tour of its atmospheric walled center, La Ville Intra-Muros, with your Tauck Director. Or you may spend the rest of the day exploring as you wish.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Le Grand Hôtel Dinard

PORTOFCALL : Saint-Malo, France

Day 8 Centuries of History in Normandy

Set out from St-Malo across the countryside on this most satisfying of Normandy tours to the coast, and view the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Your scenic drive along the Yellow Roads brings you to Le Mémorial de Caen, commemorating the sacrifices of World War II and the battle for Caen, and featuring a Peace Museum and memorial gardens. Late afternoon, arrive in the seaside resort of Deauville and your accommodation for the next two nights, the epitome of Belle Époque elegance. Dine à la carte at your hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville

PORTOFCALL : Deauville, France

Day 9 Poignant Memories of D-Day

A poignant moment on your journey is a visit to the beaches on which Allied forces landed on June 6, 1944 – known forever after as "D-Day" – to begin the World War II liberation of Europe and the long march to Berlin. Your memorable visit includes an introduction to the momentous events of D-Day by Tauck's local expert; a look at a private World War II memorabilia collection and a hands-on exhibit; and guided visits to Pointe du Hoc, the 100-ft. cliff taken by the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day... the now-quiet Omaha Beach, where American assault units took heavy casualties in establishing a beachhead... and the poignant American Military Cemetery, final resting place of thousands of U.S. troops. Your explorations at these sites connected to "the longest day" make for a day you'll never forget.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville

PORTOFCALL : Deauville, France

Day 10 Monet's Giverny & on to Paris

Depart Deauville and continue along the River Seine to Giverny to tour the celebrated home and oft-painted gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Monet (who moved to Giverny at the tail end of the 19th century) painted some of his most recognizable work at his home here, including a series of paintings focused on his beloved water lillies. Your final destination today is legendary Paris. Select small group departures (see dates and prices under "Pricing & Availability") will stay at legendary Le Meurice; all other departures stay at Le Scribe Paris Opéra.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Scribe Paris Opéra

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 11 Parisian Pleasures

Begin the day with a morning city sightseeing coach tour of Paris where you'll view famous Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the glamorous Champs-Élysées and iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame. The remainder of the day and evening is free for you to explore Paris as you please; if you wish, you may join us for an optional walking tour in the afternoon.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Le Scribe Paris Opéra

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 12 Impressionist Art at Musée d'Orsay

Immerse yourself in the soft beauty of the works of the Impressionists during a locally guided visit to the famous (and newly renovated) Musée d'Orsay, whose great collection of 19th-century French Im­pres­sion­ist paintings, sculptures and art objects is displayed in the restored Gare d'Orsay, a former railway station built for the Paris Exhibition of 1900 (subject to closure). We invite you to join us for a special farewell dinner at historic – and legendary – Fouquet's on the Champs–Élysées.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Scribe Paris Opéra

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 13 Journey home

Tour ends: Paris. A transfer is included from Le Meurice or Le Scribe Paris Opéra to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports or Paris' Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle-Station or Gare du Nord train stations. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, France

Arrival to Paris, “Bienvenue a Paris”, meet and greet and transfer to your city centered hotel in Paris.

Overnight: Paris Meals: N/A

Day 2: Paris Highlights

Spend a day exploring Paris in a very unusual way. This excursion on foot and riverboat will show you the highlights of Paris: visit the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower with our professional guide.

After breakfast, meet with our guide in the center of Paris at 08:15 am. (Arc de Triumph of the Carrousel facing the Louvre pyramid)

He/she will take you straight to the famous Louvre Museum, through this must-see museum and tell you about the main artworks: the Venus of Milo statue representing the goddess Aphrodite, the impressive painting of The Wedding at Cana the Coronation of Napoleon illustrating the emperor’s crowning in the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa which is the most visited work in the Museum.

After your tour of the Louvre Museum which takes about 2.30 hours, your guide will take you to the riverbank, before the Pont du Carrousel, to board a Batobus boat. This short cruise will show you Paris from a different angle. You will see some of the superb bridges over the Seine and Paris monuments along the banks. The boat moors at the Quai de la Bourdonnais at the foot of the Trocadéro, right opposite the Iron Lady

You will have time then for lunch on your own before going up to the Eiffel Tower

Your guide will let you disembark to go to the iconic monument of Paris. He/she will lead you up to the second floor where the secrets of the Eiffel Tower will be revealed. After hearing remarkable commentaries, you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of Paris and see the top Parisian landmarks. Keep on visiting the Tower on the second level and get down to the first one to experience the incredible glass floor.

The services of our professional guide will end on the second level of the Eiffel Tower and you will have free time at leisure (End approx 04:30 pm)

Day 3: Paris – Versailles

After breakfast, randez-vous at 08:15 am.

Departure from the center of Paris to the Palace of Versailles. Make the most of the 45-minute journey by luxury air-conditioned coach and listen to your guide’s introduction to the history of the palace.

The Palace of Versailles covers an area of over 721,000 square feet and has more than 700 rooms.

Follow your guide straight to the front of the line to see the palaces most beautiful rooms: the Kings Grand Apartments, with seven rooms each dedicated to a different god (Apollo, Mars, Mercy, Venus, etc.) and the Queens Grand Apartments, mirroring those of the king, including the Coronation Room and the Queens Bedroom, once occupied by Marie Antoinette, among others. Also, admire the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, a unique room in which guests were received and impressed, designed by the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Almost 240 feet-long, it was created to dazzle visitors to the Sun King, Louis XIV; it is lit by 17 windows and some 350 mirrors, and overlooks the palace’s breath-taking gardens, the second part of your visit.</span></div>

Return to Paris at 12:30 pm

After noon free time at leisure

Overnight: Paris Meals: Breakfast</span></div>

Please note:

We strongly advise against high-heeled shoes (parquet flooring in the rooms and cobblestones in the courtyard)

Strollers are not permitted inside the palace

Access to the palace is challenging for those with reduced mobility

Photography without flash is permitted inside the palace

The skip-the-line access is subject to the Versailles Palace procedures: The Vigipirate plan, the security control or an unforeseen crowd can slow down the entrance.

Day 4: Paris

Breakfast and free day at leisure. Overnight: Paris Meals: Breakfast

Optional Tours:

Disneyland® Paris: 1 Day 2 Parks with round trip transport:

1 entrance ticket 1 day / 2 Parks

We begin our day by crossing Paris as far as the Porte de Bercy to join the A4 motorway leading to Disneyland ® Paris. (average journey : 1 hour). Our driver will leave you at the group parking area close to the park entrances. Take advantage of a nice day with your family at Disneyland ® Paris. Both adults and children will enjoy discovering the magic world of Disneyland Paris. You will be able to enter both parks:

Disneyland ® Park: Magic world where you will meet all the Disney characters who live in an endless fairy tale.

Walt Disney Studios ® Park: Go behind the scenes of the movies, cartoons and tv shows.

The group will re-join the coach at the same spot at the end of the day at 7.15 PM

Come back to Paris around 08.00 PM. Departure at 7.00 PM in winter 200€ per person Children Mont Saint-Michel Tour with lunch: (Only Friday &#8211; 14 Hour Experience) An exceptional day at Mont-Saint-Michel in the company of a professional guide. Discover the history and the riches of this Wonder of the West; through the enthusiastic commentary of our guide. 250€ per person

Loire Valley Castles: (Only Mondays - 13 Hours) Come and live an exceptional day in the heart of the Loire Valley in France. You will visit the Chateau de Chenonceau and the Chateau de Chambord with our guide, two of the greatest castles of the Loire Valley. This dive into French history will be completed by a visit to the Clos Lucé castle, the emblematic place of the famous Leonardo da Vinci. Take a seat in an air-conditioned vehicle, departure from the center of Paris at 7:15 am! 250€ per person

Normandy D-Day Beaches: (Only Saturdays - 13 Hours) Enjoy a full day excursion from Paris to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy in the company of an official guide, who will bring these historic sites to life. 250€ per person.

Day 5: Paris Departure

After breakfast, free time until your flight time. Transfer to the airport and end of ou services.

Au Revoir!