7-day Guided Tour Paris — D-Day — Loire Castles — M.St-Michel —Louvre—Versailles—Giverny

7 days (ID: 163467)

Small-group Mercedes minivan

Overview

7-day Small-group Paris Guided tour up to 8 persons and 8 most popular highlights of Paris including Day trips to Mont Saint-Michel, Loire Valley castles, Versailles and Giverny. Hotel accommodation if needed for extra charge
Optional Day trips tp Chablis wine tasting, Champagne tastings and D-Day Beaches.
Paris Sightseeing City tour and Paris by night by Minivan,
Audio guided Louvre Museum visit, Walking tours Quarter Latin and Montmartre, Seine River cruise.
We can book for You optional tourist class hotels 3* and 3*+ which are located in the 9 Arrd. of Paris close to Opéra Garnier, where all our Excursions do start:
More multi-day tours in France and day-trips from Paris by Clewel Travel.

Itinerary

Day 1. Sunday: Day trip to Loire Valley Castles: Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise

This Day trip to 3 Loire Valley castles with wine tasting will be offered as well on Saturday for those who arrive later.

07:30 Departure to Loire Valley

07:30 am Meeting at Opera Garnier Steps. There are 180 km to drive on highway by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan in Small-group up to 6 people to reach the first Castle Chambord. It takes about 2,5 hours with one stop at the rest area. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history connected to the Castles of Loire Valley.

10:00 - 11:30 Arrival at the Loire Valley at Château de Chambord

10:00 am - 11:30 am Visit of Chateaux Chambord. The Guide will tell You the history of the Castle and its construction. The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles because of its French Renaissance architecture. The building was constructed between 1519 and 1547 by Francis I (Francois 1-er) and is nowadays the biggest castle with its 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The castle is also known because of its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.

There is One hour drive (60 km) on national roads crossing small towns and countryside.

12:00 - 14:30 Wine Tasting and Lunch time

12:30 pm Wine Tasting of minimum 7 wines at a local family vinery existing since many centuries. You will learn how wines are been made for centuries and have afterwords the wine tasting of local wines with explanations.

1:15 pm - 2:30 pm Time for Lunch in Amboise city where You'll find many restaurants and cafes. We can as well recommend You or make a table reservation at a good restaurant.

14:30 to 15:40 Visit of Château Royal d'Amboise

2:30 pm to 3:40 pm Skip-the-line access with Guide to Royal Chateau d’Amboise with Histopad explaining to You the history of this Castle and of each room.

Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise which is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

Departure to the Chenonceau castle which is located just 20 minutes drive.

16:00 - 17:30 Visit of Château de Chenonceau and its Gardens

4.00 pm to 5:30 pm Skip-the-line access to the Chateau Chenonceau and its Gardens. The Guide will tell You the history of the Castle and its construction. You will get as well the brochure with explanations of each room.
Chenonceau nicknamed Le Château des Dames (the ladies' castle) is remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for its stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well.
Attn. In low season we depart at 5:10 pm and in high season at 5:30 due to the opening hours of the Castle.
Departure to Paris. It takes about 3 to 3,5 hours (245 km).

20:30 to 21:00 Coming back to Paris

8:30 pm to 9:00 pm Coming back to Paris to Opera Garnier or Drop Off if this option booked (free of charge) full of impressions of a full Day Trip to Loire Valley and its Castles.

Day 2. Monday: Paris — Sightseeing City tour — Montmartre — Latin Quarter — Louvres — Paris by night — Seine Cruise

08:00 am - 10:30 am. Sightseeing city tour

08:00 am. - 10:30 am. Meeting with the participants in Paris at Opera Garnier Step. The Guided Sightseeing city tour by Minivan starts. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history and a lot of interesting things about France, its culture, architecture and history. Duration 2,5 to 3 hours.

10:30 am - 11:30 am. Walking tour Montmartre

Walking tour Montmartre included into Sightseeing city tour. Duration 1 hour. Montmartre is a famous quarter of Paris located on the large 430 ft high hill in the 18th district dominated by white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, popular nowadays as a nightclub district and famous thanks to its artistic history during the Belle Époque. Many artists lived and worked here: Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh.

11:30 am. End of the Basic tour at Notre Dame de Paris (total duration 3,5 h)

11:30 am - 12:30 am. Optional walking tour Quartier Latin

11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Walking tour Quartier Latin if Option booked. Duration about 1 hour. The Latin Quarter of Paris or Quartier latin situated on the left bank of the Seine river close to Notre-Dame de Paris is known for its University, high schools, student life, lively atmosphere, and numerous bistros. Its name is related to the Latin language which was widely spoken during the Middle Ages in and around the University.

Departure to Louvre.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Louvre Museum visit

1:00 pm- 4:00 pm. The Louvre Museum visit with Audioguide. After the Quartier Latin walking tour theminivan will drop You off at Louvre and our Guide will advise You about the entrance and will provide You with Audio guides. Musée du Louvre has got one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. The Louvre Museum was created in the royal palace of the Louvre during the French Revolution. You will visit with Your Guide the former royal residence. The most interesting halls are the Apollo Gallery and the Caryatids Hall. The collection is based on former royal collections, as well as collections of monasteries and individuals. Napoleon expanded and enriched the museum with archaeological finds collected during the military campaigns. Among the most famous exhibits of the Louvre are Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, Nike of Samothrace, paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Botticelli etc.

7:00pm - 9:00 pm. Paris by Night City tour

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Meeting at the Opera Garnier Steps and Paris by Night City tour starts.
The Guide will tell You a lot of interesting things about French culture, architecture and history.
During our sightseeing we will see by evening lights the main attractions of Paris. Our sightseeing goes first down to the Louvre. We drive along the Tuileries park. We drive along most famous Paris street Champs-Elysee. Magnetic lights to the Arc de Triumph. Notre-Dame de Paris. Panteon. Eiffel Tower.

9:00 pm - 9:45 pm. Seine River Cruise

9:00 pm - 9:45 pm Seine River Cruise begins. You can enjoy views of Paris by night from the board of the boat.
9:45 pm. End of the Seine River Cruise and transfer to the meeting point at Opera Garnier.

Day 3. Tuesday: Paris — Versailles — Giverny

8:00 am. Meeting in Paris at Opera Garnier Steps

08:00 am Meeting in Paris at Opera Garnier Steps. The Guide will welcome You and the Sightseeing begins. Departure to Giverny - the country home of Claude Monet. The Guide will welcome You and give on the way You general Information about the French history and Impressionism. There are approx. 70 km to drive from Paris to Giverny. It takes in general about 1,15 hour.

09:15 am - 11:00 am. Visit of the Claude Monet's house in Giverny

09:15 am - 11:00 am. Arrival in Giverny and visit of the Claude Monet's house to admire the nature that inspired one of the most famous French painters and founder of Impressionism. Visit the house and Norman flower gardens and Claude Monet’s studio.
11:00 am. Free time for walking to the village of Giverny to admire flowered houses, art galleries, and cafes.
11:45 am Departure to Versailles. It is 70 km drive which takes about 1 hour.

12:30 pm - 17:30 pm Versailles Palace, Gardens, Big & Small Trianon, Hamlet de la Reine

12:30 pm Arrival in Versailles. During Your trip from Giverny the Guide will make explanations about the rich history of Versailles and its inhabitants telling You a lot of interesting facts.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. The visit of the Gardens with access to Big and Small Trianon as well to Hamlet de la Reine.
4:00 pm- 5:30 pm Versailles Palace visit with audio-guide.
You'll learn the whole Estate of Versailles: The Palace, The Estate of Trianon, The Gardens and the Park, The Coach Gallery. Afterwards You will get a Skip-the-line access to the Palace. Audio Guided visit to the Palace will complete this Day trip.
5:30 pm Departure to Paris. It takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour. depending of traffic.

6:30 pm Arrival in Paris at Opera Garnier Steps

Day 4. Wednesday: Optional Burgundy 20 Chablis Wines tasting Day trip

07:30 am Meeting and Departure destination Chablis.

07:30 am Meeting at Opera Garnier Steps and Departure destination Chablis. There are approx. 190 km to drive on a highway from Paris to Chablis by our air conditioned Mercedes minivan. It takes around 2,5 hours. One stop at a rest area will be made.

10:15 am - 11:30 am. Jean-Marc Brocard Domaine visit end Wine tasting

10:15 am - 11:30 am Arrival in Chablis area. Visit of Jean-Marc Brocard Domaine surrounded by the vineyards with Cave visit and wine tasting of 5 wines with cheese: Chablis, Chablis 1-er Cru and Chablis Grand Cru. The experienced staff will give You all explanations about the process of wine making in Chablis and point out the differences between Chablis, Chablis 1-er Cru and Chablis Grand Cru.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Domaine Celine & Frederic Gueguen Wine tasting

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Arrival in Chablis village. We offer the second Wine tasting by one of the local Chablis wine producers Domaine Celine & Frederic Gueguen with 5 wines: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru.

12:30 pm - 2.00 pm Lunch break in Chablis village

12:30 pm - 2.00 pm Free time in Chablis village. You can enjoy the small town or we reserve for You a gastronomic lunch. You pay directly to the Restaurant.

2.00 pm - 3:00 pm Wine tasting by Maison Régnard in Chablis

2.00 pm - 3:00 pm Visit of Maison Régnard Chablis founded in 1860 with 5 Wine tasting and explanations about wines by the local sommelier.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Wine tasting in Chablis

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Visit of the fourth Maison in Chablis La Chablisieenne or Baptiste with 5 Wine tasting and explanations about wines by the local sommelier.

4:00 pm Departure to Paris 190 km (highway). It takes about 2,5 hours. One stop at a rest area will be made.

6:30 pm Arrival in Paris. Drop off at Opera Garnier Steps.

Day 5. Thursday: Paris — Mont Saint-Michel Day trip in Small-group with Calvados tasting

07:30 am Departure to Mont Saint-Michel.

07:30 am Departure to Mont Saint-Michel. There are 367 km to drive on a highway from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan. It takes 4 to 4,5 hours. One stop at a rest area will be made.

10:00 am - 10:45 am. Calvados tasing

10:00 am - 10:45 am. We will make a stop for Calvados tasing by a local producer. You will not only learn the traditional technology but also have a degustation.

10:45 am Departure to Mont Saint-Michel. It takes about 2 hours drive.

1.00 pm - 5:00 pm. Mont Saint-Michel visit of theIsland and Abbay

1.00 pm Arrival at Mont Saint-Michel and visit of the Benedictine Abbey. As a rule we manage to join the Guided visit organised by the Abbey itself. When ii is not possible we provide an audio-guide for the Abbey visit. After arrival at UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel, your we will bring you up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top. On the top of the Island enter the Benedictine Abbey and admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean the and bay.

First settled by man in the year 709 it contains Medieval village & beautiful Abbey fortress dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The construction of the Benedictine Abbey started in the 900’s and continued through the 1200s. It remains practically the same since the Middle Ages as it was the goal of pilgrims from all over the world. It remains the most visited site in France.

5:00 pm. Departure from Mont Saint-Michel to Paris. One stop at the rest area will be made.

9:30 pm Coming back to Paris. Drop off at Opera Garnier steps.

Day 6. Friday: Optional Small-group trip to D-Day Beaches with Lunch

7:30 am Departure destination Caen

07:30 am Departure from Opera Garnier steps destination Caen by our air conditioned comfortable Mercedes minivan. It takes about 3 hours (240 km) to reach the Memorial of Caen.

10:30 am - 12:00 pm Visit of The Caen Memorial

10:30 am - 12:00 pm Visit of The Caen Memorial and Museum, located in the British Sword Beach sector. Caen Museum is the best World War II museum in France. You will get an overview of the battle of Normandy as well the sense of the personal lives of the people who took part in it. An excellent 19-minute film documents this battle with original historic footage.

12:00 pm Departure to Arromanches-les-Bains. It takes about 0,5 hour (30 km) on the national roads crossing beautiful countryside and small villages.

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Stop for Lunch and visit of Arromanches

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Stop for Lunch and visit of Arromanches. The way from Caen Memorial to the Arromanches-les-Bains is about 30 km and takes just half an hour. Arromanches is a small seaside town famous for its former artificial Mulberry Harbour. Located in the center of the Gold Beach landing zone it played an invaluable role in the D-Day landings. The Allies built here an artificial temporary harbour for unloading of vehicles, materials, and people. Mulberry Harbour had, by June 12, 1944, helped bring 300,000 men, 54,000 vehicles, and 104,000 tons of supplies to Europe.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Visit of the 360 Circular Cinema in Arromanches

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Visit of the 360 Circular Cinema and view point over the bay of Arromanches. 14:30 Departure to the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center. It is just half an hour drive (20 km).

3:00 pm - 4:20 pm Arrival and Visit of the Normandy American Cemetery

3:00 pm - 4:20 pm Arrival and Visit of the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center, located in Colleville-sur-Mer and overlooking Omaha Beach. It contains 9,387 U.S. soldiers, most of whom were killed during the Normandy Landings and the Wall of the Missing with the names of 1,557 soldiers missing in action. The cliffs leading down to the beaches contain the remnants of the German defences, including concrete casemates with memorials to the soldiers.

At Normandy American Cemetery you’ll see as well the semicircular memorial colonnade with the sculpture “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” and large maps of military operations; and the most beautiful, idyllic spot on Planet Earth.

4:20 pm Departure to Omaha Beaches. It takes just 10 minutes (5 km).

4:30 pm Arrival at Omaha Beaches

4:30 pm Arrival at Omaha Beaches. Learn about the huge sacrifice made by the 34 000 men who landed here on D-Day. Omaha Beach is the most popular travellers destination of the D-Day Beaches.

5:00 pm Departure to Paris. It takes 3,5 hours (290 km). One stop will be made at the rest area.

8:30 pm Arrival in Paris. Drop off at Opera Garner steps.

Day 7. Saturday: Paris. Free time. Day trip to 3 Loire Valley castles with wine tasting

Saturday: Paris. Free time. Optional Trips. See on our web.

For those who couldn't participate on Sunday Day trip to 3 Loire Valley castles with wine tasting in SmalFor thous who came to Paris later Optional Experiences:

- Optional Day trip to Champagne with tastings,

- more Small-groups and Private Experiences on our web www.clewel.com

What's Included

Live guided Paris City tour and Paris by night, audio guided Louvre visit
Seine river cruise
Mont Saint-Michel Full-day trip with Calvados tasting
Walking tours Quarter Latin, Montmartre
Claude Monet's Giverny House Skip-the-Line visit with tickets
Versailles Palace with tickets & audio guide, Gardens, Big and Small Trianon
3 Loire Valley castles with Wine tasting Day trip
Mercedes minivan up to 7 Persons with adjustable seats, air-conditioned
All Fees and Taxes
Bottled water

Exclusions

Hotel Accommodation (see our hotels price list)
Gratuities and Souvenirs
Meals and Drinks
Optional Day trips to Champagne, D-Day Beaches, Chablis wine tasiting