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Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley
This luxury tour is the Normandy, Brittany, Paris and the Loire Valley tour from Tauck. This 13 day tour will have you in a whirlwind of epic and romantic destinations in just under two weeks. This journey highlights France's history from the architecture to the local markets and citizens that call it home.
On this great tour you'll be making your way through some of the most interesting, historically and artistically important regions in France is something you will remember forever. Your Normandy, Brittany, Paris and the Loire Valley tour begins in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris. During your time in France, you’ll be staying in luxury hotels and enjoying exclusive opportunities on your Tauck tour. You’ll travel through medieval history, taste some of the most delicious fresh food imaginable and fall in love with the France locals in these regions have known for generations.
13 Days • fr. $7,390
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS! Explore Brittany’s rugged headlands, the Normandy coast, historic D-Day beaches and Paris
- Tauck Exclusive, Select Departures – Tours of April 21, 26; May 5; June 7, 14; July 26, 28; September 6, 22, 29 and October 11 will feature a Tauck Exclusive, after-hours visit to Musée du Louvre (visits scheduled for Day 10, 11 or 12), specially priced. See Mona Lisa smile, fall in love with Venus de Milo, meet Bernini's sleeping beauty, mingle with Monets, Michelangelos, Rembrandts and Renoirs - without crowds!
- All Small Group Departures enjoy a 3-night stay in Paris at Le Meurice, ranked among the most elegant hotels in the world, combining exceptional 18th century opulence with contemporary chic. Embodying the perfect French palace hotel, Le Meurice is ideally situated between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre; Salvador Dalí was a regular visitor, and the hotel still enjoys a close relationship with noted artists today.
- Dinner at a private country estate in châteaux country with a hunting hound demonstration in full regalia
- A cruise along the Golfe du Morbihan (meaning “Little Sea” in Breton), a channeled inlet of small islands that wax and wane with the tide
- Guided visits to the “must-see” sights of Chartres Cathedral, Mont-St-Michel, Monet’s home & gardens at Giverny, the Bayeux and Apocalypse tapestries and Musée d’Orsay
- Guided walking tours along the cobbled streets of the ancient French towns of Chartres, Rouen, Rochefort-en-Terre, Mont-St-Michel, Vannes & Saint-Malo
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as detailed
- All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
Not Included
- The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, dry cleaning, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- Airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
- 12 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 8 dinners
Hotel Details
- Trianon Palace Versailles – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Versailles, France (1 night)
- Château de Rochecotte in Langeais, France (2 nights)
- SAS Miramar Crouesty in Port du Crouesty, France (2 nights)
- Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes in St-Malo, France (2 nights)
- Royal Barrière Resort in Deauville, France (2 nights)
- Sofitel Paris le Fauborg or Le Meurice in Paris, France (3 nights)
Day 1
Arrive Paris and on to Versailles
Versailles, France
Tour begins: 6:00 PM at 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; explore it on an included independent visit today. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
Dinner
TRIANON PALACE VERSAILLES – A WALDORF ASTORIA HOTE
Day 2
Ancient Chartres & an evening at a château
Chartres, France
Travel from Versailles to Chartres. Watch a demonstration of the time-honored art of creating stained glass at the International Stained-Glass Centre, then 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.
Breakfast, Dinner
CHÂTEAU DE ROCHECOTTE
Day 3
The Loire Valley's châteaux country
Langeais, France
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.
Bourgueil, France
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.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
CHÂTEAU DE ROCHECOTTE
Day 4
Medieval Angers & seaside Port du Crouesty
Angers, France
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, SAS Miramar Crouesty.
Breakfast, Dinner
SAS MIRAMAR CROUESTY
Day 5
The Golfe du Morbihan & Rochefort-en-Terre
Le Petit Mont, France
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.
Rochefort-en-Terre, France
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.
Breakfast, Lunch
SAS MIRAMAR CROUESTY
Day 6
From Vannes to Josselin and on to St-Malo
Vannes, France
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.
Josselin, France
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.
Saint Malo, France
Wind your way through idyllic Breton villages to St-Malo, where you'll spend the next two nights on the English Channel coast.
Breakfast, Dinner
LE GRAND HÔTEL DES THERMES
Day 7
Mont-St-Michel & medieval St-Malo
Mont Saint Michel, France
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.
Saint Malo, France
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 or indulging in the hotel's spa.
Breakfast
LE GRAND HÔTEL DES THERMES
Day 8
Bayeux's Tapestry, Caen & Deauville's beaches
Bayeux, France
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 includes a stop and lunch at Le Mémorial de Caen, commemorating the sacrifices of World War II and the battle for Caen, and featuring a Peace Museum and memorial gardens.
Deauville-les-Bains, France
Arrive in the seaside resort of Deauville and your beachfront accommodation for the next two nights, a spectacular 5-star Anglo-Norman country mansion that is the epitome of Belle Époque elegance. Dine à la carte at your hotel tonight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ROYAL BARRIÈRE HOTEL
Day 9
The beaches of D-Day in Normandy
Vierville-sur-Mer, France
A poignant moment in all Normandy tours 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.
Breakfast, Lunch
ROYAL BARRIÈRE HOTEL
Day 10
Medieval Rouen, Monet's Giverny & on to Paris
Rouen, France
Depart Deauville and travel to Rouen for a tour of this ancient city with a local guide, including a stop at the Church of Ste. Joan of Arc – a modern structure dedicated to the French heroine and saint who was burned at the stake here in 1431.
Giverny, France
Continue along the River Seine to Giverny to tour the celebrated home and oft-painted gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
Paris, France
Your final destination today is legendary Paris. Small group departures will stay at the legendary palace hotel Le Meurice; all other departures stay at Sofitel Paris le Faubourg. Please call for details for applicable dates.
Breakfast, Dinner
SOFITEL PARIS LE FAUBORG
Day 11
Sights & sounds of remarkable Paris
Paris, France
Check out such famous Parisian landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the glamorous Champs-Élysées and the iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame on a morning city sightseeing tour. Then the "City of Lights" is yours to explore as you please for the remainder of the day and evening; if you wish, you may join us for an optional walking tour in the afternoon.
Breakfast
SOFITEL PARIS LE FAUBORG
Day 12
Musée d'Orsay & farewell dinner cruise in Paris
Paris, France
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).
Exchange memories with your new friends this evening at our private farewell dinner and cruise on the River Seine, bidding Paris adieu as your most fascinating of France and Normandy tours draws to a close.
Breakfast, Dinner
SOFITEL PARIS LE FAUBORG
Day 13
Journey home
Paris, France
Tauck's Paris and Normandy tours end in Paris. A transfer is included from Le Meurice 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.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 60 days or more before departure: $600.00 per person
- 59-8 days before departure: $900.00 per person
- 7-1 days before departure: $1500.00 per person
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price
- Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $600 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted all Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation.
