DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Paris.

DAY    2            ARRIVE PARIS - ROUEN (2 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our Tour manager/guide, where we will board our own private bus and transfer to Rouen in Normandy. Upon our arrival, we will take a stroll along the Rue du Gros-Horloge, a bustling street with old half-timbered houses and the famous Gros-Horloge Clock, to the Place du Vieux-Marche, the city's main square. In this square, the French heroine Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431, marked today by the great Cross of Rehabilitation, which commemorates her death. We continue with a visit to the Joan of Arc Museum, which is located near the exact sight where Joan was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. The museum is housed in a Roman style cellar, and features displays on the times of Joan of Arc, including models, drawings, books, stamps and historical relics. Climbing up from the basement, we will re-live the life of Joan of Arc from Domremy to Rouen in a superb waxwork gallery.

DAY    3            ROUEN & ROUTE DES ABBAYES
Our morning commences with a visit to the Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedrale Notre-Dame, dominated by its famous west façade and its two unequal towers. Claude Monet increased the fame of the cathedral after completing his four paintings of the west facade. Our day continues as we follow the Seine along the Route des Abbayes, which winds through black forests and lush green countryside, eventually ending at Le Havre. During our tour, we will view the ruins of monasteries and châteaux, including the 11th-century Abbaye St-George, Caudebec-en-Caux, and Villequier. We will also stop to visit: Abbaye de Jumièges, one of France's most beautiful ruins, which was consecrated in 1067 by the archbishop of Rouen in the presence of William the Conqueror, and Abbaye de St-Wandrille, founded in 649.

DAY    4            ROUEN - HONFLEUR - DEAUVILLE - CAEN - BAYEUX AREA                           (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we will enjoy a relaxing day on the Normandy coast, beginning with a visit to the fishing village of Honfleur, the base for the 17th century voyages that led to settlements in Louisiana and Canada. Our morning will include a visit to the Eugene Boudin Museum, which houses a variety of early Impressionist paintings, as well as a collection of Norman costumes. We continue with a scenic drive along the Normandy Corniche, a scenic route that winds through the countryside of Normandy and affords fine views across the Seine Estuary, to the fashionable resort of Deauville, which enjoys a worldwide reputation as a luxury resort. After time to explore and shop in Deauville, we continue to Caen, William the Conqueror's favorite city. Our afternoon begins with a visit to the Chateau de Caen, a complex built on the ruins of a fortress erected by William the Conqueror in 1060. Our visit will include the magnificent gardens, ideal for strolling, and the ramparts, where we will enjoy a panoramic view of Caen. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to the Abbaye aux Hommes, founded by William the Conqueror and Mathilda. The abbey is adjacent to the Eglise St-Etienne, dominated by twin Romanesque towers, which helped earn Caen the appellation "city of spires." We continue to our hotel in Bayeux, a city rich in Norman history, and the first French town to be liberated during the D-Day Invasion, on June 7, 1944.

DAY    5            DAY TRIP TO THE NORMANDY INVASION BEACHES
Today will be dedicated to the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day. Our first stop will be Sainte-Mere-Eglise, where some 13,000 American paratroopers dropped from the skies in the early hours of June 6, 1944 in support of the landings on Utah Beach. An American flag was unfurled at the town hall at 4:30 am, the first to be flown on French soil on D-Day. We continue with a Walk on Utah Beach, where we will view the US Monument, followed by a visit to the D-Day Museum, which is housed in an original bunker. Our day continues to Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, before visiting the German Battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Our D-Day sightseeing concludes with time to explore Pointe du Hoc, the enemy command post of the entire invasion front, which is filled with monuments and memorials, and the American Military Cemetery, where over 9,000 Americans who died in the Normandy campaign are buried. We return to Bayeux for the evening.

DAY    6            BAYEUX AREA - MONT ST. MICHEL AREA (1 NIGHT)
Our morning will include a visit to Bayeux's Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame, followed by a visit to the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, which houses the spectacular Bayeux Tapestry. One of the most famous tapestries in the world, it is actually embroidery on a band of linen, 231 feet long and 20 inches wide. The tapestry depicts some 58 scenes in eight colors, which tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror. We continue to Mont St. Michel, one of the most enchanting sights in France. We will make the steep climb up Grande Rue, lined with 15th and 16th century houses, and explore the Mont, before we visit the Abbey, known as the "Marvel of the West." Ramparts encircle the church and a three-tiered ensemble of 13th-century buildings called La Merveille, which rise dramatically to the pointed spire of the abbey church. (Hotel on the Mont is subject to availability)

DAY    7            MONT ST. MICHEL - FONTEVRAUD - TOURS - LOIRE                           VALLEY (3 NIGHTS)
This morning we travel through Brittany to the Loire Valley. We will stop for a visit to the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, where the Plantagenet dynasty of England is buried. These monarchs, whose male line ended in 1485, were also the comtes d'Anjou, and they left instructions that they be buried in their native soil. In the 12th-century Romanesque church, we will view the remains of Henry II of England, the first Plantagenet king; his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most famous woman of the Middle Ages; and her crusading son, Richard the Lion-Hearted. We continue to Tours, where we will explore the charming Old Quarter, including Place Plumereau, Charlemagne's Tower and St-Gatien Cathedral.

DAY    8            THE LOIRE VALLEY (THE ROMANCE OF THE CHATEAUX)
Our morning commences with a visit to the fairytale Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, the most feminine of the Loire chateau, which is surrounded by a complex system of moats and weirs. Azay was a pleasure palace, lived in during fine weather, and today is often considered a Renaissance museum because of its period furniture, portraits and tapestries. We continue to the little village of Chenonceau, where we will visit the fabulous Chateau, the toast of the Loire! This 15th century Renaissance palace is forever associated with Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, who were responsible for much of the current design. Our afternoon continues as we view the unique Troglodyte houses, before visiting the famous Cave Cellars of the Vouvray Vineyards.

DAY    9            THE LOIRE VALLEY (CASTLES AND KINGS)
This morning we will explore Blois, often called the "Versailles of the Renaissance," the second capital of France, and the "city of kings." Dominating the town is the Château de Blois, begun in the 13th century by the comtes de Blois, it reached the apex of its power in 1515, when François I moved to the château. The château is like an illustrated storybook of French architecture, highlighted by the François I wing, a French Renaissance masterpiece, containing a spiral staircase with ornamented balustrades and the king's symbol, the salamander. This afternoon we visit the Loire Valley's largest residence and the brainchild of Francois I, Chateau Chambord. This massive "weekend retreat" for Francois I took over 15 years and 1800 men to complete. Highlights of our visit will include: the Double Spiral Staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci, and a walk along the roof, for wonderful views of the Loire.

DAY    10          THE LOIRE VALLEY - CHARTRES - VERSAILLES - PARIS
                    (4 NIGHTS)   (THE AGE OF FAITH AND THE AGE OF REASON)
This morning we journey to Chartres, where we will visit Chartres Cathedral, the jewel in the crown of medieval churches in Europe. We will tour the Cathedral, which is a testimony in stone to the religious fervor of the Middle Ages. Chartres Cathedral boasts an unrivaled expanse of sculpture, as well as one of Europe's most impressive collections of stained glass windows. We continue with a visit to Versailles, a palace commissioned by Louis XIV around Louis XIII's hunting lodge. Our visit commences as we explore the ornate State Apartments, highlighted by the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. After time to explore the spectacular Gardens and fountains at Versailles, we continue to Paris, "The City of Lights." This afternoon we will take a Seine River Cruise, which will take us under many of Paris' graceful bridges, and past many important landmarks and monuments along both banks - a perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris.

DAY    11          PARIS (THE BIRTH OF THE CITY)
This morning we explore the treasures of the Ile de la Cite, beginning with a visit to the ethereal and magical Sainte Chapelle, one of the masterpieces of Western architecture, commissioned by Louis IX. The tiny Gothic marvel features 15 of the most spectacular stained glass windows in Europe, which depict over 1,000 religious scenes. Our morning continues with a visit to the nearby cathedral of Notre Dame, begun in 1163 on a spot that had already been a religious shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon. This afternoon we will explore the Marais Quarter, whose history stretches back to the beginning of the city. The Marais is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle and features magnificent shops and cafes, as well as La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. This evening, for a complete contrast, we will visit the modern Pompidou Center. This colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes houses fine collections of modern art.

DAY    12          PARIS (THE RISE AND FALL OF NAPOLEON)
Our morning commences with an ascent of the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch, commissioned by Napoleon, which today is a symbol of Paris and home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We continue with a stroll along the Champs Elysees, Paris' most spectacular thoroughfare, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture. We return to the Place de la Concorde, before strolling through the Jardin des Tuileries, the beautiful Neo-Classical gardens which lead to the entrance of the Louvre. We will enjoy a specialist-guided tour through the museum, which will include: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and many of the finest paintings and sculpture from Western Civilization. This afternoon we visit the Hotel des Invalides, an imposing building commissioned by Louis XIV for his wounded and homeless veterans. We will visit the Dome Church, built by Mansart for Louis XIV in 1676. The church is one of the finest examples of 17th century French architecture and is highlighted by the massive Tomb of Napoleon. This evening we will dine in and stroll through the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times and which is generally associated with artists, intellectuals and political unrest. During our walk we will view the Sorbonne, Paris' oldest university.

DAY    13          PARIS (PARIS OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS)
This morning we will visit the Musee D'Orsay, dedicated to the rich diversity of visual arts from 1846 to 1914, and featuring masterpieces by: Delacroix, Manet, Degas, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Lautrec. We continue with an ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris' most recognizable landmark, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. Paris is one of the most important centers of fashion in the world, and this afternoon we will visit the elegant stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for a first-hand look at the latest trends in fashion. This evening we will ascend to Montmartre, an area of Paris made famous in the late 19th century as an artists haunt. We will spend time in the Place du Tertre, a square known for its local artwork, before visiting the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a huge white church which dominates the Parisian skyline.

DAY    14          DEPARTURE FROM PARIS
Our enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as our tour manager/guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight home.