10 Days Private Paris, Normandy & Loire Valley Package - 4* Hotel

We will come and pick you up at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Paris. Rest of the day is free so why not begin your Paris discovery?

Depart from Tours and Visit Château de Chambord

Once you have met your guide and boarded your small group vehicle, make your way to the Château de Chambord that will be your first Loire Valley castle visit of the day. It is considered as one of the most beautiful Chateaux of the Loire Valley. After a short drive of about 1 hour, reach the stunning Château de Chambord. Listed since 1981 as a Unesco World Heritage site, Chambord is without a doubt one of the most fascinating Loire Valley Castle to visit.

Located in the heart of the Sologne region of France, Chateau de Chambord was the desire of King Francis 1 (François 1er) who ordered the construction in the early 16th century. Built as a hunting lodge, the castle was not designed to be a permanent residence for the King who only stayed within the castle a few weeks every year. The architecture of the Château is a good example of the Italian Renaissance style that was prized at the time and Château de Chambord was in fact built to impress foreign visitors and ambassadors and demonstrate the power of the young king of France.

The Castle is laid out around a central keep that includes for massive bastion towers at each corner. All in all, Chambord is home to more than 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The plan of the castle has for central axis the famous double helix staircase that was presumably inspired by the work of the great genius Leonardo da Vinci.

King Francis 1 never actually saw the castle finished and it wasn't until the reign of the King Louis XIV (the Sun King) that the building was actually completed. The shear size of Château de Chambord makes it a difficult place to maintain and after being owned by different persons close to royalty, it is finally preempted by the French State who becomes the sole owner since 1930.

Upon arrival, follow your tour guide for a tour of the Castle. The tour will last around 1.5 hours and your guide will lead you through the main rooms, will show you the famous double spiral staircase and you take you to the top of the Castle to the terraces where you will have a great view of the surrounding area.

After the visit, you will have some free time to discover the Castle of Chambord on your own. If you have purchased the visit of the Château and Gardens during the booking process, then it will be time for you to have a walk through the beautiful French Gardens of Chambord.

Free time for lunch (at own expense)

After your visit of Chambord Castle, you will have some time for lunch, on your own and at own expense. There are several options that can be chosen from that are located at the Château or close by. Your guide will also be able to make suggestions depending on your wishes. After lunch, it will be time to move on and head towards the Château de Chenonceau.

Then Visit Château de Chenonceau

After your time for lunch, we will drive you to Chenonceaux where the castle of Chenonceau is located. The original Château dates back to the 13th century but was later torched and rebuilt to be finally taken by King Francis I as a debt.

The next most important owner was Diane de Poitiers, mistress of Henri II, who transformed the building and added the arched bridge that spans over the River Cher. After the kings death, the Chateau became the property of Catherine de Medici who expelled Diane de Poitiers.

During her time at the Château as owner, Catherine de Medici spent large amounts of money for renovation and embellishments and was known to house spectacular night time parties. It is here that in 1560, the first ever fireworks took place in France.

After the death of Catherine de Medici, the Château passed into several hands including that of Louise Dupin famous for hosting a literary salon that was attended by some of the most famous figures of the time including Voltaire, Montesquieu, Buffon or Marivaux. Famous philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau was Louise Dupin's secretary and tutored her son.

In more recent history, the castle was bought in 1913 by Henri Menier whose family was famous as chocolate makers and the Chateau de Chenonceau is still in their possession today.

After your arrival at Chenonceau castle, begin your tour. Chenonceau is home to an outstanding collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings that included artworks from Rubens, Tintoretto, Van Loo, Murillo, Veronese, Poussin, Van Dyck and many more.

Also, during your tour, you will visit the highlights of the castle including Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, the Green Study, the Gallery and the kitchens. After the visit, you will have some free time to explore the gardens.

Return to Tours

Discover the stunning beauty of Versailles Palace and Giverny Gardens on this private day trip from Paris. This tour is designed to provide an immersive and unforgettable experience, allowing you to explore two of France's most famous landmarks in a single day.

Visit the Palace of Versailles

Our private tour begins with a comfortable and scenic drive from Paris to Versailles Palace. As we approach the palace, you'll be struck by the grandeur and opulence of this iconic French landmark. Once inside, you'll be free to explore the palace and gardens at your own pace, marveling at the ornate decorations and elegant architecture that have made Versailles famous around the world. Some of the highlights of the palace include the King's State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Queen's Apartments.

Visit Giverny

After exploring Versailles Palace, we'll depart for the picturesque village of Giverny. This charming village was the home of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet, and his house and gardens have been preserved as a museum for visitors to enjoy. Here, you'll have the chance to explore the stunning gardens that inspired Monet's most famous paintings, including the Water Garden and the Japanese Garden. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Monet's house, where you can see his private collection of Japanese prints and other works of art.

Throughout the tour, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will provide fascinating insights and historical context for each of the sites you visit. You'll also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor the flavors of French cuisine and unwind after a morning of exploring.

Experience the best of Paris with our skip-the-line Eiffel Tower visit, Seine River cruise, and Louvre Museum visit. This full-day tour is designed to provide an unforgettable and immersive experience, allowing you to explore some of the city's most iconic landmarks and attractions without any hassle.

Visit the Eiffel Tower & Seine River Cruise

We'll begin the day with a skip-the-line visit to the Eiffel Tower, where you'll have the chance to admire the stunning views of the city from the top of this world-famous landmark. Our expert guide will provide fascinating insights and historical context as you ascend to the top of the tower, sharing the stories and secrets behind the tower's construction and significance.

After your visit to the Eiffel Tower, we'll embark on a relaxing and scenic Seine River cruise. As we sail along the river, you'll have the chance to see many of Paris's most famous landmarks from a unique perspective, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Musée d'Orsay.

Visit the Louvre Museum

Following the river cruise and some free time for lunch (at own expense), we'll visit the Louvre Museum, home to some of the most famous and significant works of art in the world. Our guide will lead you through the museum's vast collections, highlighting some of the most important pieces and sharing fascinating stories and insights about the artists and their works.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Paris. Enjoy a private transfer that will take you from Paris to the Normandy region of France. Arrive in Bayeux and check in at your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free so this might be the perfect timing for you to visit this charming small town. Highlights of Bayeux include:

1. Bayeux Tapestry: The Bayeux Tapestry is a 230-foot-long embroidered cloth that depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It is considered one of the most important works of art from the Middle Ages.

2. Bayeux Cathedral: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux, also known as Bayeux Cathedral, is a Romanesque-Gothic cathedral dating back to the 11th century. It features impressive architecture and beautiful stained glass windows.

3. Medieval architecture: Bayeux is home to many well-preserved medieval buildings and streets, including half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets.

Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide who is a local Expert on WWII and the Normandy landings. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit the major D-Day sites.

First stop will be in Sainte Mère Eglise

On the morning of June 6, 1944, also known as the longest day, thousands of soldiers from the Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in an attempt to liberate France and the continent from the German occupation. This marked the beginning of a fierce and deadly battle against surprised but well-trained Nazi troops.

Among the allied troops, the Americans landed on two different beaches, later named Utah and Omaha. First, head towards Sainte Mère Eglise heart of the drop zone for the 82nd Airborne U.S. forces. Indeed, the D-Day landings did not only happen from the sea! Airborne divisions and paratroopers rained on this village, and one of them famously got caught in the tower of the church. The village is also home to the airborne museum that can be visited during one of our private tours from Bayeux.

Reach the Utah beach landing area

Then, your Normandy battlefield tour will take you to Utah beach, the second beach where the American troops landed. Again, listen to your guide as he reveals the historical facts of the landings and how the troops were able to storm the beaches in this area.

It is here that the 101st airborne pathfinders were dropped the night before d day invasion. Your guide will also take you to the US military cemetery where you can pay your respects to the ones who fell during D-Day and the Battle of Normandy that followed.

Visit stunning Pointe du Hoc

Also located in the American sector, head to the Pointe du Hoc, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes, stunning bomb craters and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel. Given the toughness of the operation, the Pointe du Hoc was given to Rangers to land upon.

The battle site, dotted with German bunkers was rough, as the Pointe du Hoc had been built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall. It was the highest point between Utah beach and Omaha beach and provided a great observation spot to notice any unfriendly arrivals from the sea. You can still see an artillery gun battery there and feel as if it was still 1944.

Followed by Omaha landing beach

This Normandy battlefield tour will also take you to Omaha beach, where the deadliest of the landings took place. Even though bombings occurred before the landing itself, they failed to neutralise the German positions in that sector.

In addition, troops and amphibian vehicles were disembarked too far from the shore, leading to an absolute failure and thousands of men being killed under heat German fire. The assault on this beach was perfectly depicted in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan movie. Learn more about the landing and the following days as your tour guide explains all the events that took place on the beach and how the battle raged and evolved inland.

End the tour at the American Cemetery of Colleville sur Mer

If time permits, your guide will also make a stop at the Omaha Beach American Cemetery and memorial in Colleville sur mer where you will have some time to pay homage to the fallen. Depending on the timing of the day you might also have the opportunity to enter the visitor center.

Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide

Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit Mont Saint Michel.

Travel to Southern Normandy

The UNESCO World Heritage Listed, Remarkable Gothic Jewel Mont Saint Michel is an island off the coast of Normandy, in the English Channel, and is one of the best Normandy tours you can choose. It is located about 1 kilometer from the shore and sits in a bay that sees some of the biggest tides in Europe. A few years ago, it was linked to the mainland by a bridge that gets flooded during high tides a few times a year only. 

The first church was built on the mount in 709 at the request of Archangel Michael. A couple of hundred years later, a small group of Benedictines settled there permanently and the church was enlarged. The first monastery was carved in the rock in the 11th century and gradually got bigger and bigger over the following centuries. In the medieval time, it quickly became an important destination for pilgrims, just like Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Visit the Benedictine Abbey with your guide

The construction of the Mont Saint Michel abbey as we know it nowadays was finished in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the grand chancel was replaced in the 15th century. Those hundreds of years of architectural prowess's have left us with a magnificent monument, now referred to as the “Wonder of the Western World”. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

During your day trip to Mont St Michel, our friendly English-speaking driver / guide will take you from Bayeux to the Mont Saint Michel, which you will access via a shuttle and the bridge in accordance with local requirements. While on the road, make sure to take it all in and observe the beauty of the Normandy coastline.

Our Mont Saint Michel tour will then take you to the abbey itself, at the very top of the mount. Follow your guide on a walking tour. The history of its construction will be explained in detail and while you are there, make sure to snap some pictures of the amazing views on the surrounding bay!

Mont Saint Michel is also a lively small town

After the visit of the abbey, enjoy some free time to explore the town at your own pace and bring back some souvenirs for friends and family. Your guide will also suggest some great restaurants for lunch, suitable for all budgets.

If you want to indulge, the Mère Poulard restaurant is probably the most famous on the mount. It gained its reputation thanks to its unique "omelet soufflé" recipe. It is well worth a visit and a must-try when on a Mont Saint Michel day tour but keep in mind you will need a large amount of time as the restaurant is so popular with visitors.

In the morning, we will pick you up in Bayeux and transfer you to the Loire Valley. Reach the town of Tours where your 3* hotel is located. Check in at your hotel, and take some time for lunch (at own expense) in Tours. Afternoon is free for personal discovery. Tours is a beautiful city in the Loire Valley of France, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class museums. Some of the highlights to visit in the city of Tours include:

1. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours: This beautiful cathedral is a must-visit for its stunning Gothic architecture and impressive stained-glass windows.

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts: Housed in a stunning 18th-century palace, this museum boasts an impressive collection of artwork from the 14th to the 20th century, including works by Rubens, Delacroix, and Rembrandt.

3. Place Plumereau: This picturesque square is a hub of activity in Tours, with plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants offering local cuisine and wine.

Wine tasting in the Chinon Wine Region

After a short drive, reach the Chinon wine producing region. Chinon red wines are mainly made with Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon varietals while the white wines are made with Chenin Blanc. The roughly 200 producers of the area account for about 12 million bottles of wine per year. When grown in the light, sandy-gravel soils along the banks of the Vienne, Chinon is rounded on the palate, supple and easy to drink. When grown in the denser soil of the limestone slopes, the wine gains a fuller body, is more robust and develops a much longer ageing potential.

Upon arrival, we will take you to one of our carefully selected wineries of the region. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste a large range of local wines. All our wine tours include a commented tasting of the wines as well as an explanation of the appellation and the terroir linked to the wine region.  

Free time for lunch in Chinon (at own expense)

Once your morning visit is over, it will be time to head to the town of Chinon. After a small walking tour with your guide, take some time to appreciate this charming small town and enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch (at own expense). Don't hesitate to ask your guide for recommendations and suggestions for great lunch opportunities. 

Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wine Region 

After lunch, it will be time to head towards the Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wine Region of the Loire Valley. Wines have been produced in the area since the 10th century but became celebrated as an outstanding wine since the 17th century. The soils that make up the Bourgueil vineyards are on one hand composed of sand and gravel or "graviers" as they are locally known and on the other hand of clay and fine limestone known as "Tuffeau". This tuffeau was also used to build houses and castles in the region and the quarries of those days are now used to preserve the wines.

Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines are red wines made with a majority of Cabernet France type varietal. Where the vines are planted on a sandy and gravel type soil, the wines obtained are fruity, delicate and light and can be drank in their early years. Where the vines are planted on the clay and limestone soils, Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines tend to be more complex with higher amount of tannins. These wines can age with certain exceptional vintages having a great ageing potential.

Wine tasting sessions in 2 Wineries

This afternoon, we will have you visit and wine taste in 2 local wineries of the Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation. After a short introduction about the history of the winery and depending on the winery visited, we will take you to the vineyard to see what is going on with the vines at the moment of your visit. For some wineries, it will be possible to visit the technical installations and/or the ageing cellars. You will then participate in a commented tasting session of the wines produced on site. Even though a majority of red wine is produced here, some wineries also include tastings of Rosé, White and Sparkling wines.

Return to Tours

Today is departure day. After checking out of your hotel, we will transfer you to the train station in Tours and that will be the end of our services.