Duration: 14 Days
You’ve seen photos of the Eiffel Tower—now is your time to see it in person. You’ve studied and read about D-Day’s Normandy Beaches—now’s your chance to visit them. You’ve heard about France’s famous wines—now’s your chance to see the Bordeaux wine-growing region. All of this and much more are included on this tour of France that begins and ends in Paris.
History buffs are sure to be amazed by the many historic towns and attractions on this tour. Immerse yourself in ancient Roman history with a stop at Pont Du Gard bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1st Century. Visit the amphitheatre in Arles, the city with the most Roman remains outside of Rome. Go back in time to the Middle Ages with a visit to the clifftop town of Rocamadour. Walk by the ancient battlements in the beautifully preserved, medieval town of Carcassonne; and visit Beaune’s Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, built in 1443 after the Hundred Years’ War left many of the town’s population destitute. Coming to recent history, see Normandy’s landing beaches, where Operation Neptune was launched on June 6, 1944.
Art history fans will enjoy a visit to Aix-en-Provence, the birthplace of painter Cézanne, and a stroll around the 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, a lively area with fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. Spend time in the Loire Valley with its spectacular vineyards and castles. Discover Dordogne, one of France’s most picturesque regions, showcasing many charming villages. Of course, no France tour is complete without visiting the French Riviera, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore this beautiful area on the Mediterranean Sea. This value-minded tour through France is truly a holiday of a lifetime!
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Check into your hotel and spend free time strolling around Paris. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Drive first to the historical capital city of Normandy, Rouen-one of the most prosperous cities of medieval Europe. Walk through its centre, rich in Gothic architecture. Next, visit lovely Honfleur, known for its picturesque port and houses with slate- covered facades. Continue to Caen. Today's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B,D)
Time to see Caen before visiting the legendary beaches where Allied troops landed more than 75 years ago. Experience the most moving site of the American Cemetery at Omaha. Next, journey to Bayeux, home to the famous tapestry, listed by UNESCO, depicting William the Conqueror's epic battle in 1066 (entrance fee extra). Then, on to the unique beauty of Mont St. Michel, which stands on an island accessed via a causeway. Today's Distance: 118 mi/ 190 km (B)
Time to enjoy a visit of Mont St. Michel before departing for Angers to visit its cathedral. Then, travel along the banks of the Loire River to reach the enchanting Chateaux Country. This evening, join an optional dinner at a local restaurant. Today's Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km (B)
Spend the day at leisure or take an optional excursion to see some of the most spectacular castles of the Loire Valley, steeped in the history of noblemen and kings since the 11th century. Gothic spires, medieval turrets, great fortresses, and beautiful chateaux make for splendid panoramas. (B,D)
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, rich in agricultural resources including vineyards, forests and cereal fields, and stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Pyrenees in the South. On arrival in Bordeaux, discover the city on the included guided city sightseeing tour and consider an optional wine tasting excursion. Today's Distance: 230 mi/ 370 km (B)
Discover one of France's most scenic regions, the Dordogne. Stop in the sacred medieval town of Rocamadour, dramatically perched high upon a cliff. Built on three successive levels, Rocamadour is both a place of legend and history where old stone houses, majestic towers and an impressive castle were built on the cliff edge of the Alzou Canyon. Continue southwards to Toulouse. Today's Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km (B,D)
Travel to Carcassonne, immerse yourself fully in the medieval atmosphere of the city and discover its secrets on a guided tour. Then, stop for a picture at famous Pont du Gard, one of the wonders of Antiquity, and the finest remaining example of an ancient aqueduct built 2000 years ago by the Romans. This architectural gem, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, is set in a beautiful, unspoilt natural setting. Upon arrival in Avignon, free time to explore the old quarter featuring an amazing architectural and historic heritage, such as the Palace of the Popes. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)
Visit Arles, known all over the world for Van Gogh's paintings. Admire the famous Roman amphitheatre, then continue to Aix-en-Provence. Walk down its main street, the Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees in the French tradition, and the 17th-century palace, houses, and fountains. Finally, head to the French Riviera on the shores of the Mediterranean. Today's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B)
Take time to enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera at your own leisure. Tonight, maybe join the optional "Monte Carlo by Night" excursion to see the Principality of Monaco. (B)
See more of the Provence region today and stop in Orange, a town surrounded by beautiful countryside. It boasts Roman and Celtic heritages, as well as first class wines and original culinary and craft products. Next is Lyon, located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour. Today's Distance: 298 mi/ 480 km
Travel through the picturesque vineyards and fields of Burgundy to medieval Beaune, the region's wine capital since Roman times. Stop to visit the famous Hotel-Dieu. Return to the French capital of Paris. Today's Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km (B)
Discover the glorious ville lumieres (City of Lights) and its many boulevards and monumental buildings. On your included sightseeing tour, a local expert will guide you through Parisian history, tradition, and modern living. Optional excursions are also available to complete your experience. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
