Highlights, History, and Culture of Paris, Normandy, and Loire Valley -

Highlights, History, and Culture of Paris, Normandy, and Loire Valley

12 days | History & Culture, Wine & Food

Unforgettable Luxury Tour: Paris, Châteaus, and D-Day Beaches

Luxury| From $12,699 pp

This luxury tour mixes must-sees with gourmet stops. Begin with an amazing tour of Paris. Then visit the simply unmissable Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. Visit Amboise, and taste Loire Valley wines paired with local cheeses. A private tour takes you to the D-Day beaches, the American Cemetery, and history changing sites of the Battle of Normandy.

Day by Day

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Day 1: Paris

Luxury Transfer from Paris Airport to Paris Center

A driver will pick you up at the airport and drive you safely to Paris center in a Luxury vehicle.

Arrival Assistance “Fast Track” from Plane to Car Park with Immigration Skip-the-Line

The greeter will welcome you upon your arrival at the airport and assist you with the check-in and immigration formalities. He will then provide assistance to the gate or the car park.

Paris Orientation Private Tour

Your licensed guide will meet you at your hotel and give a presentation of Paris. You’ll receive useful information including historical sites to visit, how to get around, events not to be missed and itinerary proposals with the do’s and don’ts.

Your guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your Paris trip and also give you some tips that will make your stay a memorable one.

This presentation is followed by a tour around the hotel to help you find your way and give you some ideas and independence for your stay. The tour will end in the vicinity of your hotel.

Day 2: Paris

Full-Day Private driver and licensed guided Tour of Paris and the Louvre

Experience the beautiful city of Paris and its wonderful monuments, museums, architectural wonders, and the famous Louvre museum with a licensed guide and driver.

You will be picked up at your hotel in a luxury vehicle. Pass by the Opera Garnier, one of the world’s most famous opera houses and the Place Vendôme, Paris’ most luxurious square. See the religious and historic heart of Paris, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, renowned for its Gothic architecture made famous by Victor Hugo’s novel. Pass by the Madeleine Church, Montmartre, and the Sacre-Coeur. You’ll finish with a guided tour of the Louvre.

Before it became a museum in 1793, the Louvre had been one of the principal palaces of the Kings of France. Located right in the heart of Paris, the Louvre’s galleries stretch for 786,000 square feet and are home to the world’s largest collection of artworks, spanning more than 7,000 years. After visiting the Louvre, the tour ends with the Champs-Élysées, Paris’ most famous and most beautiful avenue.

Your licensed guide and your driver will drop you off at your hotel after the tour.

Day 3: Paris

Full-Day Custom Private Tour in a luxury vehicle with a Driver

Enjoy a tailor-made tour with an English-speaking driver.

Shopping in Paris

Art Nouveau in Central Paris Private Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide

With this 2 hour walking tour around the Opera Garnier area, explore the amazing Art Nouveau architectural jewels. Start at Saint Lazare station and learn about the history of the district. Make a stop at a typical French brasserie, have a drink and enjoy the view on Art Nouveau tiles, mosaics & marbles.

Then, after enjoying a view of Paris from the rooftops, penetrate the world of Grands Magasins (French department stores) to see several domes and mosaics, and access well hidden places. Then finish the tour with the visit of an Art Nouveau inspired bank.

opera garnier paris

Private Wine Experience: Discover France in Six Glasses

Taste five carefully chosen wines and one Champagne to help you discover the major French wine regions.

Discover the art of blind wine tasting, using all your senses: sight, smell, and taste, but also touch and hearing. This will help you maximize the sensual aspect of the wine tasting experience. Explore your ability to recognize aromas through a stimulating sensory game, and participate in a friendly gastronomic quiz.

With all wines, hear memorable anecdotes to help you impress your friends back home – but also great tips and tricks from the exceptional sommelier to learn how to recognize the origin of a French wine without looking at its label!

Last but not least, you will learn the key to savoring Champagne – before sharing a glass of course. And you will leave not only with a great memory but also with a very useful booklet and a branded drop-stop for many years of perfect pouring. Wine tastings are accompanied by sliced hams, bread, and olives.

Wine tasting Avignon

Day 4: Paris - Versailles

Full-Day Custom Private Tour in a luxury vehicle with a Driver

Enjoy a tailor-made tour with an English-speaking driver.

Versailles fast rack entrance ticket

With this entrance ticket to the Palace of Versailles, you can visit at your own leisure the main state apartments and discover the real life of the French Kings.

Visit the King’s chambers with their elegant décor, and the grandiose Hall of Mirrors, which was once a reception hall overlooking the immense gardens of the palace.

Day 5: Paris - Port-en-Bessin

Transfer from Paris to your hotel in Normandy

A private driver will pick you up from Paris and drive you safely to your hotel in Normandy in a luxury vehicle.

 

Day 6: Omaha Beach - Utah Beach - Grancamp-Maisy - Port-en-Bessin

Full-Day Private Driving Tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches

Your licensed driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in a Luxury vehicle.

Normandy was once on every newspaper cover around the world. The biggest amphibious force ever assembled, was about breaking through Fortress Europa. 156,000 allied personnel landed on D-Day, making it the introduction of the last chapter of WWII in Europe.

During your day tour, you will see both Utah Beach and Omaha Beach landing sites, which were the two American sectors. Discover the mighty cliffs that the rangers climbed at the Pointe du Hoc, as well as Sainte-Mère-Eglise: the first town in France to be liberated by the US Airborne Division. Finish this emotional day at the American Cemetery where you will be able to pay respect to the sacrifice forever owed to the greatest generation.

omaha beach wwii ww2 landing beaches normandy trips

Day 7: Caen - Camembert - Beuvron-en-Auge - Port-en-Bessin

Full-Day Private Driving Tour of the Pays d’Auge

Your licensed driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in a Luxury vehicle.

Going on a full day cheese-making and cider-brewing tour is probably the best way to discover gourmet Normandy!

In the morning you will learn everything about Camembert. One of the last producers to make Camembert on a farm will welcome you. After seeing the cows, watching the production process, and tasting different products you will know more about cheeses from Normandy than the average French man!

Weather permitting, you will have a picnic lunch in one of France’s most picturesque villages with local products such as a seasonal salad, andouille, baguette, teurgoule, butter, cheeses, and ciders…or you can go to a restaurant recommended by your guide.

Then, you will discover the process of cider brewing. Your guide has chosen the best places in Normandy so that you have an unforgettable experience. By the end of the day Normandy’s “art-de-vivre” will no longer hold any secrets for you.

cheese wine pairing

Day 8: Amboise

Transfer from Loire Valley to Normandy

A chauffeur will pick you up in your accommodation in Loire Valley (Tours, Amboise area) and drive you safely to Normandy (Bayeux or Caen region).

Day 9: Amboise - Chenonceau - Chaumont-sur-Loire

Full Day Private Luxury Tour of Clos Luce in Amboise, and Chenonceau Castles

Your licensed driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in a Luxury vehicle.

Chenonceau, which was known as “the Ladies’ castle” and was built across the Cher river, is both delicate and feminine. Surrounded by amazing gardens, it is superbly furnished and decorated. There, you will discover the intrigues of the royal French court.

Amboise is the castle where Leonardo da Vinci was buried after he died in 1519. He spent the last three years of his life in Clos Lucé after he was invited by King Francis I of France. Discover his universe and genius through 40 models of his famous machines designed by IBM.

Castle in Loire Valley, France

Entrance ticket to the Château de Chenonceau 

Enjoy a self-guided tour of this magnificent castle spanning the Cher River. It earned its nickname, the Château des Dame, thanks to the numerous noblewomen who left their marks on its history. Originally built by Kathrine Briçonnet in 1513, it was later expanded on by Catherine de’ Medici and her rival Diane de Poitiers.

Experience the Renaissance through the 17th Century by exploring the royal grounds, ancient keep, medieval fortified mill, and Diane de Poitiers’ gardens.

Follow in the steps of the great French philosophers and poets Voltaire, Marivaux, Montesquieu, Buffon, and Rousseau who were once esteemed guests at the castle.

Private River Cruise on a Traditional French Barge

Departing from Chaumont-sur-Loire, this is an ideal way to cruise the Loire Valley.

The traditional “toue” boat has changed little for centuries. A large rowing boat (33 feet or 10 meters long) with a flat base, it is fitted with a mast and a square sail making it ideal for navigating the Loire’s sandbanks.

Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the passenger’s interests, season, and environmental preservation. Each tour is an invitation to new experiences and unexpected encounters. It is the Loire that gets to decide!

Recommendations: please wear clothes suitable for the trip and the weather, sunshades, sun protection, hat, windbreaker, mosquito repellent.

vintage-cruiser-on-marne-river-passing-champagne-house

Day 10: Blois - Chambord - Cheverny - Amboise

Full Day Private Luxury Tour of Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny

Your licensed driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in a Luxury vehicle.

Blois will give you an amazing panorama of the Loire Valley architecture from the 13th to 17th centuries. This castle welcomed 10 queens and seven kings of France and the visit will fill you in on the secrets of the court and the wars of religion.

Then you will visit Chambord, which is the largest and the most impressive castle in the area, famous for its outstanding architecture and double-helix staircase. Located in the Sologne area in the largest enclosed game park in Europe, it is a celebration of the personality of King Francis I in the 16th century.

You will also have a chance to meet the pack of hunting hounds owned by the Marquis.

view of mboise and chateau over river

Day 11: Paris

Private Transfer from your hotel in Loire Valley to Paris

A private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Loire Valley and drive you safely to Paris in a luxury vehicle.

Day 12: Paris - Roissy (CDG)

Luxury Transfer from your Accommodation to Paris Airport

A private driver will pick you up from your accommodation and drive you safely to Paris airport in a luxury vehicle.

Luxury Transfer from your Accommodation to Paris Airport

A private driver will pick you up from your accommodation and drive you safely to Paris airport in a luxury vehicle.

About This Trip:

    • Enjoy 24/7 English-spoken telephone assistance while traveling
    • This itinerary includes transport, activities, guides, accommodations with breakfasts, and other listed services
    • Price is in USD per person, assuming double occupancy. Note that prices and availability are subject to change.

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Our Favorite Hotels in Normandy

Hôtel Chavanel
Chateau de Bellefontaine
Hôtel & Spa Les Maisons de Léa
Hôtel Le Mathurin

Our Product Lines

Excellence

VIP Unique Experiences | Concierge Services | Private Tours (driver + licensed guide) | Chauffeur Services (luxury vehicles) | Top Licensed Guides | VIP Meet & Greet | Jet, Helicopter & Yachting | Fine Dining | Luxury 5* Accommodation (palace hotels, exclusive villa rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

Luxury

Unique Experiences | Private Transportation (luxury vehicles) | Private Tours | Top Licensed Guides | Meet & Greet | Fine Dining | Luxury 5* Accommodation (hotels, villa rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

Premium

Unique Experiences | Private Transportation | Private Tours | Self-drive | Top Licensed Guides | Authentic & Boutique 4* Accommodation (hotels, apartment rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

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