Paris, Loire and Normandy

Flight to Paris

When you arrive in Paris, meet your tour guide and start to explore the City of Light! Take the metro to the Champs-Élysées, which is called the most beautiful avenue in the world. Over nearly 2 km, this famous avenue links the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, which you will discover during your walk. Several luxury houses are domiciled on the Champs-Élysées, such as Guerlain, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. You will also find numerous restaurants, cafes and theaters. Meal included: dinner.

Today, direction Champ de Mars; a huge public garden located in the 7th arrondissement. This is where you can finally admire the symbol of the City of Light, a trip to Paris is not a trip to Paris without a photo at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Discover the Trocadéro and its magnificent gardens at the end of the morning. After lunch, take a visit to Île de la Cité, the oldest district of Paris. Formerly Lutèce, Île de la Cité includes must-see sites such as the Pont Neuf and Notre-Dame. End this day in style with the discovery of the Luxembourg Gardens, the Pantheon and the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

After breakfast, set off towards the castles of the Loire. Start with a guided tour of the Château de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley castles. On the way to Chenonceau, stop at Bourré where you can take a guided tour of the troglodyte site of “La Magnanerie”. Discover the unusual world of galleries carved into the rock, contemporary troglodyte habitat and silkworms. Then transport yourself to the Château de Chenonceau, also called the “Château des Dames”. Jewel of the Loire châteaux, this remarkable and exceptional site stands out for the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decoration. Then go to Tours to spend the night. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

This morning, take the road to Brittany. Visit Dinan, a charming medieval town surrounded by nearly 3 km of ramparts. Its steep streets, half-timbered houses, castle and convent will take you on a journey through the ages. Then continue to Saint-Malo and meet a local guide for a guided tour of the city. With its ramparts, beaches and port, Saint-Malo is a must-see in the region. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Direction Mont-Saint-Michel. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this thousand-year-old monument has been, over the centuries, a fortress, a prison and a high place of pilgrimage. After your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, you will head to the landing beaches. Take a moment to meditate at the Canadian cemetery of Reviers / Beny-sur-Mer. Afterwards, a guided tour of the Juno Beach Center, a place that pays tribute to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives during the Second World War, will teach you more about Canada’s war effort on the various fronts during the Second World War. You will end the day in the surroundings of Courseulles-sur-Mer. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

En route to the Paris region, you will have the choice to stop either in Honfleur or in Rouen. These two cities each have their own particularities that are appreciated by visitors. Honfleur, a famous seaside resort, will charm students with its picturesque alleys, its port and its Vieux-Bassin lined with restaurants. Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, can be discovered through its cobbled streets and its unique heritage. In its historic heart, you will discover its riches: the cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Palais de Justice and the Place du Vieux-Marché. Now take the road towards Versailles. Visit this famous castle and its magnificent gardens adorned with fountains. Arrival in Paris at the end of the day and installation at your accommodation. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Take advantage of your last day on French soil to visit the Père Lachaise cemetery and the Louvre Museum. This famous cemetery is home to the graves of many public figures such as Edith Piaf, Molière, Jim Morrison and many more. Afterwards, enjoy the galleries of the famous Louvres Museum. La Venus de Milo and La Joconde by Leonardo da Vinci are two works that will not leave students indifferent. In the afternoon, meet at the Butte Montmartre to discover the Sacré-Coeur and the Place du Tertre. You will undoubtedly appreciate this district with its authentic charm. This beautiful day will end with a cruise on the Seine during which you will discover Paris from another angle. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Return Flight home