Europe Tour (FRA028) Grand France 11 Days 10 Nights

Pick up at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France. Travel to Giverny, approximately 82 kilometers away. Giverny is a charming small town home to Monet's house. Claude Monet discovered the town's scenic beauty in 1883 from a train window (a railway line no longer in use today). He decided to rent this house and garden to live in in 1890, and it was completely renovated in 1966. Today, Monet's house and gardens are cared for by the Academie des Beaux-Arts, which restored them into the Claude Monet Foundation, open to visitors since 1980.

Afterward, continue to Rouen, approximately 73 kilometers away. Rouen is the historical capital of Upper Normandy, an ancient town situated along the banks of the Seine River, and the birthplace of the world-famous painter Claude Monet. Visit Notre-Dame de Rouen (Rouen Cathedral), located in the heart of Rouen, which was once the tallest structure in Europe. Inside the cathedral lies a notable tomb containing the "heart" of King Richard the Lionheart of England—only his heart is preserved here, while the rest of his remains are buried in Anjou.

In front of the cathedral is a pedestrian street filled with bustling shops, making it the most vibrant street in town. The historic half-timbered houses are exceptionally well preserved. Visit the Le Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock, built by Jourdain del Leche in 1389. At the end of the pedestrian street is the Place du Vieux-Marche (Place du Vieux), the square where the heroine Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431 at only 19 years old on charges of heresy. Also stop by the historic Normandy courthouse (Palais de Justice / Palias de Justice).

hotel Overnight Rouen [Sample hotel] Holiday Inn Express - Rouen Centre - Rive Gauche, an IHG Hotel

Travel 88 kilometers (taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes) to visit the Etretat Cliffs and Beach. Admire the striking white chalk cliffs towering over the sea, snap photos with the iconic natural arches, and take a leisurely walk along the surrounding pebble beach.

Next, continue to Honfleur, 46 kilometers away. Honfleur is a town in the Calvados department of the Normandy region in northern France, situated at the estuary where the Seine River meets the English Channel. The Vieux-Bassin (old harbor), lined with 16th- to 18th-century townhouses, was a favorite among Impressionist painters such as Monet and Boudin, who found endless inspiration in the shifting light and picturesque quays. Visit the 15th-century eglise Sainte Catherine (St. Catherine's Church), an arched timber structure built by shipwrights. Stroll along Le Vieux Bassin to admire the charming waterfront houses, explore the Jardin des Personnalites garden, and view the Pont de Normandie bridge.

Next, we guide you to Caen, located 67 kilometers away. Caen is the capital of Normandy. Visit the Church of Saint-Pierre (L'eglise Saint-Pierre), showcasing a blend of Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Tour the Castle of Caen (Les remparts du chateau), built by King William in 1060, featuring some of the thickest and best-preserved ramparts in Europe. Today, it houses the Museum of Normandy. Visit L'Abbaye aux Hommes, another masterpiece built by King William that now serves as the City Hall. Just diagonally opposite stands Eglise St Etienne, where King William is buried.

hotel Overnight Caen, France : [Sample Hotel] City'O apparthotel

Depart to visit the abbey of Le Mont Saint Michel, a renowned historical landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mont Saint-Michel is the most visited tourist attraction in France outside of Paris. Covering an area of about 1 kilometer around, this 80-meter-high rocky tidal island features 11th- to 16th-century buildings nestled beneath, originally founded by Bishop St. Aubert in 708.

He envisioned Mont Saint-Michel as one of France's premier pilgrimage destinations. It began with a pre-Romanesque church built over 1,000 years ago, which was expanded across several eras until construction concluded in the 18th century. It was even used as a prison during the French Revolution. In 1874, the abbey was declared a historical monument and opened to the public, with a causeway connecting it to the mainland built in 1879.

Next, travel to Rennes, the capital of Brittany in northwestern France, famed for its medieval half-timbered houses and the magnificent Rennes Cathedral (Cathedral Saint-Pierre de Rennes). Visit Parc du Thabor, featuring a rose garden and a large aviary. South of the Vilaine River is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, showcasing masterpieces by Botticelli, Rubens, and Picasso. Les Champs Libres cultural center houses the Musée de Bretagne (Brittany Museum) and Espace des Sciences with its planetarium. If time permits, we will take you to see Château de Châteaugiron, located 17 kilometers away.

hotel Overnight Rennes, France : [Sample Hotel] Marnie et Mister H

Travel to Nantes, located about a little over 1 hour away (113 kilometers). Visit Cathedral Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which began construction in 1434. It is a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral that took 457 years to build! Not far away, visit Chateau des ducs de Bretagne, a historic castle located on Cours Saint-Pierre, whose interior has been renovated into the Nantes History Museum. At the far end of Cours Saint-Pierre is a large square called Place Marechal-Foch, featuring a grand column in the center topped with a statue of King Louis 16, the last king of France before the French Revolution.

Visit the La Tour Lu tower of the old biscuit factory, which has now been transformed into a venue for art exhibitions and concerts. Next, we will take you to see the tallest building in Nantes, Tour Bretagne, which has 37 floors, stands 144 meters tall, and allows you to go up and admire the view over Nantes to see the entire, beautiful city layout. We also take you to another very famous landmark of Nantes: the Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a giant robotic elephant that can move, walk, spray water, and is huge enough to carry several people on its back.

hotel Overnight Nantes, France : [Sample Hotel] Citadines Confluent Nantes

Next, travel onward to Tours, a distance of 216 kilometers taking a little over 2 hours. Tours is a university city nestled between the Cher and Loire rivers in France. Once a Gallo-Roman settlement, it is now a bustling university town and the gateway to exploring the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Visit key landmarks including Saint-Gatien Cathedral, featuring an intricate Flamboyant Gothic facade flanked by towers with 12th-century bases and Renaissance tops. Explore Tours Cathedral, Château de Tours, the Basilica of Saint Martin, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours.

Next, travel to Château de Chambord, 77.8 kilometers away (about a 1-hour drive). Located in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, it is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world due to its distinct French Renaissance architecture, blending traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. We will stay overnight in Blois, just 15 kilometers from the château.

hotel Overnight Blois, France : [Sample Hotel] ibis Blois Centre Cheateau

Today, travel to La Roche-Posay, 155 kilometers away (about 1 hour and 40 minutes). La Roche-Posay is a commune in the Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of western France. A renowned spa town specializing in dermatological treatments, this charming town has preserved many medieval ruins. We will take you on a scenic tour around town.

Next, travel to Poitiers, a city in western France. Visit the Romanesque church Église Notre-Dame la Grande, famed for its intricately carved facade, and head up to the Belvédère des Dunes viewpoint.

If you'd like to visit an amusement park, we can take you to Futuroscope, located 17 kilometers away. It is a French multimedia theme park featuring several 3D cinemas and 4D theaters, alongside unique attractions and shows—some of which are one-of-a-kind in the world.

Afterward, travel 251 kilometers to stay overnight in Bordeaux.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux, France : [Sample Hotel] Hotel Life Bordeaux Gare - BG

Today, travel to visit Arcachon, a seaside resort town in southwestern France famous for oyster harvesting. All 4 districts in this town are named after the seasons. The Ville d'ete (Summer) district is home to shopping streets, the town's main sandy beach, and the Arcachon Market. The Ville d'Hiver (Winter district) features luxurious 19th-century villas. Stroll through Parc Mauresque gardens, and to the south of the town, visit the Dune du Pilat, a natural sand dune 2.7 km long.

When it is time, travel back to Bordeaux. We take you to visit the Pey Berland Tower to see a panoramic high-angle view of Bordeaux. Stroll in front of the city's Place de la Bourse, where the Water Mirror pool reflects light like glass—a very interesting landscape design concept. When water mist rises from the ground, tourists have lots of fun enjoying the mist.

Admire the beautiful Pont de Pierre bridge, especially at night. Visit the Grand Theatre district (the city's grand theater) and enjoy shopping along the exceptionally long street to your heart's content. Then, visit the Saint-Michel district, an older neighborhood where you can experience the multicultural lifestyle of African, Middle Eastern, and Asian immigrants. The Saint-Michel bell tower stands as the landmark of this area.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux, France : [Sample Hotel] Hotel Life Bordeaux Gare - BG

Visit La Cite du Vin on the banks of the Garonne River, a unique cultural venue. Enjoy the view from the belvedere on the 8th floor and taste fine wine. Then, head to visit vineyards and enjoy wine tasting in Saint-Emilion, located about 70 kilometers from Bordeaux.

Then travel to stay overnight in Tours, a distance of 351 kilometers, taking about 3 and a half hours.

hotel Overnight Tours, France : [Sample Hotel] Ferdinand Hotel Tours

Depart for the metropolis of Paris, covering a distance of 240 kilometers, which takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes—the most beautiful and romantic city in Europe. See the Eiffel Tower, the well-known symbol of Paris. View the original Mona Lisa painting and the Venus de Milo statue. Visit Place de la Concorde, a grand public square in central Paris that was once the execution site for numerous people, including King Louis 16 and Queen Marie Antoinette. As for the Luxor Obelisk, it is said that the Egyptian government presented it as a gift to France in 1893. Visit the Arc de Triomphe and climb the 284 steps to the very top of the triumphal arch, where you will be rewarded with views of Avenue des Champs-elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and La Defense—well worth the climb. Shop for luxury brand-name goods on Avenue des Champs-elysees, a vibrant hub where Parisians dine, shop, and watch theater shows if desired.

hotel Overnight Paris, France : [Sample Hotel] The ReMIX Hotel

In the morning, visit the Palace of Versailles located in the suburbs of Paris, a perfect royal residence. This grand and magnificent palace was built with white marble and was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1979.

In the afternoon, visit the Louvre Museum (Musee du Louvre). Near the Louvre, explore the Jardin des Tuileries, the former site of the Tuileries Palace. Directly opposite the Jardin des Tuileries is Musee d'Orsay, a former railway station that has now been converted into a museum.

If time permits, visit the Sacre-Coeur Basilica (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris), renowned as the “Sacred Heart of Paris,” a popular attraction in the north perched atop the hill of Montmartre (La butte Montmartre).

Day 11 | Paris, France - CDG Airport Today is the day to travel back to Thailand. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening and time permits in the morning, we will take you on a final sightseeing tour of Paris to bid farewell to Europe with lasting impressions before heading home. At the appropriate time, we transfer you to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at least 3 hours before flight departure. ************************

hotel Overnight Paris, France : [Sample Hotel] The ReMIX Hotel