Relaxed Tour of Paris and Northern France

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Private Guided Walking Tour of the Center of Paris

Embark on a captivating 4-hour walking tour of the center of Paris, the City of Lights, where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its enchanting streets. Starting from your accommodation, you will explore the heart of this dynamic city and learn how to navigate Paris as a local.

Early Morning to Late Afternoon

Grand & Grand Gardeners, Visiting the Palace of Versailles

The Château of Versailles, a symbol of the grandeur of French monarchy, invites visitors to explore its lavish history and architectural majesty. From the spellbinding elegance of the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, to the vast, meticulously manicured Gardens the pinnacle of French garden design, every corner tells a story of opulence and power. Discover the intimate escapes of royalty at the Grand and Petit Trianon, and marvel at the divine beauty of the Royal Chapel, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

Early Morning to Mid-Day

All You Need is Louvre - A Visit to the World's Largest Art Museum

It might be the greatest art museum in the world; it certainly is the largest with over 380,000 objects; to view every single one for even a minute apiece would take 75 days.  And those descriptions still don't do the building and its collection justice. Marvel at treasures inside, including Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious woman, the Mona Lisa, and everything from an Egyptian masterpiece of mummification to the famed Hellenistic sculpture, Venus de Milo, to patriotic French masterpieces like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Although the Louvre is vast and ever-crowded, with some strategy and a few helpful tips your visit will take in maximum artworks with minimal hassle.

Morning to Late Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion to Château de Chantilly

Indulge your noblesse at the historic Château de Chantilly. The château was the former residence of Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. The Duke was one of the greatest art collectors of the 19th-century, and amassed what today makes up the vast majority of the pieces displayed at the chateau's Condé Museum, France's second largest art collection after the Louvre. The broad grounds of Château de Chantilly make for dreams of living endless genteel moments among the French, Anglo-Chinese and English gardens.  What's more, the chateau is complemented by the Great Stables, a magnificent 18th-century structure and one of the largest such buildings in Europe; its Living Museum of the Horse, illustrates our close relationship with this noble animal, and the Stables regularly host riding exhibitions of exceptional quality.

Morning to Late Afternoon

Self Guided Excursion to Fountainebleau

A visit to Fontainebleau delights both the history buff and the outdoor enthusiast.  Château Fontainebleau, one of most magestic palaces of the the kings and emperors of France, boasts an expansive structure and equally impressive grounds for hunting and other imperial pastimes.  A walk through the chateau is a trip through centuries and the stories of some of the world's most powerful people.  Equally, one may ignore the UNESCO-Heritage site, by exploring the Fontainbleau forests neighboring the palace.  But again you will delight yourself just as royalty did, perambulating among the rich wildlife and whimsical sandstone structures shaped by millennia of wind and rain.  But... distinguish yourself from the emperor and his entourage, try climbing in the forest: it is world-renowned for its bouldering routes.

Morning

Coffee, Paint, & Bones: A Tour of Montparnasse

Montparnasse grew in esthetic stature in the earlier 20th century, as artists congregated their for inexpensive living close to the center of Paris. Vestiges of this bohemian era remain,  lively cafes and restaurants allude to painterly luminaries like Alphonse Mucha and Paul Gauguin.  As interesting as their lives were, as busy as the neighborhood is, still more dramatic is what lies under Monparnasse: the Paris Catacombs, the final resting place of over 6 million Parisians dating back centuries.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Privately Guided Walking Tour of Bayeux

Discover Bayeux's history on a 3-hour private tour, exploring its well-preserved landmarks from Roman times to the German occupation. Unaffected by D-Day bombings, Bayeux showcases original architecture. The tour, blending historical facts with anecdotes, includes the Cathedral and entry to the Bayeux Tapestry museum, providing a comprehensive insight into the town's rich history.

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Normandy D-Day Beaches Private Tour

Discover the legacy of the D-Day beaches in Normandy on this full-day tour. A visit to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc reveal just how important, daring, and costly, this military operation was - facts reflected by the solemn memorials that honor the Allied forces' courage. The US military cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer illustrates the sober aftermath of battles, and honors the soldiers who died to free Europe from the Nazi regime.

Morning

Self-Guided Excursion to Caen

You caen visit Caen, but should you visit Caen?  Of course! And what kind of dance should you dance there? Caen was extensively rebuilt after WWII, but still flaunts incredible treasures like Caen Castle, and the Abbeys of St. Étienne and the Holy Trinity (Men's and Women's abbeys)  The latter two were penaces created by the Duke of Normandy and eventual King of England, William the Conquerer. Across the small city, the Memorial of Caen delves into its role in WWII, and also investigates the desire for peace in the 20th and 21st centuries.   ...And the answer is "Caen-Caen."  You could dance a "Caen-Caen" in Caen.  The locals might look at you funny, though.

Morning to Early Evening

Self-Guided Excursion to Dinan

Dinan guards its medieval heart of half-timbered homes and winding streets. An important crossing over the Rance River since time immemorial, written documents first mention the city in the 11th century, and its warriors even appear in the Bayeux Tapestry. Noteworthy sites include the Basilique St-Sauveur, the 14th-century Château de Dinan, and the artisan-lined Rue du Jerzual. The town's panoramic views and market in Place du Guesclin offer a taste of local life amid the well-preserved homes of a bygone era.

Morning to Early Evening

Self-Guided Excursion to Saint-Malo

St. Malo, a historic port city in Brittany, seems eternal with its granite walls, narrow streets, and maritime charm. Fortressed behind thick walls, the city offers stunning views from atop its ramparts, the architectural beauty of the Cathédrale Saint-Malo, and the tranquility of its sandy beaches. Highlights include the Grand Aquarium and the tidal islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé. St. Malo will draw you into its narrow, somber streets, only to release you to the vast expanse of the Brittany coast, and the English Channel beyond.

Morning/Mid-Day

Discover Medieval Rennes

"Une tête des Bretons," or, "A head like the people of Brittany," means, "stubborn, hard-headed," in colloquial French. True to this image, Rennes, the capital of Brittany rest at the Eastern extreme of the region, facing head-first the France it long resisted (And still does, a bit). In Rennes, Parisian French will start to blend with the very distict Breton language: It's demat instead of bonjour. One starts to find more seafood on the menu, and salty butter intstead of a myriad local cheeses. Rennes medieval half-timbered houses and the grand Rennes Cathedral have also endured, worth a look along with the tranquil Parc du Thabor. The city's museum of fine arts truly merits a visit. In the end, Rennes offers the visitor a chance to visit modern France and see how that modernity has its roots in the past.

To Be Determined

Airport Dropoff by Taxi

Rennes taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 2 hours and 45 min before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with just under two and a half hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra twenty minutes or so. The Full Itinerary also contains alternative instructions on taking the bus/train to the airport.