Normandy, the Loire and Paris School Trip

Day 1

Flight to Paris

Flight to Paris:  You depart from home today for the overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2

Arrival in Paris. Travel to Bayeux in Normandy

Bayeux Tapestry: This afternoon, visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which commemorates William of Normandy’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Stretching 70 yards long, the tapestry vividly depicts the boats, horses, and warriors involved in the battle, narrating the story in intricate detail. The museum also features exhibits on the types of vessels William used to cross the English Channel.

Day 3

Airborne Museum and the D-Day landing Beaches

Airborne Museum: This morning, visit the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église. This small town played a critical role during the Normandy invasion, as it was located along key communication routes to the German garrison in Cherbourg. Over 13,000 American paratroopers landed in the fields surrounding the town, and the Airborne Museum here is dedicated to their bravery.

Utah Beach: After lunch, explore Utah Beach, one of the key landing sites during the Allied D-Day invasion in June 1944. Here, you’ll see modern memorials alongside original concrete fortifications that remain as a testament to history.

Omaha Beach: Continue to Omaha Beach, where some of the fiercest fighting and heaviest casualties of the D-Day landings took place.

American Cemetery: Above Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, visit the American Military Cemetery and memorial before returning to your hotel in Bayeux.

Day 4

Caen Memorial Museum. In the afternoon, travel to Mont St. Michel.

Caen Memorial Museum: This morning, visit the Memorial Museum in the city of Caen. This state-of-the-art museum focuses on World War II in Normandy and the D-Day landings while also offering a broader perspective on war and conflict throughout history.

Travel to Mont-Saint-Michel: This afternoon, travel to Mont-Saint-Michel, one of Northern France’s most iconic landmarks. The Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is perched on a rocky promontory that is transformed into an island daily as the incoming tide cuts it off from the mainland.

Day 5

Visit Mont St. Michel. Afternoon travel to Tours in the Loire Valley

Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel: This morning, visit the island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, one of France’s most iconic landmarks and a significant pilgrimage site in early Christian history. The slender spires, ramparts, and rocky outcrops of Mont-Saint-Michel rise dramatically from the sea, surrounded by a bay renowned for having Europe’s highest tidal variations. The difference between low and high tide can reach up to 40 feet, and when the tide comes in, the abbey is completely cut off from the mainland.

Travel to the Loire Valley: In the afternoon, journey to the city of Tours, the gateway to the Loire Valley, known for its vineyards and historic châteaux. Enjoy time to explore the old town, including Place Plumereau with its charming half-timbered buildings, before dining at a local restaurant in the city.

Day 6

Explore the Chateaux of the Loire at Chambord and Chenonceau

The Loire Valley: This morning, travel along the Loire Valley, stopping at scenic spots along the riverbanks to admire the stunning châteaux of Amboise and Chaumont.

Château de Chambord: The first visit is to the spectacular Château de Chambord, one of the most extravagant and iconic of all the Loire châteaux. Its distinctive French Renaissance architecture, with its soaring spires and chimneys, makes it an unforgettable highlight.

Château de Chenonceau: After lunch, visit Château de Chenonceau, a sixteenth-century masterpiece and one of the most photographed châteaux in the Loire Valley, known for its elegant arches spanning the River Cher.

Day 7

Chartres Cathedral, the Palace of Versailles and Paris By Night

Chartres: This morning, travel to the enchanting medieval town of Chartres, renowned for its iconic cathedral, built nearly 800 years ago. Chartres Cathedral is a remarkable achievement in architectural history, preserved almost entirely in its original form. What you see today is virtually unchanged from the early thirteenth century, including the stunning original stained-glass windows.

Versailles: After lunch, head to Versailles to visit the opulent Palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Tour the magnificent State Apartments and the famed Hall of Mirrors, then explore the beautifully landscaped gardens adorned with elaborate fountains.

Paris by Night: Continue to your hotel in Paris, and in the evening, enjoy a Paris By Night tour to admire the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, brilliantly illuminated against the night sky.

Day 8

The Louvre, the Champs Élysées and Montmartre

The Louvre: Start your morning with a visit to the Louvre, arguably the most famous art museum in the world. Explore an incredible collection of art and sculpture, including Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary Mona Lisa. Other must-see masterpieces include the Venus de Milo, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the Great Sphinx of Tanis in the Egyptian collection. The museum also features works by celebrated English artists like Turner and Gainsborough.

Champs-Élysées: In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll along the Champs-Élysées, Paris’s most iconic avenue, lined with fashionable shops and charming restaurants. Enjoy time to shop and visit the Arc de Triomphe, one of the city’s most famous monuments.

Montmartre: In the early evening, head to Montmartre, the bohemian heart of Paris and home to many local artists. Wander through its narrow streets, watch artists at work, and explore their vibrant displays. Visit the stunning Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where you can take in breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. Conclude your evening with dinner in the Place du Tertre, the lively center of Montmartre.

Day 9

Musée d'Orsay, the Latin Quarter, Sainte Chappelle and the Eiffel Tower

Musée d’Orsay: Begin your morning with a visit to the Musée d’Orsay, home to an exceptional collection of sculpture, photography, and paintings. Highlights include works by renowned Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cézanne.

The Latin Quarter: Just a short distance from the Orsay, the Latin Quarter is the perfect spot for lunch and exploring its charming narrow lanes filled with unique shops. Be sure to stop by Shakespeare and Company, a one-of-a-kind English-language bookstore nestled in the heart of Paris.

Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame: Visit the façade of Notre Dame Cathedral, celebrated for its role in French history and immortalized in Victor Hugo’s novel. Then, tour Sainte-Chapelle, a stunning Gothic masterpiece and former royal residence until the fourteenth century.

Eiffel Tower: After dinner, end your final night in France with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Take the elevator to the top for breathtaking views of Paris illuminated at night.

Day 10

Flight Home

Flight Home:  This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight back home.