8 Days Paris to Paris
Highlights Include: Paris, Versailles, Normandy, the Landing Beaches
A bespoke itinerary that includes extensive sightseeing in Paris, as well as visiting Versailles and Normandy.
Paris, Normandy & Versailles
DAY 1 ARRIVE PARIS, FRANCE: Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport you will be welcomed to France in the arrivals hall by a local representative and transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures by your tour director. This evening enjoy an open bar cocktail party at the hotel to celebrate your arrival in France, followed by a welcome dinner.
Hotel Name: Hotel Sofitel Le Scribe. (D)
DAY 2 PARIS: This morning depart for a sightseeing tour of Paris by coach including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the graceful arches of the iconic Eiffel Tower and the impressive Champs-Elysées that stretches to the Arc de Triomphe.
See the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with its Obelisk of Luxor, and the Place Vendôme, surrounded by some of some of the most famous designer boutiques in the world. You will also visit St. Sulpice which has gained prominence following the film The Da Vinci Code. The church, completed in 1745, is the largest church in Paris and has many beautiful frescoes painted by Delacroix. Despite the dubious allegations in the novel, the gnomon construction was requested in 1727 by Languet de Gercy, a priest at St. Sulpice, to help determine the time of the equinoxes and, consequently, Easter. The fact that it was also used in various scientific experiments may have saved the church from destruction during the French Revolution. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Louvre Museum, once a palace of kings and now home to some of the most well recognized art in the world. A large, glass, steel-rod and cable pyramid designed by the American architect I.M. Pei now covers the main entrance, juxtaposing the ultra-modern with the classical façade of the palace. Treasures dating from antiquity to the 19th century are housed here, among them the Venus de Milo and Ghirlandaio’s The Visitation. Perhaps the most famous work here is Leonardo de Vinci’s Mona Lisa. A guided visit lasts about two hours after which you may continue exploring the museum on your own or return to the hotel.
Hotel Name: Hotel Sofitel Le Scribe. (B/L)
DAY 3 PARIS: A walking tour of Paris today presents three of its lesser-known museums as well as a stroll through the delightful Parc Monceau. Visit Monet’s collection of his own and his fellow Impressionist painters’ pictures at the Marmottan Museum, the stunning display of Impressionism at l’Orangerie which was only recently re-opened, and the eclectic but superbly rich Jacquemart André collection of masterpieces and objects d’art from several centuries, housed in one of the grandest town houses of the 19th century.
Hotel Name: Hotel Sofitel Le Scribe. (B)
DAY 4 VERSAILLES: Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour to Versailles. Drive out of Paris to admire the awe-inspiring residence of the great Sun King Louis XIV. Housing up to 20,000 people, the huge palace was the glory of the king’s reign before he was sent to the guillotine. The famous Hall of Mirrors is 70 meters long, stretching the length of the west side. It was here that the 1919 Treaty of Versailles was ratified, ending World War I. The gardens are also vast and beautiful, and there is a little tram you can take throughout the grounds.
After lunch at the Brasserie du Theatre, return to Paris and travel up to the highest point of Paris – Montmartre, perched high on a hill, overlooking the city. Montmartre is a fascinating area that has been associated with artists for more than 200 years. View the white basilica of the Sacré-Coeur and the Place du Tertre, which was first inhabited by artists in the 19th century and is now brimming with portraitists. The Sacré-Coeur, a Neo-Romanesque Catholic church, was started in the 1870s and completed in 1914. It contains such treasures as the 1896 Virgin Mary and child by P. Brunet. The ovoid dome is the second highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower and without a doubt dominates the area’s tiny squares and winding streets.
Hotel Name: Hotel Sofitel Le Scribe. (B/L)
DAY 5 PARIS – NORMANDY: After breakfast depart for Normandy, stopping en route to visit Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny. It was here that he lived the last part of his life and painted his famous “Water Lilies” series. After some time at leisure to enjoy the gardens on your own and have lunch, continue to Port-en-Bessin and your château hotel where your evening is at leisure. Château La Chenevière is located between Omaha Beach and the historic town of Bayeux. This 18th century château stands in its own parkland of mature trees.
Hotel Name: Château La Chenevière. (B)
DAY 6 NORMANDY: Today depart for a full day excursion with a local specialist guide through the bocage countryside that so hindered the Allied forces. See Arromanches, center of the operations on June 6, 1944, where the remains of the floating Mulberry Harbour can still be seen. You will also visit the Musée du Débarquement (D-Day Landings Museum). Later visit the American sector of the D-Day invasion: Omaha Beach including the Fortified Point WN62, the Pointe du Hoc and the American cemetery at St Laurent, poignant reminders of a defining moment in history.
Hotel Name: Château La Chenevière. (B)
DAY 7 NORMANDY – PARIS: This morning drive to Bayeux to see the famous tapestry commemorating the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and to visit its lovely 11th century cathedral. Continue to Rouen to see the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame. The cathedral featured in a famous series of paintings by Impressionist Claude Monet and it was on this forecourt that Joan of Arc was burnt alive at the stake. Transfer back to Paris. Dinner this evening will be at the nearby Lyonnais Restaurant.
Hotel Name: Hotel Sofitel Le Scribe. (B/D)
DAY 8 DEPART PARIS: This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-855-220-6450, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 8
- Twin-bedded rooms in the 5-Star hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
- 6 breakfast
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
- Services of an English-speaking local travel expert
- Travel by private, luxury, air-conditioned coach
- Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in France
Private Departures
Please Call 1-855-220-6450 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-855-220-6450, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
Journeys Connect group and specialty services are available exclusively on a Business-to-Business basis, to travel industry professionals. If you are an individual interested in a Group Journey for 8 or more passengers, please do browse our collection and then contact your preferred Travel Agent and ask them to book through Journeys Connect.
Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-855-220-6450