Normandy, Brittany, Paris and the Loire Valley

•   TAUCKS YELLOW ROADS! Travel from Brittanys rugged headlands out across the idyllic French countryside to the Normandy coast and the historic D-Day beaches

Day 1: Arrive Paris / Versailles
Welcome to France! A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Trianon Palace Versailles; if you wish, we’ve included an independent visit to Château de Versailles that can be arranged through the hotel concierge. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel.
Overnight: Trianon Palace, Versailles, France
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Medieval Chartres / Langeais
Arrive in ancient Chartres for a visit to the International Stained Glass Centre and a demonstration of this delicate, centuries-old art – then see more stunning examples inside the world-famous Chartres Cathedral, followed by a walk through the historic town. Continue on to the Loire Valley’s châteaux country to visit some of the region’s celebrated estates during a two-night stay at the Château de Rochecotte, once the private estate of 18th-century French diplomat Prince Talleyrand and the Duchess of Dino. Dinner tonight brings us to Château de Champchevrier, a private estate in the same family since the 1720s; meet Le Baron and his family, and enjoy a reception, dinner and a colorful hunting hound demonstration in full regalia.
Overnight: Château de Rochecotte, Langeais, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Loire Valley / Châteaux Country
The châteaux, gardens, towns and unique culture of the Loire Valley are all yours to explore today. For starters, a guided tour of Le Cadre Noir de Saumur takes you backstage at the training center of France’s famed national riding school (Ecole Nationale d’Equitation), where students are instructed in the equestrian arts; see the stables and perhaps watch a training session (closed on Sundays). This afternoon, pay a private visit to the vineyards of Le Moulin Bleu, in Bourgueil on the Loire’s north bank, for lunch and a wine tasting. Explore Château de Villandry and its formal gardens, before returning to your hotels for dinner.
Overnight: Château de Rochecotte, Langeais, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Château d’Angers / Port du Crouesty
In Angers, the Loire Valley’s center for the wine trade, your guided visit to the 17-towered Château d’Angers affords a view of the renowned 14th-century Apocalypse Tapestry, the longest medieval tapestry in the world. Continue across the countryside to Port du Crouesty on the Atlantic coast for a two-night stay at the Miramar Crouesty, a waterfront spa resort.
Overnight: Miramar Crouesty, Port du Crouesty, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Golfe du Morbihan and Rochefort-en-Terre
Your day begins with a sightseeing cruise along the island-dotted Golfe du Morbihan, and continues with a visit to the flower-filled town of Rochefort-en-Terre. Ablaze with red and pink geraniums from spring to fall thanks to a tradition established a century ago by Franco-American painter Alfred Klotts, the village is considered one of France’s premier floral towns today.
Overnight: Miramar Crouesty, Port du Crouesty, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Ancient Vannes and Château Josselin
Take a walking tour of Vannes’ ancient walled core; view its Gothic Cathedral, built over a span of 700 years, and stroll through the colorful Promenade de la Garenne. Visit Josselin, dominated by imposing Château Josselin, residence of the aristocratic Rohan family; learn about the castle’s turbulent history on a guided tour, and explore the Doll Museum’s collection of rare dolls from the 17th century to today. Drive to St-Malo for a two-night stay on the Channel coast.
Overnight: Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes, St-Malo, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7: Mont-St-Michel & Seaside St-Malo
This morning you’ll visit world-famous Mont-St-Michel, a thousand-year-old mountaintop abbey perched on an island off the coast; be prepared for a bit of walking during your exploration of one of Europe’s truly unique places. Set dramatically by the sea, St-Malo was once notorious as the base of French corsairs. Join your Tauck Director for a guided walking tour of its walled medieval center, La Ville Intra-Muros.
Overnight: Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes, St-Malo, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 8: Tapestries in Bayeux, Beaches in Deauville
Head across the countryside to the Normandy coast; see the celebrated Bayeux Tapestry. A scenic drive through the area along the Yellow Roads brings you to Le Mémorial de Caen, commemorating the sacrifices of World War II and the battle for Caen, and featuring a Peace Museum and memorial gardens. Arrive at your Belle Époque-era beachfront resort in seaside Deauville for two nights. Dine à la carte at your hotel tonight.
Overnight: Royal Barrière Deauville, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Beaches of D-Day / American Cemetery
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed at invasion beaches along the Normandy coast with code names forever etched in memory – Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword, Omaha. Today, Tauck’s local expert introduces you to the events of what the world has come to know as “D-Day.” A scenic drive through the area along the Yellow Roads brings you to Le Mémorial de Caen, commemorating World War II and the battle for Caen, and featuring a Peace Museum and memorial gardens. Visit Pointe du Hoc, an imposing 100-ft. cliff taken by the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion on June 6; the now-quiet Omaha Beach; and the poignant American Military Cemetery. 
Overnight: Royal Barrière Deauville, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Rouen and Giverny, then on to Paris
Travel to ancient Rouen for a locally guided tour of this historic cathedral town; stop at the modern Church of Ste. Joan of Arc, dedicated to the French heroine burned at the stake in this city in 1431. Continuing along the River Seine, visit the home and gardens of painter Claude Monet at Giverny, depicted in some of his most celebrated works, before arriving in Paris; spend the next three nights in the very heart of the city.
Overnight: Hotel Lutetia, Paris, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Remarkable Paris
An orientation tour of the legendary French capital – and one of the world’s most romantic cities – views landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, honoring those who have fought for France, standing at the western end of one of the world’s best-known boulevards, the Champs-Élysées; the Eiffel Tower, among the most recognized and visited monuments on Earth; and the equally iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame, with a visit inside this Gothic wonder. During your tour, you may want to pick your favorite spot from which to start exploring remarkable Paris as you please for the rest of the day.
Overnight: Hotel Lutetia, Paris, France
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Musée d’Orsay & a Parisian Farewell
Your local guide leads you on a tour of the newly renovated Musée d’Orsay, displaying an extensive collection of 19th-century French Im­pres­sion­ist paintings, sculptures and art objects in the restored Gare d’Orsay, a former railway station originally built for the Paris Exhibition of 1900 (subject to closure). Following an afternoon on your own, we invite you to join us for a farewell dinner in a unique French restaurant tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Lutetia, Paris, France
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 13: Journey Home
Tour ends: Paris. A transfer from the Hôtel Lutetia Paris to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is included. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/18/2012 - 5/31/2012	$6,790
5/20/2012 - 6/2/2012	$6,790
6/1/2012 - 6/14/2012	$5,990
6/3/2012 - 6/16/2012	$6,790
6/10/2012 - 6/23/2012	$6,790
6/15/2012 - 6/28/2012	$6,790
6/17/2012 - 6/30/2012	$5,990
6/24/2012 - 7/7/2012	$6,790
7/1/2012 - 7/14/2012	$5,690
7/15/2012 - 7/28/2012	$5,690
7/22/2012 - 8/4/2012	$6,490
7/29/2012 - 8/11/2012	$5,690
8/19/2012 - 9/1/2012	$5,690
8/26/2012 - 9/8/2012	$5,690
9/2/2012 - 9/15/2012	$5,690
9/7/2012 - 9/20/2012	$5,690
9/9/2012 - 9/22/2012	$6,790
9/14/2012 - 9/27/2012	$6,790
9/16/2012 - 9/29/2012	$6,790
9/21/2012 - 10/4/2012	$6,790
9/23/2012 - 10/6/2012	$6,790
9/30/2012 - 10/13/2012	$6,790
10/7/2012 - 10/20/2012	$6,790
10/14/2012 - 10/27/2012	$5,990
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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