Discover And Explore La Belle France: Paris, Normandy And The River Seine

Napoleon and Joséphine Bonaparte’s former residence, located west of Paris, started as a dilapidated estate purchased by Joséphine in 1797. Despite Napoleon’s absence during his Egyptian campaign, Joséphine devoted care to transform the property into a significant asset for France. The mansion played a pivotal role in Napoleon’s decision-making from 1800 to 1802. Joséphine continued to enhance the estate after her divorce, creating a gem of the First Empire period, with rooms and gardens reflecting her lavish tastes. The guided tour explores their daily life, showcasing the music and council rooms, Joséphine’s bedroom, and the Marengo room with Napoleon’s weapons. Visitors can also enjoy free time in Joséphine’s gardens, a lush tribute to her native Martinique, boasting a renowned rose garden with various historical rose varieties.

Explore the captivating coastal beauty of Étretat, located 20 kilometers north of Le Havre in Normandy. Renowned for its breathtaking white cliffs, both the cliffs and the village offer scenic highlights not to be missed. Immerse yourself in the history and legends of this magical place, beginning with stunning clifftop views. A guided walking tour unveils the town’s transformation from a medieval fishing village to a 19th-century seaside resort, attracting renowned artists like Monet, Maupassant, Victor Hugo, and Flaubert. Enjoy leisure time to explore the charming town, its pebble beach, and promenade, all set against the iconic cliffs.

Rouen, the historical capital of Normandy, boasts a rich medieval history and is renowned for its architectural treasures. The must-see historic city center features Gothic churches, restored mansions, half-timbered houses, and well-maintained public gardens. Explore the cathedral that inspired Claude Monet and the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its stunning 16th-century stained-glass windows. Learn about the city’s historical legacy, associated with Vikings, Dukes of Normandy, Joan of Arc, Corneille, Flaubert, Géricault, and Monet. Don’t miss landmarks like the Gros Horloge, an astronomical clock, and the Parliament of Normandy, exemplifying Gothic style in the late Middle Ages.

EExplore Honfleur with your guide, immersing yourself in its charming streets rich in history. This maritime city, a haven for painters and Impressionism, offers an irresistible allure with its ever-changing light on the Seine estuary, inspiring artists like Courbet, Monet, and Boudin. Follow your guide to key landmarks, including the renowned Vieux Bassin (old port), the historic Lieutenancy building linked to Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of Canada, and St. Catherine’s Church with its unique sailor-carpenter-built bell tower. Honfleur hosts numerous galleries and artists’ studios showcasing classical and modern paintings. Besides its artistic charm, the city is a hub for local arts, crafts, and specialties like cider, Calvados, and caramels. Explore the local market or unwind in a quaint cafe to savor the beautiful atmosphere during your free time.

Josephine Baker captured the essence of Paris with her song “J’ai deux amours, mon pays et Paris,” expressing the universal sentiment of falling in love with the French capital. Paris, renowned as one of the world’s most romantic and captivating cities, offers an endless array of activities and sights for every visitor. Immerse yourself in the city’s singular, magical, and majestic atmosphere, wandering through streets steeped in the history of iconic figures like Joan of Arc, Louis XIV, Louis XVI, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Explore the daily life of Parisians and uncover the secrets and wonders of the “City of Lights.” The sightseeing program includes iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Louvre Museum, the Champs-Elysées, the Jardin des Tuileries, and more. Enjoy a gourmet dinner at Madame Brasserie on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

Montmartre, situated in the 18th arrondissement, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. Its charming streets, adorned with steep stairways and quaint lamp-posts, and its bustling squares populated by watercolor painters and sketch artists, epitomize the essence of Paris. Explore its highlights including the hillside vineyard on Rue des Saules, the iconic Moulin de la Galette celebrated by Renoir, and the historic Bateau Lavoir studio. Wander through the winding streets frequented by renowned artists like Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec, experiencing the legendary and picturesque ambiance where wine, romance, and madness intertwine.

Fécamp, a charming seaside resort on Normandy’s alabaster coast in the Seine-Maritime department, is surrounded by towering cliffs. Initially favored by the Dukes of Normandy until 1204, the city boasts a quintessential fishing port, beautiful resorts, and a significant religious pilgrimage site. Notably, it is home to the renowned Bénédictine liqueur. Explore the Palais Bénédictine, a Gothic-Renaissance architectural gem built in the late 19th century for Alexandre Le Grand, a Fécamp wine merchant. Le Grand rediscovered a 16th-century Bénédictine recipe left at the Abbey by a Venetian Monk, claiming medicinal properties and creating a bestseller. Discover an extraordinary 15th and 16th-century art collection left by Le Grand and visit the world’s only operational distillery producing Bénédictine liqueur.

Moulin Rouge is a perhaps the best known cabaret in the world situated southwest of Montmartre, in the Paris district of Pigalle. It is also known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering predominantly musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance of fin de siècle France. Dinner starts at 7:00PM, back in the hotel at 11:00 PM. Note: includes admission, dinner, show, round trip transfers.

Champagne is a sparkling wine originated and produced in the Champagne wine region of France under the rules of the appellation, which demand specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, specific grape-pressing methods and secondary fermentation of the wine in the bottle to cause carbonation. Aÿ is most famous as a centre of the production of Champagne. Aÿ's vineyards are located in the Vallée de la Marne subregion of Champagne, and are classified as Grand Cru (100%) in the Champagne vineyard classification. The vineyards, harvest huts, presses, and cellars in the region were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015 as part of the Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars site, because of the region's testimony to the development of champagne. Many prestigious Champagne houses own vineyards in the immediate vicinity, and several producers are located in Aÿ, including Ayala and Bollinger. It would not be a tour of this region if we do not stop for a cellar visit and tasting! Will stop in a small charming town of Epernay for lunch (on own). In the central and oldest quarter of the town, the streets are narrow and irregular; the surrounding suburbs, however, are modern and more spacious, with La Folie to the East, for example, containing many villas belonging to rich wine merchants. The town has also spread to the right bank of the Marne. One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the sixteenth century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction. The most famous street in Épernay is the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading Champagne manufacturers. Our last but not least stop on this tour will be the city of Reims, the most populous city in the French department of Marne, and the 12th most populous city in France. The city lies 129 km (80 mi) northeast of Paris. Reims is highly recognized for the diversity of its heritage, ranging from Romanesque to Art-déco. Reims also lies on the northern edge of the Champagne wine region and is linked to its production and export. Joan of Arc is a famous symbol of this city – the Third Republic-era statue (created in the late 19th century) portrays the legendary Joan of Arc, a warrior, mystic, martyr, and saint who saved the city of Reims from destruction at the hands of the English army. It stands in the shadow of the very cathedral she helped protect. You will hear more from our tour guide. Note: includes bus, cellar visit and wine tasting, live commentary, water and whispers.

This afternoon, immerse yourself in the charm of a typical 17th-century half-timbered farm in Vexin Normand at Le Pressoir d`Or in Boisemont. Beyond a mere cider house, it offers a journey through time and taste, including visits to the orchard, cellar, and a museum dedicated to old apple presses, followed by a tasting of their various products. Conclude your day with leisure time in Lyons-la-Foret, one of France`s most beautiful villages, nestled in the heart of Normandy`s ancient forests, where you can stroll through streets adorned with flowers, explore antique shops, and relax in cozy tearooms amidst centuries-old architecture.

Just 30 minutes from Paris lies Auvers-sur-Oise, a picturesque village nestled between the Oise River and rugged cliffs. Once a haven for artists like Cézanne, Daubigny, and Pissarro during la belle époque, it’s now renowned as the final resting place of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Explore Van Gogh’s burial site atop a hill in the village cemetery, then tour the 17th-century Château d’Auvers, famously depicted in Van Gogh’s paintings, for an immersive multimedia experience delving into the inspiration behind Impressionism and the era of renowned painters from the late 19th century.

The history of the Palace of Versailles starts at the 17th century. It was first a hunting lodge, then a seat of power, and finally, from the 19th century onwards, a museum. Composed of the Palace, the gardens, the Park, the Trianon estate and several buildings in town, today the Estate of Versailles spreads over more than 800 hectares. It is one of the must-see monuments when visiting France. Tour returns to the hotel at around 4PM. Time will be allowed for lunch on own in the picturesque historic center of Versailles and souvenir shopping. Note: includes bus, admission to chateau and gardens including live commentary, water, whispers.

Embark to Château Gaillard, an English king’s stronghold from the 12th century, perched on a limestone promontory overlooking the Seine. Enjoy breathtaking views of the river and countryside as our expert guide narrates the castle’s construction by Richard Lionheart and the imprisonment of King’s daughters-in-law, Blanche and Marguerite. Move on to Giverny, the vibrant village that inspired Claude Monet, where he lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. Explore the intimate world of this renowned Impressionist, delving into his connections with friends like Clemenceau and contemporaries such as Berthe Morisot, Marie Cassatt, and Paul Cézanne, while touring Monet’s diverse and personality-reflected rooms.

• 3 nights accommodation in a first class hotel in Paris, with breakfast included each morning • All transfers included • Guided City tour of Paris • Enjoy all the sights, including Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

• 3 nights accommodation in a first class hotel in Paris, with breakfast included each morning • All transfers included • Guided City tour of Paris • Enjoy all the sights, including Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

• 3 nights accommodation in a first class hotel in Paris, with breakfast included each morning • All transfers included • Guided City tour of Paris • Enjoy all the sights, including Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.