Private Tour Package - 10 Days exploring Paris, Normandy and the Loire Valley

ARRIVAL IN PARIS / PRIVATE HOTEL TRANSFER & HOTEL CHECK-IN

We will come and pick you up at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Paris. Rest of the day is free so why not begin your Paris discovery?

VERSAILLES PALACE & GIVERNY GARDENS PRIVATE DAY TRIP FROM PARIS Discover the stunning beauty of Versailles Palace and Giverny Gardens on this private day trip from Paris. This tour is designed to provide an immersive and unforgettable experience, allowing you to explore two of France's most famous landmarks in a single day.

Visit the Palace of Versailles

Our private tour begins with a comfortable and scenic drive from Paris to Versailles Palace. As we approach the palace, you'll be struck by the grandeur and opulence of this iconic French landmark. Once inside, you'll be free to explore the palace and gardens at your own pace, marveling at the ornate decorations and elegant architecture that have made Versailles famous around the world. Some of the highlights of the palace include the King's State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Queen's Apartments.

Visit Giverny

After exploring Versailles Palace, we'll depart for the picturesque village of Giverny.. Here, you'll have the chance to explore the stunning gardens that inspired Monet's most famous paintings, including the Water Garden and the Japanese Garden. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Monet's house, where you can see his private collection of Japanese prints and other works of art.

Throughout the tour, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will provide fascinating insights and historical context for each of the sites you visit. You'll also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor the flavors of French cuisine and unwind after a morning of exploring.

SKIP THE LINE EIFFEL TOWER VISIT / SEINE RIVER CRUISE / SKIP THE LINE LOUVRE MUSEUM VISIT

Experience the best of Paris with our skip-the-line Eiffel Tower visit, Seine River cruise, and Louvre Museum visit. This full-day tour is designed to provide an unforgettable and immersive experience, allowing you to explore some of the city's most iconic landmarks and attractions without any hassle.

Visit the Eiffel Tower & Seine River Cruise

We'll begin the day with a skip-the-line visit to the Eiffel Tower, where you'll have the chance to admire the stunning views of the city from the top of this world-famous landmark. Our expert guide will provide fascinating insights and historical context as you ascend to the top of the tower, sharing the stories and secrets behind the tower's construction and significance.

After your visit to the Eiffel Tower, we'll embark on a relaxing and scenic Seine River cruise. As we sail along the river, you'll have the chance to see many of Paris's most famous landmarks from a unique perspective, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Musée d'Orsay.

Visit the Louvre Museum

Following the river cruise and some free time for lunch (at own expense), we'll visit the Louvre Museum, home to some of the most famous and significant works of art in the world. Our guide will lead you through the museum's vast collections, highlighting some of the most important pieces and sharing fascinating stories and insights about the artists and their works.

PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM PARIS TO BAYEUX

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Paris. Enjoy a private transfer that will take you from Paris to the Normandy region of France. Arrive in Bayeux and check in at your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free so this might be the perfect timing for you to visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum as well as the Bayeux Cathedral.

A PRIVATE DAY TRIP FROM BAYEUX TO NORMANDY D-DAY LANDING BEACHES & SIGHTS

Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide who is a local Expert on WWII and the Normandy landings. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit the major D-Day sites.

First stop will be in Sainte Mère Eglise. Then, your Normandy battlefield tour will take you to Utah beach, the second beach where the American troops landed. Again, listen to your guide as he reveals the historical facts of the landings and how the troops were able to storm the beaches in this area. Visit stunning Pointe du Hoc. This Normandy battlefield tour will also take you to Omaha beach, where the deadliest of the landings took place. Even though bombings occurred before the landing itself, they failed to neutralise the German positions in that sector.

End the tour at the American Cemetery of Colleville sur Mer

If time permits, your guide will also make a stop at the Omaha Beach American Cemetery and memorial in Colleville sur mer where you will have some time to pay homage to the fallen. Depending on the timing of the day you might also have the opportunity to enter the visitor center.

A PRIVATE DAY TRIP FROM BAYEUX TO MONT SAINT-MICHEL

Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide

Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit Mont Saint Michel.

Travel to Southern Normandy

Visit the Benedictine Abbey with your guide

During your day trip to Mont St Michel, our friendly English-speaking driver / guide will take you from Bayeux to the Mont Saint Michel, which you will access via a shuttle and the bridge in accordance with local requirements. While on the road, make sure to take it all in and observe the beauty of the Normandy coastline.

Our Mont Saint Michel tour will then take you to the abbey itself, at the very top of the mount. Follow your guide on a walking tour. The history of its construction will be explained in detail and while you are there, make sure to snap some pictures of the amazing views on the surrounding bay!

Mont Saint Michel is also a lively small town

After the visit of the abbey, enjoy some free time to explore the town at your own pace and bring back some souvenirs for friends and family. Your guide will also suggest some great restaurants for lunch, suitable for all budgets.

If you want to indulge, the Mère Poulard restaurant is probably the most famous on the mount. It gained its reputation thanks to its unique "omelet soufflé" recipe. It is well worth a visit and a must-try when on a Mont Saint Michel day tour but keep in mind you will need a large amount of time as the restaurant is so popular with visitors.

PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM BAYEUX TO TOURS LOIRE VALLEY

In the morning, we will pick you up in Bayeux and transfer you to the Loire Valley. Reach the town of Tours where your hotel is located. Check in at your hotel, and take some time for lunch (at own expense) in Tours. Afternoon is free for personal discovery. Tours is a beautiful city in the Loire Valley of France, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class museums. Some of the highlights to visit in the city of Tours include:

1. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours: This beautiful cathedral is a must-visit for its stunning Gothic architecture and impressive stained-glass windows.

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts: Housed in a stunning 18th-century palace, this museum boasts an impressive collection of artwork from the 14th to the 20th century, including works by Rubens, Delacroix, and Rembrandt.

3. Place Plumereau: This picturesque square is a hub of activity in Tours, with plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants offering local cuisine and wine.

A PRIVATE DAY TRIP FROM TOURS TO CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD & CHENONCEAU

Depart from Tours and Visit Château de Chambord

Once you have met your guide and boarded your small group vehicle, make your way to the Château de Chambord that will be your first Loire Valley castle visit of the day. It is considered as one of the most beautiful Chateaux of the Loire Valley. After a short drive of about 1 hour, reach the stunning Château de Chambord. Listed since 1981 as a Unesco World Heritage site, Chambord is without a doubt one of the most fascinating Loire Valley Castle to visit.

Upon arrival, follow your tour guide for a tour of the Castle. The tour will last around 1.5 hours and your guide will lead you through the main rooms, will show you the famous double spiral staircase and you take you to the top of the Castle to the terraces where you will have a great view of the surrounding area.

After the visit, you will have some free time to discover the Castle of Chambord on your own. If you have purchased the visit of the Château and Gardens during the booking process, then it will be time for you to have a walk through the beautiful French Gardens of Chambord.

Free time for lunch (at own expense)

After your visit of Chambord Castle, you will have some time for lunch, on your own and at own expense. There are several options that can be chosen from that are located at the Château or close by. Your guide will also be able to make suggestions depending on your wishes. After lunch, it will be time to move on and head towards the Château de Chenonceau.

Then Visit Château de Chenonceau

After your time for lunch, we will drive you to Chenonceaux where the castle of Chenonceau is located. The original Château dates back to the 13th century but was later torched and rebuilt to be finally taken by King Francis I as a debt.

After your arrival at Chenonceau castle, begin your tour. Chenonceau is home to an outstanding collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings that included artworks from Rubens, Tintoretto, Van Loo, Murillo, Veronese, Poussin, Van Dyck and many more.

Also, during your tour, you will visit the highlights of the castle including Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, the Green Study, the Gallery and the kitchens. After the visit, you will have some free time to explore the gardens.

Return to Tours

A PRIVATE LOIRE VALLEY WINE TOUR TO CHINON & BOURGUEIL Wine tasting in the Chinon Wine Region

After a short drive, reach the Chinon wine producing region. Chinon red wines are mainly made with Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon varietals while the white wines are made with Chenin Blanc. The roughly 200 producers of the area account for about 12 million bottles of wine per year. When grown in the light, sandy-gravel soils along the banks of the Vienne, Chinon is rounded on the palate, supple and easy to drink. When grown in the denser soil of the limestone slopes, the wine gains a fuller body, is more robust and develops a much longer ageing potential.

Upon arrival, we will take you to one of our carefully selected wineries of the region. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste a large range of local wines. All our wine tours include a commented tasting of the wines as well as an explanation of the appellation and the terroir linked to the wine region.

Free time for lunch in Chinon (at own expense)

Once your morning visit is over, it will be time to head to the town of Chinon. After a small walking tour with your guide, take some time to appreciate this charming small town and enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch (at own expense). Don't hesitate to ask your guide for recommendations and suggestions for great lunch opportunities.

Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wine Region

After lunch, it will be time to head towards the Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wine Region of the Loire Valley. Wines have been produced in the area since the 10th century but became celebrated as an outstanding wine since the 17th century. The soils that make up the Bourgueil vineyards are on one hand composed of sand and gravel or "graviers" as they are locally known and on the other hand of clay and fine limestone known as "Tuffeau". This tuffeau was also used to build houses and castles in the region and the quarries of those days are now used to preserve the wines.

Wine tasting sessions in 2 Wineries

This afternoon, we will have you visit and wine taste in 2 local wineries of the Bourgueil / Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation. After a short introduction about the history of the winery and depending on the winery visited, we will take you to the vineyard to see what is going on with the vines at the moment of your visit. For some wineries, it will be possible to visit the technical installations and/or the ageing cellars. You will then participate in a commented tasting session of the wines produced on site. Even though a majority of red wine is produced here, some wineries also include tastings of Rosé, White and Sparkling wines.

Return to Tours

PRIVATE DEPARTURE TRANSFER FROM TOURS

Today is departure day. Check out from your hotel and private transfer to Tours train station.