National Geographic Family Journeys
9 Days • fr. $3,699
Celebrate the joie de vivre on a France Family Journey: From Paris to Normandy & Beyond tour. This family vacation features French highlights In Bayeaux, Blois, Giverny, Honfleur, Mont Saint Michel and Versailles. Renowned gardens, museums, historic sites, solving mysteries and exceptional cuisine are among the fun and kid-friendly activities.
The journey starts here for history buffs, art and architecture lovers, foodies, multi-generational families and those looking for a fascinating and exciting opportunity to make priceless memories. Participate in the rare opportunity to taste the chocolate bars soldiers carried then climb into a military vehicle and travel to the first American World War II cemetery on European soil. Explore Claude Monet's home and gardens. Learn to make delicate and delicious crepes. Tour an eighth century, UNESCO World Heritage site, Mont-Saint-Michel including its medieval abbey. Take an underground walk, explore the homes and learn about troglodyte life in the lush Loire Valley. Paddle your way past quaint towns along the Cher River to the fairy-tale Château de Chenonceau where you can roam the grounds including a hedge-maze. At da Vinci's home the kids can pick up a special "inventor’s notebook" and set out to invent a machine using his special tips and tricks.
Paris, France
Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included. The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.
Hotel Relais Monceau
Paris, France
Head straight to the heart of Paris on a walking tour of the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine where the city was first settled. Cross the stone arches of the Pont Neuf, or New Bridge—which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris!
The rest of the day is yours to explore the City of Light. Choose to climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower, satisfy your sweet tooth at a chocolate-tasting workshop, or explore inside the iconic pyramid of the Louvre, home to treasures such as the "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus de Milo."
Breakfast
Hotel Relais Monceau
Giverny, France
Travel outside the city to the village of Giverny, and visit the home of Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Wander around weeping willows and green lily ponds in the gardens that inspired some of his greatest works of art.
Honfleur, France
Then head to Honfleur, a colorful port town sitting where the Seine meets the English Channel. Enjoy lunch and stroll the streets of this seaside community, where many great artists have painted the rainbow of fishing boats afloat in the harbor.
Bayeux, France
Later, continue to Bayeux, an ancient city that has been sacked by Vikings, conquered by the English, and occupied by the Germans in World War II.
Breakfast, Lunch
Churchill Hotel
Bayeux, France
This morning, delve into the story of D-Day and the battle to liberate France during a hands-on, sensorial World War II history experience. Feel the weight of real GI equipment, try on a field jacket, and taste the chocolate bars carried in soldiers’ kits. Climb aboard a military vehicle and drive to the nearby Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, the first American World War II cemetery established on European soil.
After lunch, spend a free afternoon exploring historic Bayeux. Later, learn the delicate art of making crepes before gathering for a delicious dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Churchill Hotel
Mont Saint Michel, France
Venture to the amazing Mont-Saint-Michel, an island stronghold perched on a rock off the Normandy coast. Built in the eighth century, this UNESCO World Heritage site has been attacked and besieged, but rarely captured—perhaps due to the quicksand that surrounds the fortress at low tide!
Head out on an orientation walk, then enjoy free time to wander winding lanes and cobbled streets, climbing from the base of the mountain to its crowning medieval abbey. Meander through the cloister of the monastery or discover the island’s history at a museum. Return to Bayeux and choose to view the incredible Bayeux Tapestry, tracing the Norman conquest of England in colorful embroidery.
Breakfast
Churchill Hotel
Loire Valley, France
Say au revoir to Normandy and enter the lush green Loire Valley. Set foot inside the amazing cave dwellings known as troglodyte homes—charming houses built in and around cliff-side caverns. On an underground walk, delve into the geological history of the region and learn about the local troglodyte lifestyle.
Blois, France
Continue to the ancient city of Blois, perched above the lovely Loire River, and enjoy a free evening to relax or explore this hillside city’s many staircases.
Breakfast, Lunch
Novotel Blois Centre
Blois, France
Wake up this morning and head out on the water for a canoeing excursion along the Cher River. Paddle past picturesque medieval towns to the incredible Château de Chenonceau. This fairy-tale castle spans the river, while the gardens enclose sculpted hedges, a fantastic fountain, and a tricky maze.
Later, venture to the last home of Leonardo da Vinci—the spectacular Château du Clos Lucé. Young travelers can pick up a special "inventor’s notebook" and set out to invent a machine using da Vinci’s ingenious tips and tricks.
Breakfast
Novotel Blois Centre
Versailles, France
Today, be amazed by the Hall of Mirrors in the magnificent Palace of Versailles, a World Heritage site. Imagine yourself decked out in velvet and gold as you stride between sparkling rooms on a guided tour, or explore the endless winding pathways in Versailles’ vast gardens.
Paris, France
Return to Paris and enjoy a free afternoon to wander the banks of the Seine, munch on macarons, or shop in elegant boutiques. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Relais Monceau
Paris, France
Depart at any time.
Breakfast
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.
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