Magical France 2024/2025: Paris and the Castles of the Loire

Flight to Paris

After passport and baggage check, we will fly to Paris, the capital of France. Paris is widely known as the “City of Lights” or “La Ville-Lumiere.”

Orléans

In the afternoon, we will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and then transfer by coach to Orleans, a city associated with the historical figure Joan of Arc.

We will take a short stroll through the old town to see, among other things, the monument of Joan of Arc, the Groslot Hotel, which is over 400 years old, and the even older Saint-Croix Cathedral. Accommodation and overnight stay in the vicinity of Orleans, Chambord, or Amboise.

Chambord Castle, Amboise Fortress, Palace of Versailles

After breakfast, we will embark on a tour of the Loire Valley castles, starting with Chambord – the largest residence not only in the Loire Valley but in all of France.

Following our visit to Chambord, we will proceed to Amboise, a fortress-like city of significant political importance for France from the pre-revolutionary period.

Once we’ve delighted in the sight of the Loire Valley castles, we will head to the suburbs of Paris, specifically to Versailles, which was the capital of the Kingdom of France just before the French Revolution. After our visit to the “King’s” residence, we will return to Paris.

Luxembourg Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle, Louvre, Place De La Concorde

We will begin our tour of Paris in the Latin Quarter. We’ll visit the Pantheon, where Marie Curie-Skłodowska and other distinguished French citizens are buried. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a morning coffee in the Luxembourg Gardens.

Next, we’ll take a leisurely stroll to La Cité, where we’ll find the reconstructed Notre-Dame Cathedral after the fire. Right nearby is Sainte Chapelle, renowned for having the world’s most beautiful stained glass windows.

After some free time for lunch, we’ll explore the royal palace of the Louvre, now a museum of art featuring the famous Mona Lisa.

Following our visit to the Louvre, there will be time for a long walk through the most representative part of the city. During this walk, we’ll see the Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde. We’ll return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Museum D'Orsay, Pompidou Center

After breakfast, we will visit two renowned museums in Paris. The first one will be the Museum d’Orsay, located in the former Paris-Orleans railway station.

Next, we’ll explore the famous Parisian center of contemporary art, Pompidou, named in honor of the President of France, whose initiative led to the opening of this center.

In the evening, we’ll visit the Montmartre district with the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret, Pigalle Square, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, and the Place du Tertre. There will be free time for dinner, followed by a return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

TRIUMPHAL ARCH – CHAMPS ÉLYSÉES - GRAND PALAIS – NAPOLEON’S TOMB – CHAMPS DE MARS - EIFFEL TOWER - SEIN RIVER BOAT CRUISE

We will start the day with a visit to Star Square, where the famous Triumphal Arch is located, commemorating the fallen French during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. After taking a look at the city from the roof of this monument, we will walk through the Champs Elysées, the most famous avenue in the world. The walk will take us to the Grand Palais, the famous glass hall that was built in the heart of the French capital for the World Exhibition held here in 1900. Then we will pass by the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte towards the Eiffel Tower, which we will enter after lunch near Los Invalides Square.  We will end the day with an unforgettable cruise on the Seine River. During the cruise, we will see the beautifully illuminated monuments of Paris, the known and these lesser-known pearls of architecture and culture, of which Paris is undoubtedly the world capital.

DEPARTURE FROM PARIS

On this day, we will say goodbye to Paris and head back to the USA.

Magical France 2024: Paris and the Castles of the Loire