Overview
Start:Paris, France
Finish:Paris, France
Duration:8 days
This northern France tour is the perfect way for value-minded travel lovers to see the highlights of Paris plus the Loire Valley and Normandy. Beautiful scenery combined with famous landmarks and fascinating history sum up this tour. You’ll visit some of northern France’s interesting and charming towns, including Rouen, best known for its connection to Joan of Arc. Here, step into the splendid Gothic cathedral, which was once the world’s tallest building and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings, just like the water garden in Giverny, depicted in some of his most famous canvases.
Visit Honfleur, a romantic port city; and Chartres, famous for pilgrimages to its 13th-century gothic cathedral. In Bayeux, follow the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, listed by UNESCO. Admire the cathedral, ramparts, and ancient walls of St. Malo, a fortified seaside resort. Memories of World War II history come to life as you visit the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and the landing beaches.
Other highlights of this affordable France tour include picturesque Mont St. Michel, situated on a rocky isle with its world-famous abbey. Spend a day at leisure in Châteaux Country with the opportunity to take an optional excursion to discover the Château of Chenonceau, a 16th-century, fairytale castle with a moat, drawbridge, and towers. From historic sights to picturesque scenery, this is a dream holiday!
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
- Departure November 07: due to closure of Giverny Gardens - visit to D-Day Museum instead.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Check into your hotel and use your CosmosGO app to explore the French capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Enjoy a full day to exploring the "City of Light," known in the world for its fashion, art, museums, cuisine, and joie de vivre. Enjoy included sightseeing with a local expert to see many of the best-known Parisian iconic sights. Feel the joie de vivre with your choice of optional excursions, s'il vous plait! (B)
Day 3 - PARIS-GIVERNY-ROUEN-HONFLEUR-DEAUVILLE.
Start the day with a visit to Giverny*, home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. The famous water garden at Giverny was the inspiration behind some of Monet's finest works (gardens open from April to October). Continue to Rouen to visit its great cathedral. Next, enjoy a stop in lovely Honfleur, situated on the Seine estuary, and then continue to the seaside resort of Deauville. Today's Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km (B,D) NOTE: *On departure November 7, due to closure of Giverny Gardens, a visit to D-Day Museum will be included instead.
Day 4 - DEAUVILLE-BAYEUX-NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES-MONT ST. MICHEL.
Visit Bayeux, famed for its lacemaking and the world-renowned Bayeux tapestry depicting the story of William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex-who led the Norman and Saxon armies in 1066 to conquer England. On to the legendary beaches of Normandy, where Allied troops landed in 1944. The highlight is the American Cemetery at Omaha. Then, discover spectacular Mont St. Michel, which stands on an island accessible by a causeway. Today's Distance: 154 mi/ 248 km (B)
Day 5 - MONT ST. MICHEL-ST. MALO-CHATEAUX COUNTRY.
Drive along the Brittany coast to the fortified seaside resort of St. Malo to admire its cathedral and ancient walls. Enjoy beautiful landscapes on the way to the enchanting Chateaux Country. Today's Distance: 261 mi/ 420 km (B)
Day 6 - CHATEAUX COUNTRY.
Spend the day at leisure or follow the steps of French royalty with an optional visit to the Loire Valley castles. If these walls could talk, they would tell the intriguing tales of kings, ladies, and lords who called these sumptuous palaces home. (B,D)
Day 7 - CHATEAUX COUNTRY-CHARTRES-PARIS.
Take a stroll around Chartres, home of the famous Gothic cathedral with its magnificent stained-glass windows. Arrive in Paris with time to enjoy an optional excursion in the City of Light this evening. Today's Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Travel Partner
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Cosmos offers affordable, expertly planned tours that make exploring the world accessible and enjoyable. With a focus on value, comfort, and enriching experiences, their itineraries cover a wide range of destinations, from the historic cities of Europe to the natural wonders of North America. Enjoy guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and the perfect balance of free time and planned activities.