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Day 3:
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Highlights of the Louvre
$85 per person
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Your first glimpse of the Louvre will be the I.M. Pei-designed entrance, which created a great deal of controversy when it was built in 1989. Called the Pyramide du Louvre, the steel rod, cable, and glass pyramids at the three main Louvre entrances are today considered a fine example of the blending of modern with classic architecture. The treasures inside the museum are world-famous, and the collection of sculptures and paintings by the Great Masters unrivaled. Stroll through gallery after gallery, marveling at works by the likes of Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rubens, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Matisse.
Please note: The Louvre is one of the most visited sites in France, so travelers should expect lines (even for groups with reservations) and crowds in front of key highlights.
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Day 4:
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Versailles - PRE-SOLD ONLY
$80 per person
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Embark on an optional half-day excursion to the Palace of Versailles—the former home of 3,000 princes, ministers, and servants. Your guided tour will take you through the palace’s Grand Chambers, the renowned Hall of Mirrors (where the Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I, was signed in 1919), and the Royal Chapel. You’ll marvel at the luminous decor in marble, chased bronze, and gold leaf, as well as Rococo-style woodwork and Italian-style painted ceilings. As you explore, you’ll discover how much the palace has been expanded and embellished since Louis XIII first built a modest hunting lodge at Versailles in 1623. You'll also enjoy time to visit the magnificent French gardens at your leisure.
Please note: Due to limited space, this optional tour must be reserved at least 10 days prior to departure and cannot be booked on-site. Versailles is the most-visited attraction in France. To ensure that all guests are able to view the exhibits, the time you spend in each room is limited by palace staff. Expect lines at the entrance in peak season, even for groups with reservations.
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Day 8:
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Abbey St. Wandrille
$60 per person
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The Romanesque abbey, named after the monk Wandrille who founded it in 649 AD, began as a missionary and spiritual center and has stayed true to that cause over its 13 centuries of history. Learn about the bishops and saints who spent time here, as well as the fascinating background of its founder.
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Day 9:
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Cliffs of Etretat & Fecamp
$55 per person
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Join a half-day excursion to Fecamp and the beautiful cliffs on the Normandy coast at Etretat. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to take in the Etretat Cliffs. The cliffs, with their needles and natural arches, are sufficiently entrancing to have moved the brushes of Courbet and Monet, and to continue attracting visitors. You’ll also visit the Benedictine palace at Fecamp and savor a taste of the famous Benedictine liqueur—made from 27 different herbs and spices. Finally, enjoy free time in town for your own explorations.
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Day 11:
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Bayeux
$85 per person
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The Tapestry Museum of Bayeux showcases a remarkable piece of embroidered fabric—230 feet in length—depicting events of the 1066 Normandy invasion of England. Study the elaborate scenes created with wool yarn of russet and gold, and learn the history that inspired such a fascinating work of art.
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Day 4:
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Bayeux
$85 per person
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The Tapestry Museum of Bayeux showcases a remarkable piece of embroidered fabric—230 feet in length—depicting events of the 1066 Normandy invasion of England. Study the elaborate scenes created with wool yarn of russet and gold, and learn the history that inspired such a fascinating work of art.
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Day 6:
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Cliffs of Etretat & Fecamp
$55 per person
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Join a half-day excursion to Fecamp and the beautiful cliffs on the Normandy coast at Etretat. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to take in the Etretat Cliffs. The cliffs, with their needles and natural arches, are sufficiently entrancing to have moved the brushes of Courbet and Monet, and to continue attracting visitors. You’ll also visit the Benedictine palace at Fecamp and savor a taste of the famous Benedictine liqueur—made from 27 different herbs and spices. Finally, enjoy free time in town for your own explorations.
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Day 7:
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Abbey St. Wandrille
$60 per person
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|
The Romanesque abbey, named after the monk Wandrille who founded it in 649 AD, began as a missionary and spiritual center and has stayed true to that cause over its 13 centuries of history. Learn about the bishops and saints who spent time here, as well as the fascinating background of its founder.
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Day 11:
|
Versailles - PRE-SOLD ONLY
$80 per person
|
|
Embark on an optional half-day excursion to the Palace of Versailles—the former home of 3,000 princes, ministers, and servants. Your guided tour will take you through the palace’s Grand Chambers, the renowned Hall of Mirrors (where the Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I, was signed in 1919), and the Royal Chapel. You’ll marvel at the luminous decor in marble, chased bronze, and gold leaf, as well as Rococo-style woodwork and Italian-style painted ceilings. As you explore, you’ll discover how much the palace has been expanded and embellished since Louis XIII first built a modest hunting lodge at Versailles in 1623. You'll also enjoy time to visit the magnificent French gardens at your leisure.
Please note: Due to limited space, this optional tour must be reserved at least 10 days prior to departure and cannot be booked on-site. Versailles is the most-visited attraction in France. To ensure that all guests are able to view the exhibits, the time you spend in each room is limited by palace staff. Expect lines at the entrance in peak season, even for groups with reservations.
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Day 12:
|
Highlights of the Louvre
$85 per person
|
|
Your first glimpse of the Louvre will be the I.M. Pei-designed entrance, which created a great deal of controversy when it was built in 1989. Called the Pyramide du Louvre, the steel rod, cable, and glass pyramids at the three main Louvre entrances are today considered a fine example of the blending of modern with classic architecture. The treasures inside the museum are world-famous, and the collection of sculptures and paintings by the Great Masters unrivaled. Stroll through gallery after gallery, marveling at works by the likes of Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rubens, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Matisse.
Please note: The Louvre is one of the most visited sites in France, so travelers should expect lines (even for groups with reservations) and crowds in front of key highlights.
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