Day 1 and 2 — Depart the U.S. for Toulouse, France

Arrive in the charismatic university town of Toulouse and settle into your hotel. Take the afternoon to relax or go for a walk in the city center. Then  gather for a welcome dinner and a briefing about the journey ahead. (D)

Day 3 — Toulouse and Carcassonne

Travel to the fortified city of Carcassonne, set on a hill overlooking the surrounding plains. Bristling with turrets and encircled by ramparts, this castle town—which dates all the way back to the Romans—seems straight out of a fairytale. Venture into its narrow alleys, learning about the centuries of restorations that have earned the town World Heritage status. Return to Toulouse for an afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 — Albi and Sarlat

Head north today, stopping in the historic town of Albi, known as the birthplace of artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and also the center of the Cathars, a breakaway religious sect that were targeted by the Crusaders in the 13th century. On a tour of this stunning, rose-colored town—also a World Heritage site—visit the fortified Palais de la Berbie, which houses the works of Toulouse-Lautrec, and the imposing Cathédrale Ste-Cécile, the world’s largest brick cathedral. Continue to the rugged karst landscapes of the Dordogne River Valley. Arrive in Sarlat-la-Canéda, a stunning medieval town of ochre-colored, half-timbered houses and settle into your hotel in the town center. (B,D)

Day 5 — Sarlat and Lascaux IV

This morning, tour the International Center for Cave Art at Lascaux IV, an exact replica of the original cave where prehistoric paintings were discovered by local teenagers in 1940.  After lunch at a charming local inn, enjoy a private guided visit of the Château des Milandes, a 15th-century castle that was once the home of American-French entertainer Josephine Baker. Learn about the life of this remarkable woman, who sang, danced, and served in the French Resistance during World War II. Return to Sarlat in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 6 — Sarlat and Rocamadour

Set off on a guided walking tour of Sarlat’s historic center, then explore this charming town on your own. In the afternoon, travel to Rocamadour, a medieval village and pilgrimage site that clings to a sheer limestone cliff. Set off on a walking tour followed by lunch on your own, then take a leisurely cruise along the Dordogne River, the lifeblood of this fertile region. Glide past cliff-top castles and fortified medieval villages, uncovering layers of history from the region’s early humans to the 12th-century reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine and beyond. Return to Sarlat in mid-afternoon and enjoy time at leisure before dinner. (B, D)

Day 7 — Le Dorat and Saumur

Depart the Dordogne region and travel north through the rolling countryside to the beautiful Loire Valley, where France’s kings and nobility built more than 300 châteaux during the Renaissance. Stop in the market town of Le Dorat for a typical country lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Saumur and check in to your hotel, a converted 18th-century mansion on the banks of the Loire River. (B,L)

Day 8 — Saumur

Take a private tour of the 12th-century Fontevraud Abbey, the resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and their sons Richard the Lionheart and King John. Discover the dramatic history of the site, which played a role in the Crusades and was turned into a prison during the reign of Napoleon. Return to Saumur for dinner. (B,D)

Day 9 — Saumur and Chenonceau

Spend the morning at the Renaissance masterpiece of Chenonceau, known as the “Château des Dames” for the numerous women who had a hand in its elegant design. Tour the château, which spans the Cher River in graceful arches, and learn about the historic figures who spent time here, from Catherine de Médici to Voltaire. After lunch in a former troglodyte cave, visit the Château Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. (B,L)

Day 10 — Mont St. Michel and St. Crépon

Head northwest from the Loire Valley to the Normandy coast. Here, perched high on a rocky tidal island, the fortified abbey of Mont St. Michel has drawn pilgrims for centuries. On a guided tour of this World Heritage site, learn how the abbey evolved in the face of the Hundred Years’ War and the French Revolution. Enjoy time to explore the small village surrounding the abbey and have lunch on your own. Continue to Normandy’s Calvados region and arrive in the early evening at your lodgings, a restored farmhouse in Crépon,  where you’ll dine tonight on fresh regional fare. (B,D)

Day 11 — Crépon, Bayeux, and Caen

Bayeux was the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy and its medieval center was miraculously spared from wartime bombing. At the excellent Bayeux Museum, examine the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, a 224-foot embroidery that depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 in astonishing detail. Your exploration of Normandy’s poignant World War II sites begins at the British Cemetery on the outskirts of town. Then continue to Caen to visit Le Mémorial, one of the best World War II museums in Europe. Time permitting, venture to Arromanches late this afternoon to see the remains of the Mulberry harbor used during the D-Day invasion. (B,D)

Day 12 — D-Day Landing Beaches

Step back in time at the moving sites where the Allied forces overcame overwhelming odds to retake to French coast—and alter the course of World War II. Visit Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers scaled towering cliffs to establish a beachhead. Imagine the chaos of June 6, 1944 on Utah Beach, now a serene, sandy expanse edged by gentle dunes. Walk through the picturesque village of Ste-Mère-Eglise, where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully parachuted on the eve of the attack. End the day at the American Cemetery, strolling amid seemingly endless rows of marble crosses and Stars of David overlooking Omaha Beach. (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Giverny and Paris

On your way to Paris, make a stop at Giverny to visit the home and gardens of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. In the beautiful gardens, discover the familiar lily pond and Japanese footbridge that he rendered in paint; and see his home, now restored to its original design. Arrive in Paris late this afternoon and settle into your centrally located hotel near the Champs-Élysées. Dinner tonight is on your own in this culinary capital. (B)

Day 14 — Paris

Set out on a Paris city tour this morning, viewing the sites of historic and architectural importance. Your tour includes a guided visit to the Musée Rodin. During a free afternoon, explore the City of Lights as you wish. Then gather tonight to toast your French sojourn at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Note: On the April 22 and May 17, 2024 departures, the city tour will be replaced with a tour on the Seine River due to road closures for ongoing preparation of venues for the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Day 15 — Depart for the U.S.

After breakfast this morning, transfer for the airport to catch your flight home. (B)