On this special journey, discover the essence of French history, as well as the richness of its culture and scenic beauty. Explore the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne, the market town of Albi, and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Toulouse. Continue into the breathtaking Dordogne, known for its rugged, unspoiled countryside and lovely villages. Here, you’ll enter the famous caves at Lascaux II and visit the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour. After a tour of the romantic Château de Chenonceaux in the fabled Loire Valley, travel to Brittany’s dramatic Gothic abbey of Mont St. Michel and explore Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches and the medieval town of Bayeux. Stroll through the gardens that inspired Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces and enjoy a walking tour of lively Paris, including the famous Louvre Museum.

Days 1-2 — Depart the U.S. for Toulouse
Upon arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, then gather for a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3 — Toulouse and Carcassonne
Travel to Carcassonne to tour this quintessential medieval town with the longest city walls in Europe. Sitting atop a hill overlooking vast green plains that stretch to the Pyrénées, Carcassonne boasts battlements and ramparts dating to the 1st-century Romans. Return to Toulouse for an afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 — Albi
Hometown of Belle Epoque artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the historic market town of Albi was built with rose-colored bricks which cast a warm glow over the city’s medieval streets and ramparts. Tour the town, including the Palais de la Berbie, the ancient fortress that houses a museum devoted to the works of Toulouse-Lautrec. Then visit the huge Cathédral St. Cecile before continuing to Sarlat. (B,D)

Day 5-6 — Sarlat, Lascaux II, Les Milandes, Rocamadour, and Dordogne River
Tour the caves at Lascaux II, the reproductions of the original prehistoric cave paintings found nearby. After lunch in Les Eyzies, enjoy an exclusive visit to Chateau des Milandes, the former residence of Josephine Baker. The next day, experience Sarlat’s morning market, then travel to Rocamadour, a revered pilgrimage site and medieval village that clings almost impossibly to a sheer limestone cliff. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour here, then take a lovely cruise along the Dordogne River passing cliff-top castles and fortified medieval towns. (2B,1L,2D)

Day 7-8 — Limoges and Saumur
Leave the rugged, unspoiled countryside of the Dordogne region, and travel north to the Loire Valley. Stop in Limoges, famous for its porcelain, then enjoy lunch at a country farmhouse on the way to Saumur, your base in the Loire Valley. The next morning is at leisure to explore this charming town, situated on the banks of the Loire River. In the afternoon, enjoy a special visit to Fontevraud Abbey, original resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II and Richard the Lion Heart. (2B,L,D)

Day 9 — Saumur and Chenonceau
Here in the Loire Valley's château region, England battled for control of France, Joan of Arc triumphed, and a great opulence reigned during the 16th century. Today, you’ll tour Chenonceau, the Renaissance masterpiece, which some consider to be the most romantic château. After lunch at La Cave in Montluis, learn about French silk-making at Maison Georges Le Manach, the last working silk factory in France. (B,L)

Day 10 — Mont St.-Michel
Travel into historic Normandy and make your way to the pilgrimage site of Mont St.-Michel, Normandy’s famed abbey that sits atop a 264-foot-high rock formation at the edge of the sea. With a history equal to its dramatic setting, the abbey was constructed of granite which was hauled stone by stone from Brittany over a period of 500 years, from 1017 to 1521. Over the centuries, it was a hotbed of French nationalism and religion, and recently monks have returned to live and work here again. After a guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the small town surrounding the abbey. Early this evening, arrive in Crépon at your rustic 13th-century hostelry, the restored 35-room farmhouse Ferme de la Rançonniere, where you will dine on traditional regional cuisine. (B,D)

Day 11 — Bayeux and Caen
Miraculously, medieval Bayeux was spared from wartime bombing and was the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy. Stop in Bayeux to see the city’s highlight—the Tapestry Museum, home to the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry depicting the exploits of William the Conqueror. Travel north to commemorate World War II at the British Cemetery, stop in Arromanches, then continue to Caen to visit the Memorial Museum. (B,D)

Day 12 — D-Day Landing Beaches
A poignant, inspiring day features the sites where Allied forces overcame overwhelming odds to alter the course of World War II. Visit Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers scaled towering cliffs to establish a beachhead; Utah Beach; and Ste-Mere-Eglise, where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully parachuted on June 5, 1944. End the day at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Colleville. With its endless rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David, this moving site honors nearly 10,000 soldiers who are buried here. (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Honfleur, Giverny, and Paris
As you head to Paris today, visit the picturesque port town of Honfleur, featuring colorful houses with slate-covered frontages. Continue to the village of Giverny to visit the home and gardens of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Walk amid his gardens to see the familiar lily pond and Japanese footbridge of his paintings, and see his home, now restored to its original design. Arrive this evening in Paris at your well-located hotel near the Champs Elysees. (B)

Day 14 — Paris
A city tour of Paris provides an enchanting finale to your journey through France. View sites that bear historic and artistic significance, then take a guided tour of the art masterpieces of the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums. The rest of the day is free to do as you wish before gathering for your farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 15 — Paris and the U.S.
Depart Paris for the U.S. (B)