Discover the essence of France, peeling back layers of history and delving into local culture as you make your way through beautiful scenery from the Dordogne to the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris, visiting six World Heritage sites along the way.
France Through the Ages
15 days from $6,997 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Discover the essence of France, peeling back layers of history and delving into local culture as you make your way through beautiful scenery from the Dordogne to the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris, visiting six World Heritage sites along the way.
Tour Details
TOUR BROCHURE
brochureWHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- David B."France through the Ages" was a feast for the body, mind, and soul!
- Marie L.Even though each of us has traveled to France on several occasions, taking "the road less traveled" on Smithsonian's "France through the Ages" tour was thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening. This was our first Smithsonian tour but assuredly will not be our last.
- Sharon S.This tour offered me a glorious buffet of France. Each day we got to sample new things and they were all wonderful. With my appetite fully whetted, I want to return and see more.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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Crowne Plaza Toulouse
Toulouse, France
Well located in the heart of Toulouse's 'Ville Rose' on Capitole Square, and one of Europe's prettiest, the 162-room Crowne Plaza offers a restaurant, cocktail lounge, a health club with an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, and hair salon. Your room is equipped with private bath with hair dryer, air conditioning, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Au Grand Hotel de Sarlat
Sarlat-en-Périgord, France
Au Grand Hotel de Sarlat sits just north of Sarlat’s medieval city center, only five minutes’ walking distance from this well-preserved 14th-century town. Boasting lovely manicured gardens and an outdoor heated swimming pool, the hotel also features a bar (with a public piano), fitness center, spa, sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. Air-conditioned guest rooms are split among two separate buildings: our rooms in the Pavillon de Selves have private bath with hair dryer, TV, and phone.
Hotel Anne d'Anjou
Saumur, France
Overlooking the Loire River, the 18th-century Hotel Anne d'Anjou stands with its original wood, glass, and freestone moldings that date to the Louis XVI, Restoration, and Empire periods. Minutes from the town's center, the 45-room hotel has a restaurant and bar, Internet access, lounge, and garden. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Manoir de Mathan
Normandy , France
Located in a rural setting along the outskirts of Crépon, this hotel was previously a stately 17th-century home. Situated around a common courtyard, the hotel consists of three buildings, each with exposed beams, antique furniture, and stone staircases that preserve the French style of antiquity. Each of the 21 rooms includes a private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, TV, and phone. Because of the unique nature of this hotel, room sizes and décor vary. There are no elevators.
Hotel Chateau Frontenac
Paris, France
Ideally located between the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Georges-V, close to entertainment, restaurants, and shops, the 104-room Hotel Chateau Frontenac offers a bar and breakfast room and Internet access. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Expectations: One of our Classic Land Journeys, this tour features visits to many cities, iconic sites, hidden gems, and various regions. Although comprehensive, it's not rushed, but well paced and finely tuned. Expectations include longer touring days with many full-day motor coach excursions and five different hotels; standing and walking for long periods of time during city tours, museum visits, and outdoor activities; daily walks of up to three miles, sometimes over difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, absence of elevators); some longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Most full-day excursions last from four to six hours, and several afternoons are at leisure. In Mont St. Michel, travelers choosing to visit the abbey will climb more than 200 stairs. There are a few longer coach rides, which vary in length between three and four and a half hours, but stops are made along the way. This tour also features a leisurely boat ride on the Dordogne River.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Paris Post-Program Option — 3 Days, 2 Nights
Visit the vibrant cosmopolitan center of Paris, with its exquisite art, fine dining, and fascinating history. Your tour cost includes:
- Accommodations at Hotel Chateau Frontenac (Superior First Class, 2 nights)
- 2 meals: 2 breakfasts
- Transfer to airport
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- David B."France through the Ages" was a feast for the body, mind, and soul!
- Marie L.Even though each of us has traveled to France on several occasions, taking "the road less traveled" on Smithsonian's "France through the Ages" tour was thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening. This was our first Smithsonian tour but assuredly will not be our last.
- Sharon S.This tour offered me a glorious buffet of France. Each day we got to sample new things and they were all wonderful. With my appetite fully whetted, I want to return and see more.
Highly Recommended
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For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.
To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.