After breakfast, enjoy a guided city orientation tour of this magnificent city. See the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Latin Quarter, Pantheon, Place  Vendome, and the Paris Opera. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps consider an optional excursion to Versailles for a fascinating visit of the Chateau and the brilliant hall filled with mirros and chandeliers, numerous galleries, salons, and royal apartments, all lavishly decorated and fitted with ornate furnishings. The magnificent fountains supplied by almost 100 miles of pipes, spray jets of water in a forceful dance. You will also have an opportunity to explore the palace and grounds at your own pace. In the evening you may wish to take a stroll along the famous River Seine, where you’ll savor spectacular views, before you select an authentic Parisian restaurant or cafe for dinner. (B)

After breakfast, travel to the lovely town of Giverny. The town rose to fame in 1883, when the famous impressionist Claude Monet “discovered” the village and moved there. Here, enjoy a visit to the Monet House and Gardens and see firsthand the inspiration for many of Monet’s most famous works. Your next stop is Rouen, one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe located on the River Seine. Upon arrival in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, you’ll enjoy a walking tour and visit the famous (and imposing) Notre Dame cathedral, which was the subject of a series of paintings by none other than Claude Monet. You’ll also visit the Place due Vieux-Marche (or “Old Marketplace”), where Joan of Arc was executed for heresy in the 15th century and where a church in her name was built in 1979. Continue your journey and arrive at your hotel in Caen, in the heart of the Normandy region. Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance Hotel (B,D)

Today travel to the rugged coast of Normandy and savor the breathtaking views of magnificent Mont St. Michel, built on an isolated island in the gulf of Saint-Malo. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont St. Michel is reached by causeway. The lower towers and medieval sea wall protect a small village, capped magnificently by the commanding Abbey dedicated to the Archangel Michael. You’ll enjoy a visit of the spectacular interior of the Abbey, which was designated as a monument historique in 1874. Prior to the causeway, Mont St. Michel was on an isolated island that pilgrims could approach mindful of a tide that could seep in at any time. Return to Caen. (B)

Spend a remarkable day experiencing and learning about one of the most famous days in history: D-Day. You’ll visit the Normandy Beaches, including Omaha Beach near the coastal village of Colleville-sur-Mer. Omaha was one of the principal beachheads where the U.S. Army stormed ashore on D-Day (June 6th, 1944).  Explore Pointe du Hoc, located between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, where a group of American Army Rangers defied all odds by scaling a massive cliff at a critical moment during the invasion. Continue to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a spectacular and emotional setting located on a bluff overlooking both Omaha Beach and the English Channel. You’ll later visit the city of Bayeux, home to the world famous Bayeux Tapestry and the fortress of William the Conqueror, before returning to your upscale hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

This morning, you’ll visit Chateau de Chambord, the undisputed crown jewel of the region and arguably the emblem of the French Renaissance. Originally a weekend hunting lodge for King Francois I in the early 16th century, the Chateau evolved into among the most expensive (and excessive) architectural projects by a French Monarch. Continue to Chateau de Chenonceau, the second most visited chateau in France (behind Versailles), where you’ll be blown away by the magical architecture that was constructed in harmony with the beautiful River Cher. On the way back to your hotel, enjoy a delicious wine tasting at the magnificent Caves du Pere Auguste winery, with a wide variety of refreshing wines to enjoy. Return to your hotel, and your evening is at leisure. (B)

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Paris train station and board the TGV train to the historic city of Avignon in the heart of Provence. En route, be sure to admire the beautiful landscapes of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. A charming medieval city that was home to seven successive popes during the 14th century, Avignon will wow you with its imposing Gothic architecture, magnificent art, and fascinating history. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a guided city tour, highlighted by the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in the world. You’ll also marvel at the iconic bridge Pont Saint Benezet on the Rhone River, better known as Pont d’Avignon because of the famous French song that the bridge inspired in the 15th century called “Sur le Pont d’Avignon.” Later, arrive at your upscale, centrally located hotel in Avignon and enjoy an included dinner this evening. Novotel Avignon Centre Hotel (B,D)

Today, visit the arts capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence (or “Aix,” as it’s commonly called). A vibrant town located in the shadow of Mt. Sainte-Victoire, Aix is famous for its charming squares, elegant fountains, majestic avenues, and, of course, spectacular art. Following a guided city tour, you’ll visit the home and workshop of renowned painter, Paul Cezanne, who used the natural beauty of Aix and its surrounding areas as the subject of much of his work. Continue to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, a historic village where Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 depicting the view from his hospital window. Here, you’ll enjoy an olive oil tasting before some free time for lunch on your own. After lunch, you’ll visit one of the most beautiful villages in all of France, Les Baux-de-Provence, perched on a hill in the Alpilles mountains. Set atop a rocky formation, the village’s name is derived from “baou,” meaning rocky spur. Along with its paved alleyways and stone houses, enjoy a visit to the Church of St. Vincent, the oldest religious building in the village  and home to magnificent stained-glass windows. Later, return to your upscale hotel, and the rest of the day is at leisure.(B)

This morning, travel to Cassis, a quaint fishing port famous for its cliffs and sheltered inlets (calanques). Boasting a picturesque harbor and quintessential Provençal houses, Cassis will be the launching point for your spectacular calanques cruise, featuring France’s version of fjords with its inlets surrounded by dramatic rocky cliffs. After your cruise, continue to Nice, the capital of the French Riviera (Cote D’Azur), where you’ll check into your centrally-located hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Or, perhaps you might enjoy an optional excursion to Monte Carlo, a glittering center of international high society and home to a world-renowned casino. Mercure Centre Notre Dame Hotel (B)

With the beautiful blue waters of Cote D’Azur as its backdrop, Nice is one of the most beloved cities in all of Europe, blending old-world opulence with a lively cosmopolitan vibe. Long recognized as one of the gems of Europe, Nice changed hands several times between the French and the Italians before eventually settling in as part of France. In the old city of Nice, you’ll discover the narrow streets and renowned Baroque architecture and enjoy a walk along the Promenade des Anglais (“Walkway of the English”), a famous promenade along the Mediterranean named as such due to the large number of English tourists who began flocking to Nice in the 19th century.  The rest of your day is at leisure, or perhaps you might enjoy an optional tour of Grasse (the world’s perfume capital) and St. Paul de Vence (a medieval hilltop jewel). This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. (B,D)