Paris is one of the world's most romantic cities and elegant capitals. Stroll along the Champs-Elysees, browse for antique books on the Left Bank, explore the City of Light's Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris

Your Parisian immersion begins as you relax aboard an overnight transatlantic flight bound for France.

Day 2 - Paris

Welcome to Paris! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for beginning your explorations of this eternally dazzling city.

Day 3 - Paris

Paris is one of Europe’s most romantic and elegant capitals. On your first free day in Paris, you may choose to stroll along the Champs-Élysées, perhaps the world’s most famous avenue, or enter a milieu of haute couture in the chic boutiques of the Opéra district. Alternatively, embark on an optional sightseeing tour of the city, with stops at the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. (B)

$69 USD

Guided Tour of Paris An expert local guide introduces you to the historical and cultural landmarks of the City of Light. Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées, pass the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 4 - Paris

Paris has a wide range of excellent art museums, and you’ll have plenty of time to visit them. Consider the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the Seine, housed in the former railway station. It's said to house the most extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir and Cezanne.  Or you can immerse yourself in a history of a different kind on a full-day optional excursion to the beaches of Normandy, where the Allied troops landed in 1944. (B)

$199 USD

D-Day Beaches of Normandy Immerse yourself in World War II history during this fascinating optional excursion to Normandy, where the Allied troops landed in June 1944. Please note: This optional requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 5 - Paris

Take the day to explore the vibrant Latin Quarter, home to the Sorbonne, and then stop at the Luxembourg Gardens, which inspired Hemingway as he wrote A Moveable Feast. Or visit the Louvre, where you can gaze at the Mona Lisa and the legendary Venus de Milo. Otherwise, opt to travel to Giverny and step into the gardens that provided Claude Monet with much of his inspiration. Tonight, you may also wish to join your group for an optional Evening in Paris, which includes a sumptuous dinner followed by a cruise along the Seine. (B)

$99 USD

Evening in Paris: Seine Cruise & Dinner *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Take in all the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Then board a boat cruise along the Seine and glide past the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris — including Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

$85 USD

Giverny The Norman town of Giverny was home to Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926. Absorb the intricate palette of colors that the "Father of Impressionism" so magically depicted in paintings such as the Water Lilies series as you stroll through Giverny's home and gardens.

Day 6 - Paris

Today you can immerse yourself in the surreal art housed at the Picasso Museum in Paris’ quiet Marais district and the incredible architecture of the Musée d’Orsay, a former train station. Join an optional excursion to Chartres Cathedral, however, and you will fall in love with French Gothic architecture at its finest. (B)

$99 USD

Chartres Cathedral Enjoy a full-day excursion to Chartres Cathedral, a cathedral that is truly one of the greatest of all French Gothic cathedrals.

Day 7 - Paris

For those of you who love shopping and discovering what treasures you can take home with you, Paris’ department stores and outdoor markets are world renowned, and there’s no place better than the Left Bank to browse for antique books. To discover opulence on a grander scale, journey outside the city on an optional excursion to Versailles, where you can glimpse what life was like as a member of King Louis XIV’s court. (B)

$89 USD

Versailles Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” set new standards among European royalty for the decadence of his reign. On this half-day excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors then stroll through the lavish gardens. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 45 days prior to departure.

Day 8 - Paris

Give yourself a day of relaxation today. Stop at an intimate café to sip café au lait and watch the world go by—one of Paris’ most celebrated traditions. Then this afternoon, you can opt to take a walking tour starting at Notre Dame Cathedral and continuing through the Jewish and Latin Quarters. (B)

$69 USD

Paris Walking Tour Your walking tour of Paris begins on Île de la Cité, the city’s birthplace and home to the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral. Walk along the flower market beside the Palais de Justice, wander past the Hôtel de Ville and through the Jewish Quarter to an included lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 9 - Paris

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter France, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the French consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no recommended immunizations for travel to Paris.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Most sightseeing is conducted by private motor coach. For some included visits and optional excursions, be prepared for some more walking through elaborate monuments and museums, with steps.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in France rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of debit/bank cards and credit cards.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.