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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Paris, Normandy, Brittany Coast & the Loire Valley

with Paris extension

When are you looking to travel?

This tour itinerary varies by year.

Duration: 10 or 12 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 130

From bright lights to lavish châteaux, see France from all angles.

Few countries offer such an enticing combination of history, scenery, and mouthwatering food and drink. Immerse yourself in World War II history on the beaches of Normandy. Visit iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and Mont-Saint-Michel. Sample the sauvignon blanc and feast on coq au vin. From the sights of Paris to the scenery of the Loire Valley, this is the France you’ve read about—now yours to discover.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
1 cheese & cider tasting
6 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Eiffel Tower photo stop
Normandy coastline
Rouen
Honfleur harbor
D-Day beaches

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Paris today.

Paris2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Paris

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Paris! Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

A guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.

• Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe

• Pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River

• See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square

• Marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre and Hôtel des Invalides

Enjoy a free afternoon in Paris or add an excursion.

Versailles Palace & Gardens

Excursion (additional cost)

Normandy2 nights

Day 4: Normandy via Rouen & Honfleur

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through historic cities and pristine port towns on your way to the Normandy region.

• Visit Rouen, home to a large 16th-century clock and the Gothic, two-towered Rouen Cathedral

• Walk through the Old Market Square where Joan of Arc was executed

• See the untouched Honfleur harbor, once an important port

• Sample cheeses, including Camembert, Pont-l’Évêque, and Livarot, paired with cider and Calvados, the region’s distinctive apple brandy

This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Normandy

Included meal: Breakfast

Relive World War II history during a full-day excursion to Normandy, where the Allied troops landed in June 1944.

• Stop at the American Cemetery in Colleville, and learn about this burial place for more than 9,000 American soldiers

• Visit Pointe du Hoc to view the granite monument that honors the American 2nd Ranger Battalion, which seized German cannons here before they could be used to fire on American troops

• Walk along Omaha Beach, the landing site of American troops on D-Day

• Enjoy free time for lunch on your own

Brittany Coast1 night

Day 6: Brittany Coast via Mont-Saint-Michel

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore the striking 8th-century island of Mont-Saint-Michel on a guided sightseeing tour.

• See how the UNESCO-recognized site, perched high on a granite rock, is surrounded by water at high tide and quicksand at low tide

• Pass by medieval houses and then enter the Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with your local guide

Then, continue your journey toward the Brittany Coast where you'll sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Loire Valley2 nights

Day 7: Travel to the Loire Valley

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take in Saint-Malo’s narrow streets, tall granite homes, and medieval ramparts on a guided tour. Later, drive through the Loire Valley, once known as France’s “Playground of the Kings.”

Sit down to an included dinner with your group this evening.

Day 8: Château de Chenonceau

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know châteaux country on a guided tour of the Loire Valley region.

• Step inside the extravagant Château de Chenonceau and explore its gardens

• Discover how the castle got the nickname “Château de Femmes”—some of its famous female residents included Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici

Enjoy a free evening or add an excursion.

Loire Valley Dinner & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Paris1 night

Day 9: Travel to Paris

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Return to France’s capital city, where you'll say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner this evening.

Flight Home

Day 10: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Paris.

Extension to Paris

Paris—the city of love and light. From the iconic Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa to the bustling Champs Elysées and winding streets of Montmartre, you'll find romance, history, and beauty. Browse boutiques, stroll through manicured parks, take a seat at a sidewalk cafe, and watch the sun set over the Seine.

Paris2 nights

Day 10: Free day in Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Paris or add an excursion.

Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 11: Free day in Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend another day exploring Paris or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

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Reviews

130

4.6 average

Itinerary could have been easily improved on this tour.

06/03/2019 by 5th time traveler James G.

Tour omitted visit to Bayeux which is a major attraction in Normandy and well as the city of Caen. There was ample time to include visits to these special places. The Royal chateau in Amboise was also omitted for no logical reason and not enough time was allotted for a private visit. If these ...

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More than met our expectations!

02/08/2019 by 4th time traveler Carol H.

Paris and Normandy have been on our bucket list for a long time. This was our 3rd trip with GoAhead, and all the details and planning taken care of by rheum made this trip and the others so enjoyable. But having Ronin as our tour guide was the frosting on the cake. He was so knowledgeable about Fren...

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Best trip ever...

11/20/2018 by 3rd time traveler George Z.

This trip was nothing less than spectacular! The entire tour was organized in an optimal manner and allowed us to see and experience so many places and topics that we did not even expect. Our tour director, Brian, was so very informative and knowledgable, that we are planning our next trip already. ...

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Paris, Normandy, Loire

11/20/2018 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

Brian did an excellent job as tour guide, answered all questions, and helped with my rusty French language skills. Our tour group was sorry when the tour ended. We could have used another day in Rouen, and perhaps more time in Amboise to visit more castles. By the time we got back to Paris, we could...

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11/19/2018 by 5th time traveler Jan S.

My favorite tour!

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel

This modern hotel is located in Montparnasse. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Nearby, you'll find Luxembourg G...

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Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur

This trendy hotel is located in Montmartre. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness room, and bar. Nearby, you'll find Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Moulin Rouge, a...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter France, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 3 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and sandy paths, with some hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Paris. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to France.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.

Electricity & air conditioning

France operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning. The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Paris.

Currency

You will use the euro in France.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.