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Your accommodations are unique, including two nights at Château de Rochecotte – called "home" in the 1700s by Prince Tallyrand and the Duchess of Dino. At Château de Champchevrier, owned by the same family since the 1720s, Le Baron personally welcomes Tauck guests during a private reception and dinner that includes a hunting hounds demonstration in full regalia. Formal gardens inspire awe during your visit to Château de Villandry, and the Brittany Coast is mesmerizing and memorable. Visit Normandy's poignant D-Day beaches, magnificent Mont-St-Michel, Monet's beloved Giverny and Chartres Cathedral. In Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral entices with Gothic wonders; explore Musée d'Orsay along with Paris' landmark sites; and bid Paris adieu with a farewell dinner at the iconic restaurant Fouquet's.
Travel into the countryside past vineyards where some of the world's best grapes become some of the world's best wines, stopping to taste some of them. Discover river towns with Roman roots and lingering traces of medieval magic in their streets, experience the cowboy traditions and cuisine of La Camargue, and sample the pleasures of regional cuisine and wine throughout your trip. Explore a palace fit for a pope and an abbey that was once one of the most powerful in Europe. You'll find something new, something wonderful every day. And with several nights in Paris, you'll discover why this is one of Europe's favorite cities.
Inclusions
12 night small group tour from Paris return
2 nights accommodation in Paris
13 nights river cruise from Paris to Nice
All meals and sightseeing on tour and river cruise
Tour Inclusions
EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK
TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS – Join Le Baron at his family château, a private country estate in Normandy's châteaux country, for a private cocktail reception and dinner, made even more memorable by a hunting hound demonstration in full regalia
Enjoy a private visit to Le Moulin Bleu vineyards in the heart of the Loire Valley, where a wine tasting of locally produced vintages is followed by lunch
TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES
Explore Brittany's rugged headlands, the Normandy coast, historic D-Day beaches and Paris
Cruise along the Golfe du Morbihan (meaning "Little Sea" in Breton), a channeled inlet of small islands that waxes and wanes with the tide
Walk on to the real-life canvas of Impressionist artist Claude Monet during a guided visit to his home and oft-painted garden settings at Giverny
Step back in history on D-Day beaches immortalized in the sands of time with a World War II expert who shares stories of the heroes and events of the day
Guided walking tours along the cobbled streets of the ancient French towns of Chartres, Rochefort-en-Terre, Mont-St-Michel, Vannes & Saint-Malo
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
24 meals; service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
River Cruise Inclusions
EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK
TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - Private gala evening at the recently restored Chateau of the medieval Duchy d'Uzès
TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – La Camargue excursion to meet the family of a working farm for a Provençal lunch & a cowboy demonstration with prized black bulls
TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES
All gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
All private Tauck shore excursions – AUD $10,148 Value!
Exploration of the Rhône and Saône wine country with vineyard visits and wine tastings
Tasting tour of local food shops in Chalon-sur-Saône
Visits to historic Cluny Abbey, Avignon's Palais des Papes, and France's renowned Haras National de Cluny equestrian center
Choice of museum visit in Paris
Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship now include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks
Airport and train station transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
32 meals; select meals in local restaurants; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive Paris and on to Versailles
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Trianon Palace Versailles. A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, less than a mile from Château de Versailles. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Stay: Trianon Palace Versailles – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Day 2 | From Monet's Giverny to Deauville
Begin your journey with a visit to Giverny, where the spirit of Monet's masterpieces still lingers in the tranquil gardens that inspired his iconic water lilies. Continue to the seaside glamour of Deauville, known for its wide sandy beaches, Belle Époque villas, and the storied Planches boardwalk. Settle into the historic Hotel Barrière Le Normandy, where dinner is at your leisure this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville
Day 3 | Honfleur and Reflections on WWII
Stroll the cobbled streets of Honfleur, a picturesque port town that has long inspired artists with its timeless harbor and half-timbered houses. Later, return to your hotel for a thoughtful reflection on the region's wartime history, with a discussion led by a local historian, offering insights into the sacrifices and resilience of those who lived through this defining period. The remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy as you wish
Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville
Day 4 | Beaches of D-Day in Normandy
A poignant moment on your journey is a visit to the beaches on which Allied forces landed on June 6, 1944 – known forever after as "D-Day" – to begin the World War II liberation of Europe and the long march to Berlin. Your memorable visit includes an introduction to the momentous events of D-Day by Tauck's local expert; a look at a private World War II memorabilia collection and a hands-on exhibit; and guided visits to Pointe du Hoc, the 100-ft. cliff taken by the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day... the now-quiet Omaha Beach, where American assault units took heavy casualties in establishing a beachhead... and the poignant American Military Cemetery, final resting place of thousands of U.S. troops. Reflect on the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought here during a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Your explorations at these sites connected to "the longest day" make for a day you'll never forget.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Le Grand Hôtel Dinard
Day 5 | St. Malo and Cancale
Begin your day with free time to explore St. Malo, a historic walled city known for its maritime heritage and pirate lore. or unwind with a spa experience. Later, visit the coastal town of Cancale, known for its stunning sea views and world-renowned oysters, and return to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Le Grand Hôtel Dinard
Day 6 | Mont St. Michel to Port du Crouesty
Venture to Mont St. Michel, one of Europe's most iconic pilgrimage sites, perched high on a rocky islet. Discover the thousand-year-old Benedictine abbey that has stood against the tides of time. According to legends, the abbey, once totally unreachable at high tide, was constructed on that site at the request of Archangel Michael and has remained since the 8th century as one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Today's well-timed visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site requires a bit of steep walking, but you'll discover a unique place beautifully adapted to its natural environment. Continue to your seaside retreat in Port du Crouesty for a two-night stay, where dinner is at your leisure this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Miramar La Cigale – Hôtel Thalasso & Spa
Day 7 | The Brittany Coast and Vannes
If you wish, begin your day with a nature walk along Brittany's coastal trails to Le Petit Mont, a Neolithic site layered with Roman and WWII history. Later, enjoy a private sightseeing cruise from Vannes, gliding past quiet bays, rugged shoreline, and renowned oyster beds, with lunch onboard. Step inside the medieval walls of Vannes this afternoon, with time to explore its cobbled streets, boasting half-timbered houses and a soaring Gothic cathedral; return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Miramar La Cigale – Hôtel Thalasso & Spa
Day 8 | To the Loire Valley
Depart the Brittany coast for the Loire Valley, stopping at Château d'Angers to view the renowned Apocalypse Tapestry, a stunning medieval masterpiece. Arrive at Château de Rochecotte for a two-night stay, once the estate of diplomat Prince Talleyrand and the Duchess of Dino. Enjoy dinner at the château this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville
Day 9 | The Loire Valley's grand estates
Spend the day exploring the grand estates of the Loire Valley, including a visit to Château de Villandry, known for its spectacular Renaissance gardens; take in the stunning beauty of its gardens and architectural elegance. This evening, experience a Tauck exclusive at Château de Champchevrier, a historic estate passed down through generations of the same family. You'll meet a member of the Champchevrier family, attend a reception and dinner, and witness a hunting hound demonstration.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Hotel Le Normandy Barriere Deauville
Day 10 | Return to Paris
Conclude your travels through Northern France with a scenic drive to Paris, passing through the picturesque countryside that has inspired artists, writers, and travellers for centuries. Enjoy lunch en route before arriving at Le Scribe Paris Opéra, a landmark hotel with a history as storied as the city itself. Once a 19th-century gathering place for writers, performers, and intellectuals, the hotel embodies the spirit of Paris, blending historic charm with contemporary style. Its prime location near the Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, and the Louvre puts the best of Paris at your doorstep, whether you choose to explore the city's iconic landmarks, stroll along the Seine, or savour the café culture that you'll find along the Right Bank. The evening is free. Select small group departures (see dates and prices under "Pricing & Availability") will stay at legendary Le Meurice; all other departures stay at Le Scribe Paris Opéra.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera or Le Meurice
Day 11 | Parisian pleasures
Begin your final full day in Paris with a guided walking tour where history unfolds at every turn. Then, step aboard a private vessel for a leisurely lunch cruise along the Seine, viewing some of the city's most iconic landmarks – from the soaring spires of Notre-Dame to the graceful arches of Pont Alexandre III. As you glide beneath the bridges of Paris, you'll see the city from a perspective that has provided inspiration for poets, painters, and filmmakers for generations. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Paris at your leisure, as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera or Le Meurice
Day 12 | Impressionist Art at Musée d'Orsay
Join a local guide for a tour of Musée d'Orsay, where a world-renowned collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces is housed within the soaring halls of a Beaux-Arts railway station, its ironwork and glass canopy recalling the grandeur of 19th-century Paris. Later, return to your hotel for a special farewell reception and dinner, celebrating the journey and the memories that you have made along the way.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera or Le Meurice
Day 13 | Paris
Your tour ends this morning. Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 | Paris
Enjoy the day at leisure.
Day 15 | Paris
Take the opportunity to just relax or head out to do some exploring on your own before joining your Tauck Directors and fellow voyagers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Stay: InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel
Day 16 | A Day in Paris
Ernest Hemingway called Paris a "moveable feast" – and even if you've been here many times, today might be the day you discover something about the city that you didn't know before. The day begins with an orientation tour, offering a scenic drive past some of Paris' most celebrated landmarks, weaving together the city's storied past and stunning architecture. Then, a guided visit to the Louvre unveils masterpieces that have shaped the art world for centuries. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore and experience Paris as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 | By TGV train to Lyon & embark cruise
A free morning in Paris gives you an opportunity to do those last few things that will make your time in Paris memorable. Say au revoir to one of the world's great cities as you board the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, home to a bounty of wines produced by local vineyards, locally produced cheeses, spicy sausages, warm-from-the-oven baguettes... You'll return to Lyon in a few days – but today, embark your river cruise ship late afternoon for the start of your France river cruise along the Rhône. Join us tonight for the ship's welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: ms Lumiere for 9 nights
Day 18 | Explore Beaune & wine tasting in Burgundy or Chalon-sur-Saône
Chalon-sur-Sâone on the River Saône lies in the heart of southern Burgundy. Although its history dates back to the time of Charlemagne, it has another significant claim to fame – this is considered the birthplace of photography. So you have local inventor Nicéphore Niépce, who started it all with several photographic firsts right here in the 1820s, to thank for the great photos of the town's Romanesque churches and other monuments. Visit the walled city of Beaune – the "wine capital" of the famous Burgundy wine-producing region, and one of France's most important wine centers. A walking tour includes a visit to Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, considered one of the best-preserved examples of 15th-century French architecture; you may also see the old market (les Halles), the Beffroi (clock tower), parts of the medieval walls and ramparts, and more. This afternoon you have a choice of wine tasting in Burgundy or a walking tour (and tasting tour) of Chalon-sur-Saône.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 | Tournus & a day well spent in Burgundy
With your riverboat docked in Tournus this morning, head out to explore the beautiful wine producing region of southern Burgundy, where history lies around every corner (this was a major crossroads during Roman times), and vineyards are everywhere. Picture in your mind what a typical French vineyard looks like... and then picture the most amazing landscape that surrounds you for miles and miles. Vineyards, gently rolling hills, orchards, red-tiled farmhouses, medieval cathedrals... and historic country estates like the 17th-century Château de Cormatin, which you'll explore on a visit today. With its moat, drawbridge, turrets, gilded rooms and parklike grounds – including the mazes and fountains of its completely restored "pleasure garden" that's now among the finest in France – this classic Burgundy château takes you back through the centuries. Return to the riverboat for lunch, and continue your cruise to Mâcon; there is an opportunity for a bicycle ride along the Saône River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20 | Mâcon & Cluny
Today you're off for sightseeing in Cluny. During the reign of Charlemagne (742 - 814), monastic influences inspired a great revival in art, education and culture; visit one of the great monasteries of the period when you tour the great Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Founded in 910, it was at the center of this major monastic reform movement and was also the largest Christian building in the world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Later this afternoon, cruise to Lyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21 | Lyon, culinary capital of France
Ahh, Lyon. If you're a serious foodie, Lyon is the place for you! Regarded as the culinary capital of France, there are more restaurants here per capita than anywhere else in the country. But of course, there is more to this 2,000-year-old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, than food. Begin your exploration with a panoramic view of Lyon from the district of Fouvière, set high on a hill. Check out the town's winding passageways and the Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, with its 19th-century astronomical clock. Your day also includes the stunning Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière – built in the 1870s, it features exquisite marble work, stained glass windows, colorful mosaics and gilt galore. Enjoy dinner onboard this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22 | Roman Vienne or a bike tour along the Rhône
It seems that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Vienne (which they called "Vienna" in their day) was no exception. During your time on a walking tour here this morning, look for the theatre and temple they left behind, as well as other sights straight out of history. Alternatively, you may instead choose to join a guided bicycle tour following part of the ViaRhona cycling path system along the River Rhone. Return to the riverboat this afternoon to continue your cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 | Avignon & a gala dinner in Uzès
The fortified city of Avignon was probably a much more peaceful place before Rome became "inconvenient" for the popes who moved the papacy here about 700 years ago. Although they stayed for less than a century, they kept busy during those years... as you'll see on a choice of excursions today. One choice offers you a visit to the impressive Palais des Papes. Alternatively, embark on a guided walking tour along Avignon's historic streets learning about the city's history and its Jewish heritage that dates back to the 13th century. A final choice takes you on an exploration across Avignon by mini train. After a free afternoon aboard ship, travel to the Duchy d'Uzès – a medieval city dating back to the 11th century, often called the "First Duchy of France," that forms the heart of the town of Uzès – for a guided visit followed by a cocktail reception and a Tauck Exclusive gala dinner at the recently restored Chateau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24 | Avignon, Saint-Remy & Châteauneuf-du-Pape
With your riverboat docked in Avignon for the morning, you have a choice of a morning excursion to Saint-Remy-de-Provence – home to the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum; alternatively, visit Pont du Gard, a remarkable ancient Roman aqueduct near Nîmes that stands as a testament to Roman engineering and ingenuity. After returning to the ship for lunch onboard, head out again for an afternoon wine tasting at one of the select vineyards permitted to produce Châteauneuf-du-Pape – literally "the New Castle of the Pope" – the most famous of the Côtes du Rhône wines; your host reveals secrets of the terroir as you sample estate-crafted red and white wines from a region that's been producing wine for more than 2,500 years! Catch up with the riverboat in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and spend the evening onboard, bound for Arles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 25 | Arles and a trip to a working farm in the Camargue
It may seem strange to encounter Roman ruins in Provence but Arles was, after all, once a Roman city; while the gladiators are gone, the arena they left behind – just one of the town's many Roman remnants – still hosts performances and bullfights today. You have a choice today of exploring Arles' medieval streets and city walls on a walking tour or embarking on a challenging, 2-hour bicycling excursion across the countryside surrounding Arles (which van Gogh found so enchanting). After lunch, it's off to La Camargue, France's "wild west." Visit a working farm to see an exciting demonstration by gardians (local cowboys) and the black bulls they raise here – not something usually experienced on a France river cruise; you'll also enjoy lunch and traditional Provençal entertainment. Join us this evening for the ship's farewell reception followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26 | Disembark Arles, then on to Nice and Monte-Carlo
The France river cruise portion of your journey ends as you disembark in Arles. Travel to Nice, where a guided walking tour reveals its vibrant markets, elegant boulevards, and azure coastline. Continue on to Monte-Carlo for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 27 | A day well-spent in Monte-Carlo
Spend a captivating half-day exploring Monte-Carlo, where a guided tour shows you the iconic Casino, the charming old town of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum, the Cathedral, and Palais Princier de Monaco, home to the Grimaldi family. Enjoy breathtaking Mediterranean panoramas before free time to explore as you please. This evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell reception and dinner at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 28 | Homeward bound
Tour ends: Nice. A transfer from Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Nice Ville Train Station and Nice Riquier Train Station is included. Fly home anytime but be sure to allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates/Prices
Depart
Twin Share
Solo
15 October 2026
$33,179pp
$38,705pp
*Advertised price based on per person twin share, correct as of 24 June 2025.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
