DAY 1: Depart for Paris.
DAY 2: Arrive in Paris and transfer to Saint-Denis to our hotel, Château de Montvillargenne. Visit the oldest gothic cathedral of France and enjoy a light lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure or visit the Château de Chantilly. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. (L,D)
DAY 3: This morning, drive to Senlis and visit Cathedral Notre Dame of Senlis. Stroll along narrow, cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and beautifully preserved mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. See City Hall, the remains of the royal castle and ruins of the Gallo-Roman city walls. Enjoy lunch at a country inn in the nearby village of Ognon and explore the Abbey of Chaalis, an 11th-century Romanesque abbey, and one of the most impressive estates in the North of Paris. Stay at the abbey until evening and learn how to make perfume. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: Travel to Amiens and visit Cathedral Notre Dame, the largest gothic cathedral in France, and discover the picturesque neighborhood of Quartier Saint Leu. This section of old town is best known for the colorful houses that line the canals of the Somme River. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant of your choice, then drive to Beauvais. Like Senlis, Beauvais was an important Gallo-Roman town and is famous for its gothic Cathedral St. Pierre. Visit the National Manufacture of Tapestry founded by Colbert under Louis XIV, or explore the town at leisure. (B,D)
DAY 5: Drive to Reims and explore its 13th-century cathedral, home to 2,500 statues, including the famous Smiling Angel. Thirty coronations have been celebrated in this prestigious gothic building. Continue on to the old city center of Reims and enjoy a champagne tasting in a famous cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure and return to the hotel before dinner.
DAY 6: Enjoy an orientation tour of Troyes, a town known for its many gothic churches. Then, visit the Public Library of Troyes to see the work of a 16thcentury stained-glass maker Linard Gonthier. This afternoon, take a walking tour to learn about the city’s prosperity during the Renaissance period. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. (B,D)
DAY 7: Drive to Chambord and enjoy lunch at a country restaurant on the bank of the Loire, near Orleans. This afternoon, explore Chateau de Chambord. Arrive in Blois and take a walking tour of the city center and visit the Château. (B,L,)
DAY 8: Drive toward Chenonceau and visit the “castle of six ladies” built on the banks of the Cher. With the unique beauty of its renaissance architecture reflected by the water, the Château de Chenonceau is the masterpiece of the Val de Loire. This enchanting castle may be smaller in comparison to others, but what it lacks in size it makes up in charm. It is certainly one of the most romantic châteaux in the Loire Valley. Continue to Tours, a city which has managed to save her rich past while keeping an eye on the future. Tours is often referred as the center of the French Art de Vivre due to its long tradition of elegant chateaux and delicious food.
DAY 9: Drive to Chartres and explore the famous medieval cathedral which is on the cultural World Heritage list of UNESCO. Its magnificent 12th and 13th century stained glass is worth the stop! Visit a famous Chartres cathedral followed by a morning at leisure. Continue to Paris this afternoon.
DAY 10: Visit the Louvre and focus on the medieval section of the museum. Continue to the Ile de la Cité to visit the St. Chapelle, Notre Dame and the Ile St. Louis with its narrow streets, lovely cafés and boutiques. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a festive farewell dinner. (B,D)
DAY 11: Transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)
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