A Smithsonian Journey
Tour Description:
Discover the richness of French culture, the breadth of its history, and the beauty of its artistic and architectural treasures. Travel through evocative landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and charming villages. Join us to explore medieval walled cities such as Carcassonne and the renowned abbey of Mont St.-Michel, as well as the quintessential châteaux set in the fabled Loire Valley. Trace the history of France, from the Norman conquest as depicted in the Bayeaux Tapestry to modern-day times at the D-Day beaches of Normandy. From Toulouse to Normandy, you’ll experience the beauty and hospitality of provincial France and stay in charming rural inns, an 18th-century mansion, and small country hotels.
Itinerary:
Days 1-2 — Depart the U.S. for Toulouse
Upon arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, then gather for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3 — Toulouse and Carcassonne
Travel to Carcassonne to tour this quintessential medieval town with the longest city walls in Europe. Sitting atop a hill overlooking vast green plains that stretch all the way to the Pyrénées, Carcassonne boasts battlements and ramparts dating to the 1st-century Romans. Return to Toulouse for an afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 4 — Albi
Hometown of Belle Epoque artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the historic market town of Albi was built with rose-colored bricks which cast a warm glow over the city’s medieval streets and ramparts. Tour the town, including the Palais de la Berbie, the ancient fortress that houses a museum devoted to the works of Toulouse-Lautrec. Then visit the huge Cathédral St. Cecile before continuing to Sarlat. (B,D)
Day 5 — Sarlat and Rocamadour
Enjoy time to experience Sarlat’s morning market on your own, then travel to Rocamadour, a revered pilgrimage site and medieval village that clings almost impossibly to a sheer limestone cliff. Enjoy a relaxed walking tour, then return to Sarlat in the late afternoon. (B,D)
Day 6 — Sarlat, Lascaux II, and Dordogne River
This morning, tour the caves at Lascaux II, which contain reproductions of original prehistoric cave paintings from the nearby caves of Lascaux. After lunch in Les Eyzies, spend the afternoon on a leisurely cruise along the Dordogne River. As you pass cliff-top castles and fortified medieval towns, the history of Aquitane comes to mind as you recall the story of Eleanor of Aquitane, who reigned in the 12th century. Return to Sarlat for a walking tour of this charming town. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Limoges and Saumur
Leave the rugged, unspoiled countryside of the Perigord region and the Dordogne valley, and travel north to the Loire Valley. Stop in Limoges, a city famous for its porcelain, then enjoy lunch at a country farmhouse on the way to Chinon, known for its red wine and historic chateau. Continue to Saumur, your base in the Loire Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Saumur
Today is at leisure to explore and enjoy the charming town of Saumur, situated on the banks of the Loire River. Birthplace of fashion designer Coco Chanel, the town is also home to the equestrian display team, the Cadre Noir, and the National School of Horsemanship. (B)
Day 9 — Saumur, Chenonceau, and Villandry
Here in the Loire Valley’s château region, England battled for control of France, Joan of Arc triumphed, and a great opulence reigned during the 16th century. Today, you’ll tour Chenonceau, the Renaissance masterpiece, which some consider to be the most romantic château. Enjoy lunch at La Cave in Montluis, then admire the beautiful gardens at the Château de Villandry. (B,L)
Day 10 — Mont St.-Michel
Travel into historic Normandy and make your way to the pilgrimage site of Mont St.-Michel, Normandy’s famed abbey that sits atop a 264-foot-high rock formation at the edge of the sea. With a history equal to its dramatic setting, the abbey was constructed of granite which was hauled stone by stone from Brittany over a period of 500 years, from 1017 to 1521. Over the centuries, it was a hotbed of French nationalism and religion, and recently monks have returned to live and work here again. After a guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the small town surrounding the abbey. Early this evening, arrive in Crépon at your rustic 13th-century hostelry, the restored 35-room farmhouse Ferme de la Ranconniere, where you will dine on traditional regional cuisine. (B,D)
Day 11 — Bayeux and Caen
Miraculously, medieval Bayeux was spared from wartime bombing and was the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy. Stop in Bayeux to see the city’s highlight—the Tapestry Museum, home to the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry depicting the exploits of William the Conqueror. Travel north to commemorate World War II at the British Cemetery, then continue to Caen to visit the Memorial Museum devoted to “history for peace.” This afternoon, you’ll also stop in Arromanches. (B,D)
Day 12 — D-Day Landing Beaches
A poignant, inspiring day features the sites where Allied forces overcame overwhelming odds to alter the course of World War II. Visit Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers scaled towering cliffs to establish a beachhead; Utah Beach; and Ste-Mere-Eglise, where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully parachuted on June 5, 1944. End the day at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Colleville. With its endless rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David, this moving site honors nearly 10,000 soldiers who are buried here. (B,L,D)
Day 13 — Honfleur, Giverny, and Paris
As you head to Paris today, visit the picturesque port town of Honfleur, featuring colorful houses with slate-covered frontages. Continue to the village of Giverny to visit the home and gardens of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Walk amid his gardens to see the familiar lily pond and Japanese footbridge of his paintings, and see his home, now restored to its original design. Arrive late this afternoon in Paris at your well-located hotel near the Champs Elysees. (B)
Day 14 — Paris
A city tour of Paris provides an enchanting finale to your journey through France. View sites that bear historic and artistic significance, then take a guided tour of the art masterpieces of the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums. The rest of the day is free to do as you wish, and in Paris the options are truly limitless. (B,D)
Day 15 — Paris and the U.S.
Depart Paris for the U.S. (B)
C I T I N E R A R I E S 