Tour of France

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday June 16: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday June 17: Paris

Bienvenue à Paris! Arrive in the City of Light this morning and meet your dedicated, Encore Tour Manager. Get acquainted with this graceful city’s cobblestoned streets, charming cafés and vibrant neighborhoods. Paris is called the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education during the Age of Enlightenment (it was also one the first cities to adopt streetlights). After settling in, immerse yourself in local culture by practicing your French with painters and vintage book sellers along the storied Seine. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner together with your group! (D)

Day 3, Wednesday June 18: Paris

Your day begins with a guided sightseeing tour that takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. In the afternoon, transfer to a local venue for rehearsal and your debut performance. Venue options include L'Eglise de la Madeleine, as part of their lunchtime concert series. Enjoy dinner together tonight followed by a cruise along the Seine! (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday June 19: Paris

This morning, enjoy an excursion to Giverny, the inspiration for Claude Monet's water lily paintings, where you will see Monet's house with its famous pink walls, green shutters, sunflower-yellow furniture and Japanese prints. After dinner, be dazzled by the shops and energy of the world famous Champs-Elysees on an evening stroll. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday June 20: Loire Valley

Depart Paris for Versailles. Your visit includes the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and the breathtaking surroundings. In the afternoon, drive to Chartres Cathedral, famous for its precious stained-glass windows. Continue to the Loire Valley for dinner. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday June 21: Loire Valley

Experience the beauty of the Loire Valley today. Your first stop is in the town of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. From there, we visit Chenonceau, the château of six women, built over the River Cher in an exquisite Renaissance design. It features a moat, drawbridge, towers and turrets—and great stories about resistance to the Nazi army. Then marvel at the mighty Château Chambord, the sprawling creation commissioned by François I, towering over its deer-filled park. Tonight, perform your next concert of the tour at a local venue in Blois! Return to Loire for dinner and your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday June 22: Normandy Area

Drive to the Normandy coast and visit the lovely island monastery of Mont St. Michel. This medieval abbey, once an important pilgrimage site, is surrounded by water at high tide. Continue to the St. Malo area for the evening and stretch your legs with an evening walk around the quaint streets of this walled city. Tonight check into your hotel in the Normandy Area. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday June 23: Normandy Area

Today walk in the footsteps of history as you visit many of Normandy’s important World War II sites. See what is remaining of the temporary Mulberry harbor constructed at Arromanches to help offload cargo during the invasion. Entrance to the Arromanches 360 Cinema is included. Next pay tribute at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer before descending from the bluff to walk along Omaha Beach, where you will have the opportunity to sing during the wreath laying ceremony. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday June 24: Paris

After breakfast, board your motor coach and return for your final day in Paris. The day is free for you to explore this beautiful city. Perhaps stop for a photograph in front of Paris' most famous site of all, the Eiffel Tower, and learn the history of this once not-so-popular attraction. This afternoon, perform for the final time on tour as part of a charity concert at a local hospital in Paris. Celebrate your successful performance tour with a farewell dinner as a group (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday June 25: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)