Toujours en 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, Friday February 28: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Saturday March 1: Paris

Bienvenue a Paris! Meet your Encore Tour Manager and get acquainted with this graceful city's cobblestoned streets, charming cafes 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. Today with your tour manager, you'll visit the artist's haunt of Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur for iconic views of the city. Enjoy dinner together, followed by a serene evening boat cruise on the Seine. (D)

Day 3, Sunday March 2: Paris

This morning, depart Paris for Versailles, the magnificent palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Participate in a mass service at Notre Dame de Versailles (pending approval). Then your visit includes the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and the breathtaking surroundings. Return to Paris where you'll have an afternoon visit to Louvre. Tonight enjoy a special upgraded dinner at the Eiffel Tower (pending reservations)! (B,D)

Day 4, Monday March 3: Paris

This morning, an informal singing opportunity may be possible at Notre Dame Cathedral (subject to approval). Then enjoy 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-Elysees, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. This afternoon, transfer to La Madeleine where you will perform an afternoon concert (pending approval). (B,D)

Day 5, Tuesday March 4: Normandy Area

Today's excursion brings you to Liseux where you will enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica, dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Arrive later in the Normandy area where you will check into your next hotel and enjoy dinner together. Tonight, rehearse and perform your next concert of the tour at a local cathedral (pending approval). (B,D)

Day 6, Wednesday March 5: Normandy Area

This morning, you'll walk in the footsteps of history as you visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. Pay tribute at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where you will have the opportunity to sing during the wreath laying ceremony. See what is remaining of the temporary Mulberry harbor constructed at Arromanches to help offload cargo during the invasion. This evening, participate in a local Ash Wednesday Mass (pending approval). (B,D)

Day 7, Thursday March 6: Loire Valley

This morning, 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. This afternoon, continue your journey south to the Loire Valley. Check into your hotel. Then rehearse and perform your next concert performance of the tour, which will be as part of an exchange with a local ensemble, at a local venue such as Chateau de Blois. (B,D)

Day 8, Friday March 7: Rocamadour

First up today is 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. This afternoon, visit the village of Oradour-sur-Glane. This village was decimated during WWII and that the ruins of the old village have been maintained as a permanent memorial and museum in memory of those who were killed. Continue to Rocamadour, a picturesque medieval village perched dramatically on a cliffside in southwestern France, is renowned for its spiritual significance and stunning architecture. (B,D)

Day 9, Saturday March 8: Lourdes

This morning, visit the revered Black Madonna, housed in the Chapel of Our Lady. Then journey to Lourdes, a small market town in the Pyrenees where the Virgin Mary once appeared to a local woman. This evening, participate in a mass service of the tour at Basilique Notre Dame du Rosaire or similar. Celebrate your pilgrimage tour of France with a special farewell dinner together. (B,D)

Day 10, Sunday March 9: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)