Holy Trinity Tour to 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, Thursday April 2: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Friday April 3: Paris

Bienvenue à Paris! Meet your dedicated Encore Tour Manager in the City of Light this morning. 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 of the first cities to adopt streetlights). After settling in, immerse yourself in local culture by practicing French with painters and vintage booksellers along the storied Seine. Afterward, you will have a special welcome dinner with your group! (D)

Day 3, Saturday April 4: Paris

Our 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, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world. This evening, head to one of Paris's legendary jazz clubs to enjoy a mesmerizing live jazz concert. Let the smooth rhythms and vibrant atmosphere wrap up your first day in Paris in true Parisian style. (B, D)

Day 4, Sunday April 5: Paris

This morning, attend Easter Sunday Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, enjoy an afternoon excursion to Louis XIV's palace at Versailles. Your visit includes the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and Marie Antoinette's Hameau and Petit Trianon. These small cottages are delightful for their scale and grounds. Drive back to Paris, where you'll have dinner together and an evening Seine River Cruise. (B, D)

Day 5, Monday April 6: Loire Valley

Depart Paris for Giverny and visit Monet’s home. 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, Tuesday April 7: 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 Return to Loire for dinner and attend a symphonic concert at the Auditorium for hte Orchestre National De Lyon!. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday April 8: Meissen

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 region. (B, D)

Day 8, Thursday April 9: Normandy Area

Today, walk in the footsteps of history and visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. See what remains of the temporary Mulberry harbor constructed at Arromanches to help offload cargo during the invasion. Entrance to the Arromanches 360 Cinema is included. Following pay tribute at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer before descending from the bluff to walk along Omaha Beach. In the evening, attend a live concert performance at Opera De Rouen Normandie. (B, D)

Day 9, Friday April 10: Paris

After breakfast, board your motor coach and return for your final day in Paris. Have the morning to explore. Stop for a photograph in front of Paris' most famous site, the Eiffel Tower, and learn the history of this once not-so-popular attraction. Then have a private tour of the Opera Garnier in the afternoon. Tonight, attend a concert at the Sainte Chapelle or the Philharmonie de Paris after a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 10, Saturday April 11: Departure

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