Chico Community Choirs Belgium and France 2026

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 29: Overnight Flight

Depart from the San Francisco Airport for your overnight flight to Brussels.

Day 2, Tuesday June 30: Brussels

Bienvenue en Belgium! Meet your Encore Tour Manager on arrival at the Brussels airport and trtansfer to the center of Brussels for hotel check in and some time to rest and freshen up. Your Tour Manager can lead you on an introductory walking tour to acquaint you with your new surroundings. Enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant this evening. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday July 1: Brussels

After breakfast at your hotel, meet a local guide who will lead you on this morning's tour of this famous city. From its stunning architecture to beautifully manicured public gardens, there is something for everyone. Stop into a local chocolatier to sample and purchase some of the world famous Belgium chocolates that are raved about the world around. If local brews are your liking, you can enjoy a Belgiun draft at a local cafe. After free time for lunch on your own, drive to nearby Bruges for afternoon rehearsal for your Premier Concert . Among the many possible venues is the Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur de Bruges. After your concert, enjoy a delicious dinner together to celebrate the evening's great performance. Transfer back to Brussels for your overnight. (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday July 2: Caen

After breakfast at your hotel, start your journey to Normandy along the western region of France. First, take the TGV high speed train from Brussels to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, board your private motorcoach and travel to the city of Caen in Normandy. Before arriving in Normandy, stop for a wonderful sightseeing tour of the city of Rouen. Rouen is famous for its medieval architecture especially its stunning Cathedral, La Cathedrale Notre Dame de Rouen. It is here that the choir (pending approval) would be able to perform a short a cappella performance for the many people who visit the famous cathedral each day. Enjoy a bit of free time for lunch on your own. Rouen is also famous for its gastronomic scene for it was here in 1948 that Julia Child enjoyed what she referred to as a transformative meal at La Couronne. Rouen was also trhe site in 1431 where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death for treason and executed. Continue this afternoon to Caen for check in at your hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday July 3: Caen

Today walk in the footsteps of history as you visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. You will pay tribute to the heroic fallen at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer where at 11:30 am, perform as part of a wreath laying ceremony. Descend from the bluff to walk along Omaha Beach, where American troops suffered some of the heaviest D-Day losses. There is free time this afternoon for lunch on your own and taking in the charming locale of Caen before you gather together for rehearsal for your second evening concert of the tour, again with a local choir. Proposed venues include L'Eglise Saint Pierre de Bayeux or Saint Aubin sur Mer. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday July 4: Loire Valley

After breakfast this morning at your hotel, check out and board your motorcoach for a beautiful journey to the country's lush Loire Valley with a memorable stop along the way at the important pilgrimage site of Mont-Saint-Michel. This historic island commune in Normandy is famous for its medieval abbey perched high atop the rocky islet. While visiting the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, the choir will have the chance to perform a 30 minute recital for the many tourists of the day at the Eglise Saint Pierre du Mont-Saint-Michel (pending pre-approval). After free time for lunch on your own, continue your drive to the Loire Valley for the overnight inn one of the charming small cities of Blois or Tours. Enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant and the overnight in The Loire. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday July 5: Loire Valley

Awake in the Loire Valley this morning and tastes of local cuisine while enjoying your buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning, the choir will provide music for liturgy at Blois' beautiful Cathedral. Next, visit the chateaux of the Loire Valley where French kings of the Middle Ages and Renaissance spent their summers. Visit imposing Chambord, a favorite hunting retreat of Francois I. Also on your list of castles today is the elegant Chateau Chenonceau built over the River Cher. There will be time to relax back in Tours or Blois later this afternoon before rehearsal for your third evening concert again hosted by a local choir. Proposed venues include L'Eglise Saint Julien de Tours. After your concert and time to enjoy getting to know your hosting choir, celebrate the concert at a local restaurant for dinner. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday July 6: Paris

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check out, depart the Loire Valley for your final destination, "The City of Lights", Paris. Before arriving in the Capitol City, stop in Chartres for free time for lunch on your own and a lovely visit to the famous Chartres Cathedral where (pending pre-approval) the choir will present a 3-minute recital for the many vistors to the Cathedral this afternoon. Continue to Paris for hotel check in, a walkiung orientation tour with your Tour Manager to get to know your new surroundings and time to freshen up before dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday July 7: Paris

Awake in Paris and enjoy breakfast at your hotel before meeting a local guide for a panoramic bus tour of this truly elegant city! Among the many sites you will see are The Arc de Triumphe, The Eifffel Tower, and entrance to Notre Dame de Paris. It is here that pending pre-approval, the choir will present a short but truly memorable performance of sacred music. Next, enjoy a guided tour of the Opera House famous for its Phantom, The Palais Garnier. Enjoy free time this afternoon for lunch on your own and a stroll perhaps along the Champs Elysees, before a late afternoon rehearsal at the proposed venue for your farewell evening concert at La Madeleine Church. Enjoy another delicious meal at a local restaurant this evening after your performance. (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday July 8: Paris

After breakfast at your hotel, travel outside the city and back into the world of The French Aristocracy when you visit the charming city of Versailles and the Famous Chateau of the Sun King, Louis XIV, The glittering palace of Versailles. Enjoy time to visit the opulant home of Kings, Queens, and Royal Courts as well as the stunning gardens dotted with magnificent fountains and the grounds that include even more palaces as well as Marie Antoinette's Le Hameau, where she and her ladies in waiting would pass many hours portraying what they imagined life was for the Peasants. After free time for lunch on your own in Versailles, return to Paris to enjoy a delicious farewell dinner followed by a scenic boat ride on the Seine that you board just across the way from The Eiffel Tower. What better way to spend your final evening in France than this picture perfect view of the city by night. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the sites and sounds of one of the world's most beautiful cities! (B,D)

Day 11, Thursday July 9: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)