French Passion

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!Early departure from Paris. We’ll travel towards Normandy, making a stop in Giverny to visit Monet’s House and its impressive gardens (admission included); we’ll learn about impressionist art, a movement centered in Normandy. The journey will continue to Rouen, Normandy’s capital with its medieval streets and cathedral. Here we’ll have time for a stroll and lunch. We’ll continue to Arromanches, where the beaches serve as a poignant reminder of the World War II landings in France. Our final destination is Caen, where we’ll enjoy some leisure time in the central district.Note: From November to April, Monet´s house is closed to visitors, so there will be no stop at Giverny.

First thing in the morning, we’ll travel to Mont-Saint-Michel, known as “The Marvel,” where you´ll have time to explore the city, surrounded by the sea and the abbey. Next, in Brittany, we’ll stop in Saint-Malo, whose powerful walls defend the city. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Dinan, a charming town in the Brittany region. We’ll then make our way to Rennes, the capital of Brittany, with its fascinating and monumental historic center.

We’ll depart for Angers. Those who wish can visit the castle that houses the largest medieval tapestry depicting the Apocalypse. Our journey will take us to the Loire Valley, arriving in Tours, the region´s capital, located on the banks of the Loire River. Here, you’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Château de Villandry, renowned for its magnificent gardens and flowers, with admission to the gardens included. We’ll then continue to Amboise for accommodation, a city celebrated for its enchanting medieval quarter. Dinner will be included.

Embark on a day of discovery in the Loire Valley. Our day will begin with an early morning walk in Amboise to the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years. Delving deeper into the Loire region, we´ll explore the iconic Château de Chenonceau (tickets included), built like a bridge over the River Cher. Next, we will visit Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley (visit to the park included). Continuing our journey into central France, our next stop will be Limoges, renowned for its porcelain. We suggest visiting its historic center, where the highlight is Saint Etienne Cathedral.

We’ll leave Limoges for the Dordogne, home to one of the great historic rivers in central France. Few regions contain so many charming villages and enchanting landscapes. We’ll arrive at Lascaux, where we’ll visit the museum and the replica of the caves (tickets included) and learn about the site’s prehistoric times with its magnificent cave paintings. After that, we’ll visit Sarlat, a UNESCO World Heritage town with an incredibly well-preserved Renaissance historic center, where there will be time to stroll and have lunch. In Beynac, we’ll explore a medieval castle overlooking the river (admission included). We’ll end the day in Rocamadour, a beautiful medieval village with an important sanctuary "perched" on a cliff; we suggest walking down the Via Crucis and taking the lift back up. Dinner will be included.

We´ll visit the impressive Padirac Chasm, where we´ll enjoy a boat ride on the river 75 meters underground. Afterwards, we´ll proceed to Collonges-la-Rouge, a picturesque village built with red stone on the Way of St. James. Following lunch, we´ll journey to Saint-Emilion, located in the heart of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, with time for a leisurely stroll. We’ll arrive in Bordeaux in the evening.Note: The Padirac Chasm may be closed from November until the end of March due to weather conditions.

The entire center of Bordeaux has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Prepare to be captivated by the "Water Mirror" and explore the historic old town with its charming pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. We will include admission to the Cité du Vin (with audio tour in English, Spanish or French), an impressive interactive museum that delves into the history and production of wine; wine tasting included at the viewpoint overlooking Bordeaux. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll along the Garonne River banks, lined with quaint restaurants perfect for lunch. Afterward, we continue towards the Pyrenees, arriving in Lourdes by mid-afternoon. You´ll have time to visit the sanctuary (we suggest attending the candlelit procession). Dinner will be included.

We’ll travel through the south of France, stopping in Carcassonne, a city surrounded by some of the most beautiful walls in Europe. You´ll have time to walk and explore. After lunch, we’ll continue to Narbonne, where you’ll have free time to discover this historic Occitan city with its picturesque old town. In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Marseille, France’s second-largest city. We recommend a walk through its vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), bustling with life and dotted with charming small restaurants.

Villages, landscapes, history – today we’ll see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. In Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city, we’ll explore its Roman and medieval legacy and be reminded of Van Gogh. In Les Baux, we’ll visit this small medieval village and include admission to Carrières de Lumières, an impressive underground show that combines art, image, and sound in its old quarries. We’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in Avignon, home to the immense Palais des Papes. Our journey will continue to Lyon, where we’ll walk through the World Heritage Site old town and take the cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a huge basilica offering a great view over the city.Note: If tickets for the Carrières de Lumières show are unavailable due to closure or high demand, we will instead transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.

We’ll set off from Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. Our first stop will be Tournus, a quaint little town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. After that, we’ll travel to Beaune, where we’ll have time for lunch and to explore the wine capital of Burgundy. We recommend visiting the wine museum or the historic hospice. Next, we’ll visit the Savigny Castle, situated in the heart of this winemaking region. Built in the 15th century, the castle houses extraordinary museums featuring motorbikes, racing cars, planes, and helicopters. Our journey will continue to Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, known for its lively streets and numerous medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the standout Palace of the Dukes.

While still in the Burgundy region, we’ll stop in Besançon, a city of Roman origin with a beautiful historic center and a 17th-century citadel that overlooks the town. We’ll then continue our journey to Alsace, a French region that has been contested between France and Germany for centuries. Alsace retains its own German dialect, Alsatian, along with architecture and traditions deeply rooted in Germanic culture. Our first stop in Alsace will be Colmar, a city with unique architecture, colorful half-timbered houses and canals winding through the town. Colmar is also famous for its white wine and gastronomy. You’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk. In the afternoon, we’ll visit two of the most beautiful towns in Alsace: Riquewihr, a medieval town with cobblestone streets and colorful houses that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale—it even inspired scenes from Beauty and the Beast— and Ribeauvillé, known for its charming historic center and castle ruins that overlook the town. We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the evening. We recommend taking a walk around the cathedral area and Petite France, both filled with charming spots and cozy restaurants.

We’ll spend time in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. The city’s historic center is a true gem, with its picturesque medieval streets, stunning Gothic cathedral, canals and flowers. We’ll include a boat trip through the canals of Petite France, a highlight of the city. After, our journey will continue to the Champagne region, where we’ll include a visit to a traditional cellar and you’ll discover the secrets of the world’s most famous sparkling wine during a guided tour and tasting. Afterward, we’ll make a brief stop in Épernay, the capital of Champagne, where you can take a leisurely stroll through this delightful town, known for its world-renowned wineries. We’ll then continue to Paris, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.