Highlights Of Paris & Normandy: Journeys For Women

Start your exploration with a tour of the highlights of the 'City of Light' - sights include the Champs-Elys?es, the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde and the Place Vend?me. Later continue to Versailles, Louis XIV's sumptuous palace, for a visit to the State Apartments of the Sun King - a glittering creation, famous for its vast landscaped garden, and the opulent Hall of Mirrors. The visit also focuses on the history of two of its most famous female residents - Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV and tragic Queen Marie-Antoinette. Returning to Paris, enjoy a talk by guest speaker Kathleen Wilson-Chevalier, Professor of Art History at the American University in Paris. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. H?tel Scribe Paris B L

This morning head to the Louvre for a visit to its outstanding collection of art. Formerly a royal residence, the Louvre now hosts one of the world's most famous and distinguished art treasures dating from antiquity to the 19th century - amongst them the Venus of Milo, Ghirlandaio's The Visitation and of course Leonardo da Vinci's celebrated Mona Lisa. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are at leisure, and this evening continue to the famous ?cole Ritz Escoffier for a cookery lesson, followed by dinner with the chef. Named after the legendary chef and restaurateur Auguste Escoffier, it is an internationally renowned professional cookery school set inside the Ritz Hotel - learn to prepare a complete 3 course menu under the guidance of a chef and get to know the techniques and subtleties of French cuisine. H?tel Scribe Paris B D

Board a high-speed TGV train to Tours and visit the fairytale castle of Chenonceau. This striking Renaissance ch?teau belonged to Catherine de Medici, who added the beautiful gardens and extension that spans the Cher River. Due to the kindness and generosity of the former owner, Madame Dupin, the ch?teau was saved from destruction during the French Revolution. Chenonceau is known as the Ch?teau des Dames for all of the women who left their mark on the property. Continue along the banks of the Loire River, seeing the great castle of Blois, scene of intrigue and treachery in the 16th century, and Royal Amboise Castle. Return to the hotel, where the evening is at leisure. H?tel Scribe Paris B

Depart Paris for Normandy, stopping en route to visit Monet's house in Giverny for a visit to the beautiful gardens that were to inspire many of Monet's canvasses, notably his famous Water Lilies series which were immortalized in several of his most famous paintings. After lunch, continue to Port-en-Bessin and your ch?teau hotel, where dinner this evening is ? la carte. Ch?teau la Chenevi?re B L D

Depart for an excursion to see the D-Day Landing Beaches and visit the American sector of the D-Day invasion: Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc and the American Cemetery at St. Laurent, all poignant reminders of this heroic moment in history. Normandy is also renowned for its excellent apple products such as delicious apple juice, cidre, pommier and especially calvados - discover the production process and longstanding traditions with a visit to a local cider producer. This evening gather for a farewell dinner. Ch?teau la Chenevi?re B L D

This morning drive to Bayeux and see the lovely 11th-century cathedral and the world-famous Tapestry - woven in 1066, it is a glorious piece of medieval propaganda, recalling the conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Continue to Rouen and visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, featured in a series of paintings by Claude Monet, and the location where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Continue to Paris and your elegant hotel, where farewell drinks conclude this fascinating tour. H?tel Scribe Paris B

Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight, or continue with the Highlights of Burgundy, Provence & the Riviera tour. B