France: Landscapes, History and Wine

Get picked up from your centrally located hotel at a convenient time on this exciting exploration of the City of Lights. Accompany your driver on a private tour of iconic landmarks such as the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous opera district. Get a glimpse of the courtyard of the renowned Louvre Museum and watch the Seine river as it flows gently by. Stop frequently to capture stunning images of all the prominent attractions and many others. Return to your hotel with cherished memories of your time. Please let your guide know beforehand if there are any particular sites you would like to visit and they will personalize the tour accordingly. (Half Day; Time: Morning tour 0900-1300 hrs/Afternoon tour 1400-1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Excluded: Entrance fees, a guide and meals; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Explore the magnificent monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, an island commune off the coast of Normandy. This UNESCO-designated site, one of France’s most iconic attractions, is a revered spiritual and intellectual center. Originally known as Mont Tombe, the monastery’s history is a blend of the personal stories of its monks, inhabitants, pilgrims and visitors. Follow your guide on an orientation walk through the King’s Gate. Stroll down La Grande Rue, a steep cobblestone pathway that is lined with antique timber-framed houses. Then, ascend a series of staircases to arrive at the base of the abbey complex. Take in the panorama of medieval religious architecture and head to the terraces that offer splendid bay views. Continue past the columns in the crypts that support the church. See the giant wheel that was used to move supplies up and down the mountain and proceed to the Benedictine abbey. Visit the spaces dedicated to daily monastic life such as the refectory, cloister, scriptorium and chaplaincy. View the old fortifications, where knights defended the island during the Hundred Years War before the tour winds up and you head back. (Duration: full day; Time: 0830 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: 2-8 ppl; Transfers to Meeting Point not included; Starting point: Place de Quebec, Bayeux; Travel time to activity: 1.5 hrs; All entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Not available on Sun; Please reach the meeting point 10 mins before departure time)

Discover various secrets of the French monarchy at the 15th century Château Royal d'Amboise, which majestically overlooks the Loire river. Soak up the picturesque location, perched on a spur. Marvel at its Gothic-style architecture and vestiges of the Renaissance Royal House. Take a tour of this former residence of the Valois and Bourbon dynasties of France, and a retreat for yesteryear master artists. Learn about their rich and interesting past, as your guide elaborates behind the scenes’ stories of royal families here, including political and artistic influences on French history. Get a glimpse of the royal lifestyle with the interactive Histopad digital experience. Next up, make your way through the maze of underground pathways, past the many rooms, along the ramparts and on the towers of the castle. Enjoy stunning views of Amboise and the Loire Valley beyond. Lastly, ambling about the terraced botanical gardens, take time to visit the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci at Saint-Hubert’s Chapel on site. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: On request; Private Activity; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).