Overview

France has its own unique character the rugged and outdoorsy French Alps; sun-drenched and slow-paced Provence; the glamorous and gorgeous Côte d’Azur coastline; and idyllic Alsace, a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.

Paris and Versailles are must-see destinations for a first trip to France. Other classic travel itineraries include stops at fashionable seaside resorts, fairy-tale castles, and glorious Gothic cathedrals.

Since it was built in the 11th century, the Abbey Church has been an important Christian pilgrimage destination, known as “The Heavenly Jerusalem.” Modern-day pilgrims are still inspired by Mont Saint-Michel and continue the tradition of crossing the bay by foot as it was done in the Middle Ages.

Tour Highlights

• Traveling through the Loire Valley gives the impression of stepping into a children’s storybook.
• Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur is a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline named for its deep azure-blue waters.
• Built in the 13th century, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is a gem of High Gothic architecture.
• Standing in its grandeur and baroque style construction on the banks of the Seine river in Paris, the Louvre Museum, also called The Great Louvre, is the most-visited museum in the world.
• The local cuisine features delicious specialties such as fresh seafood and savory buckwheat crepes.