Meeting at the intersection of faith and history.
France - 2024
Light - Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
10 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday, October 8:
Depart USA
When booking your flights to France, you will want to book your flights to arrive at Nice, France on Wednesday October 9th.
Day 2 - Wednesday, October 9:
Arrival into France
Welcome to Provence. This region of France is known for its light and fresh air. The nearby Mediterranean Sea sparkles with sun drenched waves. We make our way through customs and security then we transfer to our motor coach. We
then drive to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nizza, at Hotel Indigo.
(Program will differ based on flight arrival times)
Day 3 - Thursday, October 10:
Nice, Marc Chagall Museum, Matisse Museum, Free time or optional excursion to Monaco (not included).
After breakfast, we board our motor- coach and have a city tour of Nice, home of Salade Niçoise and bouillabaisse, a specialty of Marseille. Nice’s other culinary specialties include la Pissaladière and la Socca. Next we will stop for a visit at the Marc Chagall Museum containing his immense biblical paintings and nearby Matisse Museums.
Afterwards, we will have free time on our own to explore this charming city on foot. Or you may choose an optional excursion to Monaco (not included). We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Friday, October 11:
Arles, Sainte Victoire, Aix
Today, we depart to Arles and drive through the rugged terrain of Provence with views of mountains and sea along the way. Along the route we will have a half day tour of charming Aix, ‘the city of a thousand fountains’. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel Best Western Hotel Atrium.
Day 5 – Saturday, October 12:
Arles, Wine Vineyard & Tastings
We begin our day with a walking city tour of Arles, including the amphitheater. Arles is the town where Vincent Van Gogh spent 16 creative months painting some of his best loved works, including the Starry Night. We spend an amazing afternoon at a local vineyard for wine tasting. Dinner and overnight are in Arles at the Best Western Hotel Atrium.
Day 6 – Sunday, October 13:
Avignon, Paris arrival, Normandy, Giverny, Bayeux
After breakfast, we board our motorcoach and head to the train station in Avignon for our trip to Paris. We plan to arrive in Paris at lunchtime. We transfer from the train to a motorcoach that will take us to Normandy. We will stop in Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s beautiful gardens and Monet’s home and studio. We then depart for Bayeux for dinner and overnight in at Novotel Bayeux Hotel.
Day 7 – Monday, October 14:
Arromanches, Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, Juno Beach Center, American Cemetery, Paris
We begin our day with a visit to Arromanches, which offers a good deal of charm, offering wonderful beach and cliff walks. We then make our way to Colleville-sur-Mer, including stops
at Omaha Beach, Juno Beach Center, as well as the Normandy American Cemetery. Afterwards, we depart for Paris to have dinner (not included) and overnight in Paris at Hôtel Best Western Ronceray Opéra.
Day 8 – Tuesday, October 15:
Paris, Versailles, Seine Cruise
After our breakfast, we begin a full day in Paris, including a visit to Versailles
and garden. Next, we make our way back to Paris and board our motorcoach to head to the Seine River for a dinner cruise. Dinner includes a 3-course menu including a Kir, 1 bottle of wine for 4 people, with orchestra, singer and dance floor. Appropriate dress is obligatory.
After an amazing dinner cruise, we return Hôtel Best Western Ronceray Opéra for overnight.
Day 9 - Wednesday, October 16:
Reims, Meaus, Museum Grand Guerre, Farewell dinner
Our day begins with a drive east for a tour to Reims and Meaux. Reims is city of kings and champagne. We will visit a champagne cellar to learn and taste its origins. (includes glass of champagne). We will make a visit to the Museum Grand Guerre which captures so well
the memory of the Great War - WWI. Afterwards, we will make our way to Restaurant Les Noces de Jeannette for our Farewell dinner. We return to Hôtel Best Western Ronceray Opéra for our last overnight.
Day 10 – Thursday, October, 17:
Transfer to airport for Flight home
After breakfast, we board our motorcoach one last time to transfer to the airport for our flight home. With many stories and memories to share of our unforgettable adventure.
