France - Normandy, Paris & Barging in Burgundy

You'll be met on the jetway of your flight to Paris, and a VIP host will help you skip the lines and personally escort you through customs and baggage claim. Your private driver will be waiting to whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Enjoy a stop for lunch and a chance to visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of Britain by William the Conqueror in 1066. Arrive at your luxurious chateau hotel, where you can refresh after your long journey with a visit to the spa or a gourmet dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

Explore D-Day landing beaches of Normandy and gain insight into Europe’s World War II with an expert, local guide-driver. Visit key battle sites including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église, and Utah Beach with your guide, and learn of the sacrifices made during WWII. Read the names of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Stop for lunch at a charming regional restaurant, perhaps enjoying some local Camembert cheese or Calvados cider. Return to your chateau hotel for the night.

Your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel for a scenic drive to Paris. Along the way, you'll stop for a guided visit and lunch at Monet's Gardens in Giverny. Claude Monet lived for forty-three years, from 1883 to 1926, in his house in Giverny. With a passion for gardening as well as for colours, he conceived both his flower garden and water garden as true works of art. Walking through his house and gardens, you can still feel the atmosphere which reigned at the home of the Master of Impressionnism and marvel at the floral compositions and nymphéas, his greatest sources of inspiration. Continue to Paris, where you'll arrive at a luxurious boutique hotel carefully selected with you in mind. Enjoy a VIP welcome before settling in for the evening.

Today is a busy day to exploration in France's amazing capital city, Paris! Meet your driver at your hotel for a driving tour of Paris' main attractions. You'll see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame cathedral, Champs-Elysees, and much, much more. After lunch, meet an art historian for a privately-guided visit to the Musée d’Orsay. Just across the river from the Louvre, discover the Realists and Impressionists and appreciate the unique qualities of the building, which was converted from a train station in the 1980s. Visit works by Monet, Manet, Courbet and Degas and gain a new understanding of their distinct individual styles. This evening, a highlight - enjoy a private cruise along the Seine River, where you'll be able to see Paris' landmarks illuminated for the evening.

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll meet the staff from your luxury canal barge at the hotel in Paris. You'll be transferred by comfortable mini van to Burgundy, where you'll embark on your home for the next six nights. Step aboard a comfortable canal barge, a floating country inn where you enjoy gourmet food and wine every day while only having to unpack once. Relax on deck as the lovely scenery flows by, or borrow a bicycle for a serene pedal along the towpath. There are a wide variety of canal barges and itineraries available; this represents a sample itinerary in the heart of the Burgundy wine region. Canal barges carry between 4 - 12 passengers in comfort, allowing for a total cultural immersion in the lovely French countryside.

After a morning cruise along the charming canals, visit the historic Château de Commarin for a private visit hosted by Count Bertrand de Vogue that includes a falconry display. This evening, a gourmet meal specially prepared by your onboard chef awaits you.

Visit 12th-century Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its peaceful gardens and beautiful cloisters. Return to the barge for a relaxing afternoon cruise to the small town of Ravières, where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll before dinner.

Visit Maison Alexandre Bonnet in Les Riceys for a Champagne tasting. Then drive to Château de Ricey-Bas for a private gourmet lunch ashore with the Baroness. After a stroll through the gardens, return to the barge for a leisurely cruise to Ancy-le-Franc with opportunities for walking or cycling on the towpath.

Visit historic Château d'Ancy-le-Franc, dating from the 16th century. With stunning gardens and a recently-completed restoration, Ancy-le-Franc is a hidden Gem in the beautiful Burgundy countryside. Rejoin the barge for a leisurely afternoon cruise to Lezinnes.

Cruise to the final mooring at Tanlay today. Visit the vineyards and town of Chablis for a private tasting at Domaine Laroche that includes a tour of the 1,000-year-old monastic cellars. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner to celebrate the cruise week.

This morning, bid a fond farewell to your dedicated barge crew before a mini van transfer to Paris. Spend your last night in France at a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, or alternatively, enjoy an evening at one of the luxurious chateau hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport. These amazing hotels offer an oasis of luxury and calm, and are very convenient to the airport for your flight home tomorrow.

It's time to bid "au revoir" to France with your flight home. A private transfer to the airport will make the last step of your journey a comfortable one.