8 Days Loire Castles – Normandy – Paris

After breakfast, we tour the medieval city of Tours, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then we head to the romantic Château de Chenonceau, built over the Cher River and famously known as the “Ladies’ Castle” due to its history of female ownership and influence. We continue to Amboise, to visit its fortress-like château, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. Return to Tours via a scenic route along the Loire River. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we travel to Arromanches, in Normandy’s Calvados region, a seaside town known for its wide sandy beach and its D-Day Landing Museum. We continue to Caen, the largest city in Lower Normandy, with a rich and dramatic history. A key site during the Battle of Normandy, Caen hosts one of the most important museums of WWII. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast, then we head to the fortified town of Saint-Malo, once a haven for corsairs and pirates. Rebuilt after WWII, it retains its medieval charm within its walls. We stroll through the historic city, visiting the Cathedral of Saint Vincent and the local museum tower. We continue to the fairytale island of Mont Saint-Michel, one of France’s most iconic landmarks, drawing 2 million visitors annually. This magical rocky island becomes surrounded by the sea at high tide. At the top sits the Abbey of Saint Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the quaint village with cobblestone streets and stone cottages. Free time and return to Caen. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we head toward Paris. First stop: the twin seaside resorts Deauville and Trouville, known for their elegance, luxury boutiques, and one of Europe’s most stylish casinos. We continue to Honfleur, once a quaint fishing village and now a picturesque, flower-filled town reminiscent of the 17th century. Then, onward to Paris. Upon arrival, hotel check-in. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, a panoramic guided city tour awaits. We’ll see Trocadéro, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Madeleine Church, the grand Opera House, the Louvre pyramids, Pont Neuf, City Hall, Notre-Dame, the Sorbonne, and finally the Invalides (where Napoleon is buried).
Afternoon at leisure. Optional activities include a Seine River cruise on the famous Bateaux Mouches, or an excursion to Montmartre, where you can visit the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, explore the charming artist district, and enjoy a coffee at a traditional Parisian café. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and free time until transfer to the airport for the return flight. Arrival in Larnaca early morning on Day 8, filled with lasting impressions from majestic castles, historic landmarks, and fairy-tale towns. Truly, France is much more than just Paris.