11-Day Signature Specialty Tour Featuring
Giverny, Normandy, Loire Valley, Versailles and Champagne
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11-Day Signature Specialty Tour Through France
Giverny, Normandy, the Loire Valley, Versailles & Champagne
One thoughtfully designed journey. Five unforgettable destinations. Eleven days immersed in the history, culture, cuisine and wines of France.
From Monet’s gardens at Giverny and the moving D-Day sites of Normandy to magnificent Loire Valley castles, the grandeur of Versailles and the legendary Champagne houses of Reims and Épernay, this limited-edition tour brings together some of France’s most celebrated places in one seamless itinerary.
Along the way, you’ll also experience the personal side of France that defines our tours: meaningful storytelling, privately hosted meals, time with our winemaker and chef friends, and memorable experiences that go well beyond traditional sightseeing.
2027 Tour Date: October 14–24, 2027
Length: 11 days / 10 nights
Tour Price: US$14,999 per person, double or twin occupancy
Single Supplement: US$1,240 for travelers requesting a private room
Activity Level: Easy; designed to accommodate a variety of walking abilities
Private Groups: Also available on a private basis for groups of 10 or more
One Journey, Five Distinctive French Experiences
Giverny
Walk through the gardens that inspired Claude Monet and see the celebrated water garden, Japanese bridge and flower-filled landscape brought to life in his paintings.
Normandy — 3 Nights
Explore the D-Day landing beaches and historic sites in the company of our passionate World War II specialist, then discover another side of Normandy through its countryside, cuisine and traditional Calvados.
Loire Valley — 3 Nights
Stay in the Renaissance town of Amboise and step into the world of French kings, queens and royal courts. Visit magnificent castles, spend time with our winemaker friends and cook with acclaimed chefs in their family home.
Versailles — 1 Night
Discover the extraordinary château that became the center of royal power in France and enjoy time to experience the town of Versailles beyond the palace gates.
Champagne — 3 Nights
Conclude the journey in Reims with visits and tastings at several of Champagne’s most celebrated houses, time to explore the city and a festive Michelin-star farewell dinner.
Day-by-Day Itinerary Details:
Day 1 — Welcome to France, Giverny & the Normandy Coast
Meals Included: Dinner
Your guides will meet you at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1:00 pm. From there, we begin our journey toward Normandy, stopping en route at Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens.
After our visit, we’ll continue to our hotel along the Normandy coast, check in and settle into our rooms. This evening, we’ll gather for a welcome orientation and our first dinner together.
Today’s Highlights
- Group transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Visit to Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny
- Arrival and check-in at our Normandy hotel
- Welcome orientation and dinner
Day 2 — The D-Day Landing Beaches & American Cemetery
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today is devoted to the history and deeply moving stories of D-Day. Our Normandy World War II historian specialists will lead us through the landscapes where the events of June 6, 1944 unfolded, connecting military history with the personal accounts of the men who experienced it.
We’ll stand atop Pointe du Hoc, walk along Omaha Beach, pay our respects at the Normandy American Cemetery and visit Arromanches, where remnants of the remarkable artificial harbor can still be seen offshore.
Lunch is included at a local brasserie near the beaches. We’ll return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Today’s Highlights
- Pointe du Hoc
- Omaha Beach
- Normandy American Cemetery
- Arromanches and the remains of the Mulberry harbor
- Lunch at a local brasserie
Travel Through Normandy with People Who Know Its Stories
Our Normandy World War II historians and specialist guides are French natives who live in Normandy and have dedicated years to studying, recording and preserving the stories of the men who helped liberate France.
Their work includes interviewing more than 1,000 World War II veterans, researching accounts that might otherwise have been lost and maintaining personal friendships with many of the veterans and their families. By combining historical context with these firsthand stories, they make the events of D-Day both understandable and profoundly human.
Day 3 — More of Normandy’s WWII History & Calvados Tasting
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Our exploration of Normandy continues with a second day of World War II sites and historical visits, allowing time to go deeper into the events, people and places that shaped the region.
We’ll enjoy lunch together at a charming country hideaway before visiting one of our favorite Calvados producers. During a tour and tasting at the distillery, we’ll discover how Normandy’s celebrated apple brandy is made and sample several expressions, including 8-year, 12-year and beautifully aged Calvados.
Dinner is independent this evening, and your guides will be happy to share their favorite recommendations.
Today’s Highlights
- A second day of World War II sites and storytelling
- Lunch in the Normandy countryside
- Calvados distillery tour and guided tasting
- Free evening
Day 4 — Caen Memorial & Journey to the Loire Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
After our final breakfast in Normandy, we’ll visit the Caen Memorial before traveling south to the Loire Valley.
Our destination is Amboise, a beautiful Renaissance town on the Loire River and our home for the next three nights. Known as the Valley of the Kings, this region became the setting for the ambitions, accomplishments, rivalries and private lives of France’s Valois monarchs and their courts.
Lunch is independent during our journey. After checking into our hotel, there will be time to settle in and begin exploring Amboise. This evening, we’ll dine together at a favorite local address owned by friends.
Today’s Highlights
- Visit to the Caen Memorial
- Scenic journey from Normandy to the Loire Valley
- Arrival and check-in in Amboise
- Dinner together at a favorite local restaurant
Day 5 — Private Winery Experience, Hosted Lunch & Chenonceau
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning, our friends Fred and Louisa welcome us to their family winery for a personal, behind-the-scenes visit. Fred’s family has been making wine since the 15th century, and together we’ll learn about the region’s wines and the dedication behind each vintage.
We’ll then enjoy a privately hosted lunch at our family friend’s historic wine estate.
In the afternoon, we visit the Château de Chenonceau and its gardens. Shaped and protected by a succession of influential women, Chenonceau offers a fascinating window into royal power, rivalry, romance and life at the French court.
We’ll return to Amboise in the early evening. Dinner is independent, leaving you free to stroll through town, enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking the Loire River and choose from one of Amboise’s inviting restaurants.
Today’s Highlights
- Private visit and tasting with our winemaker friends
- Privately hosted lunch at a historic wine estate
- Guided visit to the Château de Chenonceau and its gardens
- Free evening in Amboise
Day 6 — Chambord Castle, Amboise at Leisure & Cooking at Home with Our Chef Friends
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
We begin the day at the Château de Chambord, the architectural masterpiece of King Francis I. As we explore the château, we’ll bring the world of the Valois and early Bourbon kings to life through stories of royal ambition, lavish entertaining and the colorful private lives of the kings, queens and courtiers who inhabited this world.
Lunch is independent at Chambord. We’ll then return to Amboise for leisure time and the opportunity to visit either the Château Royal d’Amboise or Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final home.
This evening is one of the tour’s most personal experiences. Our friends, acclaimed chefs Angélique and Christophe, welcome us into their family home for a lively cooking class. Christophe holds the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and both chefs have earned recognition alongside some of France’s most celebrated culinary names.
After cooking together, we’ll raise a glass over cocktails and enjoy the gourmet dinner we helped prepare.
Today’s Highlights
- Guided visit to the Château de Chambord
- Free time in Amboise
- Optional independent visit to the Château Royal d’Amboise or Clos Lucé
- Cooking class and dinner in our chef friends’ family home
Day 7 — The Château de Versailles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning, we leave the Loire Valley and travel toward Versailles. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a gourmet picnic prepared by our chef friends.
In the afternoon, a guided visit introduces us to the Château de Versailles, its extraordinary interiors and the royal history that unfolded within its walls.
After checking into our hotel in Versailles, the early evening is yours to explore, relax over drinks at a local café and enjoy dinner independently.
Today’s Highlights
- Gourmet picnic prepared by our chef friends
- Guided visit to the Château de Versailles
- Overnight stay in Versailles
- Free evening
Day 8 — From Versailles to Reims & Pommery Champagne
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast, we depart Versailles for Reims, the historic capital of Champagne. Lunch is independent en route, with recommendations from your guides.
Following check-in at our Reims hotel, we’ll begin our Champagne experience with a tour and tasting at Pommery. This evening, we’ll enjoy a privately hosted welcome dinner at the Champagne house.
Today’s Highlights
- Journey to Reims
- Tour and tasting at Pommery
- Privately hosted dinner at Pommery
Day 9 — Ruinart, Épernay & Moët & Chandon
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Our day begins at Ruinart, the oldest established Champagne house, founded in 1729. We’ll explore its heritage, cellars and celebrated Champagnes before continuing through vineyard country to Épernay.
Lunch is together at one of our favorite gourmet bistros. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Moët & Chandon for a tour and tasting, then return to Reims in the late afternoon.
Dinner is independent this evening, with recommendations provided by your guides.
Today’s Highlights
- Tour and tasting at Ruinart
- Vineyard views en route to Épernay
- Gourmet bistro lunch
- Tour and tasting at Moët & Chandon
Day 10 — Mumm, Taittinger & Michelin-Star Farewell Dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Today features two more distinguished Champagne houses. We’ll visit Mumm in the morning, followed by free time for lunch in Reims. In the afternoon, we continue to Taittinger for a tour and tasting.
After returning to the hotel, enjoy time at leisure to explore Reims. You may wish to visit the magnificent cathedral where France’s kings were crowned, wander through the historic center or discover the Basilica of Saint-Remi.
This evening, we’ll celebrate our journey through France over a gourmet Michelin-star farewell dinner together.
Today’s Highlights
- Tour and tasting at Mumm
- Tour and tasting at Taittinger
- Leisure time in Reims
- Michelin-star farewell dinner
Day 11 — Au Revoir & Transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll check out of our Reims hotel and travel together to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where our tour concludes.
If you plan to continue your stay in Paris and prefer to return by train, please contact us. We’ll be happy to help coordinate the appropriate arrangements.
What’s Included
- 10 nights of luxury boutique accommodations
- 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
- Premium wines, Champagnes and non-alcoholic beverages served with included group meals
- Fully guided sightseeing, walks, excursions and cultural visits with professional France Off the Beaten Path Tours guides and regional specialists
- Admission and participation fees for all visits and activities detailed in the itinerary
- Group transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Day 1 and return transfer to the airport on Day 11
- All ground transportation throughout the tour
- Bottled water provided daily
Not Included
- International airfare to and from France
- Meals noted as independent in the itinerary
- Admission fees for optional visits not specified as included
- Gratuities for tour guides and the professional driver
- Laundry services
- Personal purchases and expenses
The France Off the Beaten Path Difference
This journey includes France’s iconic landmarks, but it is the people and personal experiences along the way that make it truly memorable.
You’ll travel with knowledgeable regional specialists who make history engaging and accessible. You’ll meet winemakers, chefs and local personalities who are not simply professional partners, but longtime family friends. They welcome our guests into their wineries, kitchens, estates and homes with genuine warmth—allowing you to experience France as a welcomed guest rather than simply a visitor.
The result is a thoughtfully paced journey that balances meaningful guided experiences with time to relax, explore independently and enjoy the pleasure of being in France.
2027 Tour Date & Price
October 14–24, 2027
US$14,999 per person based on double or twin occupancy
US$1,240 single supplement for travelers requesting a private room
This 11-day specialty itinerary is also available as a private tour for groups of 10 or more.
Questions? Email christy@traveloffthebeatenpath.com or contact us by WhatsApp at +1 717-683-2827.
We’ll be happy to help you decide whether this special journey through France is right for you.
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