The Riviera

Day 1 – Paris

Depart for Paris.

Day 2 – Paris

Bienvenue en France, where your private bus and guide will escort you on a Paris City Tour to see the Champs-Elysées, Les Invalides, Assemblée Nationale, the Arc de Triomphe, and other highlights. Visit the Gothic splendor of Notre Dame Cathedral, and take a tour of the Louvre.

Day 3 – Paris

Option: Ride to the 2nd level of the famous Eiffel Tower for a panoramic view over the city. Then visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles and explore its fabulous galleries, including the historic Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I. Stroll through the intricate formal grounds and sculpture gardens of Louis XIV’s extravaganza, and marvel at the splendor in which royalty lived.

Day 4 – Paris

Enjoy a guided tour of Chartres Cathedral, one of the best preserved Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Chartres is also renowned for its luminous stained glass windows which cover over 25,000 square feet. “Chartres blue” is famous for its clarity and depth, and can best be seen in the Blue Madonna window. The picturesque streets of Old Chartres evoke the bustling activity of a medieval city of merchants and craftsmen. Option: This evening consider a Bateau Mouche cruise along the Seine River.

Day 5 – Paris

A free day to visit with your host family, or explore the city with your advisor. You might want to head up to Montmartre, where you can climb the steps to Sacré Cœur for a spectacular view of the city. Another possibility is to venture over to the Right Bank and meander through Les Halles or the Marais.

Day 6 – Nice

Say au revoir to Paris and travel to the vibrant city of Nice by TGV, France’s highspeed train. When you arrive on the French Riviera, your courier will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for discovery.

Day 7 – Nice

On a Nice City Tour see the city’s acclaimed museums, the Flower Market, and the Promenade des Anglais. Then travel to the hilltop village of Eze for a million-dollar view over the Côte d’ Azur and a visit to a perfume factory. Later tour the elegant city state of Monaco to see the casino of Monte Carlo, the Palais du Prince, and tour the Musée Océanographique. This little independent principality is known for its beautiful stamps and yacht-filled harbor.

Day 8 – Nice

A free day to explore the beauty and splendor of this ancient city. The Côte d’Azur has inspired, from time immemorial, the greatest painters, writers and musicians. You might choose to see one of Nice’s excellent museums, such as the Matisse Museum or the Chagall Museum, located in the heart of a Mediterranean garden. Stroll along the splendid palm-lined boulevards, or spend the day relaxing on one of the most famous beaches in the world.

Day 9 – Depart

Transfer to the airport and board your flight home with excellent memories of your time in Paris and on the French Riviera!