La Vie en France

Discover this most magical of cities, the city of light, the city of love. The city is divided into 20 quarters, or arrondisements. The 1er arrondisement is the center from which the others spiral out in the shape of an escargot. The elegance of the Marais, the bawdiness of Montmartre, the trendiness of Saint-Germain des Près, the chic Madeleine, the energy of Les Halles and the history of the Latin Quarter all combine to make Paris an incomparable, world-class ville. Spend the remainder of your tour exploring your choice of St. Malo, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Aix-en-Provence, Côte D’ Azur (Cannes), Loire Valley (Loches), Nantes, Strasbourg or Nancy.

Day 1 – Paris

Fly to fabulous France.

Day 2 – Paris

Bon jour! A private bus and driver will escort you to the hotel. Meet your expert local guide and begin your Paris City tour. Discover the magic of the City of Lights. See the Eiffel Tower, the historic Latin Quarter, the fashionable Champs Elyées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Gothic glory of Notre Dame Cathedral. Also visit the Louvre, the largest museum in the world, home to da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and other art treasures. The rest of the day is free for discovery.

Day 3 – Your Choice

Tour the Palace of Versailles, a creation of the French monarchy at the time of its greatest splendor. Louis XIII originally planned the extravagant château as a modest hunting lodge. See the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the formal sculpture gardens with the famous Apollo Fountain. Imagine an era of powdered wigs, silk brocade gowns, and candlelit dancing in the enormous ballroom.

Day 4 – Your Choice

Transfer to the city you chose for a homestay program or hotel stay. Dorm stay is available in some locations. Fifteen hours of French language instruction (3 hours each morning) is also available. Afternoon activities will vary with location and include city tours, welcome parties, conversation exchanges, etc.

Day 5 – Your Choice

Whether you are enjoying the sea breezes in Biarritz, the sound of splashing fountains in Aix-en-Provence, or the picturesque half-timbered houses along the canals of Strasbourg, your days here will be memorable.

Day 6 – Your Choice

Did you choose to spend your days surrounded by the glorious châteaux of the Loire Valley, or in a resort fringed by a semi-circle of hills and villas on the Côte d’ Azur? Maybe you are ordering un citron pressé in a sidewalk café on Stanislas Square in Nancy, the capital of Lorraine.

Day 7 – Your Choice

Today may find you in Brittany, strolling through the ancient walled seaport of St. Malo, or visiting the 10th century castle in the Atlantic port of Nantes, located on the Loire River near the bay of Biscay.

Day 8 – Your Choice

If your choice was the elegant port of Bordeaux, you may be visiting the legendary vineyards that surround this city or touring the prestigious châteaux of Haut Médoc. It’s your last day in France so whatever you do, do it avec plaisir.

Day 9 – Depart

Jet home knowing you have truly experienced La Vie en France.