France
Paris, Champagne & Versailles
WF+LLTD
Description: The history of Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, dates back
to 4200 BC, and, in addition to its historical importance, the city remains vastly
influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion and cuisine. Situated along the
Seine River in northern France, Paris is a labyrinth of narrow streets and halftimber houses, and boasts a unique charm and posh urbanity unlike any other
European city.
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DAY ONE
Upon arrival in Paris you will be met in the arrival hall and transferred by private taxi to your hotel. Depending on the hour of your arrival, check in to your hotel
room, if available, or drop your luggage and have a walk around your neighborhood, soaking up the distinctive flavor of Parisian streets.
Depending on your arrival time your 4-hour private sightseeing tour of Paris will take place either in the morning or in the afternoon.
Whirlwind Around Paris
You will be met in the hotel lobby by your private guide who will take you on a fabulous whirlwind trip by private car through this great city. Start at Place de la
Concorde, pass the Louvre Museum, and continue along the Seine with its many lovely bridges, its impromptu markets set out along the banks, and the bateaux
mouches at anchor. Pass the French Academy and Isle de la Cite with the Palace of Justice and Notre Dame Cathedral (stop here for a bit of free time).
Continue on by the Hôtel de Ville and drive in to the famous Bohemian Latin Quarter with its great university, The Sorbonne, and the Pantheon of famous French
Men. Circle round to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, and then stop at the Eiffel Tower for a close-up view of this iconic structure. You will end
your tour in Montmartre where you will stop near the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the artists' square, Place du Tertre, before returning home to your hotel.
Hotel: Palais Royal
DAY TWO
10:00am: After breakfast of café au lait and croissants, meet your private guide in the hotel lobby for a visit to one of the most famous museums in the world, The
Louvre. Your guide will take you through specially chosen rooms of highlights including the famous Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa. The
Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city's western edge, the original
structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling for Kings of France.
Opened in 1986 and located in the former Orsay railway station, this exciting museum brings in over three million visitors per year and is one of the best places in
the world to see works in impressionist, post-impressionist and turn-of-the-century art. Among many other pictures, you will see the charming ballerinas of Degas,
the alluring paintings of Monet and the stunning Van Gogh masterpieces.
After two hours in the Louvre, walk with your guide 20 minutes across the Seine to the Musee d’Orsay where you will spend another two hours with your private
guide visiting this stunning museum with its extraordinary collection of pictures, sculpture and furniture.
2:00pm: Your guide will leave you with some suggestions for lunch after which your will have the afternoon on your own. It is suggested that, since you are now
on the Left Bank, you may wish to walk the charming, boutique and art-filled streets during the afternoon.
Hotel Palais Royal
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DAY THREE
Depart this morning after an early breakfast for Champagne in your private car. Take the “route touristique de champagne”, famous for its numerous vantage
points over spectacular vineyards, a drive of about 1.5 hours. Your first stop will be the famous champagne house of Moet et Chandon where you will have a
tasting of Dom Perignon in a private salon. Continue on to Reims where you will have a short visit of the lovely Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece which served as
the venue for the crowning of the Kings of France.
Continue on to lunch. There are two, starred restaurants we recommend for lunch (on your own).
After lunch, you have the option of a second tasting at another famous brand of champagne which, based on availability, will be either Pommery, Veuve Clicquot
or Taittinger.
Return to Paris, where we will provide you with restaurant suggestions or you may wish to go out this evening to a performance of classical music or, if you prefer,
to one of Paris’ best night spots.
Hotel Palais Royal
DAY FOUR
9.30am : You will be met this morning by your private guide and driver and taken 30 minutes from the city to the sumptuous chateau of Versailles
Known throughout the world for its Palace and accompanying gardens, the town of Versailles, situated 16 kilometers to the southwest of Paris, is of utmost
importance in French history. Versailles was not only the city of Kings, from Louis XIII to Louis XVI, but it was also the birthplace of the French Revolution. In the
17th Century, King Louis XIII set out to build a hunting site in Versailles in a small village of which nothing is left today. The town was completely transformed by
the Sun King, Louis XIV, who constructed one of Europe's biggest palaces: The Palace of Versailles. In the 18th Century Versailles was considered a highly
modern city. The arrangement of its three main avenues, along with its gardens and lakes, inspired the construction of the city of Washington DC, in the US. The
luxurious Palace of Versailles, containing 2300 rooms, contains the famous Hall of Mirrors and other fabulous huge apartments, and is surrounded by parks
and French gardens filled with the most beautiful fountains and monumental lakes.
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Your guide will whisk you past the long lines of visitors into the King State Apartment where the Sun King entertained the nobility three times a week. HardouinMansart’s gold and marble chapel and the Throne room are among the highlights until you reach the world-famous Hall of Mirrors. You will also visit Marie
Antoinette’s silk-laden bedroom before walking through the lovely gardens, strewn with sculptures, featuring fountains and the Grand Canal and harboring the
charming retreats of the Grand and Petit Trianon as well as the Hameau de la Reine.
Return to Paris to the remainder of the afternoon on your own. We will of course provide you with restaurant advice.
Hotel Palais Royal
DAY FIVE
9.30am: After breakfast this morning, learn the mysteries of bread and chocolate this morning on a privately guided walk through the open market of Montorgueil
where you will discover the pastry shop created by Stohrer, pastry chef to King Louis XV, and many others belonging to chocolatiers, oil producers and cheese
purveyors. You will have a chocolate tasting at l’Atelier du Chocolat, and a wine and cheese tasting at Repaire de Bacchus. Then your guide will accompany you
to the Marais area where you will have the opportunity to admire the lovely townhouses of the XVII and XVIII centuries, the Jewish district and trendy boutiques.
Last, but not least, you will meet baker “fantastique”, Benjamin who will show you how to make your own French baguette.
Hotel Palais Royal
DAY SIX
You will be on your own today until your departure. Based on your ongoing travel plans, you will be transferred in your private taxi to the airport or the train station.
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DETAIL PAGE
*prices based on double occupancy
To search if your client needs a Visa, click here
Inclusions:
 Accommodations
 Private taxi transfer to and from airport or train station
 Days 2-6: Breakfast
 Private guide and driver Day 1; Private Guide Day 2; Private Guide and Driver Day 3 (Champagne); Private Guide and Driver
Day 4 (Versailles)
 Champagne Tastings Day 3
 Entry Fees The Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, Champagne, Versailles
Exclusions:
 International Airfare
 Visa
 Trip Cancellation Insurance
 Alcoholic Beverages
 Items of a Personal Nature
 Gratuities
Please Note:
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We recommend that our clients consult their General Practitioner or Travel Clinic for advice on necessary vaccinations or
medicines depending on the region to which they are traveling.
All guests are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for all personal effects, personal
accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation, and curtailment.
 Self-drive passengers renting a car are required to carry a valid international driver's license.
For more information, visit Lisa Lindblad Travel Design and Willing Foot.