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From Medieval to Military, Dive Into History in Paris and Normandy, France (Europe) for Three Nights at Either Hotel Le Littre or Hotel Edouard 7 in Paris and Three Nights at Hotel Le Lion d'Or Bayeux in Normandy for Two, Including Rail Transfers, an Eiffel Tower Tour with Summit Access, a Seine River Cruise, Your Choice of a Tour of the Louvre Museum or Musee d'Orsay, a Tour of U.S. Beaches in Normandy and a Tour of Mont St. Michel (Land Only)

From the Parisian classics of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, to the historic icons of Mont Saint Michel and the beaches of Normandy, this trip to France delves deep into the country's history and its roles in the world. Boasting an atmosphere all its own, Paris is a city of many splendors (as Hemingway once wrote), from stately museums, famous monuments, Neoclassical architecture, the gentle River Seine, churches that date back hundreds of years, as well as the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower. A few hours northwest is Normandy, home of the unmistakable Mont Saint Michel, the Gothic style Benedictine abbey with over one thousand years of history under its belt, as well as the site of the D-Day Allied landings during WWII along the U.S. Beaches, all part of Operation Overlord.

Of all Paris' sights, one landmark you absolutely cannot miss is the Eiffel Tower, the tallest structure in all of Paris. You'll see all of the City of Lights from the top, and with your skip the line pass, you won't have to waste any time ascending all 1,063 feet! Continue to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments, and when you board the elevator for the summit, be sure to hit record on your mobile for a dizzying video of the view and ironwork! You'll also get to cruise down the Seine River and discover the heart of Paris and its unique architecture, on display with Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay, Palais de Justice, and more.

Paris is one of the most amazing art history destinations in the world, and you'll have a day to spend exploring one of its most famous museums with a licensed guide for a private tour with skip-the-line-access! The Louvre is the perfect place to take a closer look at formative works from the world's Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman civilizations, and to see first-hand magnificent masterpieces, including the one and only Mona Lisa. Or opt for the extensive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art at Musee d'Orsay, which showcases masterpieces by painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Sisley, van Gogh and Gaugin. No trip to the Musee d'Orsay is complete without a visit to van Gogh's breathtaking Starry Night Over the Rhone!

After hours and days of walking all over the city, seeing and experiencing its many delights, you'll truly enjoy your luxurious accommodations at either Hotel Le Littre or Hotel Edouard 7, both in the heart of the city. Hotel Le Littre is where you'll have all the calm, privacy and services you need at your fingertips. Located on the Left Bank, Hotel Le Littre is between Saint Germain des Pres and Montparnasse, the new areas for fashion designers and luxury shops. Paris sits right on your doorstep when you stay at the luxury boutique Edouard 7 hotel, which combines classic charm with modern amenities in a landmark location. Built in 1877 in pure Haussmanian style, Hotel Edouard 7 offers a prestigious couture collection, from furnishings to amenities, rooms that are modern and inviting with exceptional features. The hotel is ideally located near iconic Paris attractions including Paris Opéra Garnier, the Palais - Royal Gardens and Edouard 7 Theatre.

Your small-group full-day tour of the U.S. Beaches in Normandy will cover the massive area, and includes stops to visit all major sites in the U.S sector. Discover the extraordinary actions of the paratroopers in Ste Mere-Eglise and the Airborne Museum, and go to Utah beach where the U.S 4th Division landed. During the day you can discuss the war, from the German occupation to the French Resistance, and learn about the many different soldiers’ war stories. After a quick stop at the German Cemetery, your tour will visit Pointe du Hoc, as well as the well-known Omaha Beach and the heartbreaking U.S cemetery at Omaha Beach. You can stay longer to pay your respects in the cemetery, or explore the Visitor Center.

A magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey, the Mont Saint Michel and its bay count among France's most stunning sights. Explore this iconic island on your small-group tour! For centuries one of Europe's major pilgrimage destinations, this holy island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay that's shared by Normandy and Brittany. An impenetrable stronghold during the Hundred Years War, the Mont-Saint-Michel is also an example of military architecture, as its ramparts and fortifications resisted all the English assaults. Following the dissolution of the religious community during the Revolution, and until 1863, the abbey was used as a prison. You may even meet one of the monks of the new community who settled here a few years ago, and hear their Gregorian Chants vibrating throughout the church at the time of mass. Your guide will also take you through the narrow cobbled streets around the village, with granite or half-timbered houses, and allow you time to wander along the top of the fortification wall.

During your stay in Normandy, relax at the Hotel Le Lion d'Or, which boasts a central location in the heart of the historic center of Bayeux. The hotel and its restaurant, La Table du Lion, are known as destinations within the department of Calvados. You'll be steps away from the famous Bayeux Tapestry Museum, a recognized world heritage of the UNESCO, the Cathédrale Notre Dame of Bayeux and the Bayeux médiévale.

Your trip for two includes:
3 nights accommodations at the Hotel Le Littre or Hotel Edouard 7 in Paris in a Superior room
3 nights accommodations at the Hotel Le Lion d'Or in Bayeux in a Superior room
Daily complimentary breakfast
Roundtrip airport transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Eiffel Tower tickets with summit access and 1 hour cruise on the river Seine (transfers not included)
Private tour with choice of either a half-day Louvre or Musee d'Orsay Museum, including English speaking guide and entrance fees
First class roundtrip rail tickets from Paris train station to Bayeux
Roundtrip transfer from Bayeux train station to the Hotel Le Lion d'Or
Small group full-day U.S. beaches tour in Normandy, including English speaking guide and shared transfer
Small group full-day Mont St Michel tour in Normandy, including English speaking guide and shared transfer
All room-related taxes (including VAT)

Item Special Note

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Hotel blackout dates: Jun 1-15 Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesday. Orsay Museum is closed on Monday or during special events. Tours runs on specific days of the week and at specific times. Local city taxes are the responsibility of the traveler and are required to be paid directly to hotel. A minimum 45 day advance reservation is required. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.