Cities of Light

See the major sights of the romantic “City of Light” with a knowledgeable local guide. Meet your motor coach and drive along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. Pass many of Paris’s classic highlights, including the beautiful Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde, Bridge of Alexandre III, the celebrated Louvre Museum, and La Conciergerie. Ride along the banks of the Seine to l'île de la Cité, where you will stroll through the island and marvel at the stately facade of Notre Dame de Paris before reboarding your coach. Continue into the Latin Quarter and view the picturesque St. Sulpice Church, Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée d’Orsay. Conclude your drive around Paris with Les Invalides complex, which houses Napoleon’s Tomb and the military school.

Visit one of the most celebrated districts in Paris—Montmartre. This bohemian enclave, in which Belle Époque (“Beautiful Era”) artists, writers and poets such as Dalí, Modigliani, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh whiled away hours and gained inspiration in cafés and at cabaret revues, still retains its charms from that bygone era. Meet your local guide and head to the foot of Montmartre Hill along the Rue Caulaincourt. Then, walk up the hill along winding, cobblestone streets to Sacré-Coeur, the splendid Church of the Sacred Heart. Its ovoid dome is the second-highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. You can explore the glorious interior on your own, then enjoy a coffee and pastries in a stunning setting. Finally, you may choose to descend the hill on foot or in the historic funicular, which first opened in 1900.

Discover Parisian landmarks and take in the opulence of the Château de Versailles, once the home of French kings. Take a scenic drive along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe and other classic highlights, including the Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower. Enjoy free time to explore the area around renowned Notre Dame, then continue to the town of Versailles, where you will have time for lunch on your own. A local guide will accompany you to the extravagant château, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the many sights, see the state apartments of the king, the Hercules Drawing Room with its magnificent painted ceiling, and the famed Hall of Mirrors, the gleaming corridor of chandeliers and glass where the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I. Cap your tour with a self-guided stroll through the vast, elaborate gardens before returning to your hotel.

Celebrate the colorful tradition of fin de siècle Paris during an unforgettable night out. Transfer to the Paradis Latin in the Latin Quarter, where you take your reserved seats. The Parisian cabaret was born in the late 19th century during a period of exuberance and progress. Though the Paradis Latin opened in 1803, it burned down and was rebuilt by Gustave Eiffel from 1887–1889, the same period in which he was building his great tower. As Paris grew more vast and impersonal, many Parisians forged a village atmosphere within their arrondissements and came to value unbridled entertainment. This spirit lives on today at Paradis Latin. After a delicious, elegant meal, sit back as an extravagant revue unfolds before you during a performance featuring acrobatics, sensuality and fantastic costumes. It is an evening you will never forget.

Stroll the enchanting gardens of the Monet Foundation and see the major sights of the romantic “City of Light.” Set out on a scenic drive and explore the home of Claude Monet, founder of impressionism and one of the world’s greatest painters. Step inside his treasured home, furnished as it was when he lived there, and view the stunning gardens that have graced many of his paintings, including the Japanese bridge and water garden shaded by weeping willows. After lunch, journey along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his triumphs. Pass many of Paris’s classic highlights, including the celebrated Louvre Museum and the iconic Eiffel Tower. Continue into the Latin Quarter, then drive by Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Place de la Concorde, and the beautiful and recently restored Grand Palais and Petit Palais.