-Day 1 Overnight flight to France (Paris)
Day 2 Bonjour Paris
Dinner in Latin Quarter
Details: Paris city walk
This city was made for walking. Stroll grand boulevards with sweeping views of the city, pristine parks with trees planted in perfect rows, and narrow streets crowded with vendors selling flowers, pastries and cheese. Then head to the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine, to see Notre Dame Cathedral.
Details: Notre-Dame Cathedral
View the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Work began in 1163 on a spot that had been a holy shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon.
Day 3 Paris
Breakfast
Dinner
Details: Paris guided sightseeing tour
What's that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this, and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the Presidential residence and the Place de la Concorde, where in the center you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and tons of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. See Les Invalides (a refuge for war wounded) and the École Militaire (Napoleon's alma mater).
Details: Versailles guided excursion (pre-book only)
The ultimate palace, Versailles was built by Louis XIII, and housed the royal family and its groveling court from 1682, when Louis XIV the Sun King moved in, to the French Revolution. Everything in Versailles is worth a look, from the 250-foot-long Hall of Mirrors, with themed salons- "war" and "peace" -on either side, to Marie Antoinette's faux country hamlet. When being a queen became too much to bear, she would pretend to be a commoner, tending her sheep and wearing peasant clothes. (Please note Versailles is closed on Mondays.)
Details: Theatre performance en français
Step foot into a magnificent Parisian theatre and join locals for a spectacular French play or musical and for those not quite fluent enough, English subtitles running above stage will allow you to follow the play with ease.
Day 4 Paris
Breakfast
Louvre scavenger hunt
Dinner
Details: 3-hour French language lesson
Enhance your language skills with a dynamic 3-hour French lesson in the heart of Paris. Led by experienced native-speaking instructors, these sessions focus on practical communication and cultural context. After class, step out into the vibrant city to apply what was learnt—whether it's ordering lunch at a café, exploring local landmarks, or chatting with Parisians. It’s the perfect blend of structured learning and real-world practice, designed to build confidence and fluency in an unforgettable setting.
Details: Louvre Museum visit
The world's largest art museum, the Louvre is housed in a Medieval fortress-turned-castle so grand it's worth a tour itself. You walk through the 71-foot glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei and added in 1989, and step into another world--one with carved ceilings, deep-set windows, and so many architectural details you could spend a week just admiring the rooms. The Mona Lisa is here, as well as the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory (the headless statue, circa 200 BC, discovered at Samothrace). The Louvre has seven different departments of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and antiquities. Don't miss the Egyptian collection, complete with creepy sarcophagi, or the collection of Greek ceramics, one of the largest in the world. (Please note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.)
Details: Seine River cruise
See the city from the water on an hour-long cruise along the River Seine. The Seine cuts right through Paris, dividing the city in half. See the Eiffel tower rising up on the Left Bank, the walls of the Louvre on the Right Bank. A guide will point out other monuments and architectural marvels as you pass, many of which are illuminated by clear white light at night.
Day 5 Paris
Breakfast
Dinner
Details: 3-hour French language lesson
Enhance your language skills with a dynamic 3-hour French lesson in the heart of Paris. Led by experienced native-speaking instructors, these sessions focus on practical communication and cultural context. After class, step out into the vibrant city to apply what was learnt—whether it's ordering lunch at a café, exploring local landmarks, or chatting with Parisians. It’s the perfect blend of structured learning and real-world practice, designed to build confidence and fluency in an unforgettable setting.
Details: Eiffel Tower ascent
Line up to climb to the top floor of this iconic landmark for a spectacular birds-eye view of the glittering City of Light.
Details: French cinema experience
Immerse yourself in French cinema with a special screening at a Parisian theater. Enjoy an authentic French film, presented in its original language with English subtitles. Before the screening, take part in an engaging introduction to French cinema, featuring a discussion and interactive quiz to deepen your appreciation of this rich cinematic tradition.
Day 6 Paris--St. Malo
Breakfast
Travel to St. Malo via Chartres
Travel to St. Malo
Dinner
Details: Visit Chartres Cathedral
Built on an ancient worshipping ground to house a piece of the Virgin Mary's veil (which is still on display), this 13th century Gothic church is best know for its windows. With over 20, 000 square feet of stained glass, visiting Chartes can be like walking around inside a large jewel. But don't spend all your time looking up-on the floor is the only surviving medieval labyrinth. The faithful travel the winding 300-yard path on their knees to reach the image of paradise at the centre. Ouch!
Details: St. Malo interactive sightseeing activity
For centuries, this walled seaport on the English Channel was known as the city of pirates. The pirates are gone, but the granite town remains, always seeming to be reaching towards the green-blue sea. With your Tour Director, embark on an interactive adventure that will bring St. Malo to life! Including a visit to the Cathedral St. Vincent, begun in the 11th century but not finished until the spire was mounted in 1987. It houses the tomb of Jacques Cartier, who discovered the St. Lawrence River and founded Quebec.
Day 7 St. Malo
Breakfast
Details: Mont-Saint-Michel monastery visit
Perched high on a tidal island at the mouth of the Couesnon River, the Mont-Saint-Michel monastery rises impressively from behind the fortified walls of an old fort. Explore the narrow streets and old buildings before climbing to the center of the island to see the church itself.
Details: Crêperie dinner
Indulge in one of France’s most delicious culinary traditions—the crêpe. These thin pancakes can be wrapped around tasty fillings from fromage (cheese) to chicken. For dessert, have a sweet crêpe with chocolate, Nutella, or just a slathering of butter and a sprinkle of sugar.
Day 8 St. Malo--Loire Valley
Breakfast
Authentic French brasserie dinner
Details: Travel to the Loire Valley via Le Mans
Le Mans is most famous for its 24-hour auto race, but it has more to offer, including its Gothic Cathedral, St.-Julien.
Day 9 Loire Valley
Breakfast
Details: Loire Valley Châteaux excursion
Discover the Loire Valley’s most enchanting châteaux, beginning with Azay-le-Rideau, a fairy-tale palace set on an island in the Indre River. Then continue to the celebrated Château de Chenonceau, gracefully spanning the Cher on elegant arches and known for its Renaissance artistry and remarkable history shaped by influential women.
Details: Troglodyte Village guided visit
Step into the heart of ancient troglodyte dwellings with a guided tour of La Cave Aux Moines, where groups explore underground mushroom and snail cellars while learning about the history and excavation of these unique spaces. Discover the fascinating techniques used to cultivate mushrooms and snails in this cool, rocky environment, an experience that’s equal parts educational and entertaining.
Details: Dinner in Troglodyte Village
Dug by men from the XIIth century onwards to extract the stone, “the tuffeau” destined for building, The Cave aux Moines was used as far back as the beginning of the XXth century to cultivate mushrooms. The beginning of the cave and the first metres of the galleries were used by people to live; that kind of living was called the "troglodytes". Here people and animals lived as a community.
Day 10 Loire Valley--Paris
Breakfast
Travel to Paris
Dinner
Details: Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte visit and etiquette workshop
Step into French high society for a day with a visit to this Baroque château in Maincy, the largest private estate listed as a Historic Monument in France. Said to be the inspiration for Versailles, the Chateau is known for its ornate 17th century decorations and formal gardens. On your excursion, you'll learn all about French dining etiquette, formal table-setting, and the expectations for behavior at a formal soirée!
Details: Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte visit
Step into French high society for a day with a visit to this Baroque château in Maincy, the largest private estate listed as a Historic Monument in France. Said to be the inspiration for Versailles, the Chateau is known for its ornate 17th century decorations and formal gardens.
Details: Etiquette Workshop at the Chateau
Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte was known in the past for its exceptional feasts. Learn about French gastronomy while formally experiencing how to welcome guests, the art of the table, manners, and dress code.
Day 11 Paris
Breakfast
Dinner on your own
Details: Disneyland Paris excursion - 1 Park Pass
Explore the land of fairytales across 5 amazing lands filled with classic attractions, shows and street parades. Please note that this excursion includes entrance to Disneyland Park. Entrance to Disney Adventure World is not included.
Day 12 Flight home from Paris
Breakfast
Depart on your flight home today. Return home date is subject to flight schedule.
Tour Includes:
- LEAP – Learning through Exploring and Actively Participating increases engagement, critical thinking, understanding of diverse perspectives, and personal growth.
- WorldStrides Tour Director: An experienced education and destination professional, trained in LEAP, who engages students with hands-on learning opportunities.
- Return-trip airfare and transportation to activities in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals as per itinerary
- Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
- Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
- WorldStrides Tour Journal (available upon request)
- WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
- Tips for local guides and drivers are included (except multi‑day bus drivers). Tour cost doesn’t include optional pre‑paid tips for the Tour Director or multi‑day bus driver unless the pre‑paid tip option has been purchased.
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees.
- Note: Tour cost does not cover entry requirements or related fees. This includes, but is not limited to, passports, visas, and travel‑authorization fees.
Loading...