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Sailboats dock in a historic harbor in Normandy, France, lined with tall narrow architecture and waterfront cafes reflected in the calm water.
France

The Best of Northern France: Paris and Normandy

Program No. 21095RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
9 days
Program Begins
Paris
Program Concludes
Roissy-en-France
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14 ( 7B, 4L, 3D )
Activity Level
From
3,199
Experience two faces of France on this journey that combines field trips led by top-notch Road Scholar experts with plenty of time for independent discoveries. Begin by discovering Paris’ grand boulevards, Gothic architecture and world-class museums. Then venture to Normandy to explore its Celtic-influenced culture, medieval history, natural beauty and tantalizing cuisine.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore Paris’ markets, museums and cafés, and take a field trip to the opulent Palace of Versailles.
  • Learn the story of the Allied invasion of Normandy as you explore the D-Day landing beaches.
  • Discover Mont Saint-Michel, a medieval island fortress and abbey that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
General Notes
Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials. Due to advance reservation requirements and limited group capacity at some popular museums, occasional itinerary adjustments may be necessary. Hotels vary by date. Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with select dates of "The Best of Southern France: Provence and the Cote d'Azur" (#21096) for even more learning in France! Due to the fire at Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to visitors. Road Scholar programs that visit île de la Cité will be able to see the outside of the cathedral, but we will not be able to go inside.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
After graduating with a degree in English and history from The University of London, Ian Tucker's interests in European culture initially took him to Barcelona, where he lived for 3 years. Ian's early career was spent teaching in Spain and later at a higher education college in London. He became involved in educational travel, and since that time has traveled throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia, both on a professional basis and independently. He also spent two years living in Tokyo.
Caroline Buizza was born and raised in Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. After completing her master’s degree, she became a teacher in Europe. Through her teaching experiences, she decided that her purpose was travel education. Therefore, she went back to school to become a certified group leader. She loves French history, art and culture and she takes pride in sharing her country's wonderful heritage with adventurous groups.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to 3 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over cobblestone streets and uneven ground and hilly terrain. Standing up to 2 hours per day. Program will require approximately 18 miles of walking over 8 days. Must be able to use stairs in order to navigate field trip sites. Due to unavoidable stairs and the extensive use of the Paris Metro, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities & be prepared for large crowds in Paris.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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