Day 1: Drive to Paris
A late afternoon departure from Ramstein gets us underway for our drive into France. On route, we will make a rest stop to provide an opportunity for a quick meal and use of the restroom. Upon evening arrival in Paris we will travel directly to our first-class hotel where you are able to relax and rest up for the exciting weekend ahead.
Day 2: Paris Sightseeing
Our day gets off to a satisfying start with breakfast at our hotel before we set out for an amazing day of sightseeing in the center of Paris. The first stop on our action-packed day of iconic Paris sites is the base of the celebrated Eiffel Tower, where we will make an extended photo stop. If you would like to journey up the Eiffel Tower, it is highly recommended that you pre-purchase your tickets with a reserved time slot from the Eiffel Tower Website (see Booking Details for instructions).
Afterward, we travel by bus up the legendary Avenue des Champs Elysées, to the Arch of Triumph, a celebrated memorial for soldiers of the French Revolution, Napoleonic War and World War I. From here we travel into the heart of the city to Isle de la city and Notre Dame Cathedral, the beloved soul of Paris that was damaged by fire in 2019. Reconstruction is well underway and although access to the inside is not currently permitted, the magnificent gothic features, imposing bell towers, elegant flying buttresses and gargoyles along the façade can all still be admired from the outside. There will be some free time here for you to explore the local sites.
If time and traffic permit*, we will make a stop at the Opera House, historically linked to Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel and eventually world-famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Here we will have an opportunity to see the masterful 19th-century architecture and check for exhibits that are sometimes available for public viewing. If time allows, you can also visit some of the other sites here such as the Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann.
Having explored an array of Parisian attractions, we will return to the hotel for a chance to change and freshen up for the evening's festivities. Tonight we will enjoy a delicious 3-course meal at a traditional French restaurant in the heart of Paris, followed by an amazing cruise on the Seine river and a view the city's illuminated monuments at night.
Day 3: Versailles & Montmartre
After breakfast and hotel checkout, we travel to the grounds of the glorious royal palace of Versailles, built by the “Sun King” Louis XIV. This opulent chateau has served as residence to many generations of French aristocracy including Queen Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Here we will see the Palace from the outside and visit the gardens which offer one of finest examples of the jardin à la française (French formal gardens) in the world. Numerous fountains, canals, reflecting pools and immaculately manicured grooves, each with their own specialty and theme are waiting to be discovered. This experience can be further enhanced by downloading the Versailles App which offers an interactive map of the entire estate.To tour the inside of the Palace. it is highly recommended that you pre-purchase your tickets with a reserved time slot from via the Versailles Website (see Booking Details for instructions).
After our time on the Palace grounds, a short walk takes us to Les marchés de Versailles, one of the finest open-air markets in all of France. Here you will find artisan cheeses from every region, all kinds of produce, traditional breads, delicious pastries, candy, exotic fruits, wine, flowers, cured meats, and even hot food like rotisserie chickens and fresh fish. A great variety of preserved food items like marinated olives, spices, dried fruits and nuts can also be found here. The market offers an ideal way to sample a variety of authentic French culinary traditions that you can eat on the spot or gather together for a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at your favorite spot in the gardens of Versailles.
Our final stop in Paris takes us to Montmartre, on Paris’s Northern right bank and the highest natural point in the city. This area is famous for the beautiful Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, quaint cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and the artistic spirit that thrives here. After a brief orientation from your guide, there will be free time to explore the nearby sites like the famous Moulin Rouge, ride the funicular, visit Sacre-Coeur and take in the amazing view of Paris and admire the artworks on "Painter's Square". Enjoy a coffee or early supper in one of the many streetside cafés. Finally, we must to say “Au revoir” to this incredible city and begin our journey home for an evening return to Ramstein. On route, we will make a rest stop to provide an opportunity for a quick meal and use of the restroom.
