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norMandy l andingsThe Normandy Landings were the landing operations of the Allied Invasion of Normandy, during World War II. The landings commenced on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) and took place along a 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The beaches at Normandy are still referred to on maps and signposts by their invasion codenames. There are several vast cemeteries in the area.

Falaise d’Aval, Normandy

st Malo City of PiratesWalled and built with the same grey granite stone as Mont St-Michel, St. Malo was originally a fortified island at the mouth of the Rance, controlling not only the estuary but the open sea beyond.

In later centuries it became notorious as the home of a fierce breed of pirate-mariners.The corsaires of St-Malo not only forced English ships passing up the Channel to pay tribute, but also brought wealth from further afield.

St-Malo is the most visited place in Brittany, thanks more to its superb old citadelle. From outside the walls, the dignified ensemble of the old city might seem stern and forbidding, but passing through into the streets within the walls brings you into a busy, lively town full of character.

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Left-to-right: Couple walking through Montmartre, Paris, St Malo, Carousal in Paris, Notre Dame in Paris

paris is one of the most-fascinating cities in Europe, and tourists to this wonderful city will find that things to see and do are almost limitless! Known as the ‘City of Light’, the beauty of Paris is overwhelming and architectural and artistic heritage combine to make any visit an unforgettable experience! The city of Paris got its name from the Parisii, a tribe of Gauls who settled on the Ile de la Cité between 250 and 200 B.C.

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Useful Information

Name: French RepublicRépublique française (French)

Location/Time Zone: Central European Time (UST+1)

Size: 674,843 km2

Capital: Paris

Currency: The Euro € (EUR)

Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité(Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)

Official Language: French

Population:65,073,482(January 1, 2009 estimate)

Calling code: +33

FRANCE is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations offering an abundance of culture and scenery. Paris, Avignon, Provence, Lyon, Beaune, Loire Valley to name a few are steeped in history and offer their unique atmosphere and charm.

loirE vallEyLoire Valley (French: Vallée de la Loire) is known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language. It is also noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage, in its historic towns such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Nantes, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours, but in particular for its world-famous castles, such as the Châteaux d’Amboise, Château de Chambord, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau and more particularly its many cultural monuments, which illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on western European thought and design

© ATOUT France

PICARDY

LOWER-NORMANDY

PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE

CENTREBURGUNDY

RHONE-ALPS

PROVENCE-ALPES-AZURLANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLONMIDI-PYRENEES

AQUITAINE

LIMOUSIN

AUVERGNE

CORSICA

FRANCHE-COMTE

LORRAINE

ALSACE

POITOU-CHARENTES

BRITTANY CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

UPPER-NORMANDY

NORTH-CALAIS

Clermont-Ferrand

Tarbes

Nantes

Saint-Étienne

Valence

Bastia

Ajaccio

Carcassonne

BeauvaisRouen

Chartres MelunÉvry

Versailles

Cergy

Caen

Quimper

Vannes

Saint-Brieuc

Rennes

Saint-Lô

Laval

Alençon

Évreux

Le Mans

Angers

BloisOrleans

Tours

La Roche-sur-Yon Poitiers

Angoulême

NiortLa Rochelle

Périgueux

Tulle

AurillacLe Puy-en-Velay

RodezCahors

Agen

Monts de Marsan

Pau

Bordeaux

AlbiMontauban

ToulouseAuch Montpellier Nîmes

Avignon

Perpignan

Foix

PrivasMende

Marseille

Nice

Toulon

Grenoble

Gap

Digne-les-Bains

Chateauxroux

Guéret

Limoges

Bourges

LyonChambery

Annecy

Bourg-en-Bresse

Macon

Nevers

Moulins

Dijon

AuxerreVesoul

ChaumontTroyes

Besançon

Lons-le-Saunier

Belfort

Nancy

Épinal

Colmar

Strasbourg

Metz

Châlons-en-Champagne

Charleville-Mézières

Bar-le-Duc

Amiens

Lille

Arras

Laon

Vernon

ReimsSoissons

Compiègne

Saint-Quentin

Abbeville

CalaisBoulogne-sur-Mer

Dunkerque

Épernay

Vichy

Ussel

Saint-Junien Le PuyThiers

Langeac

Cannes

Aix-en-Provence

Sète

Alès

Bressuire

Cognac

Châtellerault

Montbard

BeauneDole

Arbois

Montbéliard

Mont-Saint-AignanFécamp

Le Havre

Dieppe

Biarritz

BlagnacCastres

Lourdes

BéziersNarbonne

Lunéville

Forbach

Thionville

Verdun

Mulhouse

Brest

Lorient

Cherbourg

Corte

Sartene

Brive-la-Gaillarde

Ainhoa

PARIS

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day 1 | arrive parisArrive Paris. Day at leisure.Overnight at the Victoria Palace.

day 2 | paris - Mont saint-MichelTake the Normandy motorway to reach Mont Saint Michel Bay. Stop for lunch at Restaurant Relais St. Michel. Ascend to the Abbey (by the ramparts or by the village) located on the top of the rocky island situated in the biggest bay in Europe. The Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, rightly named “The Marvel of the Western World” is still one of the most-famous pilgrimage centres since the Middle Ages and is recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The guided visit covers the interior of the Abbey. Return to Paris by 9:45 p.m. Overnight at the Victoria Palace, Paris. (B)

day 3 | depart paris Depart after breakfast or extend your stay in Paris. (B)

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Prices are per person in Australian Dollars and are subject to currency fluctuation. Rates not valid during certain trade congress meetings.Hotel room photographs may not be specific to the actual room occupied.

LOWER-NORMANDY

PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE

CENTRE

BRITTANY

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

Angers

Tours

Le Mans

Orleans

l’Aigle

Amboise

Mont Saint-Michel

Saint-Malo

Cheverny

Chambord

PARIS

Left: Mont Saint-Michel, Right: Chateau and garden Villandry;

Alleyway, Mont Saint-Michel

MonT SainT-MiChel & loire valley CaSTleS2 days - 1 night - Extended tour from paris

PariS & MonT SainT-MiChel 3 days - 2 nights - paris city package

price includes• 1 night’s accommodation

in 3-star hotel in room with private facilities

• Breakfast included (B)• Brunch at l’Aigle• Dinner in Angers (D)• Guided visits as per itinerary• First-Class tour coach throughout• Service charges and taxes

price includes• 2 nights accommodation at the

5-star Victoria Palace hotel in room with private facilities and breakfast daily (B)

• 1 x guided full-day excursion to Mont Saint-Michel by coach

• Service charges and taxes

day 1 | paris - angersDrive across the region of Normandy. Brunch at l’Aigle with drinks included. Guided visit to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. Free time to visit the village. Dinner and overnight in Angers at the Hotel Mercure-Lac de Maine or similar. (D)

Mont st. Michel ML22 days / 1 night - Prices from

twin single child*

4 Apr - 10 Oct 2014 (Friday except special events) 667 784 594

Note: In October, visit the Castle of Cheverny instead of Castle Chambord; *Child staying with 2 adults

victoria palace & Mont st. Michel3 days / 2 nights - Prices from

twin

2 Jan - 14 May, 16 Jul - 31 Aug 14, 1 Nov - 27 Dec 2014 577

15 May - 15 Jul 14, 1 Sep - 31 Oct 14, 28 Dec - 31 Dec 2014 531

* Tour excludes May 1, July 10 and other special events.

PICARDY

LOWER-NORMANDY

PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE

CENTRE

OITOU

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

UPPER-NORMANDY

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Le Mans

Orleans

b is

Mont Saint-Michel

Chambord

PARIS

day 2 | châteaux countryAngers (view the Château from outside). Pass by Cunault and Saumur. Guided visit to the Château of Langeais. Amboise: lunch - own arrangements. Afternoon guided visit to the Château of Chenonceau. Pass by Cheverny. Guided visit to the Castle of Chambord. Return to Paris at approximately 9:00 p.m. (B)

Chenonceau Castle

Amboise

AmboiseRoom, Victoria Palace

Exterior, Victoria Palace

The Victoria Palace Hotel has been a landmark on the Left Bank since 1913 and served as a Parisian home to such major figures as the Irish writer James Joyce and the Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico. It has 62 spacious and luxurious guest rooms, junior suites and one bedroom suites. The hotel remains faithful to a very traditional idea of Parisian elegance.

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Prices are per person in Australian Dollars and are subject to currency fluctuation. Rates not valid during certain trade congress meetings.Hotel room photographs may not be specific to the actual room occupied.

day 2 |saint Malo and Mont saint MichelDepart for Caen towards Saint-Malo located in the Brittany region. Guided visit of the town including a walk along the ramparts and the cathedral. After lunch (free-time) depart for Mont St. Michel (frontier between the Brittany and Normandy regions). Cont nue the afternoon with a guided visit of the abbey and free-time for strolling and shopping. Depart for Paris at approximately 4.30p.m. with a stop en-route. Arrive Paris at approximately 9.15 p.m. (B)

norManDy / SainT-Malo anD MonT SainT MiChel 2 days - 1 night - Extended coach tour from paris

loire valley CaSTleS 2 days - 1 night - Extended coach tour from paris

day 1 | amboise, clos lucé, toursCross the southern districts of Paris to take the Aquitaine motorway. A guided visit of the Amboise Castle overlooking the Loire River offers an excellent introduction to the history of the region. Free-time will be allocated for lunch. The afternoon continues with a guided visit of the Clos-Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last dwelling and the gardens of Villandry. We then visit the old historic districts of Tours. Dinner and accommodation at the Mercure Tours Nord hotel (or similar). (D)

price includes:• 1 night’s accommodation

in 3-star hotel in room with private facilities

• Breakfast included (B)• Dinner in Tours• Guided visits as per itinerary• First-Class tour coach throughout• Service charges and taxes

price includes:• 1 night’s accommodation

in 3-star hotel in room with private facilities

• Breakfast included (B)• Evening meal at your hotel• Guided visits as per itinerary• First-Class tour coach throughout• Service charges and taxes

chateaux country (2 days) CL22 days / 1 night - Prices from

twin single child*

5 Apr - 11 Oct 2014 (Saturdays) 676 734 602

Departs 7:15a.m. Every Saturday except special events*Child staying with 2 adults

normandy / saint-Malo and Mont saint Michel PM22 days / 1 night - Prices from

twin single child*

3 Apr - 9 Oct 2014 (Thursdays) 619 681 552

Departs 7:15a.m. Thursdays except June 5, August 28, September 4 and special events.*Child staying with 2 adults

day 1 | paris, rouen, honfleur, omaha Beach, caenTravel alonge the Normandy motorway for our first stop at Rouen, for a walking tour in the old town before continuing to Honfleur. On the way between Rouen and Honfleur, view the newly-built Normandy bridge. Honfleur: free-time for lunch. We continue to the beaches of Normandy and pass by the Landing Beaches of Omaha. Visit the American Cemetery of Saint-Laurent. Arromanches (Stop). Dinner and overnight stay at Novotel Caen (or similar). (D)

I ARD

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CENTRE

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

UNORMANDY

NORT CALA

Tours

l’Aigle

Amboise

Cheverny

Chambord

PARIS

LOWER-NORMANDY

BRITTANY

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

UPPER-NORMANDY

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Omaha Beach Rouen

Cala sulo n sur-Mer

Dunkerque

mbo se

Honfleur

Saint-Malo

S

Mont Saint-Michel

PARIS

Caen

day 2 | chenonceau, cheverny, chambordDeparture for Chenonceau for a guided visit of the castle. We continue our morning with a guided visit of the Château de Cheverny followed by lunch at the Hotel Saint-Hubert (regional restaurant of rustic style). Our stay in the Loire Valley ends with a guided visit of the royal Château de Chambord. We leave around 4.30 p.m. and return to Paris around 7.00 p.m. (B)

prE/post accoMModation?We can help you complete your itinerary with planning accommodation, transport and sightseeing options!Contact our office for further information on 1300 65 10 65

Chenonceau

Landscape gardens,Villandry

Left: Medieval buildings of Honfleur, Right: Mont Saint Michel Abbey

Falaise d’Aval, Normandy

RouenChâteau de Chambord

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Prices are per person in Australian Dollars and are subject to currency fluctuation. Rates not valid during certain trade congress meetings.

day 1 | rouen, honfleur, normandy, landing Beaches, caenTravel along the Normandy motorway for your first stop at Rouen for a walking tour in the old town before continuing to Honfleur. On the way between Rouen and Honfleur, view the newly built Normandy bridge. In Honfleur you have free time for lunch. Continue to the beaches of Normandy and the American Landing Beaches of Omaha. Visit the American Cemetery of Saint-Laurent. Stop at Arromanches. Dinner and overnight stay at Novotel Caen, or similar. (D)

day 2 | saint Malo, Mont saint Michel, angersDepart Caen at 7:30 a.m. for Brittany. Guided visit of St Malo (ramparts, the cathedral, etc). After lunch (free-time) depart for Mont Saint-Michel (frontier between Brittany and Normandy regions) for a guided-visit of the Abbey followed by free-time. Depart around 4.30 p.m. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Mercure Lac de Maine, Angers or similar. (B,D)

day 3 | langeais castle, amboise, clos lucé, villandry, toursWe depart Angers at 8:00 a.m. (Short stop at Château d’Angers for photo-stop) and pass by Cunault and Saumur. Guided visit to the Castle of Langeais before lunch (free time) at Amboise. After noon visit to the Clos-Lucé, last dwelling of Leonardo da Vinci. We then visit of the Gardens of Villandry Castle. Visit the historic districts of Tours. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel Mercure Tours Nord, Tours, or similar. (B,D)

day 4 | chenonceau, cheverny, chambordFor our final day in the Loire Valley, our itinerary includes guided visits to Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord Châteaux with a farewell lunch at the Hotel Saint-Hubert at Cheverny. Depart Chambord at approximately 4.30 p.m. Return to Paris at approximately 9.00 p.m. (B)

norManDy / SainT-Malo / MonT SainT-MiChel anD loire valley CaSTleS 4 days - 3 nights - Extended coach tour from paris

price includes• 3 nights accommodation in

3-star hotels in room with private facilities

• First-Class tour coach throughout• Breakfast daily (B)• Three dinners (D)• Entrance tickets for the various

monument visits• Services of a licensed

multilingual guide• Porterage service on hotel arrival

and departure.• Service charges and taxes

normandy / saint-Malo / Mont saint Michel and chateaux country NBC44 days / 3 nights - Prices from

twin single child*

3 Apr - 9 Oct 2014 (Thursdays) 1275 1465 1148

*Child (4-11 years) - sharing room with 2 adults Thursday except Jun 5, Aug 28, Sep 4 & special events

LOWER-NORMANDY

PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE

CENTRE

EO TO -

C AR TES

BRITTANY

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

UPPER-NORMANDY

A S

Omaha Beach RouenHonfleur

Caen

Angers Tours

Le Mans

Orleans

Amboise

Mont Saint-Michel

Saint-Malo

Cheverny

Chambord

PARIS

LOWER-NORMANDY

PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE

CENTREB

R O E ALPS

BRITTANY

ARDE NE

PARIS-ISLE-OF-FRANCE

Angers

Tours

Le Mans

Orleans

l’Aigle

Amboise

Mont Saint-Michel

Saint-Malo

Cheverny

Chambord

PARIS

MonT SainT-MiChel & loire valley CaSTleS 3 days - 2 nights - Extended coach tour from paris

Mont saint-Michel ML33 days / 2 nights - Prices from

twin single child*

4 Apr - 10 Oct 2014 (Friday except special events) 1065 1206 943

*Child (4-11 years) - sharing room with 2 adults, departs 7:15a.m

price includes:• 2 nights accommodation in

3-star hotels in room with private facilities

• First-Class tour coach throughout• Breakfast daily (B)• Dinner in Angers and Tours (D)• Guided visits as per itinerary• Service charges and taxes

day 1 |paris - Mont saint-Michel - angersDrive across the region of Normandy. Brunch at l’Aigle with drinks included. Guided visit to the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. Free-time to visit the village. Dinner and overnight at Angers. Hotel Mercure-Lac de Maine, Angers or similar. (D)

day 2 | chateaux countryAngers (view of chateau from outside). Pass by Cunault and Saumur. Guided visit to the Chateau of Langeais. Amboise: lunch - own arrangements. Guided visit to the Clos-Lucé, the last dwelling of Leonardo da Vinci. Visit the gardens of Villandry. Guided walking-tour in the charming oldest part of the city of Tours. Dinner and overnight at Tours. Hotel Mercure Tours Nord, Tours or similar. (B,D)

day 3 | cheverny - parisGuided visit to the Chateau of Chenonceau. We continue for a guided visit of the Château de Cheverny and lunch. Guided-visit to the Chateau of Chambord. Return to Paris at approximately 7:00p.m. (B)

Châteaux of ChenonceauMont Saint-Michel

Abbey, Mont Saint-Michel

Left-to-Right: Les Rochers Sculpture in Rotheneuf,Saint-Malo; Garden and Chateau Langeais; Saint-Malo City Wall and Guard Tower

Châteaux of Cheverny