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If you head west of Paris, stop and take in the Palace of Versailles.  Then you'll continue west towards Normandy, stopping in Rouen.  This is where Joan of Arc faced her Heresy Trial and was ultimately burned at the stake.  A new church sits on the exact spot next to the famous centuries old wall clock [L'Orloge].  Joan was beatified by Pope Pius X in 1909 and in 1920 Pope Benedict XV declared her a saint.  Rouen has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, especially the alters and stained glass windows. 

On westward and we're in Normandy now, where you'll find one of the most visited places in France, and that is Giverny, Monet's home and gardens.  They are every bit as spectacular as people say they are.  It doesn't matter what the season is, there will be something blooming.  Monet was very comfortable here, and the soothing ambiance educed his spectacular paintings of his 'Lilly Pond' and surrounding grounds.

On west to Le Havre, which will soon be the largest Port in Europe after it's new expansions are finished.  Crossing over the beautiful architecturally designed expansion bridge, you'll find one the most quaint and popular villages in France. 

That would be Honfleur, a beautiful little town on the coast with flowers everywhere.  It's one of our favorite spots and a real treat to visit for a few days.  Honfleur has more art stores than restaurants, as it's an artists haven.  You'll enjoy some of the best moules [mussels] that you'll ever taste and pastries to die for, especially the almond -

chocolate croissant!  Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, the charming boutiques, and don't forget to pick up some Calvados brandy while you're there.  Stroll through the charming shops, the churches, and then stop at an outdoor cafe or restaurant and enjoy some wonderful seafood and view the harbor - bon appetit!

We're off again, and we'll drive along the coast line and visit the D-Day Landing areas and war memorials.  This is beautiful pastoral topography, that you can enjoy on your own, or you might like to opt for one of several good day tours for more in depth information on the memorials and landing sites.

The Abby Mont St. Michel was built in the early eighth century in the northwest corner of France in Normandy, right at Brittany.  It sits on a small island approximately one kilometer from the mainland, accessible by a causeway that was built in 1879.  It is a magnificent structure and one must climb all the way to the top of Mont St. Michel to experience this great architectural accomplishment.  This is not for the faint of heart, there are hundreds of steps to the top.  It will take you a good half hour or so just to climb the stairs without stopping.  The village is quite quaint, and you feel the centuries as you pass through it.  Please note, this is somewhat a remote area and a good day trip out of Honfleur, there's only limited small motels within 5 kilometers.

There are very dangerous tidal surges here, and the lower parking lot is not accessible during high-tide.  It is most dangerous for people to go walking out on the sand flats at low tide, if they don't know the tidal times, and when the tide will come back in.  Many people have been killed by these incoming tidal surges which measure 14 meters from low to high tide.  So be aware, and find out tide times before venturing on the sand flats.  Best bet is to go with a guide.

Heading south you're now in Pays-de-la-Loire [the western Loire Valley].  You can start your visit of the great and beautiful chateaux of The Loire here.  Keep in mind, that the Loire is made up of two French Regions [the other is Centre or Loire Valley].  Check our our Chateaux page to locate chateaux for this Region.  Angers is one of the oldest medieval castles in France and dates back to the 1st century.  it has known both Viking and Roman rule and suffered vast physical ruin.  If you travel during the weekdays you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a nice B&B [Gite or Maison d'Hote in French], or even a small quaint boutique hotel.  The food is always wonderful and so totally French.

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If you head south out of Paris, you'll find Chateau Fontainebleau the gardens and the Forest of Fontainebleau.   The chateau is truly spectacular, definitely schedule a visit here.  This was just one of many Royal Chateaux and home to many Kings.  For more detailed information on Fontainebleau just click here.

Another truly magnificent Chateau is Vaux-le-Vicomte, and should definitely be a stop on the way to the Loire Valley.  The first magnificent formal gardens were here, and designed by André Le Notre.  This really launched his architectural landscaping career.  Thus he was commissioned to do the the Royal Palace gardens at Versailles.

We're still heading south and now we're in Centre [the Loire Valley] that is the eastern part of The Loire.  There are so many spectacular Chateaux to visit within a day's drive of each other.  Again visit our Chateaux page for days that the chateaux are open, and hours of visitation.  Most chateaux or closed either on a Monday or a Tuesday, so check individual Chateaux information for hours of operation.  Please Note:  Some chateaux are national monuments, and others are privately owned, so they do not fall under the same guidelines.

The chateau as being noted the most beautiful in France in Chenonceau.  This was 'les chateau de dames', the chateau of women.  Chenonceau was used as a hospital during WWII.  Chenonceau was once owned by Royalty, but is now a private residence.

It really is advised to look at your map before leaving Paris, to outline which chateaux that you would like to visit,  because you'll probably end up stopping at a few more places than you intended to.  This is the Valley of the Kings, and that being said, here are some of the other chateaux to visit in the area:

• Azay-le-Rideau - also noted as one of the most beautiful smaller chateau in the Loire Valley.  From the Moyen Age, this lovely chateau is similar in a way to Chenonceau, but was always riddled with problems.  It was a private chateau, changing ownership many times through the centuries and now is a national monument.
• Amboise - this is a grand fortress perched on a cliff overlooking the Loire River on one side and the arched gateway and cobble stone streets of the village on its other side.  Only twenty-five percent of the Chateau remains, another royal and  quite extraordinary walled chateau and village.
• Blois - of course sits in the middle of the town.  As with all castles, the town was built around the castle.  Chateau de Blois is now a museum, with the famous Renaissance designed staircase.  The chateau is comprised of several different styles of architecture, Gothic, Renaissance and  Classic, as different Kings ruled and added their own touch.
• Chambord - one of the most magnificent and beautiful Royal Chateaux in France.  Chambord has the twin staircases within the castle, where armies could literally ride up, and down and through the castle, without seeing others going up or down the other identical staircase during times of siege.  It is said that Leonardo DiVinci designed this truly beautiful and unique staircase. 
  
  Now mind you, the French government was broke, Francois already owned Amboise, Blois and Chenonceau castles, but he acquired 10,000 acres, and still proceeded with this project even though his two sons were imprisoned and being held for ransom in Spain and the government couldn't pay for their release.
  
  Chambord has 440 rooms, fireplaces large enough for a man to stand in and look dwarfed, it's truly awesome.  Chambord is the most magnificent of the Loire Valley chateau, and a must see on your list. 
• Chaumont - in 1560 became the property of Catherine de Medici [another chateau for Catherine] who in turn forced Diane de Portiers to exchange Chaumont for Chenonceaux.after King Henri II's death.
• Cheverny built entirely in the Calssical Style, is a privately owned chateau, and has been  lived in by the descendants of the Hurault, marquis de Vibraye family for over 6 centuries.
• Usse - was changed from a feudal fortress [mote, towers and battlements] after the main structure was destroyed in the 17th century to the beautiful structure you see today. .  It is said that this is where Charles Perrault after visiting the chateau, got his inspiration for the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty' .
• Vaux-le-Vicomte T the tragic setting for the downfall of Fouquet [French Minister] who was framed due to jealousy and revenge.  Prior to the downfall, under Fouquet's protection, Vaux was a haven for leading French artists, writers, poets, painters and sculptors.
• Villandry - is known for the most spectacular gardens in France.  Only the keep is left, but this is a must visit if your enjoy beautiful parks and gardens.

If you head east out of Paris toward Strasbourg, the first stop would be Reims, the champagne capital of the world.  Plan on spending the night there, visit the Cathedral [one of our favorite Cathedrals] where the Kings of France were crowned.  Then take a champagne tour early the next day.  When you visit the Champagne producers like Vieuve Cliquot, your tour is taken down in the limestone caves.   These caves date back to Roman times, and have a huge inter-connecting system of tunnels throughout the area.

Next on to Nancy [the city of Nancy is really the result of the blending together of the two old fortified towns.  The medieval town to the north, the Ville-Vieille, was combined with the 16th century town to the south, the Ville-Neuve], stopping to see the sites.

Then go north a short way to Metz and visit the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Étienne.  Perched upon a hill overlooking the Moselle, it was mainly constructed during the 13th through 16 centuries.  It’s interior is lighted by Gothic and modern stained glass windows, including one by Marc Chagall. 

Since you're so close to the Luxembourg line, pop over the border [about an hour from Metz] and visit the city of Luxembourg within the country of Luxembourg.  It is quite charming, and don't miss buying some of their world famous chocolat.  Back to Metz and if you're adventurous and a real wine enthusiast, you might want to drive the Alsace Wine Route [Alasacien route de vin].

Now we'll head back south to Strasbourg.  This is an amazing and beautiful city that is situated on the Franco-German border.  With scenic canals [be sure to take a cruise through the locks], Strasbourg is known as the crossroads of Europe.

A must see is Kléber Square.  It's a wonderful combination of shops and quaint bistros hidden-away down the allies surrounding the square where the Gothic styled Cathedral stands, dating back to 1175.  You can get to the cruises from Kléber Square.

Strasbourg is the home to the European Parliament [the Council of Europe] and the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine River were formed here.  This is a beautiful city, and there is much to do.  If you take the cruise, you'll go through a section called 'Petit France', it's absolutely charming.

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If you head north-northwest out of Paris your first stop would be at France Minature, 25, route du Mesnil (Bd André Malraux), 78990 Elancourt Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.  A mini Mont St. Michel is shown below, and you'll see many minature France monuments in this great family park.

Then your next stop would be Chateau Thoiry and Wildlife Park.  This is a drive-thru park that is always great entertainement for the whole family.  If you haven't been to a drive-thru wildlife park, this is a great opportunity and beautiful scenery.

Next stop will be Amiens, where it's said that Amiens cathedral is the most beautiful in France, It certainly is one of our favorites.  Spend the night here and see the town sites and have dinner at an outdoor cafe.

Heading back southeast the next morning, you'll want to stop and visit Disneyland Paris for the day. You'll definitely want to make your reservations in advance to spend the evening here.

Traveling to Provence and you're on a limited time schedule -- then it would be best to take the TGV from Paris to Nice, or fly directly into Nice, then rent [hire] a car and start your trip to Avignon.  You'll return back to Nice to enjoy the markets, do some shopping and a quick visit to Monte Carlo, and of course enjoy some great seafood by the seashore. 

We head west out of Nice to St. Paul-de-Vence the quaint small walled artists village that you will totally fall in love with.  It is the perfect petit village that you would expect to find nestled away in France, complete with window boxes full of flowers, artists at work and you're totally in another world.  Enjoy an outdoor lunch here before continuing your drive.

Continuing west later that day you'll drive to Aix-en-Provence.  Another quaint and pretty university town known for it's famous artist Cezanne, and it's hot mineral springs for healing health problems.  Plan on spending the night here, and have dinner at an outdoor cafe.  In the morning, enjoy the outdoor markets, some sight-seeing, and take in some of the art museums.  We found a small chocolat boutique on the way to our hotel that was painted Red - and looked just like the Chocolat shop in the movie 'Chocolat'.

Late morning it's off to Avignon, the walled city and Palace of Popes [Palais de Popes] where Popes were installed from the 14th Century and Avignon remained papal property until the French Revolution.  Spend the night here, then head back to Nice the next day.

Heading southeast toward the coast road to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea and landscape on the way back to Nice. Upon arrival find a place to park at the market, and enjoy lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes under striped awning tents.

Vouchers
For information regarding receipt of passes, or picking passes up passes in Paris --
click on Vouchers-Passes [in PDF].  For a list of over 60 museums and monuments
in France that you can visit with the Paris Museum & Monument Pass, click here.