Paris, Normandy & Chateaux Country

Paris, Normandy & Chateaux Country

Trip Duration: 10 Days/9 Nights

 

Starr has partnered with Globus Vacations, a leader in the packaged travel industry. When you travel with Globus, you'll have the opportunity to experience the inside stories behind each destination. For 80 years, Globus has been a leader in escorted travel with inspirational Tour Directors who not only show you the sites, but take you deeper into each place you'll see. With Cosmos, you get little-known insights, engaging commentary, and unique cultural experiences. *All optional meals and excursions are booked and paid through Globus directly.

 

 

Trip Inclusions:

• Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

• Tour Director upon arrival in Paris

• Round Trip airfare from EWR/PHL airport

• Transfers between airport & hotels

• Baggage handling and related gratuities

 

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Paris

Paris is perhaps best known for its landmarks, many of which are surprisingly close together in the heart of the city. Just thinking the name of the French capital immediately conjures up images of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and The Louvre’s iconic glass pyramid. Walk a little further and you’ve got the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The list goes on and on. With its long history artistic excellence, classical music and performance arts, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Paris. With its undeniable romantic atmosphere, couples of any age will certainly enjoy the activities available throughout the city.

 

Seine River with Dinner cruise

What better way to celebrate your visit to France than with a dinner cruise along the Seine. Gaze at the City of Light from your ship, while indulging in French fare and wine.

 

Eiffel Tower dinner

Take a moment to experience Parisian life from the Eiffel Tower.

 

Giverny

The famous water lily ponds and colourful gardens created by the Master of Impressionism, Claude Monet, at his home in Giverny, close to Paris and Rouen, gave him his greatest artistic inspiration and have made this tiny river Seine-side village famous all over the world.

 

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in northern France. It is the prefecture of the region of Normandy and the department of Seine-Maritime. Formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe. Monet's famous depictions of Rouen Cathedral have made this vast edifice many visitors' favorite building in the city, but there are also many fine museums to explore, not to mention the Gros Horloge clock tower, France's oldest inn La Couronne and the beautiful modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc.

 

Deauville

A popular seaside resort for locals and tourists alike, Deauville oozes style. Hosting glamorous events such as horse races and polo matches and the prestigious annual Deauville American Film Festival, Deauville also boasts two world-class golf courses, sea therapy spa, and high-end hotels, boutiques and restaurants, not to mention its magnificent beach and famous boardwalk.

 

Mont St. Michel

A real-life castle in the sand, magical Mont St. Michel Abbey sits on top of a tidal island on the coast of Normandy. Learn how this strategic position has protected it from being invaded but also has made it the ideal location for a place of confinement. Napoleon closed the abbey and converted it into a prison for his opponents.

 

Angers

Historic tapestries, half- timbered houses and, of course, the Castle. Take all of this and much more in while you wander the charming cobble streets or walk along the banks of the Maine river. Make sure you don’t forget to bring your cameras with you!

 

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a valley located in the middle stretch of the Loire river in central France. It is referred to as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards (such as cherries), and artichoke, and asparagus fields, which line the banks of the river. Notable for its historic towns, architecture, and wines.

 

Normandy Beaches

Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. Codenamed Operation 'Overlord', the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy marked the start of a long and costly campaign to liberate north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.

 

Chambord Castle

The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building was constructed by the king of France, Francis I. Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I.The original design of the château is attributed to the Tuscan architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may have also influenced the design.

 

Wine Tasting

Sip the very best in French wine in the picturesque French countryside along the Loire River Valley, where many stately castles dot the landscape. Hear about the history of the region that with more than 55.000 hectares of vineyards is France’s longest vineyard with an annual turnover of 320 million bottles of wine.

 

Chenonceau Castle

The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. An architectural mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance, Château de Chenonceau and its gardens are open to the public. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France. The château has been designated as a Monument historique since 1840 by the French Ministry of Culture.

 

Need to Know:

 

Proof of Citizenship Requirement: Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of your stay.

 

Accessibility:

• This is a trip for those who are physically fit and can transport their own luggage and walk long distances. This trip is NOT recommended for those who require a walker, wheelchair, or walking assistance of any kind.

• There are no skycaps in Europe and hotels do not always offer luggage handling. DO NOT BRING A extra large/heavy suitcase.

• Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs and some locations and sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting or walking, sometimes on unpaved or cobblestone streets.

• Globus/Starr is not responsible for any missed activities due to a participant's inability to participate with the group.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act is only applicable within the United States and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside its borders. Most transportation services, including the touring motorcoaches and cruise ships, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Motorized scooters are not suitable on international tours.

 

Tour: October 10, 2025

Deposit/Final Payment Policy: The deposit is $300 per person. The final payment is due by 7/12/2025.

Cancellation Penalties: If cancellation occurs from booking date to 7/12/25, a $25.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 7/13/25 to 8/6/25 a $1,450.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 8/7/25 and 10/10/25, the passenger is in full penalty and no refund will be granted.

*In addition to the cancellation polices listed above, if additional payments have been made to Starr for the purpose of securing your airline reservation, these monies are non-refundable once received. Any name changes after final payment is made will be assessed a per person change fee. The amount of the fee will be determined by the airline.

 

Flight Schedule:

Departure: October 10, 2025

American Airlines Flight#754 Depart: Philadelphia at 10:05pm Arrive: Paris at 11:30am (10/11) *Flights are subject to change

Return: October 19, 2025

American Airlines Flight#755 Depart: Paris at 1:55pm Arrive: Philadelphia at 3:55pm *Flights are subject to change

**Only 1 piece of checked baggage is allowed on this trip and there will be a charge by the airline to check any luggage.

 

Travel Insurance:

Travel Insurance provides protection for your travel investment and it should always be considered. We recommend The National Tour Association's (NTA) Travel Protection Plan administered by Aon Affinity. You can purchase the enhanced plan within 14 days of deposit to cover preexisting conditions or 'cancel for any reason' coverage.

For more information: https://www.starrtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NTA-Plan-Flyer-Starr-Tours.pdf

For frequently asked questions: https://www.starrtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NTA-Plan-Flyer-FAQ_2023.pdf

To purchase: Call 800-388-1470 or log onto: nta.aontravelprotect.com

Starr's Tour Operator location # for AON is 306035.

 

Gratuities:

Gratuities to individuals noted below are not included in the price of your tour package. Customary recognized guidelines are as follows:

*Motorcoach Driver – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

*Tour Director – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

 

Adapters and Converters in Europe:

Please remember to bring a European adapter for your electronic devices. In Europe, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz, with power plugs and sockets of type C, E, and F. Since the plug shape used in Europe is different from most other regions, your standard plugs won’t fit directly into European wall sockets, so you’ll need a special adapter to bridge the gap.

Accomodations:

 

Paris:

AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot or similar.

 

Deauville:

Royal Barriere or similar

 

Mont St. Michel:

Mercure Mont St. Michel or similar

 

Loire Valley:

Oceania L'Univers or similar

 

Note: Hotels are subject to change by Globus and are confirmed 30 days prior to departure.

Travel Insurance Travel Insuarance FAQ's