Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Bring your class to discover different periods in French history on this adventure from Paris to Normandy. Your students will wander through the ornate halls of the Palace of Versailles, learn more about France’s agricultural history during dinner in the Cave aux Moines, explore the historic monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel, and visit key sites of WWII along the Normandy coast. Your group will also discuss the architecture of the Notre-Dame and explore the iconic collection of the Louvre.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to France (Paris)
Day 2
Arrive in Paris
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Paris city walk
Take in Paris on foot, strolling wide boulevards, manicured parks, and lively streets filled with cafés and flower stalls. Cross to the Île de la Cité to view the storied Notre-Dame Cathedral, centerpiece of French history, then wander the charming Île St. Louis and the vibrant Latin Quarter, rich with student life and culture.
Dinner in the Latin Quarter
Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times; it is generally associated with artists, intellectuals, and political unrest.
Day 3
Paris guided sightseeing tour
What’s that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? It’s the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the city’s most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the presidential residence, and the Place de la Concorde—where, at the center, you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and plenty of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. Visit Les Invalides (a refuge for war-wounded soldiers) and the École Militaire (Napoleon’s alma mater).
Louvre Museum visit
The world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a former medieval fortress and entered through I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid. Inside, discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, along with vast collections of Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and works spanning seven departments. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 4
Versailles guided excursion
The ultimate palace, Versailles was built by Louis XIII and housed the royal family and its groveling court from 1682, when Louis XIV, the Sun King, moved in, until the French Revolution. Everything in Versailles is worth a look, from the 250-foot-long Hall of Mirrors, with themed salons "War" and "Peace" on either side, to the opulent State Apartments that once hosted lavish royal ceremonies. Step outside to explore the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of landscape design with fountains, sculptures, and grand vistas. Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s faux country hamlet, where she would escape court life by pretending to be a commoner, tending sheep and wearing peasant clothes. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.
Travel to Loire Valley
Château de Chambord photo stop
Authentic French brasserie dinner
Day 5
Loire Valley châteaux excursion
In the Loire Valley, medieval fortresses evolved into Renaissance showpieces along the riverbanks. Visit Azay-le-Rideau, a fairy-tale castle whose limestone turrets and slate spires rise from an island in the Indre River. Continue to Château de Chenonceau, gracefully spanning the Cher with arches and gardens. Designed and expanded under Catherine de Medici, its stone gallery reflects the elegance of the French court.
Troglodyte Village guided visit
Carved out by hand starting in the 12th century to extract tuffeau stone for building, the Cave aux Moines later found new life in the early 20th century as a mushroom farm. The cave’s entrance and first galleries once served as homes in a unique form of underground living known as “troglodyte” life, where people and animals shared space in a close-knit community.
Dinner in Troglodyte Village
Day 6
Travel to St. Malo
St. Malo interactive sightseeing activity
For centuries, this walled seaport on the English Channel was known as the city of pirates. The pirates are gone, but the granite town remains, always seeming to be reaching towards the green-blue sea. With your Tour Director, embark on an interactive adventure that will bring St. Malo to life! Including a visit to the Cathedral St. Vincent, begun in the 11th century but not finished until the spire was mounted in 1987. It houses the tomb of Jacques Cartier, who discovered the St. Lawrence River and founded Quebec.
Mont-Saint-Michel monastery visit
Wander through this medieval monastery’s ancient halls, learn about its stunning Gothic architecture, visit the impressive abbey church, and enjoy panoramic views of the bay’s natural beauty.
Day 7
Travel to Normandy
World War II landing beaches and military cemeteries
Visit key World War II sites along the Normandy coast, where Allied troops landed on June 6, 1944, to liberate France. Walk the D-Day beaches, still marked by German bunkers turned into memorials, and reflect at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where white crosses and stars honor the fallen. Continue to the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, the final resting place of more than 2,000 soldiers and airmen who fought to secure the beachhead.
Mémorial de Caen visit
This contemporary museum for peace in Caen tells the full story of D-Day and explores the impact and legacy of World War II through interactive displays, powerful exhibits, historical artifacts, films, and moving personal stories from survivors.
LEAP
LEAP Soldiers' Stories
Step into the shoes of U.S. servicemen landing in Normandy on D-Day. Learn about their lives and experiences to gain both personal and historical perspective.
Pointe du Hoc visit
Stand atop the windswept cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and trace the path of U.S. Army Rangers who scaled its 100-foot face under enemy fire on D-Day. Carved into the earth by fierce combat, this site offers a powerful glimpse into the courage and sacrifice that helped turn the tide of World War II.
Day 8
Travel to Paris
Seine River cruise
See the city from the water on an hour-long cruise along the River Seine. The Seine cuts right through Paris, dividing the city in half. Spot the Eiffel tower rising up on the Left Bank, the walls of the Louvre on the Right Bank. A guide will point out other monuments and architectural marvels as you pass, many of which are illuminated by clear white light at night.
Day 9
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Lucerne
Travel by TGV to Basel and enjoy a city walk featuring Basel Minster, Market Square, and Middle Bridge. Continue to Lucerne for a Tour Director-led sightseeing tour including Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church, and Weinmarkt and Ornmarkt Squares. Take an excursion to Mt. Pilatus for breathtaking views and cap off your stay with a traditional Swiss dinner before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Paris and the Loire Valley
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.