Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
When it comes to ideal vacation destinations, France ranks near the top of many people's lists. The appeal is clear: there is as much to do in France as there is butter in a croissant.
From the innumerable monuments of the capital city, to the history of Normandy, to the incredible food, the "hexagon" is one of the best places to visit in the world.
But there are a few daunting tasks when it comes to planning such a vacation. First, putting an itinerary can be difficult — so many places, so little time! And when it comes to actually being there, getting around in an unfamiliar place with a different language can be intimidating.
Enter Dick Jensen & Alan McKay Tours, a Utah-based travel company that helps Utahns travel to some of the world's most incredible places without having to worry about logistics.
About Dick Jensen & Alan McKay Tours
The guides at Dick Jensen & Alan McKay Tours have been to France many times, and have crafted a nine-day itinerary that packs a punch both in historical and cultural value. The company has been fulfilling international bucket lists for 15 years, and has taken eager travelers to every continent on the planet (yes, even Antarctica).
With these expert tour guides, you'll hardly have to lift a finger. The following are included in the $3,999 per person (double occupancy) booking:
- Non-stop Delta airfare out of Salt Lake City (round-trip).
- Accommodations.
- Breakfast each morning.
- Transportation.
Exploring the city of love
Day one of your excursion will be dedicated to travel.
Day two will include rendez-vous at:
- The Place de Trocadéro (for one of the city's most epic views).
- The Eiffel Tower (if you thought the one in Vegas was impressive —).
- The Arc de Triomphe — and its 12-lane roundabout.
- The Notre-Dame de Paris site.
- The Sainte-Chappelle.
On the morning of day three, you'll make a stop at the world's most famous museum: the Louvre. There, you'll get a chance to see perhaps the world's most famous painting, The Mona Lisa — as well as scores of other art pieces that are just as good and not nearly as crowded. The afternoon includes a driving tour of the city that includes:
- The Concorde plaza.
- The Palais Garnier, the most historic opera house in the country.
- La Madeleine.
- The Invalides, the location of the tomb of Napoleon.
- Montmartre.
The day will conclude with a beautiful dinner cruise on the Seine.
A lasting impression
On day four, you'll venture north along the Seine to Giverny, an idyllic town in Normandy best known for being the location of Claude Monet's home and garden — and where he found inspiration. Next is a stop in Rouen, the historical city known for being Joan of Arc's place of death and its cathedral that was the subject of a famous series of paintings by Monet.
Finally, you'll make your way to the enchanting harbor town of Honfleur, where you'll recognize the colorful shop fronts that so many impressionists (including Monet) have immortalized on canvas.
Normandy's historical war sites
Next on the list is a moving visit to some of the most important sites of World War II. On day five, your first stop will be at the Pegasus Bridge Memorial, where early on D-Day, British gliders landed and secured the important crossing sight on the Orne River.
After a stop at the Arromanches theater, which provides a stunning 360-degree cinematic overview of the June 6 events, you'll make your way to the famous Omaha Beach — where you can remember the sacrifices made to take the area from the German military.
You'll also visit several cemeteries, paying tribute to over 30,000 soldiers who lost their lives in battle.
Lastly, your day will end in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the place where D-Day officially began as over 15,000 paratroopers dropped behind Axis lines to secure the roads for those who would come later in the day.
Mont St-Michel and Versailles
On day six, one of the most stunning sights in the country awaits you: the Mont St-Michel. This tidal island, known for centuries as a pilgrimage destination, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — as is its surrounding bay.
The tour will then close out with a bang. On days seven and eight, you'll make a stop by the historical Cathedral of Chartres — the pinnacle of Gothic architecture — before returning to Paris and indulging in a full-day visit at the Palace of Versailles.
Book your tour
Are you ready to explore the incredible monuments, historical sites, and gastronomy of France? Book your tour today for April or July 2025. Act quickly; the March tour has already sold out!
