The American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy is a place of tribute to American soldiers who died in Europe during World War 2. The site hosts several memorials, monuments and a visitor center with exhibits detailing the history of the battles fought here.
Omaha Beach is one of the largest D-Day landing sites where American soldiers invaded Normandy. You can visit the Memorial Museum of Omaha Beach with its multiple exhibits, including original vehicles and equipment from the war era.
The Juno Beach Centre highlights the involvement of Canadian soldiers in the Battle of Normandy. The exhibit covers various facets of the war, including opposition to Nazi ideology and the human cost of war.
The Memorial de Caen is a museum built to commemorate the World War 2 bombings of Caen. It covers an immense range of exhibits, including films, historical recollections, war diaries, and a replica of the famous bridge featured in the Battle of Pegasus Bridge.
This iconic Palace at Versailles was once home to French royalty and aristocracy. The palace houses, among other things, the famous Hall of Mirrors and spacious gardens, which are also perfect for biking, exploring or picnicking.
The Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest art museums, housing thousands of masterpieces from antiquities to modern-day works. It's a convenient place to explore Parisian culture, history, and art all in one place.
A world-renowned UNESCO site, Mont Saint-Michel is a unique island commune encircled by walls and linked to the mainland with a causeway. Browse the small streets of the village and go towards the Abbey, according to tide calendars.
The Palace of Fontainebleau was the refuge of Emperors, Queens and Kings from the 16th-19th century. Its history and grandeur is demonstrated by its elaborate architecture and artwork, extensive gardens and numerous courtyards.
Reims Cathedral is an 800-year-old wonder of Gothic architecture and royal coronation site. It was also the site of the official surrender of Germany, marking the end of World War 1 in 1918.
The Palace of Versailles, built under Louis the XIV, is a popular tourist attraction, known for its grandeur, sparkling Hall of Mirrors, elegant gardens and baroque details. Do not miss the musical fountains shows that take place on certain days.
For a trip of this nature, a rental car is one of the best ways to get around given the distance between locations. On average, expect to spend $60 a day for rental and roughly $150 in total fuel cost to travel to each location on our itinerary.
If you have less than 10 days, consider a shorter trip by leaving out certain locations. On the other hand, if you have up to two extra days, consider adding trips to other landmarks in France, such as the Champagne Region for a wine tour or the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition showcasing events leading up to William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
The Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport (CDG) is situated about 14 miles northeast of Paris' city center. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe and a hub for many major airlines. For our itinerary, we suggest flying into this airport given its proximity to our first major destination.