French Odyssey: Discovering History, Art, and Culture in France

MORNING / AFTERNOON

After breakfast meet with your Evolve guide check into your accommodations in St.Malo and head out for a full day of exploration.

Our morning will start with a tour of the historic town of St.Malo. We will walk through the cobbled streets and discover the architectural heritage, visit local markets and tap into the frequency of this town.

We will break for lunch and continue learning about the town’s history, maritime importance, and the impact of World War II. Our tour will bring us to the St. Vincent Cathedral, which is a jewel of religious and architectural heritage.

EVENING

Group dinner and group activity led by your guide.

MORNING

After breakfast we will depart on an educational day trip to Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site with an emphasis on its architectural significance. We will explore the abbey and its surroundings, discussing its unique tidal bay, fortifications, and monastic life. Our guided tour of the abbey, will give us the opportunity of delving into its historical context, medieval architecture and strategic importance. We will see the Church of Saint Pierre, the patron saint of the fisherman.

Then see the grand staircase that shows the “Marvel” of St. Michel, the Abbey. We will enter the Abbey and visit all it has to offer making sure to take lots of photos at the top as it has beautiful views.

AFTERNOON

After lunch we will examine the engineering marvel of the Mulberry Harbors, emphasizing their role in WWII. We will stroll the streets, discussing the island’s transition from religious site to cultural icon.

EVENING

Return to St. Malo, analyzing the impact of tourism on historical sites. Group dinner at a local restaurant.

MORNING

After breakfast we will  Travel to the Normandy region. Your Evolve  tour leader will be providing historical context and encouraging discussions along the way. Our first stop will be at Pointe du Hoc. which, was strategically vital during D-Day. American Rangers bravely scaled these cliffs to disable German artillery positions, enabling the Allied landings on Utah and Omaha Beaches. This historic site symbolizes the heroic sacrifices and pivotal role in the liberation of Europe.

We will continue to Arromanches, where we will explore the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, reflecting on the personal stories behind the gravestones.

AFTERNOON

After lunch we will Visit the Juno Beach Centre, exploring the Canadian contribution to WWII and the broader Allied effort. We will also have an opportunity to explore the Caen Memorial, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the war’s impact on the region.

Our afternoon will continue when we enter the medieval town of Bayeux located on the Aure River. We will visit the town and explore the historic sites, including the Cathedrale of Notre Dame de Bayeux. We will make sure to see the famous tapestry museum which holds an embroidery that recounts the conquest of England through 58 different scenes.

EVENING

Return to St. Malo. Group dinner and evening program led by your Evolve leader.

MORNING

After breakfast we will depart for Honfleur, a quaint coastal town. This town is a charming mix of art, culture, and history. Our first activity will be a walking tour emphasizing the historical significance of its harbor, artistic inspiration, and maritime heritage.

Before our lunch break we will visit a  local cheese factory, focusing on regional gastronomy and its cultural importance to the region.

AFTERNOON

After our meal we will explore with a local guide some of the local art galleries, touching on the artistic significance of Honfleur in the Impressionist movement. After our tour we will participate in a hands on art workshop 

EVENING

Dinner in Honfleur

MORNING

Today we will travel to Chartres where we will be focusing on the architectural and religious significance of Chartres Cathedral. Following our visit at the Catherdral we will Continue to Rouen, discussing its role in the Impressionist movement where we will explore the Rouen Cathedral,

AFTERNOON

Explore the city of Rouen, our guided tour will give us an opportunity to connect historical events to its artistic heritage. We will discover the vibrant tapestry of historical events that have shaped this enchanting city and explore its artistic heritage. We will immerse ourselves in the stories and masterpieces that define Rouen’s unique cultural identity.

We will visit:

The Joan of Arc Tower
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Gros-Horloge (Great Clock)
Museum of Antiquities
Saint-Maclou Church

EVENING

Dinner at Rouen’s Market Square (Place du Vieux Marché). Following dinner an evening program led by your Evolve leader. Overnigh Rouen

MORNING

After breakfast depart to Paris. Our first stop will be at the neo-futurist Etretat Gardens. The gardens are part of a series of topiary where the various elements of landscape, architecture, poetry, and art come together as an expression of contemporary expression. The project won the European Garden Award for best enhancement of a historic garden.

Visit the Musee d’Orsay and see the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world.

AFTERNOON

This afternoon, we will embark on an art cruise along the Seine. Get inspiration from the views and make sketches of Paris with the help of an instructor.

Then we will walk together and stroll some of Paris’ most famous areas, including explore La Jardin des Tuileries, the Avenue des Champs Élysées, and visiting Place de la Concorde. 

Climb the Eiffel Tower and marvel at the entire city from up high. Discover the different neighbourhoods we walked yesterday and take the best pictures of Paris. 

Group dinner in Paris. Overnight in Paris

Depart to Versailles by coach bus.

This morning, we will visit Versailles. Famous city steeped in culture and history. Once a former royal residence, museum of the history of France and the location of official functions hosted by the French Republic. See the royal living quarters including the boudoir of Marie Antoinette and the Hall of Mirrors. Students will be guided through the former capital of the kingdom of France to explore the remains of its royal past.

Afternoon Return to Paris.

Commute over to the Louvre where we will take a tour of the most famous Museum in the whole world. Our group will have a special reservation to avoid waiting in line for the entrance. Highlights will include medieval ruins, the sculpture gallery and of course, the Mona Lisa.

Enjoy dinner as a group in the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre, historically home to the studios of famous artists, including Salvador Dali, Calude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh. This is a good opportunity to buy some souvenirs for our friends and family back home.

MORNING

Travel back to St. Malo where your tour will end.