Christmas Magic in Paris and the Loire Châteaux: 9 days in December 2026, guaranteed departure

Paris, Tours, Chartres, France

Duration

9 Days

Category

Guided tour
French Accompanist

Date

Tuesday December 1 2026

Description

In December, the Champs-Élysées light up from end to end, from the Concorde to the Étoile. Under the dome of the Galeries Lafayette, a Christmas tree rises toward the stained glass while shoppers look up, bags in hand. Every neighbourhood sets up its Christmas market and the air smells of roasted chestnuts. The stay opens with a panoramic tour of Paris, leaves two almost free days for wandering, then drifts along the Seine on a bateau-mouche.

The road then heads for the Loire Valley. In Blois, the château tells the story of the kings who lived there. Chenonceau keeps the memory of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, and Leonardo da Vinci rests in the small chapel of the château of Amboise. Chambord raises its Renaissance silhouette before a stop at its biscuit factory, then at a Vouvray winemaker. In Tours, the Ursuline convent recalls Marie de l'Incarnation, who left from here to land in Quebec City in 1639.

The journey ends in Chartres, with its Gothic cathedral and monuments the town dresses in light at night. A 9-day escorted tour, guaranteed departure, with 8 meals and well-located hotels.

Highlights:
-Paris during the holidays and its many Christmas markets
-Bateau-mouche cruise on the Seine
-Châteaux of Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise and Chambord
-Wine tasting in Vouvray and the Chambord biscuit factory
-Chartres and its UNESCO-listed cathedral

Accommodation categories:
Paris: Hôtel André Latin 3* or similar
Tours: Hôtel Oceania L'Univers Tours 4* or similar
Chartres: Hôtel Mercure Chartres Centre Cathédrale 4* or similar

The itinerary is subject to change without notice. The final itinerary will be available from your travel advisor!

The displayed rate is for two adults in double occupancy. Other dates, room categories and occupancy types (single, triple or quadruple) may be available. Price available upon request*.

Inclusions

  • Flights with Air Canada or another carrier
  • Motorcoach transportation
  • 7 nights' accommodation
  • 8 meals: 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Services of a tour escort and local guides
  • Scheduled activities (except optional ones)
  • Panoramic tour of Paris
  • Bateau-mouche cruise on the Seine
  • Guided visits of the châteaux of Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise and Chambord
  • Biscuit tasting in Chambord
  • Guided vineyard visit and wine tasting in Vouvray
  • Guided tour of Chartres
  • Audio guides from day 6 to day 8
  • First checked bag fee charged by the airline
  • Taxes and service fees

Exclusions

  • Travel insurance
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned
  • Gratuities
  • Baggage handling
  • Public transit
  • Contribution to the Quebec travel agents' client compensation fund (FICAV)
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not listed in the inclusions
Departure on Tuesday December 1st 2026

Départ garanti

 

Itinerary

Flights to Paris.

Paris (3 nights). Arrival and panoramic tour of the city: Opéra, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter, Panthéon and Place de la Bastille. Hotel check-in.

Paris. Free day to explore the City of Light and its Christmas markets at your own pace. (B)

Paris. Free morning, then a bateau-mouche cruise on the Seine to see the landmarks from another angle. (B)

Paris – Blois – Tours (3 nights). Guided visit of the royal château of Blois with views over the Loire. Lunch in a local restaurant, then on to Tours: Saint-Gatien cathedral, Saint-Julien church and the Ursuline convent, linked to Marie de l'Incarnation, who reached Quebec City in 1639. Free time in town. (B, L)

Tours – Chenonceau – Amboise – Tours. Guided visit of Chenonceau, known as the Ladies' Château. In the afternoon, guided visit of the château of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci rests in the Saint-Hubert chapel. Return to Tours. (B)

Tours – Chambord – Vouvray – Tours. Guided visit of the UNESCO-listed château of Chambord, then a tasting visit at the Chambord biscuit factory. In the afternoon, visit of a wine estate with a tasting of wines and local products. Return to Tours. (B)

Tours – Chartres (1 night). Guided tour of the medieval town and its Notre-Dame cathedral, a UNESCO-listed Gothic masterpiece. Hotel check-in and free evening. (B)

Chartres – Paris – Return. Transfer to the airport and return flights. (B)

FAQ

December 1 to 9, 2026, 9 days and 7 nights. This departure is guaranteed.

$5,199 per person in double occupancy and $6,649 in single occupancy, taxes and service fees included.

Yes. A French-speaking tour escort travels with the group, and local guides lead the visits.

Yes. Day 3 is entirely free, as is the morning of day 4, enough to browse the Christmas markets or revisit a museum at your own pace.

Insurance, meals not mentioned, gratuities, baggage handling, public transit and the FICAV contribution.

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