Great Tours: France through the Ages

Mine the layers of history that reveal how Paris evolved from an ancient settlement on the Seine to a Roman city and then the capital of France. Learn about medieval Paris through the Cluny Museum, the great cathedral of Notre Dame, and the royal chapel of Sainte-Chapelle. Follow the growth of Paris and its architectural treasures through the Renaissance, and the reign of Louis XIV.

Discover the remarkable palace of Versailles as the self-contained world of Louis XIV, the "Sun King." Note how the landscaping surrounding the palace symbolizes features of Louis's reign, and how the Versailles court prized royal spectacle and appearances. Take account of Louis's patronage of the arts, and how he and his successor built extravagant private residences within the palace grounds.

Examine the social, intellectual, and political background of the French Revolution of 1789. Visit key locations in Paris where the events unfolded, from a legendary coffee house to the site of the Bastille prison and the Place de la Concorde. Then map the turbulent epoch of Napoleon, and witness the lasting impact of his rule on both the look of Paris and the features of French society.

In your journey to the first of France's diverse regions, begin at the city of Rheims, and chart the fortunes of its glorious and historic cathedral. Learn about the beverage that gives this region its name, and about some of the area's great champagne producers. Visit the cemeteries and memorials that poignantly commemorate World War I, and a small town that is central to French identity.

Travel now to the northern French coast, where three dramatic events in world history took place. Learn first about the 1066 Norman invasion of England, and the role of the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Then visit Dunkerque (Dunkirk), site of the massive evacuation of Allied troops during World War II, and finally the beaches of Normandy, where the D-Day invasion of Nazi-held Europe unfolded.

The beauty and light of the Normandy coast became a magnet for 19th-century painters. Travel these shores in the footsteps of Claude Monet, then visit his home at Giverny, and learn about the inspiration for his famous paintings of water lilies. Sample the region's fine cheeses and apple brandy, and finish with the history and architectural wonders of the island citadel of Mont Saint-Michel.

Investigate the Celtic culture of Brittany, starting in the walled port city of Saint-Malo, with its ramparts, forts, and seafaring past. Experience the wild beauty of the northern coast and note two contrasting cities: Quimper, with its Breton traditions and creperies; and Lorient, with its superb seafood and dramatic World War II history. Also, view the enigmatic ancient megaliths of Carnac.

Begin your tour of this famous region with the fabulous Chartres Cathedral and its masterpieces of stained glass. Trace the history of the Loire's plethora of extraordinary chateaux, explore two of the most celebrated, and learn about some of the region's notable citizens. Finally, visit the historic maritime city of Nantes, home to a remarkable 19th-century science fiction theme park.

Ponder the mysterious cave paintings of Lascaux and Chauvet, considered some of the greatest treasures of prehistory. Then encounter the extraordinary figure of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the region that bears her name. Take in the renowned Bordeaux wine region and study the essential concept of "terroir," a key to the quality of France's finest produce.