Tours & Paris, France – Spring Break 2026 Itinerary

Schedule

DateEventDescriptionLocation
Saturday February 28, 12pm – 3pmOrientationMandatory in-person orientation.
Students will meet their traveling companions and faculty leaders will cover rules, regulations, and safety protocols regarding the Study Abroad trip.		Bate Hall, Greenville, NC
Saturday, March 7Depart USFaculty will fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport Saturday evening and arrive at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris Sunday morning.Raleigh, NC
Sunday, March 8Travel to ToursThe group will depart Charles De Gaulle airport and travel by train to Tours, France.Paris
Sunday, March 8Check-In to HotelCheck-in and settle in to the hotel. There will be time for exploring the city a little bit before dinner.Tours
Sunday, March 8Welcome DinnerTry some typical French dishes and indulge yourself in the harmony of taste. The French are known for their exquisite cuisine, so just relax and enjoy this special moment.Downtown Tours
Monday, March 9Morning with French College StudentsWe will spend our morning at IAE – Tours, the College of Business at University in the city. The French students will share about their learning experiences and we’ll have time to socialize and get to know them.University of Tours - IAE
Monday, March 9Lunch with French StudentsWe will have lunch with our French colleagues either at the campus cafeteria or a nearby restaurant.University of Tours - IAE
Monday, March 9Afternoon Historical Tour of ToursFor the afternoon, we will join a licensed tour guide for a walking tour of Tours. As a city founded by Ceaser Augustus himself in the 1st Century BC, Tours is rich in history. Notable sights will include Cathedral St. Gatien and Place Plumereau, the well-preserved historic old town.
PLEASE NOTE: We will walk approximately three miles.		Historical Tours Old Town
Tuesday, March 10Morning Tour Château de ChenonceauLearn about the history and transformations of this iconic Renaissance castle down the centuries, from royal residence to wartime hospital to modern tourism enterprise. Known as the “ladies château,” it was designed, built, and fought over by prominent French women from the early 1500’s through to the late 1800’s, including Diane de Poitiers, King Henry II’s mistress, and Catherine de Medici, King Henry II’s powerful and influential wife.Chenonceaux
Tuesday, March 10Lunch at ChenonceauWe will lunch on-site at Chenonceau.Chenonceaux
Tuesday, March 10Afternoon Vineyard Tour & Wine-TastingVisit the famous Vouvray wine region of Val-de-Loire, France! We’ll receive a guided tour of the vineyards and limestone-cave cellars from the owner-operator of a winery. We’ll learn about the process and business of making wines in one of the most famous wine regions of the world. Our tour will conclude with a guided wine tasting and sampling of regional cheese pairings!Charmigny
Wednesday, March 11Morning Train to ParisWe will checkout of the hotel and take the train to Paris.Tours
Wednesday, March 11Lunch in MontmartreAfter stowing our luggage at the hotel, we will walk to lunch in the historic Montmartre neighborhood of Paris in the shadow of Basilique du Sacré-CoeurParis
Wednesday, March 11Walking Tour of ParisA local tour guide will take us to several of Paris’s most iconic attractions.
PLEASE NOTE: We will walk 2-3 miles.
PLEASE NOTE: It’s usually cold.		Paris
Thursday, March 12Morning Tour of UNESCO World HeadquartersUNESCO is the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization—a specialized agency focused on promoting international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. They protect World Heritage Sites (such as the Statue of Liberty and Notre Dame Cathedral), promote education and scientific research, and foster cultural exchange around the globe, all with the aim of supporting world peace. We’ll tour their headquarters, a noted architectural landmark in the heart of Paris, and learn about work and global impact.Paris
Thursday, March 12Rest of the Day at Your LeisureAfter the UNESCO tour, you’ll have the afternoon free in Paris. Some suggested activities include visiting the Palace at Versailles (travel to Versailles is included with your metro pass), the Paris Catacombs, or a tour of Roland Garros.Paris
Friday, March 13Free Day in ParisThis is your day to choose your own Parisian adventure! Popular options include a day at the Louvre or visiting one or two of Paris’s other fantastic museums, such as Musée d’Orsay, Musée Carnavalet, or Dr. T’s favorite: Musée de Cluny. If you want to do some shopping, check out Le Marais district and Rue de Rivoli, or the famous Champs-Élysées. Some other interesting picks include Les Invalides—the French Army Museum and burial place of Napoleon Bonaparte—and the Panthéon in the historic Latin Quarter.
If you’ve had enough of the hustle and crowding of the city, Paris is full of beautiful parks and gardens that are worth checking out even in the late winter/early spring. Dr. T recommends the Luxembourg Gardens in the historic 6th arrondissement or visiting the peaceful Père Lachaise Cemetery where several notable figures were laid to rest, including Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. You may also enjoy the Jardin des Plantes, which features beautiful gardens and pleasantly-warm greenhouses, a zoo, and the National Museum of National History.		Paris
Saturday, March 14Au Revoir, ParisCheck out of the hotel and take the metro/train to Charles de Gaulle airport; fly back across the ocean.Paris → Home

Meals

DayMealProvider
SundayBreakfastProvided by airline
SundayLunchOn your own – multiple options at Montparnasse train station
SundayDinnerProvided – tentatively at Brasserie de l’Univers
MondayBreakfastProvided by hotel
MondayLunchProvided – UAE Tours Cafeteria
MondayDinnerOn your own
TuesdayBreakfastProvided by hotel
TuesdayLunchProvided – TBD
TuesdayDinnerOn your own
WednesdayBreakfastProvided by hotel
WednesdayLunchProvided – tentatively at Le Relais Gascon
WednesdayDinnerOn your own
ThursdayBreakfastProvided by hotel
ThursdayLunchOn your own
ThursdayDinnerOn your own
FridayBreakfastProvided by hotel
FridayLunchOn your own
FridayDinnerOn your own
SaturdayBreakfastProvided by hotel
SaturdayLunchOn your own – limited options at CDG airport
SaturdayDinnerProvided by airline

Meals Total

Meal ProvidedMeal AmountMeal Breakdown
Provided127 breakfasts
Provided123 lunches
Provided122 dinners
On Your Own94 lunches
On Your Own95 dinners

Hotels (tentative)

DayHotelLocation
SundayNovotel Tours Centre GareTours
MondayNovotel Tours Centre GareTours
TuesdayNovotel Tours Centre GareTours
WednesdayNovotel Tours Centre GareTours
ThursdayIbis Paris Montmartre Sacré-CoeurParis
FridayIbis Paris Montmartre Sacré-CoeurParis
SaturdayIbis Paris Montmartre Sacré-CoeurParis