Grand France Holiday

It was the official residence of the country’s kings and queens from 1682 until the revolution, and though the monarchy possessed other palaces, Versailles stood alone in magnificence. Tour the palace to find lush silk draperies, exquisite marquetry tables, gilded beds, Aubusson carpets, and porcelain ornaments that reveal the elegance of the 18th-century royalty’s lifestyle, as well as the extravagance that helped fuel the rage leading to the revolution. Climb the great staircase and enter the jaw-dropping Hall of Mirrors, where the absolute ruler of France held court for the ambassadors of Siam, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire, along with all the great seigneurs of France. Ladies intrigued behind their fans, plots were hatched, and careers were made and destroyed beneath the sparkling chandeliers here. As a Uniworld guest, you’ll also enjoy a guided tour through The King’s Private Apartments, an area not open to individual visitors. Without the crowds, you’ll enjoy more time to admire the little details and hear your guide weave tales of the kings who lived here.

Sprawled out in the square in front of the Rouen Cathedral, you’ll find dozens of vendors selling Normandy products, hot drinks to warm your hands with, and plenty of sweet and savory seasonal bites.

Before or after visiting the Christmas Market, we’ll enter the Rouen cathedral for a private choral performance in a movingly atmospheric setting.

The story of the Bénédictine Palais begins with Alexander the Great—no, not that one, but a famous 19th-century merchant. In 1863, Alexander discovered a book on botany amongst the collections at a Benedictine Abbey, and used it to create Bénédictine, an herbal liquor that brought him fame and fortune. He then went on to commission the Bénédictine Palais to be his “factory palace.” During your tour of the palace museum, you’ll stop at the distillery to taste this unique liquor.

See firsthand why Normandy is known as “the orchard of France.” Renowned for the hundreds of apple varieties grown here, the region is known for its apple cider production. Try this fizzy alcoholic beverage for yourself when you go behind the scenes at an authentic, family-run farm to see how small-scale production can both reduce environmental impact and allow for the attention to detail that makes for the very finest products. The traditional Norman cider you’ll try is made using organic and agroecological practices, with all of the apples grown, pressed, fermented, and bottled on site. During your visit, you’ll come to understand how responsible orchard management, biodiversity protection, and short supply chains help preserve the landscape while supporting local rural livelihoods.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

The limestone outcropping that eventually became known as Château de La Roche-Guyon began its history as a cave dwelling. It later transformed into a fortress, where medieval knights stood guard against marauding Vikings. Over the centuries it grew into a proper palace, housing a string of lords who gave the château its name—"La Roche-Guyon" translates to "the Rock of Guy," Guy being a typical name for these noblemen. You might think, as you walk through the elegantly designed garden and beautifully paneled rooms, that the residence’s military function was in the far distant past, but Rommel made his headquarters here during WWII, precisely because the ancient fortifications and caves were so secure.

Allow us to ferry you around a sampling of the finest Christmas markets in Paris, where you’ll find collections of cozy little booths vending vin chaud (French mulled wine), Christmas decorations, regional produce, and specialties from all over the country.

In a city that celebrates art & culture, the Palais Garnier is a must-see. This historic venue for opera and ballet is close to another celebration of classic Parisian artistry: the fantastic window displays of the Haussmann fashion district. Hosting the Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and more, this district is an iconic shop year-round, but the holiday season offers something special. View installations that engineers, sound designers, and a team of creatives work on over the course of a year to dazzle during the Christmas season.