Program Overview
From the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy that stretch for miles, to the City of Lights, this cultural tour of the north of France is the perfect way to bring the beauty of this country to life! France is the very first country to which Travel For Teens began running programs and, thanks to our local knowledge and insider connections, there is no better way to discover this European gem than with us!
Organized by Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr and Travel For Teens, we will discover the best of France. Our first destination is Normandy, we’ll visit the Caen Peace Memorial* and learn the history of the crucial WWII battles that were fought in France. After lunch, take a guided tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches. Wander along the quaint streets of Bayeux, discover the culinary secrets of Normandy cheeses on our full-day tasting tour, and immerse yourself in the French countryside.
From Normandy, we head down Joigny where you’ll meet the Sisters of the Sacred Heart at the Centre Madeleine Sophie Barat. The Order of the Sacred Heart maintain Sainte Madeleine Sophie’s family home and inspire visitors. Tour the home where Sainte Madeleine Sophie grew up and dine with the nuns who call this place home.
On our return to Paris, we will make sure to stop in the region of Burgundy, where we will stroll through the rolling hills of the French countryside and experience authentic parts of French culture in the town of Chablis. Take a tour with local organic wine producer and enjoy lunch in the French countryside!
Then we’re off to the City of Light, where you’ll explore this city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the Catacombs. This legendary city is home to artists and emperors, writers and composers, and the site of some of the most important events in history. Come to know it like a local with us by biking through its historical neighborhoods*, taking a sunset cruise down the Seine, and eating your way through the 20 arrondissements. Stroll through Marie Antoinette’s gardens at the spectacular Chateau de Versailles* and shop ’til you drop on the Champs-Élysées, Paris’ version of 5th Avenue. While in Paris, we will make sure to visit Sainte Madeleine Sophie Barat’s resting place at the Church of Saint Xavier!
Have questions before you sign up?
Use this link to schedule a time to talk with Emma Uri, head of private trips at TFT
or
Contact Trish Heeney – Lead Trip Organizer
Tricia.Heeney@shabrynmawr.org
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
Travelers will depart on their own for Paris, France!
DAYS 2-3: THE NORMANDY COAST > BAYEUX
After meeting in Paris by 9am, the group will depart by private coach for Normandy. Our first stop will be the Caen Peace Memorial, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the crucial WWII battles that were fought in France.
After lunch, we’ll head to our three-star hotel in Bayeux and check in, and participants can visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum before our welcome dinner!
The next day, we’ll have a full day out at the Normandy Coast. We’ll have a private guided tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches. Led by an expert from the Memorial, we will have a guided tour of Omaha Beach, Arromanches Harbor, Point du Hoc, and the American War Cemetery. End your day with a free evening to try your own French cuisine at a local bistro, discover the town of Bayeux, and relax.
DAY 4: NORMANDY CHEESE & CIDER TOUR
Then we’re off to discover the culinary side of Normandy – we will taste our way through the flavors of Normandy! The morning begins with a visit to a local cheese producer, where we will learn how Camembert and other region cheeses are made.
After a full lunch of cheese and region produce, we will tour a Calvados facility, learning about the local cider that the region is famous for and taking part in our own tasting.
DAY 5: JOIGNY
We arrive in Joigny, where you’ll meet the Sisters of the Sacred Heart at the Centre Madeleine Sophie Barat. The Religious of the Sacred Heart maintain Sainte Madeleine Sophie’s family home and inspire visitors. Tour the home where Sainte Madeleine Sophie grew up and dine with the nuns who call this place home. Stroll through the rolling hills of the French countryside and experience authentic parts of French culture.
DAY 6: CHABLIS, BURGUNDY
Our last French countryside visit will be to the region of Burgundy. World-renowned for their wine, we will stop at the quaint town of Chablis. Surrounded by vineyards, we will wander through the medieval streets, visit with local organic wine producers for our own wine tasting, and enjoy lunch!
DAYS 7-9: PARIS > VERSAILLES*
Our trip ends in the City of Lights. In Paris, we’ll experience the best of French culture as we marvel at priceless masterpieces and stunning architecture, stroll along the quintessential Parisian boulevards, and eat our way through the different arrondissements.
Our time in Paris will be what you make of it – with flexible planning and knowledgable guides, we will make sure you see the best of the city! From seeing Monet’s Water Lilies at L’Orangerie, taking a self-guided tour at the Notre Dame, to shopping on the Champs Elysees, biking through hidden Parisian neighborhoods, and taking in views of the city from the Arc de Triomphe, the days are yours! Travelers will also have the opportunity to visit the Palace of Versailles!
We will make sure that we all reach the top of the Eiffel Tower and see the city sparkle by night, learn about art through the ages in our guided tour of the Louvre, view the city from the Seine on our sunset cruise, and visit Sainte Madeleine Sophie Barat’s Tomb at the Church of Saint Xavier.
DAY 10: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
Participants will depart on their own to return back to the USA or continue their travels!
Payment Timeline
Deadline to register: October 1, 2022
At time of registration: Deposit of $750 due
Balance due in four equal installments on the 15th of the month between December 2022 and March 2023.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Travel For Teens?
Travel For Teens started in 2003 as a small, family-run business providing teens with an authentic experience in Paris.
Today, the TFT family has flourished and operates over 100 different programs in over 40 countries! Our values and mission remain the same no matter our growth – inspiring youth to ignite a passion for travel and discovering new cultures beyond the traditional tourist path.
How much is tuition and what does it include?
Tuition for the trip is $3295, which INCLUDES all breakfasts, dinners, and two lunches, accommodations, transportation, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips. It also includes premium trip insurance.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE meals not listed in the itinerary, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities, and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters).
Tuition for the trip is $3295, which INCLUDES all breakfasts, dinners, and two lunches, accommodations, transportation, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips. It also includes premium trip insurance.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE meals not listed in the itinerary, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities, and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters).
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
How much is trip cancellation insurance?
Premium trip cancellation insurance is included in the cost for all participants. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events.
For more information, please see this page.
Note – the trip insurance included with the tuition does not cover flight costs. Participants can insure their flight costs by purchasing supplemental insurance from TFT or on their own.
Premium trip cancellation insurance is included in the cost for all participants. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events.
For more information, please see this page.
Note – the trip insurance included with the tuition does not cover flight costs. Participants can insure their flight costs by purchasing supplemental insurance from TFT or on their own.
How much is airfare? How do the flights work?
Participants will book their own airfare for this program. The trip begins and ends at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
If participants would like us to book their independent flights for them, we are happy to do so for a $100 per ticket booking fee.
Roundtrip flights from Philadelphia/EWR/JFK to CDG range from $900-$1200 on average.
Participants will book their own airfare for this program. The trip begins and ends at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
If participants would like us to book their independent flights for them, we are happy to do so for a $100 per ticket booking fee.
Roundtrip flights from Philadelphia/EWR/JFK to CDG range from $900-$1200 on average.
After I register, what happens next?
Once your deposit of $750 is paid, you will receive an email that confirms receipt of your deposit and registration.
In September 2022, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physicians as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all participants. We will host a second meeting, via webinar, in May 2023 in advance of your departure to go over all last-minute questions and details.
Once your deposit of $750 is paid, you will receive an email that confirms receipt of your deposit and registration.
In September 2022, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physicians as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all participants. We will host a second meeting, via webinar, in May 2023 in advance of your departure to go over all last-minute questions and details.
Where do we stay?
We will be staying in three-star hotels in Paris, Joigny, and Normandy. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $600 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
We will be staying in three-star hotels in Paris, Joigny, and Normandy. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $600 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!
Are participants allowed to have their cell phones on the program?
We do allow participants to bring their phones, but we ask that they use it solely as a camera when we are out and about during the day. We want everyone to focus on living in the moment and fully experience each new destination we are visiting without being absorbed in their phones. We ask that participants look at their journey with us as a way to disconnect. When we have downtime at our hotels in the evenings it is okay for participants to use their devices to connect with friends and family back home.