Has anyone taken the Jewels of France Tour with Cosmos?
If so can you tell me what your experience was like?

My son and I took this tour several years ago. Good tour, saw alot, but the pace was very fast. Also, we prefer a tour director that will provide more information at each location. It was a wander around on your own at the sites tour.

Actually I just returned from Jewels of France and I had a very good time. I do agree that the tour seemed to be rushed. Also for anyone else thats reading, if you are an alergy sufferer, please do not visit the Loire during the Spring. The pollen tends to mess with your respiratory system. The back of my throat had swollen up and I couldn't go outside for the entire time. Other tourist were caughing as well because they were extremelly allergic to the pollen.

Thanks my Wife and Son would be sick for a week, I'll make sure to tour in winter or fall.

never happy, huh?

Seems they are very happy with the tour and was giving some great advice, so why the response with attitude? I find it very Helpful to know of conditions that could adversely effect my vacation, the posted never said dont go, just "IF" you go here is something to think about. Do Helpful comments make YOU Un-Happy or something?

i took the tour in spring this year. i really enjoyed it. the places we visit may not be top tourist destinations in france but it's refreshing to see the french countryside, and all of them have something different and wonderful to offer.

do you visit claude monets garden and home during the stop in giverny, am interested to know if it is an optional extra. please reply if anyone knows.

We recently were on the Jewels of France tour. There were times when we felt rushed, but had a good time and felt like we had a good overview of the northwest part of France. We also bought a couple of days before the tour to do some extra sight-seeing in Paris, since it was our first time there. As far as the hotels go, they were ok. Some of the rooms were small and/or a little worn, but all were clean. The Paris hotels were located a little ways out from central Paris, but close to the Metro, restaurants and groceries. The Deauville hotel was nice and within walking distance of stuff to do. In Mont-Saint-Michel the hotel was adjacent to a restaurant and grocery. In Tours, the hotel was nice, but next to the train station, so not too quiet, and not near shopping or restaurants (there were a couple of bars nearby). . Included in the trip were Monet's Garden & House, Rouen cathedral, World war 2 Landing Beaches, Bayeaux Tapestry and Cathedral, Mont-Saint-Michel, Fountainebleau (there were other places, too). . Optional tours included a dinner in Tours (ok--not great), a couple of excursions to see chateaux in the Loire Valley (interesting, but rushed), a caberet night (didn't go) and a farewell dinner (very fun, but very late night!)

dear guest, thank you for the comprehensive comments on your recent tour of jewels of france. I am doing this tour in sept 05. i have researched many of the areas on the internet. am really looking forward to normandy beaches, mont st michel & loir valley. did you use the metro in paris if so is it easy to travel on. thanks once again for comments.