France 8 Day Basketball Tour

Upon our arrival we are welcomed by our English tour guide and take part in an orientation tour of Paris which is often referred as the City of Lights or the City of Love. Later this afternoon our team will take part in a training session as we prepare for our upcoming friendly games.

After breakfast we enjoy a morning tour of Paris to include a view of the Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories, a walk along the Avenue des Champs Elysees, a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral which was the scene of Napoleon’s coronation and where we can climb the south tower to look for the hunchback! Our last stop today is the most famous city landmark of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. After our Paris city tour we return to our hotel for a pre-game meal and time to rest before heading out to our scheduled friendly basketball game. After our match we will have a post match party with time to interact and become better friends with the team we just played.

Game One vs. TBD

This morning enjoy a morning tour of the Louvre Museum. The Louvre Museum is one of the world’s largest museums and the most visited museum in the world housing more than 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century. This afternoon we climb the hill and visit Montmartre which offers a wonderful view of the city of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. We’ll step inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris and conclude our afternoon with a practice session. Led by a local professional French coach, this session gives both the players and coaches a chance to learn how basketball training is done in France.

This morning enjoy a visit to the magnificent Versailles Palace, the chateau of Louis XIV. Our tour of the Chateau de Versailles is a captivating and fascinating guided tour that will reveal the history of the majestic Palace of Versailles. Combining classic and baroque architectural styles, the palace has been on the World Heritage list for 30 years. Everything in Versailles is inspired by elegance, perfection and harmony and is truly a genuine 17th century masterpiece. After our time visiting Versailles, we return to Paris this afternoon in time for a pre-game meal and time to rest before heading out to our scheduled friendly basketball game. After our match we will have a post match party with time to interact and become better friends with the team we just played.

Game Two vs. TBD

This morning we depart Paris and travel north to Normandy. Our first stop will be the American Cemetery overlooking the eastern end of Omaha Beach. We will take time to pay our respects to the many soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom as we view the hundreds of crosses and stars of David. Next we tour the area battlefields stopping at Pointe Du Hoc, a sheer cliff some forty meters high. It is here that the US Army Rangers stormed cliffs with collapsible ladders and grappling hooks to get onto Omaha Beach. Next we’ll visit the Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach, made famous by the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” We will have time to study the battlefields; cross the beaches, analyze the maps and imagine the courage that saved our freedom that day. Late this afternoon we return to Paris concluding a long day.

Sure to be one of the highlights of your time in Paris, this Seine River cruise is the most relaxing way to see famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and Pont Neuf. Sit back, relax and admire Paris’ beautiful waterfront sights. After our cruise we will have some free time to explore Paris on our own before we enjoy a pre-game meal before heading out to our scheduled friendly basketball game. After our match we will have a post match party with time to interact and become better friends with the team we just played.

Game Three vs. TBD

We say good bye to France and transfer to the Paris airport to begin our journey home.