Provincial French Countryside

Experience the beauty, allure and hospitality of provincial France, at an easy pace and in a unique style. Anchored by stays in vibrant Toulouse and enchanting Paris, the journey features diverse Languedoc, the remote Dordogne, the lovely Loire Valley, and historic Normandy as we stay in charming rural inns and small country hotels.

It's a small group tour de force!

May 11–25, 2020

As we celebrate 30 years of the Davidson College Friends of the Arts, we invite you to travel with us on an exclusive 15-day tour through the Provincial French Countryside. Begin in Toulouse and see the longest city walls in Europe at medieval Carcassonne. Travel to the Dordogne region to tour the famous Caves at Lascaux IV and take a leisurely river cruise. In the fabled Loire Valley, visit the beautiful Château de Chenonceau. Further north in Normandy, tour the Gothic abbey at Mont-St-Michel and discover medieval Bayeux. Spend a poignant day exploring the famous D-Day Landing Beaches and the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Colleville. Walk amid Monet’s glorious gardens in Giverny before concluding our journey in iconic Paris.

An optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension in Paris is also available for those wishing to savor more time in the “City of Light.”

Itinerary, trip highlights and registration form

Meet Your Davidson Hosts

Sherry Nelson is the director of Davidson Arts and Creative Engagement at Davidson College, where she has worked since 1993. In the past 20 years, Sherry has led numerous Davidson College Friends of the Arts trips to New York City. She has hosted a trip to Scotland with President Vagt for alumni, parents and friends. Additionally, she has traveled to London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Russia, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Burkhard Henke is a professor of German and former chair of the Humanities program at Davidson College, where he has taught since 1993. He has led many student and alumni trips to Europe in the past and is contemplating retirement in the South of France.

Burkhard Henke, Professor of German

Sherry Nelson, Director of Davidson Arts and Creative Engagement

Davidson Friends of the Arts

Davidson College Friends of the Arts has been committed to the development of the arts at Davidson since 1990. During this time, the arts have flourished at Davidson College.

The arts play a vital role in fostering creativity, collaboration and learning at Davidson. Because of the generosity of Friends of the Arts members, the college is able to offer dynamic programs that enhance the academic curriculum at the college and expand audiences’ awareness of and accessibility to the arts in our community. Specifically, faculty and student projects in music, theatre, visual arts, film and literary arts are supported by Friends of the Arts.

We are proud to be a member of this community and look forward to the continued growth and development of the arts at Davidson.

Questions and More Information

Contact Yolanda Gilliam at yogilliam@davidson.edu or 704-894-2559.

For reservations and information, call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at 888-370-6765.