The best of France |
16 days / 15 nights
Paris - Troyes - Chablis - Dijon - Vezelay - Dijon - Chamonix - Annecy - Aix-Les-Bains - Nice - Monaco - St.Paul de Vence - Avignon - Rhone - Arles - Nimes - Avignon - Carcassonne - Albi - Rocamadour - Dordogne - Limoges - Paris
Day 1 Paris
Arrival at Paris airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 Paris - Troyes (200km/2h)- Chablis (100km/1h) - Dijon (150km/1,30h)
Head to Troyes, capital of the Champagne region - its magnificent core of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork. Continue into Burgundy, once a powerful duchy and synonymous with fine wine. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. Stop in the quiet village of Chablis for a taste of the local nectar before reaching Dijon.
Day 3 Dijon - Vezelay (120km/2h)
After breakfast, set off through the leafy Burgundian countryside with road signs that read like a wine list. Stop in the picturesque town of Vézelay. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades from the famous basilica. Later, return to your hotel for some relaxing time at leisure.
Day 4 Dijon – Chamonix (300km/3h)
A scenic symphony awaits you as you head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix . Chamonix is probably best known as the skiing and alpine capital of the world . It is the perfect place to come for a break,a holiday, a season, or a lifetime, as you will never run out of things to do or tire of the views.
Day 5 Chamonix - Annecy (100km/1h)- Aix-les-Bains (30km/30min)
After breakfast, embark on a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy. See the Palais D`Isle - It is the most distinctive monument of the city, and is impossible to miss . It was classified as a Historical Monument in 1900, and today houses a very popular local history museum. It is the symbol of the town and is among the most photographed monuments in all of France . Other thing you can visit is the historical symbol of Annecy - The Castle - its construction extended over four centuries (from the 12th to 16th). Continue to your hotel in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, nestled on the edge of France’s largest and most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and overlooked by Mt Revard. Overnight.
Day 6 Aix-les-Bains – Nice (400km/6h)
Glorious mountain scenery today, as you travel in the footsteps of Napoleon, as he made his victorious return from Elba. A scenic, rugged landscape leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and the elegant resort of Nice. If you have enough power after the long trip, you can go to a night sightseeing tour at Nice.
Day 7 Nice - Monaco (20km/30min)
On a morning sightseeing tour, journey to the principality of Monaco to see the Grimaldi Palace. You also visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its luxury yachts. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera.
Day 8 Nice - St. Paul de Vence (30km/30min) – Avignon (250km/2,30h)
Visit the medieval village of St Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Get to know the village, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and lifestyle. Continue to Aix-en Provence to see the elegant mansions and popular Course Mirabeau. Journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence”. Home for the next three nights is Avignon.
Day 9 Avignon - Rhone (250km/3,30h) - Avignon
Stop at the imposing Pont du Gard, a three tiered Roman aqueduct. Head towards the Rhône River and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the famous wine. Back in Avignon,free time and overnight.
Day 10 Avignon - Arles (40km/1h) - Nimes and Camargue (40km/30min) - Avignon (60km/1h)
Drive to Arles, one-time home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires, and visit the Amphitheatre. Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries de-la-Mer, where Gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nîmes. An orientation tour shows you the Roman Arena and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée. Return to Avignon for overnight.
Day 11 Avignon - Carcassonne (250km/2,30h) - Albi (150km/1,30h)
Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before heading inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Carcassonne is an amazingly well preserved medieval fortress that was featured in the movie, Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Ville de Carcassonne is a beautiful castle and is the centerpiece of the medieval Carcassonne . After your walking tour, continue to your hotel in Albi, known for its Cathedral and the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec.
Day 12 Albi - Rocamadour (200km/2h) - Dordogne (300km/3h)
Stop in Cahors - a lovely medieval city almost entirely surrounded by water. At the heart of wine country, the city’s most memorable landmark is the Valentré bridge and the nearby ramparts. Continue to Rocamadour, a tiny medieval town perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River. After some free time to explore, drive on to your hotel in the Dordogne.
Day 13 Dordogne Valley
A morning drive takes you into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit the prehistoric site at Lascaux to view the world-famous cave paintings. Later make your way to the town of Sarlat-la-Caneda with its fine historic golden limestone houses.
Day 14 Dordogne - Limoges (200km/3h) - Paris (400km4h)
Your first stop is at Limoges - the city has become the generic name for the hard paste porcelain that was produced during the 18th, 19th, and into the 20th century. It’s considered the finest hard paste porcelain. Continue to historic Poitiers to board your TGV train for the fast and comfortable journey to Paris.
Day 15 Paris
Sightseeing with a local guide shows you Notre Dame Cathedral and façades of the Louvre. Drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower before embarking on a scenic cruise along the Seine. The tour concludes with a visit to Napoleon’s tomb in the gilded Église du Dôme. Overnight.
Day 16 Paris
Departure transfers to the airport.