Day 1 - Arrive Paris
Welcome to Paris, capital city of France! After check-in you are free to explore this beautiful city or just relax. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel
Day 2 - Paris – Beaune – Lyon
We drive southwards into Burgundy wine country and past the Côte d'Or vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges to the medieval town of Beaune. Here we sample some of the regional wines at one of the local wine cellars before we head to Lyon for the night. Tonight, why not try out some of the gourmet specialities for which Lyon is justifiably famous? (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Gerland
Day 3 - Lyon – Avignon – Monaco – Nice (2 nights)
Our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure today! But first to Avignon where we see the Papal Palace and famous bridge. Then through the Provence of Van Gogh and Cezanne to the tiny but incredibly wealthy Principality of Monaco, which we visit and remember the late Prince Rainier and his beautiful wife, Princess Grace. Later we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Ellington (2 nights)
Day 4 - Nice at leisure
After breakfast you'll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur. Perhaps lounge on the beach, shop in the elegant boutiques or maybe visit the hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. This evening, why not dine in one of the many pleasant seaside restaurants? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 5 - Nice – Cannes – Carcassonne
Today our drive takes us through sophisticated Cannes on this magnificent coast where we see the Film Festival Centre on the Boulevard de la Croisette. Then we drive on, passing Alaric’s Mountain to reach the walled city of Carcassonne where we enjoy a guided tour of this magical city on arrival. The fortified city, which was thoroughly restored in the 19th century, was added to the UNESCO list of Wold Heritage Sites in 1997. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Mercure Porte De La Cité
Day 6 - Carcassonne – Lourdes – Biarritz
This morning we wind our way through the Corbières Hills and 'Cathar' landscapes toward the Pyrenees and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. Here we will see the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto en route to Biarritz. There is time for a walk along the renowned surfing beach where the Atlantic waves come crashing in, before we reach our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Novotel Anglet Aeroport
Day 7 - Biarritz – Bordeaux
We leave Biarritz and cross the country of Les Landes to the classical town of Bordeaux. Here an orientation tour shows us the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces and the banks of the Gironde. Then take some time at leisure to explore in the old quarter. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Novotel Centre Meriadeck
Day 8 - Bordeaux – St. Emilion – Dordogne Valley
Our first stop is at St. Emilion, famous for its red wines. Here we will be able to wander through the winding streets, admire the ancient architecture and perhaps buy some fine wine. Then through the Dordogne, we travel via Bergerac to see the castle of Beynac, the fortress of Castelnaud and Josephine Baker's Château of Les Milandes. Next via La Roque-Gageac, with its quaint houses clinging to the Dordogne cliffs. From here we continue via Les Eyzies, 'the cradle of pre-history' before arriving at our château-hotel in the Dordogne Valley. Tonight, we will enjoy a gourmet dinner in the elegant dining-room of this 19th century château. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' dinner)
Hotel: Chateau Des Reynats
Day 9 - Dordogne Valley – Loire Valley – Tours
ur journey takes us through Limoges, renowned for the manufacture of delicate porcelain. Then we stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Palace of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley before reaching our hotel in Tours. This evening, why not take the opportunity of dining in the old town? (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord
Day 10 - Tours – Mont St. Michel – Omaha Beach
This morning we continue our journey into Brittany, to visit the island-town of
Mont St. Michel with its picturesque streets and abbey. From here we travel along the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and the D-Day landing beaches. Here we have the chance to see where this momentous event took place and to remember the lives that were touched by this conflict. Then we have the chance to visit the new D-Day museum which recalls the events in every detail and is such a poignant reminder of this recent history. Then we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach
Day 11 - Omaha Beach – Giverny – Paris (2 nights)
This morning we set off towards the valley of the River Seine to make a stop in Giverny. Here we visit the house and gardens of Claude Monet – inspiration for his water-lily paintings. Next we continue to lively Paris for two nights. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel (2 nights)
Day 12 - Paris sightseeing AND at leisure
Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to its second level for wonderful views over the city. Other highlights include views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées. Our main highlight will be a stroll through the gardens of Les Invalides where we will visit the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, housed in the magnificent golden domed church. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 13 - Depart Paris
It's 'au revoir' today to our Tour Director and fellow travellers as our French tour comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers
Transfers on Day 1 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00 and 11.30.
