We have included a selection of ways to travel to Paris – these are all included at no supplement. Fly from your choice of 8 regional airports with Air France or London Heathrow with British Airways. Alternatively, travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar from St. Pancras International. Welcome to Paris. You will be met at Charles De Gaulle airport and transferred* to your centrally located hotel. This afternoon we visit the world’s largest museum, the Louvre, where our Louvre-trained art expert will show us many famous works including the Mona Lisa. (Please schedule flights to arrive before midday).
Two Night Special Stay: Paris
This morning we enjoy an Included orientation trip around the capital, where we’ll get to see the famous landmarks, travel up the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, drive along the left bank of the Seine to the Hotel des Invalides and finally on to Saint Germain and the Latin Quarter. There is some time at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of this romantic city before we explore the bohemian centre of Paris, Montmartre, where the artist’s quarter and the Sacre Coeur Basilica will be reached by a funicular to the top of Montmartre Hill. We journey to the Eiffel Tower and ascend to the second level for unforgettable views. It’s a short walk to our spectacular dinner venue, 58 Tour Eiffel, just one floor below, where we dine above the Paris skyline. En-route back to our hotel we enjoy a short tour to see the city landmarks illuminated at night.
A bubbly start to the day awaits in the town of Reims, where some of the finest champagnes in the world are produced. SCENIC ENRICH We stop at one of France’s finest champagne houses, Taittinger, where we shall sample the local vintages amongst their atmospheric underground caves. There is time to discover this historic town before our journey continues through the vineyards of Burgundy to the medieval town of Dijon. On arrival we will take a short stroll of the old town, which will highlight days of past glory as we see the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Overnight Stay: Dijon
We depart Dijon and drive along the famous Côte d’Or. We shall pass Nuits St Georges and Gevrey Chambertin on our way to Beaune where we take a brief orientation tour of this historic town, followed by wine tasting at the famous Bouchard Aîné and Fils winery, an institution in Burgundy for 250 years. We then enjoy a highlight lunch of Burgundy’s finest cuisine at the renowned Hostellerie Le Cedre. After a short stop in Bourg-en-Bresse to see the ornately ornamented Monastery of Brou, we ascend the French Alps to our hotel.
Two Night Stay: Chamonix
Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) Board a cable-car in Chamonix for the ascent of the Aiguille du Midi to admire majestic 360 degree views over the French, Swiss and Italian Alps from an altitude of 3,842 metres; or (2) in nearby Annecy take a picturesque lake cruise followed by an Included walking tour of the medieval old town which will include the 12th century Palais de l’Isle, among the most photographed monuments in all of France. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
This morning we depart our hotel and head south to the glittering Côte d’Azur and journey to the glamorous Principality of Monaco. This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy this ritzy location; perhaps stroll the foreshore observing the super-yachts or celebrity-spot from a sidewalk café!
Two Night Special Stay: Monte Carlo
Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a guided visit to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, which includes entry to the Palace State Apartments where you will be amazed at the ornate furnishings and beautiful frescoes of each of the distinctly decorated rooms; or (2) Visit to the Prince’s Private Car Collection. This evening we explore chic Monte Carlo, visiting the old town to see the Palace of the Grimaldi Royal family, rulers of Monaco for over 700 years and visit the Cathedral to see the tombs of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. SCENIC ENRICH Dinner is at the prestigious Café de Paris before entering the famous Casino, where you will have the chance to make your fortune – or lose it!
Our first stop this morning is in nearby Nice where we will explore the famous waterfront area, before a brief orientation trip through Cannes. We continue on to the ancient Roman spa resort and regional capital, Aix-en-Provence, where it is still possible to enjoy the thermal springs. We drive through the pretty Luberon National Park before arriving in Avignon, set on the banks of the Rhône River and former residence of seven popes during the religious schism of the 14th century.
Two Night Stay: Avignon
This morning enjoy an Included guided visit of the Pope’s Palace and famous bridge. Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a mini-train ride through the ancient streets and parklands of this picturesque city; or (2) a visit to the beautiful mountain village of ‘Les Baux’ which has a spectacular position atop a rocky outcrop.
This morning we venture to one of the wonders of the Ancient world, the Roman Aqueduct Pont du Gard, built in the first century A.D. and still in working order. We continue on to Arles, founded in the 7th century BC, where we visit the still used Roman arena with our local guide. The major sites are integrated amongst the town buildings, creating a unique blend of past and present. We follow the steps of Vincent Van Gogh, who spent over a year creating many of his finest works in Arles. Then across the Camargue National Park to Europe’s largest remaining fortified city, Carcassonne. Our hotel is situated among the medieval towers and turrets of this fairy-tale setting.
Two Night Special Stay: Carcassonne
Today we travel to the Canal du Midi, UNESCO world heritage site. From here we will take a private boat along the canals. As you float through the rolling countryside you will see vineyards and pass barges while learning about the history of the canals and life on the rivers. Enjoy an afternoon back in Carcassonne to explore and stroll through the streets of this medieval gem.
Today we travel past picturesque villages in the valleys of the Dordogne and Vezere. Time to soak up the charm of Sarlat and see restored medieval and renaissance houses made of yellow and honey-coloured stone in the old town. Continue through ancient landscapes to the quaint village of St Emilion. Enjoy an exquisite dinner in the lavish château dining room.
Two Night Special Stay: Saint Emilion
Join your local guide for an Included walking tour of the city including St Emilion’s monolithic Church. We then visit a local French Château for a private wine tasting of their current vintages. Back in your own grand château this afternoon, you may wish to take a walk through the vineyards or enjoy a unique spa treatment, tailor made according to your expectations and tastes.
This morning we have a leisurely start before visiting the port city of Bordeaux for a short orientation tour. We’ll have some free time to explore the riverfront and well preserved 18th century buildings before boarding the ultra-fast TGV train for our journey to Tours, situated at the lower reaches of the Loire River. We then enjoy a brief orientation tour of the town before we head to our nearby château for tonight’s stay. This evening we celebrate our visit to the Loire Valley with a highlight dinner in a nearby château.
Two Night Special Stay: Loire Valley
The first stop today is at the stunning Château de Chenonceau, resplendent with numerous arches, buttresses and towers set in magnificent gardens. The history alone of the chateau is amazing. Then on to the delightful market town of Amboise where, as part of our guided visit, we will see Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb in the gardens of the imposing castle. We will also visit Clos Lucé, the manor house in which the great artist lived, and wander the narrow streets which contain many medieval timbered houses. SCENIC ENRICH we gather on the lawns of our Château this afternoon for a friendly game of Boules, the traditional French game that resembles bowls.
We continue our scenic journey through the Loire Valley to the plain of La Beauce and soon arrive in the cathedral city of Chartres. We shall see the UNESCO listed cathedral, which was started in 1145 and marks the high point of French Gothic art. After a brief journey a highlight awaits as we enjoy a guided visit of the famous Palace of Versailles. The official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until the French Revolution was seen as a symbol of absolute monarchy. We return to Paris where tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner to France in a local Brasserie.
Overnight Special Stay: Paris
After breakfast, you transfer* to the airport for your flight to the UK, either directly with British Airways to London Heathrow, or with Air France to one of 8 regional UK airports. Alternatively, travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar to St. Pancras International.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: IS/ERC/GBP1112
Tour code: FRFI.1