LA FRANCE 15 DAYS FROM $3,789 US Details
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This is the ideal vacation to explore all of France. Enjoy 2-night stays in Paris, Bordeaux, and Nice. Start with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Paris, and visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Next, continue to Normandy and stop in the seaside resorts of picturesque Honfleur and elegant Deauville, before arriving in Bayeux to admire Queen Matilda’s tapestry. Continue via the landing beaches to Mont St. Michel, where you’ll visit the Abbey, and to St. Malo, where a special dinner at a local restaurant awaits you. A scenic drive through Brittany brings you to the Loire Valley to visit Catherine de Medici’s Castle, lovely Chenonceau. Enter the Bordeaux area and taste its wine in St. Emilion. Other highlights are the ancient fishing village of Biarritz; Lourdes, where you will visit St. Bernadette’s Grotto and have a chance to join a memorable rosary and candlelight procession; medieval Carcassonne; the Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct; and Avignon. Before going north, enjoy a full day at leisure in Nice at the French Riviera with the possibility to go to nearby Monte Carlo. Travel to Grenoble and Lyon, France’s second-largest city. Stay in Dijon, one of the prettiest cities in Burgundy, then travel with the high-speed TGV train back to Paris.
Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France The day is free to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. After dinner you may wish to join an optional outing to get a first impression of the “City of Light.” (Dinner)
Day 2 Paris Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs-Elysées. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and for a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Balance of the day at leisure. An optional afternoon excursion to the Palace of Versailles and evening excursions are available. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Paris–Honfleur–Deauville–Bayeux
A pleasant drive through the rural area west of Paris takes you to picturesque Honfleur and the elegant resort of Deauville on the coast. Time to explore both towns before heading to Bayeux, where you can admire QUEEN MATILDA’S TAPESTRY, depicting in extraordinary detail William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Bayeux–Normandy Beaches–Mont St. Michel–St. Malo
Drive by the Normandy Beaches and arrive at the famous ABBEY OF MONT ST. MICHEL, perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Overnight in St. Malo. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 St. Malo–Loire Valley
Ride through Brittany before arriving in the Loire Valley for your overnight stay. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Loire Valley–Chenonceau Castle–Bordeaux
First stop this morning is a visit to the 16th-century castle of Catherine de Medici, lovely CHENONCEAU. Continue to Bordeaux, and join your Tour Director for a walking tour through this pretty city. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Bordeaux. Excursion to St. Emilion
Morning at leisure or join an optional excursion to Arcachon. Situated at the southern entrance of the Atlantic Ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe’s largest sand dune, the Dune de Pyla. This afternoon, join your Tour Director and visit St. Emilion, world famous for its wines. Enjoy a WINE TASTING and tonight, savor a dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 Bordeaux–Biarritz–Lourdes
Visit Biarritz, an ancient fishing village turned trendy seaside resort on your way to Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Visit the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. You can join this evening’s memorable rosary and candlelight procession. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 Lourdes–Carcassonne–Nîmes
From Lourdes to the beautifully preserved, medieval, walled town of Carcassonne for a leisurely walk on the ancient BATTLEMENTS and time to explore the town on your own. Overnight in Nîmes. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10 Nîmes–Pont du Gard–Avignon–Nice
Motor through the splendid vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon. At Pont du Gard, admire the Roman Aqueduct, a monumental feat of engineering completed in the year 19 BC. Stop in Avignon for pictures of the magnificent Palace of the Popes and the bridge of the popular song. Arrive in Nice, the sophisticated “Queen of the Riviera.” Later, why not join an exciting optional outing to Monte Carlo? (Breakfast)
Day 11 At Leisure in Nice
Enjoy this enchanting resort on the Côte d’Azur at your own pace. Browse through the elegant shops or stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. Join your Tour Director for a walk through the OLD TOWN and its colorful flower market, and you may wish to join an optional excursion to the famous artist town of St. Paul de Vence. (Breakfast)
Day 12 Nice–Grasse–Grenoble
This morning, stop in Grasse to visit a PERFUME FACTORY. Next, a scenic drive along the famous Route Napoleon through the French Alps past medieval towns to Grenoble. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13 Grenoble–Lyon–Dijon
Your orientation of Lyon includes a panoramic view from FOURVIÈRE HILL with its basilica to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city and its Roman ruins. Then, drive north into Burgundy, where road signs read like the wine list of an expensive restaurant, to Dijon, which was the capital of Burgundy from the 11th to the 15th centuries. During your orientation, hear about the various dukes who ruled over the area, then have the rest of the afternoon to browse the shops and enjoy this charming city. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14 Dijon–Paris
Enjoy a ride on the high-speed TGV TRAIN to Paris. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to the Louvre Museum is available, as well as exciting possibilities for an unforgettable night out on the town! (Breakfast)
Day 15 Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Paris
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, ascend the Eiffel Tower
Honfleur & Deauville
Bayeux
Visit Queen Matilda’s tapestry in the Tapestry Museum
Normandy Beaches
Mont St. Michel
Guided visit of the abbey
St. Malo
Dinner at a local restaurant
Loire Valley
Visit Chenonceau Castle
Bordeaux
Walking tour, dinner at local restaurant
St. Emilion
Wine tasting
Biarritz
Visit the seaside resort
Lourdes
Visit St. Bernadette’s grotto
Carcassonne
Walk on the ancient battlements
Pont Du Gard
Take pictures of the Roman Aqueduct
Avignon
Walking tour, take pictures of the Palace of the Popes and Pont d’Avignon
Nice
Walking tour of the Old Town
Grasse
Visit a perfume factory
Lyon
Orientation including Fourvière Hill
Dijon
Orientation
Dijon–Paris
By high-speed TGV train (first-class)
Headsets throughout the tour
Note:
In the rare event that the TGV train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast daily; 9 three-course dinners with wine, including a special welcome dinner in Paris and a special dinner in Bordeaux
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
PARIS Le Méridien Etoile (SF), BAYEUX Novotel (F), ST. MALO Océania (F), LOIRE VALLEY Clarion Château Belmont (F) at Tours, BORDEAUX Mercure Château Chartrons (F), LOURDES Grand Hotel Gallia & Londres (F), NÎMES Imperator Concorde (F), NICE Boscolo Park (F), GRENOBLE Grand Hotel Mercure Grenoble Président (F), DIJON Mercure Clémenceau (F), PARIS Pullman Paris Bercy (SF)
Optional Excursions
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Nice
Panoramic Drive and Provencal Dinner
Take in breathtaking views of the French Riviera on your way up through the famous 'corniche'. Then, proceed to delightful Eze for dinner in a typical restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
Excursion to St. Paul de Vence
See lovely landscapes on your drive to St. Paul de Vence, a medieval Provencal village set on a spur, surrounded by well-preserved ramparts. Wander the narrow cobbled streets and enjoy the peace and harmony of this idyllic spot made famous by world-renowned artists such as Chagall, Matisse and Cezanne.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person
Monte Carlo by Night with Dinner
Take a scenic drive along the Riviera followed by a delicious French dinner and wine. See the Cathedral and the Palace of Prince Albert in the principality of Monaco. Afterwards time to gamble or relax on a terrace, enjoying the elegant atmosphere. Note: Some gambling areas may be subject to an admission fee, identification required. Minimum age limit to enter the CASINO is 18 years old.
Approximate value: EUR €62 per person
CITY: Paris
French Dinner
Check out the country's vaunted cuisine. Your tour director accompanies you to a Parisian bistro, where a succulent French dinner, with drinks included, is served.
Approximate value: EUR €59 per person
Beautiful Paris
Discover more of beautiful Paris with a cruise on the Seine, a walking tour on the famous Champs Elysées, a visit to the historic Le Marais district or to the artistic district of Montmartre, or an illumination drive. Your Tour Director will propose a combination of these highlights to help you fully experience the "City of Light".
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person
Excursion to Montmartre
Visit the most artistic and picturesque district in Paris. Located on the high hill famous for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, you'll have time to stroll around Place du Tertre and watch bohemian street artists at work.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person
Ville Lumiere - Illumination Drive
Enjoy the illuminations, which reveal the magic and 'grandeur' of the City of Lights; a vision to last a lifetime!
Approximate value: EUR €24 per person
La Nouvelle Eve
No visit to Paris is complete without a night out at the cabaret! A whirling international dinner show (unlimited wine) at Pigalle's one and only LA NOUVELLE EVE.
Approximate value: EUR €117 per person
Moulin Rouge
An exciting evening at the world-renowned Parisian cabaret. Dinner with half a bottle of wine is served during the show. A glass of champagne completes your evening in style.
Approximate value: EUR €157 per person
Versailles (closed on Monday)
A short journey from Paris with your local guide to the lavish 17th-century classical palace built by Sun King Louis XIV, with its magnificent STATE APARTMENTS, Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. Time to stroll through parts of the elegant 250-acre GARDENS. Note: This excursion is not available on Mondays and public holidays.
Approximate value: EUR €58 per person
Louvre (closed on Tuesday, Public Holiday, and Sundays to groups)
Let your guide bring to life the most celebrated treasures of the impressive LOUVRE MUSEUM including the famous "Mona Lisa", the masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci. Note: This excursion is not available to groups on Tuesdays, public holidays, and Sundays.
Approximate value: EUR €43 per person
CITY: Tours
Dinner in the Loire Valley
Your tour director accompanies you to a local restaurant, where you savor a delicious three-course dinner. Drinks included.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
Departure Dates: April - October
Prices From approx $3,789 US
per person based on double occupancy
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This is the ideal vacation to explore all of France. Enjoy 2-night stays in Paris, Bordeaux, and Nice. Start with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Paris, and visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Next, continue to Normandy and stop in the seaside resorts of picturesque Honfleur and elegant Deauville, before arriving in Bayeux to admire Queen Matilda’s tapestry. Continue via the landing beaches to Mont St. Michel, where you’ll visit the Abbey, and to St. Malo, where a special dinner at a local restaurant awaits you. A scenic drive through Brittany brings you to the Loire Valley to visit Catherine de Medici’s Castle, lovely Chenonceau. Enter the Bordeaux area and taste its wine in St. Emilion. Other highlights are the ancient fishing village of Biarritz; Lourdes, where you will visit St. Bernadette’s Grotto and have a chance to join a memorable rosary and candlelight procession; medieval Carcassonne; the Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct; and Avignon. Before going north, enjoy a full day at leisure in Nice at the French Riviera with the possibility to go to nearby Monte Carlo. Travel to Grenoble and Lyon, France’s second-largest city. Stay in Dijon, one of the prettiest cities in Burgundy, then travel with the high-speed TGV train back to Paris.