14 Days | The Best of France with Flights | 2024 & 2025

Paris

Bonjour! Welcome to Paris... On your arrival into the "City Of Light", transfer to your hotel by taxi. The rest of the day is at leisure. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5PM. Afterwards, a cruise on the River Seine introduces you to the beauty of Paris at night.

Meals: None

Accommodation: Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel or similar

Paris

Today is a full-day tour of the City. Drive along the impressive Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and the iconic Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris. On to the celebrated "Rive Gauche", the vivacious Left Bank, the artistic community at Montparnasse. View the Latin Quarter, and pass the colorful Luxembourg Gardens, housed in the Luxembourg Palace. This afternoon perhaps join the optional tour to Versailles to witness the grandeur of French classical architecture on the visit to the Palace and extravagant State Apartments. Tonight, you may wish to join the optional Montmartre & Illuminations tour with dinner and wine

Optional Tour: Palace of Versailles (PM)
Optional Tour: Montmartre & Illuminations with dinner (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel or similar

Paris Dijon

Today, travel from Paris to the famed Champagne region with its stretches of vineyards as far as the eye can see. This historic province in the northeast of France, formerly ruled by the Counts of Champagne, is best known for the sparkling white wine that bears its name. In Epernay, visit one of the renowned cellars, learn more about the process and enjoy tastings of this bubbly delight. Its main boulevard is the residential Avenue de Champagne, with its timeless Neoclassical villas and Victorian townhouses. Then continue to Dijon, View Dijon Cathedral and the Ducal Palace, a remarkably well-preserved Gothic structure that served as the royal residence for the estates of Burgundy. Overnight in Dijon, also known as home of the tasty mustard.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Oceania Le Jura Dijon or similar

Dijon Lyon

Depart Dijon via the Route des Grand Crus to Beaune, the celebrated capital of Burgundy wines, nestled in the heart of France's finest vineyards. The facilities and cellars of many prominent wineries are situated in Beaune itself. This walled city still displays its original battlements, ramparts, moats and a historic Old Town. A walking tour takes you to the lively central square. Enjoy a tasting at one of the local cellars. At the Hotel-Dieu de Beaune, see the original an example of 15th-century French architecture. Then, drive south to 2000-year-old Lyon. Upon arrival, visit Place Bellecour, and ascend Fouvière Hill to view the Roman amphitheater and gardens that overlook the city.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel or similar

Lyon French Riviera

Heading south, journey through the colorful landscapes of Provence, an inspiration for the early Impressionist painters. Travel past the olive groves and pine forests to the city of Aix-en-Provence, famous for being the birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. Spend free time for lunch on your own. Later, continue to a French perfumery and hear about the many ways to produce this major export and try some of the popular fragrances. Tonight, at dinner, a taste of the French Riviera's specialties.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: AC Ambassadeur Antibes or similar

French Riviera

A full day to discover the delights of the Cote d'Azur and your resort in the Mediterranean twin towns of Antibes and Juan-Les-Pins. Don't miss the optional tour to St. Paul de Vence. Drive into the pine-scented hills above Nice to visit the hilltop St. Paul de Vence, which still retains its medieval character. Wander the cobbled streets to the central fountain, and see the burial place of Marc Chagall. Tonight, see glamorous Monte Carlo's lights glisten as you travel along the seaside Corniche on the optional night tour.

Optional Tour: St. Paul de Vence (AM)
Optional Tour: Monte Carlo by Night (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: AC Ambassadeur Antibes or similar

French Riviera  Avignon Pont du Gard Carcassonne

This morning journey on to Avignon, the "City of Popes" named after seven popes who reigned there during the 1300s. Admire the Place de l'Horlorge, the city's main square and the vast Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), a fortress-like palace that once served as the papal residence. View the famed Bridge of Avignon, the city's landmark. In the afternoon, drive to the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River dating from 19 AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, travel to Carcassonne for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Carcassonne La Cite Hotel or similar

Carcassonne Lourdes

This morning, take a walking tour of Carcassonne. Stroll along the cobbled streets to the St. Nazaire Basilica, adorned with stained glass and intricate carvings. Afterward, sip a small tasting of Hippocras wine. This spiced wine was highly prized during the medieval era. In the afternoon, your journey continues to Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, a major site of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of reported miraculous healings. Witness the candlelight procession tonight, which has unfailingly taken place since the 1800s. Dinner and overnight is in Lourdes.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Gallia & Londres Spa NUXE or similar

Lourdes Bordeaux

In Lourdes, visit the sacred church, sanctuary, and grotto where the apparitions took place and behold the healing water spring from the grotto, believed to possess healing properties. Afterward, drive north, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Emilion. Views of the city include Romanesque churches and fascinating historic ruins stretching along steep and narrow streets. Enjoy a wine tasting and then free time to wander on your own before continuing to Bordeaux. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

Accommodation: Mercure Bordeaux Chateau Chartrons or similar

Bordeaux

Take a morning tour of Bordeaux, on the crescent-shaped Garonne River. Bordeaux is distinguished for the wines that bear its name. The city tour begins at the Place des Quinconces, with its mighty pillar centerpiece, the Girondist Column. In the historic Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, view the Grand Theater and the Victory Arch. The afternoon is yours to independently explore this city. This evening, an optional dinner in the Bordeaux countryside will complete the day.

Optional Tour: Bordeaux Countryside with Dinner (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mercure Bordeaux Chateau Chartrons or similar

Bordeaux Loire Valley

Depart Bordeaux for the town of Cognac, world-famous for the grape-based spirit produced here for over 300 years. Visit one of the cellars, hear about the history of cognac and enjoy a tasting. Onward to the very heart of the Loire Valley. Tour the elegant Chateau de Chenonceau. Stretching across the river Cher, the chateau boasts a 197-foot gallery, built over a series of arches. Proceed to Amboise, a riverside town with an imposing castle, before continuing to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Novotel Amboise or similar

Loire Valley Paris

Begin by crossing the Loire River and head back to the capital city of Paris for time at leisure. Tonight, gather together for dinner in a Parisian bistro, including wine as you bid au revoir to your Tour Manager.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel or similar

Paris Australia

Your Best of France tour has come to an end. Check out from your hotel and make your way to the airport for your flight home or onward journey. If you would like to discuss options for extending your stay in Europe, please speak with our friendly Customer Service Team.

Meals: Breakfast and Inflight Menu