Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll meet your Travel Director and other guests at the hotel, then settle in for the evening. Dinner happens at a classic local restaurant where they're serving cuisine based on traditional country recipes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant
- Day 2
Champagne region to Dijon
The day takes you through the Champagne region where you'll see vineyards and seasonal landscapes. You'll stop in Troyes to walk around the medieval Old Town with its colorful half-timbered houses, and there's a champagne tasting included. Later, you head to Dijon where your Travel Director walks you through the city's distinctive architecture and history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Troyes medieval Old Town
- Champagne wine tasting in Troyes
- Orientation of Dijon with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Troyes Old Town - Day 3
Dijon
You have the full day in Dijon to see the handsome buildings that reflect the region's powerful Dukes. There's an option to travel to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, if you prefer. This evening you can join an optional burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Dijon
Optional Activities
- Visit Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy
- Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in Fixin
Landmarks/POIs Dijon Beaune Fixin - Day 4
Dijon to Chamonix
You'll travel through the Mâconnais and Beaujolais regions, then head east toward the Alps. The route takes you up to Chamonix, a popular ski resort near Mont Blanc. You can take a cable car for panoramic views or explore the mountain resort. Later, there's an optional pierrade dinner at a local chalet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Chamonix mountain resort
Optional Activities
- Chamonix cable car for panoramic mountain views
- Pierrade dinner at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet
Landmarks/POIs Mont Blanc Chamonix - Day 5
Chamonix to Grenoble
In the morning you'll head to Annecy, a lakeside town set between mountains and water. You'll have free time for lunch in Little Venice, where you can wander the canals and bridges in the Old Town. After that, you continue to Grenoble and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at a local restaurant in Grenoble)
Included Activities
- Visit Annecy
Optional Activities
- Explore bridges and canals in Annecy's Little Venice during free time
Landmarks/POIs Annecy Lake Annecy - Day 6
Grenoble to Nice
You'll travel along a mountain route that Napoleon used when returning from exile. This takes you to Nice on the French Riviera where the afternoon is free to explore. In the evening there's an option to walk through old town Nice and grab dinner at one of the many bistros in Cours Saleya.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along Napoleon's historical mountain route
- Arrival in Nice
Optional Activities
- Exploration of old town Nice and dining in Cours Saleya
Landmarks/POIs Nice Cours Saleya - Day 7
Nice
Your day in the Côte d'Azur starts with a perfumery visit where experts show you exclusive scents and explain the French perfume industry. You'll also drive part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco. Then you choose either the Oceanographic Museum or the Royal Palace with Monaco Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours, with an optional visit to the medieval village of Eze and its botanical gardens for coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit a perfumery in Eze
- Drive along Monaco Grand Prix circuit
- Visit Monaco Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Visit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
- Visit Royal Palace of Monaco
- Visit medieval village of Eze and hilltop Botanical Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral Eze Eze Botanical Gardens - Day 8
Nice to Aix-en-Provence
You'll travel to Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval village perched above the Riviera beaches. Walking through the winding streets, you'll pass elegant fountains and vine-covered walls with views of the mountains and sea. There's a pétanque lesson where you'll play the traditional French sport and finish with pastis. Later you head to Aix-en-Provence to see the grand mansions along Cours Mirabeau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Saint-Paul de Vence medieval village
- Pétanque lesson and game with glass of pastis
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Paul de Vence Cours Mirabeau - Day 9
Aix-en-Provence
You'll see Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct and UNESCO site. Then you explore Avignon's historic streets where the papal court sat in the 14th century. At a local olive estate, you'll walk through groves and learn about sustainable production before tasting artisanal oils. You'll return to Aix-en-Provence with a free evening to relax or check out the cafes and boutiques.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pont du Gard ancient Roman aqueduct
- Explore Avignon
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at local olive estate with sustainable farming tour and artisanal oil tasting
Landmarks/POIs Pont du Gard Avignon Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon - Day 10
Aix-en-Provence to Albi
Starting in Arles, you'll walk past the Arena and Roman Theatre, where Romans once lived and Van Gogh later found inspiration. You'll cross through the Languedoc region to Carcassonne, a medieval fortress town with complete ramparts. Later you reach Albi, birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec, where your Travel Director orients you to the museum and cathedral, leaving the rest of the day free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Arles with local expertise on Roman sites and Van Gogh heritage
- Visit Carcassonne fortified town
- Orientation of Albi with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Arles Arena Arles Roman Theatre Cité de Carcassonne Albi Cathedral Toulouse-Lautrec Museum - Day 11
Albi
You have the full day in Albi to relax and soak up the local atmosphere. This evening you'll have dinner at a local restaurant featuring carefully selected fresh ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant)
Optional Activities
- Explore Albi at leisure
- Day 12
Albi to La Roque-Gageac
You'll stop in Cahors to see the Pont Valentré and browse the open air market with fresh produce and local items. From there you continue to Rocamadour, a medieval town on a cliff above the Alzou River and a known stop for pilgrims. You'll have free time to explore before heading to your hotel in the La Roque-Gageac countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cahors and Pont Valentré
- Explore open air market in Cahors
- Visit Rocamadour medieval town
Landmarks/POIs Cahors Pont Valentré Rocamadour La Roque-Gageac - Day 13
La Roque-Gageac to Sarlat-la-Canéda
The morning takes you into the Dordogne Valley to Lascaux II, where prehistoric cave paintings have been carefully reproduced. Then you head to Sarlat-la-Canéda, a beautiful town with medieval golden limestone buildings. This evening you'll have a farm-to-table dinner made with local ingredients and regional wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region)
Included Activities
- Visit Lascaux II prehistoric cave paintings
- Explore Sarlat-la-Canéda medieval town
- Farm-to-Table Dinner with regional wines
Landmarks/POIs Lascaux II Sarlat-la-Canéda - Day 14
Sarlat-la-Canéda to Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and have the afternoon and evening free to explore the city. As evening comes, the monuments and bridges light up, living up to Paris's nickname as the City of Lights. There's an optional cabaret show if you want something special.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- World-famous cabaret show in Paris
Landmarks/POIs Paris - Day 15
Paris
During your Paris time, you'll see the Eiffel Tower and the Luxor obelisk at Place de la Concorde. You'll drive along the Champs-Élysées toward Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. This evening there's a celebration dinner featuring excellent French cuisine and wine to mark the end of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner with excellent French cuisine and wine to toast your journey through France)
Included Activities
- See Eiffel Tower
- Visit Place de la Concorde and Luxor obelisk
- Drive along Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe
- Celebration Dinner with excellent French cuisine and wine
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Place de la Concorde Luxor Obelisk Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 16
Paris to Deauville
You'll follow the River Seine to Rouen, Normandy's capital, to see its Gothic cathedral that Claude Monet painted. After walking through narrow streets and the old market square where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, you continue to Honfleur. At a family-owned apple farm you'll taste apple juice, cider, and calvados. You'll finish at your hotel in Deauville, a chic seaside resort.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rouen Cathedral
- Explore Old Market Square in Rouen
- Visit Honfleur fishing town
- Apple juice, cider and calvados tasting at family-owned apple farm
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral Rouen Old Market Square Honfleur Deauville - Day 17
Deauville
You'll visit Pointe du Hoc to see the Rangers bunkers and memorial. At the American Military Cemetery near Omaha Beach, a local expert shares the history. You'll choose between the D-Day Museum in Arromanches to see the artificial port remnants, or the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. This evening you'll have dinner featuring creative cuisine and seasonal ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delightful dinner with creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and delicious wines)
Included Activities
- Visit Pointe du Hoc bunkers and Rangers Memorial
- Visit American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent near Omaha Beach with Local Expert
Optional Activities
- Visit D-Day Museum in Arromanches
- Visit Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Landmarks/POIs Pointe du Hoc American Military Cemetery of Saint-Laurent Omaha Beach D-Day Museum Bayeux Tapestry Museum Bayeux Cathedral - Day 18
Deauville to Saint-Malo
You'll head through Bocage country to Mont Saint-Michel with a local expert, where an abbey sits on an island connected by causeway. The small town has one street with shops and cafes. Later you reach Saint-Malo on the Rance Estuary, where you'll explore the walled city's winding streets and the cathedral. The ramparts offer fantastic views, and by night the streets fill with bars and restaurants. There's an optional trip to Cancale for fresh seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mont Saint-Michel abbey with Local Expert
- Walk through Intra Muros walled city to cathedral with Local Expert
- Exploration of Saint-Malo
Optional Activities
- Visit Cancale for fresh seafood and Breton specialities meal
Landmarks/POIs Mont Saint-Michel Saint-Malo Intra Muros Saint-Malo Cathedral Cancale - Day 19
Saint-Malo to Loire Valley
You'll head south through the Loire valley, passing the moated Angers Castle. In Saumur, a local vintner guides you through wine tastings. At Château de Villandry you'll explore the sustainable gardens including water, ornamental, and kitchen gardens with organically grown herbs and vegetables. You'll arrive at your chateau hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pass Angers Castle
- Wine tasting in Saumur with local vintner
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Château de Villandry sustainable gardens tour
Landmarks/POIs Angers Castle Saumur Château de Villandry Loire Valley - Day 20
Loire Valley
You'll visit Château d'Amboise, once home to French kings and where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. Your local expert explains how this clifftop residence shaped the French Renaissance. This evening you'll have a farm-to-table dinner starting with local sparkling wine and followed by excellent dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farm-to-Table Dinner starting with a glass of local sparkling wine and continuing with excellent service and delicious dishes)
Included Activities
- Visit Château d'Amboise with Local Expert
- Farm-to-Table Dinner with local sparkling wine
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Amboise - Day 21
Loire Valley to Paris
You'll travel to Chartres Cathedral, then return to Paris where the City of Light shines with illuminated monuments and bridges. There's an option to experience one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chartres Cathedral
Optional Activities
- World-famous cabaret show in Paris
Landmarks/POIs Chartres Cathedral - Day 22
Departure
Your journey through the French countryside ends as you transfer to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
