Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona to Carcassonne
Head into northern Catalonia starting in Girona, where you'll walk through the medieval old town and check out the Cathedral and Jewish quarter. From there, continue to Besalú to see the fortified bridge and castle. Next, you'll head to the coastal town of Colliure with its beach and castle before arriving in Carcassonne for the evening. There's time for a walk around this famous fortified city once you get settled.
Optional Activities
- Visit Cathedral of Saint Mary in Girona
- Explore the Jewish quarter in Girona
- Visit Besal\u00fa's fortified stone bridge
- Visit Besal\u00fa Castle
- Visit Jewish baths in Besal\u00fa
- Visit old pilgrim hospital in Besal\u00fa
- Enjoy Colliure beach
- Explore Colliure port and narrow alleys
- Visit Colliure Castle
- Visit tomb of poet Antonio Machado in Colliure
- Nighttime stroll around Carcassonne's walls
- Dinner at restaurant in Carcassonne Cit\u00e9
Landmarks Cathedral of Saint Mary Carcassonne Fortified City Colliure Castle 
- Day 2
Carcassonne to Marseille
This morning begins with a guided tour of Carcassonne's Castle of the Counts and medieval walls, followed by free time to explore on your own. After lunch, travel to Narbonne to see its Occitan charm and historic center. By evening, you'll arrive in Marseille and take a stroll through the lively Vieux Port to get a feel for the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Marseille Centre Euromed)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Castle of the Counts in Carcassonne (admission included)
- Medieval walls visit in Carcassonne
Optional Activities
- Explore Carcassonne on your own
- Discover Narbonne's historic center
- Stroll through Vieux Port in Marseille
Landmarks Castle of the Counts Carcassonne Fortified City Vieux Port 
- Day 3
Marseille - Arles - Avignon - Lyon
Start in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city with Roman and medieval sites plus Van Gogh connections. Head to Les Baux village and explore the Carrières de Lumières underground show (or the Pont du Gard aqueduct if that's not available). You'll have time for lunch in Avignon, then see the massive Palais des Papes before heading to Lyon. In Lyon, walk through the World Heritage old town and take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Appartcity Lyon Cite Internationale)
Included Activities
- Explore Arles
- Visit Carri\u00e8res de Lumi\u00e8res in Les Baux (admission included)
- Cable car to Notre-Dame de Fourvi\u00e8re in Lyon (funicular included)
Optional Activities
- Visit Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct (if Carri\u00e8res de Lumi\u00e8res unavailable)
- Explore Avignon
Landmarks Arles Roman and Medieval Heritage Sites Carri\u00e8res de Lumi\u00e8res Palais des Papes Notre-Dame de Fourvi\u00e8re Pont du Gard 
- Day 4
Lyon to Dijon
Leave Lyon and head into Burgundy. Stop in Tournus to see its imposing stone gate and abbey, then continue to Beaune, the wine capital, where you'll have lunch and can check out the wine museum or historic hospice. Next, tour Savigny Castle, a 15th-century fortress with extraordinary museums featuring motorbikes, racing cars, planes, and helicopters. End your day in Dijon, Burgundy's capital, known for lively streets and medieval architecture including the Palace of the Dukes.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Dijon)
Included Activities
- Visit Savigny Castle (admission included)
Optional Activities
- Visit Tournus abbey
- Visit Beaune wine museum
- Visit Beaune historic hospice
- Explore Dijon and Palace of the Dukes
Landmarks Savigny Castle Palace of the Dukes 
- Day 5
Dijon to Paris
Depart Dijon and head to Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Cistercian site with admission included. Stop in the medieval city of Semur-en-Auxois surrounded by ancient walls. Later, have lunch and explore Vézelay, one of France's most beautiful villages, where its basilica was a starting point for the Way of St. James. After that, continue your journey to Paris, arriving in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel P. D´italie), Hotel (H4 Pleyel Paris)
Included Activities
- Visit Fontenay Abbey (admission included)
Optional Activities
- Explore Semur-en-Auxois
- Visit V\u00e9zelay basilica
- Explore V\u00e9zelay village
Landmarks Fontenay Abbey V\u00e9zelay Basilica 
- Day 6
Paris
Start with the Palace of Versailles and its gardens (note that admission isn't included). Return to Paris to explore Montmartre, the bohemian neighborhood known for artists, painters, and cabarets. Take a panoramic city tour with a local guide to see Paris's impressive avenues and iconic monuments before heading back to your hotel. An optional variety show is available if you'd like to do something in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel P. D´italie), Hotel (H4 Pleyel Paris)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Paris with local guide
Optional Activities
- Visit Palace of Versailles (admission not included)
- Explore Montmartre
- Optional evening variety show
Landmarks Palace of Versailles Montmartre 
- Day 7
Paris
Begin your day at the Eiffel Tower, where you'll go up to the second floor with included tickets. Then enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine for about an hour and fifteen minutes. The afternoon is free for you to explore Paris at your own pace, though transfers back to your hotel aren't included with the tour.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel P. D´italie), Hotel (H4 Pleyel Paris)
Included Activities
- Visit Eiffel Tower second floor (tickets included)
- Boat cruise on the Seine (approximately one hour and fifteen minutes)
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon exploring Paris
- Arrange transfer back to hotel
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Seine River - Day 8
Paris
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end, and you'll leave with wonderful memories from your time in France.
