Day 1

PARIS
Arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.

 

Day 2

PARIS
The tour starts with a visit to the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower. See the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris  and continue to the Opera, designed by Charles Garnier for Emperor Napoleon III. It is the most important symbol of the 19th century Second Empire baroque style.  Visit the Greek temple Madeleine and  the Great Louvre, the largest national museum of France, the most visited museum in the world and a historic monument. It is a central landmark of Paris. Enjoy a walk along Champs-Elysees, the most prestigious avenue in Paris. Visit the majestic Palace of Versailles, one of the world's grandest historical museums. See the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Queen's Chamber... and learn more about France's history.

 

Day 3

PARIS - ROUEN (130km./1h.30min.) – CAEN (120km./1h.30min.)
Departure to Rouen, the historic capital city of Normandy on the River Seine. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe. Enjoy a walk along the lovely cobblestone Rue du Gros-Horloge. Visit the famous Gothic Cathedral, which was immortalized by Monet in his numerous paintings of its façade and continue to the place where Joan of Arc met her fiery end in 1431. Departure to Caen. Visit the spectacular Memorial Museum of Peace, focused on the Battle of Normandy. The Caen Memorial is regarded as the best World War II museum in France.

 

Day 4

CAEN – BAYEUX - MONT ST. MICHEL (140km./1h.30min.)
Departure to Bayeux. Be amazed by Queen Matild’s Tapestry, that depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. Discover the Mont-Saint-Michel and its abbey on the border between Normandy and Brittany, one of the first sites to obtain UNESCO World Heritage listing. Admire the prodigious accomplishments of medieval architecture, by the forces of nature, and the ever-changing light.

 

Day 5

MONT ST. MICHEL – ANGERS (200km./1h.30min.) – TOURS (120km./1h.30min.)
The tour goes to Angers. Visit the fascinating 13th-century castle overlooking the River Maine. Rich in history, this castle has seen many notable figures from history. Continue on to the Loire Valley, The Garden of France. Departure to Tours, famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Enjoy the uniqueness of the Old City and its preserved half-timbered buildings. Take a break in la Place Plumereau, whose open-air tables fill the centre of the square. Enjoy the view of its famous bridges crossing the river Loire.

 

Day 6

TOURS – CHAMBORD (80km./1h.) – CHENONCEAUX (80km./1h.) - TOURS
Visit the pearl of the French Renaissance, Chateau Chambord, one of the most recognizable in the world because of its very distinct architecture that blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Italian structures. See the 16th-century chateau of Catherine de Medici, a manor house near the small village of Chenonceaux, designed by the French Renaissance architect Philibert Delorme. Back in Tours.

 

Day 7

TOURS - ST. EMILION (380km./3h.30min.) – BORDEAUX
Departure to St. Emilion, famous for its fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. Taste its world famous wine. Continue to Bordeaux. Admire its splendid gothic cathedrals and 18th century mansions. Visit the 'Quartier Saint-Eloi', one of the most picturesque districts in Bordeaux. See the 500 meter long 'Pont de Pierre', commissioned by Napoleon. This is definitely one of the most beautiful bridges in France. Visit 'Saint Michel' church. Go for a nice walk on the shores of Garonne.  Enjoy the atmosphere of the city near Gambetta Square. This part of the town is nicknamed "Little Paris". Go to Quinconces Square and check out the fountain monument to the Girondins. See the Victory Arch, a great example of the town's Roman roots.

 

Day 8

BORDEAUX – CARCASSONNE (370km./3h.) – NIMES (200km./2h.)
Departure to the town of Carcassonne, an amazingly well preserved medieval fortress that was featured in the movie, Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Visit  Ville de Carcassonne, a beautiful castle and the centrepiece of the town. Departure to Nimes, travelling through the picturesque vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon.

 

Day 9

NIMES - PONT DU GARD – AVIGNON – NICE (270km./2h.30min.) – MONTE CARLO – NICE
Arrival at Pont du Gard. See the massive Roman Aqueduct, placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Stop in Avignon to admire the spectacular Palace of the Popes and the bridge of the popular song.  Continue to Nice, the sophisticated "Queen of the Riviera." Departure to Monte Carlo. Walk through Monaco-Ville, a medieval village with  an astonishingly picturesque site at its heart. Visit the Prince's Palace, that offers a breathtaking panoramic view. Visit the Cathedral, a Romanesque-Byzantine church that houses the remains of former Princes of Monaco and Princess Grace. Admire the Saint Martin Gardens. Back in Nice.

 

Day 10

NICE – ST.PAUL DE VENCE – NICE
Enjoy a walk through the Old Town, a maze of streets and alleys, with many picturesque houses, boutiques and home to the daily flower and fruit market of the Cours Saleya. Admire the spectacular view from the Colline du Chateau that overlooks the Baie des Anges and harbour.  Departure to the perfectly preserved medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, an art mecca in the early twentieth century that still remains home to countless galleries and studios. Visit La Fondation Maeght, a museum of modern and contemporary art located just outside the main city walls. Back to Nice.

 

Day 11

NICE – CANNES – GRASSE - GRENOBLE (300km./4h.30min.)
Departure to Cannes, opulent resort of film festivals. Enjoy a tour of the Old town with its narrow winding streets. The view from the castle ruins at the top is excellent. Stop in Grasse, the place where the world's most exotic perfumes are made. Visit the Perfume Factory and Museum. Continue the trip, driving along the famous Route Napoleon through the French Alps. Arrival in Grenoble.

 

Day 12

GRENOBLE – LYON (110km./1h.) –DIJON (200km./2h.) – Paris (300km./1h.30min.)
Departure to Lyon. Admire the panoramic view of the city and its Roman ruins from Fourviere Hill and its basilica. Drive north into Burgundy to Dijon, which was the capital of Burgundy from the 11th to the 15th centuries. Visit The Ducal Palace and the museum full of priceless treasures and wonderful art . Go to the most famous part of the museum, the Guard Room with tombs. The tour continues to Jardin Darcy , a beautiful park and a great place to have a rest and see how French people enjoy themselves. Departure to Paris.

 

Day 13

Transfer to the airport.