Best of France

Arrive in Paris in the morning and check into your hotel. En route to the hotel you will enjoy a guided panoramic sightseeing tour of Paris, taking in the most famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower, The Paris Opera and Place de la Concorde. The rest of the day will be free to rest or take in the capital city. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in the hotel. (D)

Today the morning tour will start with a visit up the Eiffel Tower or Tour Montparnasse, where you will get an iconic view of Paris. Afterwards you will see many landmarks from a Seine River Cruise. This afternoon you will have a guided tour of The Louvre.
The building was previously a royal palace and holds some of the world’s most famous works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with St. Anne, and Madonna of the Rocks. Overnight in the hotel. (B)

This morning you will board the TGV train to Nice and in less than 6 hours you will be in the South of France. French Riviera, also known, as the Cote d’Azur is the sun and fun playground of Europe, filled with million dollar yachts. On arrival in Nice, you will have an orientation tour of the city including the Promenade des Anglais. Overnight in the hotel. (B)

Today is yours to explore, relax, photograph and enjoy the beautiful city of Nice. Perhaps you would like to explore the Roman ruins, the Matisse Museum, the Museum of Naïve Art, or some of the many palaces or churches, or just relax and people watch on one of the public beaches. Overnight in the hotel (B)

Today a local coach will take you to the Principality of Monaco. You will see the Palace of the ruling Grimaldi family and the Cathedral where the late Princess Grace and Prince Rainier were married. You will also view the Bay of Cannes and the glitzy resort of St Tropez, playground of the European rich and famous. You will then drive on to the elegant city of Aix en Provence. Overnight in the hotel. (B)

Today a local coach will take you to Avignon where you will have an orientation tour including views of the impressive Palace of the Popes and the ruined bridge straddling the River Rhone, which inspired the famous French song, ‘sur le Pont d’Avignon’. Overnight at the hotel (B)

Today you will board a train to Tours in the heart of the Loire valley. The balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel . (B)

This morning you will visit Château de Chambord, constructed on a truly ‘royal’ scale and the largest residence in the Loire region. Work began on the Château at the instigation of the extravagant François I and was not completed until 150 years later. In fact, the scale of the palace was such that the river Closson (a tributary of the Loire) was actually redirected to improve its aspect. Highlights for today’s visitors include the roof terraces, the grand staircase (supposedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci) and the king’s bedchamber.

You will then visit Chenonceaux, one time home of Mary Queen of Scots and probably the most stately of the Loire Chateaux, majestically hovering on the waters of the River Cher. Overnight in the hotel (B)

This morning you will visit Orleans, where Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans), heard God speaking to her telling her to guide the King in battle against the English. You can see the famous statue of Joan of Arc astride a horse in Place du Martroi and also the house where she lived.

You will then continue to Chartres, where the Cathedral is arguably the most magnificent in France with perhaps the most intricate 13th century stained glass in Europe. You will then return to Paris for farewell dinner and overnight in your the hotel. (B, D)

Depart to the airport for your return flight home. (B)